Greece Workation FAQs

Greece is one of the world’s most popular destinations to visit making it super safe to visit for all types of travelers and those looking for a great Workation package. Is Greece safe is a frequently asked question but as a member of the EU, many of the laws and regulations that govern the larger continental body transfer to Greece, in addition to the country’s already low rate of crime or violence. However, petty crimes take place all over the world but are generally voidable by keeping your wits about you to avoid  incidents such as pickpocketing. Solo female travelers can also feel safe when traveling to Greece for Workation.

Dangerous situations in Greece are easy to avoid making it easy for you to focus on your overall experience while adhering to the rules, regulations, and boundaries of local laws and customs. In other words, pay attention and use your common sense to avoid unnecessary safety issues whether when walking down the street, dancing in a club, or swimming in the sea.

You should not drink tap water when in Greece. The water in large cities like Athens and Thessaloniki is treated and provides potable sustenance but outside of the spaces, the water may not have the same drinkability. Instead, be safe by sticking to bottled water, which can be found around the country and is relatively cheap to purchase. 

In case of an emergency when visiting Greece, call 112. 

The single emergency number is available 24/7 across Europe and you can dial it regardless of your telecommunications device or network. This is the emergency contact phone number and will direct your call to any of the first responders required, such as ambulance, fire department, or police. 

Greece does not have a required list of vaccinations for travelers but recommends visitors receive a certain number of vaccinations before visiting to protect themselves and others. The requirements for vaccines depend fully on the Greece government and can change at any moment, depending on what the government feels is necessary for the protection of its citizens. 

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more advice on what vaccines you should get before visiting Greece. You can also speak to your primary care physician or a travel nurse to learn more about your health, recommended vaccines, and traveling abroad.

The official currency of Greece will be the euro (€). 

ATMs are located all around the country and major credit cards are generally accepted in places like restaurants, shops, and hotels. This makes your travel experience easier, and means you don’t need to exchange money immediately or at all. Carry cash on you in case of an emergency or if a particular shop does not offer credit services, especially when visiting towns or villages, which often don’t have the same services accessible to travelers. 

You receive a better exchange rate if you exchange money after you arrive in Greece. 

You should know before you visit Greece, currency exchange centers are common in airports or international border crossings across Greece, so it’s easy for you to find a place to exchange your currency, whether at international ports or in popular city centers at places like tourist agencies or exchange offices. The latter places generally have lower-quality exchange rates. Usually, the best option for the greatest exchange rate is to use the ATM for direct currency transfers or using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

Tipping is common in Greece. 

Customary tipping in Greece can range between 10-15% of a bill or often sees customers round up to the nearest five or 10. But different sectors of service expect different percentages. While 10-15 % is the normal tipping rate in cafes and restaurants, service charges are generally part of the bill but separate from a tip, normally covering beard and bottled water. 

Taxi drivers are not usually tipped but many locals and travelers round up to the nearest euro when paying in cash. Much like restaurants, guides are often tipped 10-15% especially for excellent service. In places like Santorini or other destinations with long distances and stairs between the lobby and your hotel room, expect to tip porters between two to 10 euro, depending on the amount of luggage you have and the number of trips they need to make. 

Travelers with U.S. documents do not need a visa for visiting Greece. 

When visiting from the US with a passport valid for at least six months from you arrival in Greece, you can visit for 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes visiting during a Greece Workation package. 

US and North American travelers need a travel adapter or converter when visiting Greece. 

Greece operates on a 230v supply voltage with a 50 Hz frequency, which is typical of many European countries. When visiting from the US, you must bring converters for major electronics like hair dryers or alarm clocks. Modern technologies like phones and laptops are perfectly fine with adaptors instead of converters. Most often, especially when traveling for a Workation, you can find items like hair dryers and alarm clocks in your accommodations. 

You can use your phone when in Greece. 

Depending on your network provider in your home state and whether your phone is unlocked, you can find various ways to use your original phone during a Greece Workation and beyond. 

Check with your network to see if they provide roaming coverage for your chosen European destination or destinations. You may also find that roaming charges exist as an add-on to your original plan. Many phone companies have all-inclusive data plans for a certain price per day while traveling outside of North America. 

Another option is purchasing a local SIM card upon your arrival in Greece to give you data, wifi, and calling across Europe but this requires you to have an unlocked phone. Make sure you understand how your phone may work during your Greece Workation, especially if you plan on updating everyone back home with photos and video as you explore the top places to visit in Greece.

Greece is a safe and welcoming place to visit but certain local cultural norms or infrastructural differences can make all the difference during your Workation. Understanding what you should participate in and what to avoid can protect you during your travel experience. 

It may seem like common sense but it is taboo to touch artifacts in museums and when visiting archeological sites, the surrounding ecology included. For example, an average of 7.2 million people visit the Parthenon each year, and if each one either touched the stones or took a pebble from the Acropolis, it would have a massive impact on the feature itself let alone the plateau. 

Avoid throwing toilet paper in the toilet. This may seem counterintuitive or gross when coming from a country with new sewage systems and relatively updated pipes but Greece is an ancient country with a relatively old sewer system, especially in smaller or remote areas. All bathrooms are equipped with trash cans for easy and quick disposal. Avoid clogging up the sewage systems, especially outside of a major city like Athens, by paying attention to what you do and do not put in the toilet.

10-14 days gives you a great amount of time to enjoy Greece for your Workation. 

10 days to two weeks can give you plenty of time to explore the famous places of Greece at a comfortable pace, so you can sit back, relax, and explore the ancient history and natural beauty. 21 days is also an enjoyable amount of time during which you can explore more of the diverse islands and mainland. 

Whether you choose 10 days or 21 days, you will settle into a city or town, discover the highlights, and have local experience that balances life and work instead of exhaustingly moving from place to place.  This will help inspire you and get you more in touch with your overall Greece Workation. 

Ouzo is Greece’s national drink. 

Ouzo is a type of plain alcohol often mixed with aromatic herbs, especially anise. Ouzo is most commonly drunk with small plates known as meze and enjoyed in good company as it cleanses the palate and creates a more communal experience. Don’t be surprised if you are offered ouzo in family-run restaurants or by shop owners eager to share their traditions with you by turning a possible customer into a new friend. 

Greek relationship with time is fluid, with a generally laid-back attitude resulting in “Greek Time.” If meeting a local, you can enjoy a relaxed pace, absent of any sense of urgency, which adds to the comfortable atmosphere across the country, especially when on the islands. 

Depending on the season and location you visit, it’s common for strangers to greet you and possibly invite you in for a meal. It’s considered rude to not accept local hospitality and when you do arrive, be sure to bring a small gift to show your gratitude. 

The laid-back lifestyle and religious affiliations of Greek culture also relate to shopping. Stores often close between 2-3 pm when shop owners or workers have lunch or a relaxing break and many shops, including grocery stores are closed on Sundays. These guidelines mainly apply to smaller places but do exist in neighborhoods across Athens and Thessaloniki, as well. 

The official language of Greece is Greek.

Even if Greek is the official language, English is the language of tourism and is commonly spoken across the country, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos. When staying in larger cities or when visiting popular islands, speaking English should not be an issue. If traveling to small towns or villages, you may learn Greek phrases or words that can help endear you to locals but in circumstances during which you cannot communicate, locals generally do what they can to kindly help you understand.