Here, we’ve compiled some essential and (hopefully) useful information about Greece to help you make the most of your time there. We cover customs, driving, local temperament, specialties, and more. Who knows, you might just learn something new!
Alright, this one’s easy… Greece has a one-hour time difference from France. When it’s 12 pm in France, it’s 1 pm in Greece. A tiny difference, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re visiting (for your flight arrival time, planned activities, or calling family back home 😜). And the good news is that Greece, like France, adjusts for daylight savings. So, the time difference remains one hour throughout the year.
France is in UTC +1 in winter and UTC +2 in summer, while Greece is in UTC +2 in winter and UTC +3 in summer.
Although Greeks, of course, speak Greek, they also speak English quite well. What a relief! So you’ll have no problem getting by using English. If all else fails, gestures work well, or you can always rely on Google Translate!
However, keep in mind that Greeks take pride in their language and culture. They’ll be happy and appreciative if you learn a few words:
Yes, stray dogs and cats are (unfortunately) everywhere in Greece. While the Cyclades are known for their numerous cats, mainland Greece tends to have more dogs. It can be cute to see so many animals, but they are often injured or thin, which can be heartbreaking… Beware—you may feel the urge to take them home or start a shelter 😄.
Seriously though, on the road, be cautious not to hit stray dogs, who often aren’t afraid of cars and may run onto the road (trust us, it can be quite scary).
Similarly, we encountered many turtles crossing roads, taking the risk of getting hit. Unfortunately, we saw some that hadn’t made it 😭, but for the others, we always pulled over to move them to safety. Don’t hesitate to do the same if you spot one on your path!
Speaking of roads, Greece’s road network is quite satisfactory. The roads are generally well-maintained and fairly wide. So if you’re driving in Greece, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Even in the Cyclades, where roads can be narrower, it’s manageable. And often, instead of a car, you’ll rent a quad or scooter for easier travel.
If you want to rent a vehicle in Greece, we recommend using DiscoverCars. This platform offers the best deals with optimal conditions (unlimited mileage, partial coverage, and theft protection), all with no hidden fees. No unwelcome surprises at checkout!
Let’s continue with Greek roads and dive into the local driving style. In truth, there’s nothing particularly dangerous here (despite the reputation), but it’s… unique.
On the road, Greeks often drive on the emergency lane to let faster vehicles pass from behind.
This practice can be surprising initially since we’re used to keeping emergency lanes “clear,” but in Greece, no one minds. This approach even allows easy overtaking on two-way roads, regardless of oncoming traffic. Though surprising at first, this custom actually proves practical and helpful!
Yes, Greeks don’t use the Latin alphabet like we do—they use the Greek alphabet (of course). And the letters are quite different from what we’re used to… Aside from alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ), and delta (δ), which might be familiar from school math, it’s tough to decipher signs and information written only in Greek. If, on the roads or in supermarkets, signs are often only in Greek, you’ll be relieved to find translations in tourist areas (shops, sights, restaurants…).
Our first trip to Greece was a Cycladic adventure on the islands of Santorini and Paros. We were blown away by the white houses and blue-domed buildings. But when we discovered mainland Greece a year later during our Europe tour… no white walls, no domes—just regular buildings like anywhere else. A bit of a surprise due to our preconceptions and likely from all the Instagram images we’d seen. The Cycladic islands are certainly dream-worthy, and they’re what you mostly see online, but Greece actually has a rich variety of landscapes thanks to its geography.
Greece is made up of multiple regions: the mainland and the Peloponnese peninsula attached to it, as well as all the islands scattered between the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
In Greece, no place is more than 100 km from the sea, so even in the heart of the mainland, the coast is never far. Greece offers the chance to enjoy beaches (on the islands or in Chalkidiki), mountains (such as Mount Olympus), canyons (like Meteora or Vikos Gorge), and historical ruins (Athens, Olympia, Delphi…).
It’s a diversity of landscapes rarely shown on social media, but it’s very real.
Now, a much less glamorous topic than the diversity of landscapes, but equally important to know!
In Greece, you’ll often see signs in restrooms advising you not to throw toilet paper into the toilet.
At first, we didn’t get it… It’s common for women to see signs about sanitary products, so I didn’t think much of it, but when Simon mentioned it was the same in men’s rooms, it got confusing…
We eventually realized that in Greece, this doesn’t just apply to hygiene products, but toilet paper too! Yes, really… it’s strange, but Greece’s plumbing system isn’t always up to handling toilet paper. So don’t make the same mistake we did at first—make sure to dispose of your paper in the designated bins 😉
And a quick extra note on restrooms: finding the flush isn’t always straightforward… It’s not always located above the toilet as we’re used to, and it can come in various forms: a button on the wall below the toilet paper, a pull chain, a button on a high water tank, a pedal, and so on.
We can assure you it’s a bit disorienting at first, especially when you spend more time looking for the flush than doing your business 🤣
But once you’re used to it, spotting the flush becomes faster and faster!
Just like in Italy, where "pane e coperto" (bread and cover charge) often appears on the bill (we discuss this in the article: 10 Things to Know Before Traveling to Italy), in Greece, bread is frequently brought to your table and charged even if you didn’t ask for it. To avoid paying a few extra cents or euros, if you already know you won’t be eating bread with your meal, simply let the server know at the start.
This might seem obvious, but when you arrive in Greece, it’s not usually the first thing on your mind. Typically, stores are open from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, then again from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This long midday break isn’t something we’re used to as French visitors, and it can come as a surprise! So, depending on where you are, it’s worth keeping this in mind if you plan to shop. That said, in tourist areas, shops often stay open non-stop from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm. Much more convenient (and advantageous for them too)!
So there you have it—our top 10 things to know about Greece. We hope this information will be useful during your stay and that you’ve learned something new 😊.
If we’ve inspired you to visit this country, you can book your flights right here:
Feel free to share your experiences and tips in the comments for other travelers!
If you’re planning to explore the Greek islands, ferries* are often cheaper than flights, though not always faster… It depends on how much time you have!
*Book ferry tickets at the best price here.
How about we chat?