Travel Guide

Here is some information we have put together to give you an idea of what to expect, how to get around when here but most importanlty..to make your trip planning eazy! Cause planning your trip should be fun! If you have any questions – or find that you have something to add to this let us know. We will be keeping this page updated by adding additional information. Feel free to contact us with questions or comments!

What you should pack

Electrical adaptor

In Greece 220V outlets are standard ( 50 Hz) so if you live in a country with 110V you will have  to purchase an electrical adaptor.Keep in mind though that some appliances have a transformer from 120V to 220V.Check user manual of the appliances you plan to bring before.

Camera

A must! Whether going to party in Mykonos, chill in a campsite in Samothraki or visit Acropolis the photographer in you will be inspired. Most sites permit pictures taken without a flash but do ask before using it. People are friendly and they usually don’t mind having their picture taken but always ask with a smile.

Travel guide and Map

Be prepared –do some research before hand .There is so much you can see and do in Greece.

What to wear

For summer months you will be comfortable with a T-shirt and shorts.Bring a swimsuit. During the night you might, especially if you are close to the sea you may need a light jacket. Bring a hat if you plan on visiting sites and spending time in the sun.Winter in Greece is mild but you will still need heavier clothes and a coat. In Greece you may find the climate is very different depending on the region.

Sunscreen!!!!

If visiting during the winter months you will not need it  (from October till  May). If you however have decided to visit during summer we suggest a high SPF sunscreen. June till August are the hottest and sunniest months with tempetures up to 38C or 40 C during heat waves.

Re-apply frequently and try avoiding sitting in the sun for long periods .

Sunglasses

Much needed!

Mosquito repellent – after bite for insects and jellyfish.

Depends on the area you will visit and the time of year. Winter usually finds us mosquito free. While summer and autumn you will probably also need something for mosquito bites, bee sting or the odd jellyfish encounter.

Health and safety

No immunization vaccines are required for a trip to Greece from Canada or the U.S.A. If visiting from other counties ,consult the Greek Embassy near you.

Emergency phone numbers

• European Emergency Number : (police/ medical /fire)  :122
• Ambulance 166
• Fire  199
• Police Immediate Response :100

Swimming in Greece

In Greece most beaches have not a lifeguard on watch. Best way is to observe the locals, they know the currents and the best spots.

Snorkeling is a great way to observe the marine life .

If interested in speargun fishing they are many places in Greece that offer great environment.You must have a speargun licence if asked by the coast guard.Take cautionary safety measures, stay away from crowded beaches and beware of boats and jet skis .Many accidents with swimmers and snorkelers occur due to bad judgement of the speed boat or jet ski. Careful when night swimming. Preferably only at beaches you have swam.

Beaches in Greece

My family and I visit Greece every year and inevitably we spend a great deal of time at the beaches of Greece during the summer. We like to travel around to discover new Greek beaches, and we tend to rate each beach after our visit.  This is not an official guide; Instead, these are our own observations of the beach qualities as we experienced them during our visit.

Our beach reports here is based on on-site visits. Certain beaches we have visited only once, while many we have seen several times. Beaches are arranged here by province or island.  I have put together this guide to the beaches of Greece we have visited in hopes that future travelers can find it helpful.

Please choose a destination on the left menu bar for more information and pictures from the beaches of Greece.  If you have visited one of the Greek beaches listed here, and would like to submit a report , please send an email to greeklandscapes.com and you report will be posted in the appropriate pages.

Watersports in greece

http://eazygreece.com/activities-events/cycling/

Greece and its smoking ban

Greeks do smoke, a lot and although the greek climate permits smoking outdoors Greeks cannot stop smoking indoors.A law was passed in 2009 banning smoking in public spaces, and requiring the bars and clubs to create smoking and non smoking sections for theircustomers.The attempt was so unsuccessful that the law it was reimposed in 2010 .Unfortunately today people still smoke indoors in most restaurants and bars.

Churches and monasteries

When visiting church and monasteries you will in most cases need to be dressed appropriately. The dress code is long trousers for men, and long skirts for women. Chapels and churches usually do not require such strict dress code. Up till a decade ago it was not permitted that women wore trousers in church. Now it is still frowned upon by some but you can get away with it.


Internet connection

In most areas in Greece it will be easy to find.In cities many squares and shopping centers offer free WiFi. You can also buy a prepaid internet card some kiosks. Most hotels have internet access but you may also find internet cafes in larger islands.

Visiting museums and archaeological sites?

Before making any plans check – and double check the museums time tables. Don’t start off before, especially if it will take you some time to get there. Each museum has different opening hours and it is usual practice the close on Sundays. Archaiological sites are usually open from morning till sunset.

Athens city Guide

Driving in Athens

For getting around in downtown Athens we suggest you avoid driving. The roads are small and confusing .Greek drivers are used to having scooters, and motorbikes squeeze between the heavy traffic but it might take some time to get used to.

Parking is hard to find and private parking costs about 8 Euro per hour.Drivers in Athens usually just double park, risking a fine and completely disregarding the problem they cause for the rest of the drivers.

If you must drive we suggest:

Drivers in Athens seems like they do not follow any rules ,other than always trying to get in front of the car thats in front. They use the horn frequently and for everything, and fill all the empty spaces of the road disregarding the lines.

Note that in Athens center some times the right lane is used for busses. You can enter the lane for a short period of time to make a right turn, but longer stretches might get you a traffic violation ticket. You will identify those lanes by the bus drawings on the pavement and by the double line that separates them from the other lanes.

Athens Center -Ring Law

If you plan to drive in the center of Athens you must know there is a law enforced to help the traffic problem and minimize pollution. The area is defined with a ”Δ”. On single days you can drive a car with number plates that end in a single number in the ”Δ” area or Daktylios. On days with even numbers cars with  number plates that end in an even number are allowed. August is the only month that this law does not apply.

Street signs are ofter hard for foreigners to find ,usually on small signs on the corner of building blocks they are not always in English. Sometimes they are even behind a tree or other object.

Athens does not follow a strict city plan with neat grids. A lot of the streets are one way and if you miss your turn it you might be driving for a while till you manage to find the right turn again.

Seek the large avenues to avoid the city centre. These are multi-lane, express avenues which are designed to move a lot of traffic long distances. They still have traffic lights, and they are still subject to gridlock, but they are your best bet for moving relatively fast from one area of the city to another.

The “beltway”, Attiki Odos is a toll road (2.80 Euro for cars in 2011) that can get you from the north of the city to the airport avoiding city center traffic. From it, several large avenues branch into and out of Athens. These include Leoforos Kifisou that connects Pireas with the Northern suburbs, and crosses the city of Athens to the west of the city the center. Similarly, to the east of the center of Athens, Leoforos Kifisias (that connects with Leoforos Sigrou) can move you from Attiki Odos to the north of the city with the coast of Attica (Faliro, Glyfada, and the rest of the Saronic coast). The southern coast of Athens is accessible from Leoforos Poseidonos that starts in Palaio Faliro and continues all the way to Sounion.

Public transport  CITY OF ATHENS (we strongly suggest this option)

Metro, buses ,train and tram you can use them all with the same ticket.It costs 1.50 euro and you can use it for 1 1/2 hour.

From and to Athens airport you can take the suburban train.It’s final stop is Syntagma but you can connects with other metro stations.

From downtown Athens to get to and from Pireus port you can use the urban train.Its station is right across the port and ticket costs 1.50

Useful links:

http://www.oasa.gr/

Map of all transport:

http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/en/maps/keypoint/airport2004.pdf

Walking in Athens Center

Best way to get to see downtown Athens. From Syntagma square you can walk down Ermou have a look at the many shops street artists perform. Approximently 5 minutes down the road you will find Monastiraki area which has a interesting flea market, restaurants and bars. Must also mention the nice view of the Acropolis.From Monastiraki you can go to Plaka  area Thisio (cafes) or Gazi (nightlife).

Plaka will surprise you. Situated right under the Acropolis it is like a village in the center of the city. Vehicles are not permitted in the area but you still might find mopeds and delivery tracks speeding, so keep an eye out. Today it is quite commercialized neighborhood and you may find plenty of restaurants, jewelry stores ,tourist shops and cafes but before all that it was the nightclub district of Athens. A law passed is the seventies banned amplified music in the area ,completely changing this neighborhood. This strategy was effective and most of the nightclubs closed.

Small shops with local products and small tavernas are common in Plaka.It is quite touristic but most of the food is nice.Some of the restaurants have live music at night

In Plaka go uphill …take those small roads, climb those stairs and admire the architecture.Some of these buildings have been around centuries, others thousands of years. All these narrow roads and houses give an island village feel to the area.If you make it uphill (it’s not to hard) you should be standing under the Acropolis and looking down at Athens.  more…

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