FAQ

For more info on travelers rights in Greece please visit https://eeke.gr/en/traveler-primer/.

Greece is considered one of the safest destination countries in the world. Travelers are, of course, advised to use the normal precautions that they would in any other European country.

No special vaccinations or immunizations are needed when travelling to Greece.

In order to have access to necessary health care, tourists from member states of the European Union (EU) wishing to visit Greece must be holders of the European Health Card (EHIC) or any other legal Community document issued by their competent social security agency. Tourists from countries other than the member states of the European Union must consult their social security agency for information before travelling.

• European emergency number: 112
• Ambulance Service: 166
• SOS Doctors : 1016
• Duty Hospitals and Clinics: 1434
• Pharmacies: 1434
• Poisoning First Aid: 210 77 93 777
• Police: 100
• Tourist Police: 1571

As a tourist-consumer you are protected by Greek Legislation concerning consumer protection for all your transactions while traveling in the country. In case of an omission or an infringement of the afore-mentioned, you may call the Tourist Police at 1571. In case you need to file a complaint please contact the Greek Ministry of Tourism by sending an email to: touristcomplaints@mintour.gr.

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a limited amount of rainfall. The sun is shining over Greece all year round. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. So you can Visit Greece whenever you like and it's convenient to you to discover its history and culture and visit its beauties!

In summer, the dry hot days are cooled by seasonal winds called the meltemi, while mountainous regions have generally lower temperatures.

The winters are mild in lowland areas, with a minimum amount of snow and ice, yet, mountains are usually snow-covered. Moreover, a common phenomenon is the occurrence of different climatic conditions during the same season (for instance, mild heat in coastal areas and cool temperatures in mountainous regions).

If you want to travel to the Greek islands in order to avoid the tourist-packed high season or/and the summer heat, you are advised to visit in autumn, September to mid-October, or spring and early summer, mid-April to end May.

If you need further information about the weather please, check the weather on the destination page or contact us back. We will be happy to assist you!

Efforts to improve accessibility across Greece are ongoing, and Athens is leading the way in adapting the urban centre. From installing tactile paving to cracking down on illegal curbside parking and keeping ramps clear, authorities are taking steps to make it easier for people with disabilities to travel in the city and move around independently.

To travel longer distances around the country and explore Greece’s many stunning destinations, you can choose from a full range of transport options, including air, rail, road, and sea. Keep in mind that the level of provisions and available facilities on different carriers and routes can vary, so it’s important to confirm based on the specifics of your itinerary, whether you’re travelling by train, coach or ferry.

You can contact the regional KTEL companies of your points of travel to find out more about accessible options on intercity buses (KTEL), and you can check accessibility information on nationwide rail routes on the Hellenic Train website. If travelling by sea, visit the Hellenic Coast Guard website to check the accessibility of different ports around the country.

Notably, all Athens Metro stations are accessible and feature lifts, while buses and trolleybuses in the city are equipped with kneeling systems and/or ramps. You can find information on specific services on the Transport for Athens (OASA) website, while accessibility details for Athens Metro and city train services can be found on the city’s Urban Rail Transport (STASY) website.

Taxis in Greece are relatively affordable compared to many other European countries and are another great option for getting around, especially if you want a door-to-door service. Regular taxis, which in Greece are sedan type cars, can be waived down on the street but can also be booked in advance through various available reputable agencies and apps. Wheelchair users and other travellers with specific access needs can also make use of dedicated accessible transfer companies that use adapted minibuses or passenger vans to provide point-to-point transfers as well as port and airport transfers, city tours, and excursions.

Pantou.org, the accessible tourism directory created by the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), is an excellent resource for finding accessible tourism services, including accessible taxis and private transfers in Greece.

Greek summers are all about sunshine and days at the beach, and everyone should be able to enjoy those simple pleasures. With this in mind, Greece has installed Seatrac chairs at over 200 beaches across the country, enabling wheelchair users and others with mobility issues to enjoy independent sea access. The remote-controlled solar-powered chairs allow you to bypass the sand and safely get from the boardwalk to the water to enjoy a swim. Many Seatrac-equipped beaches feature additional amenities, such as accessible changing rooms, showers and bathrooms and wheelchair-accessible shaded areas on the beach.

From Corfu to Mykonos and from Halkidiki to Crete, Seatrac chairs can be found at beaches all over Greece: on the mainland and the Peloponnese, as well as on many Ionian and Aegean islands and Crete. Visit seatrac.gr to access a full directory and interactive map of Seatrac beaches and the amenities available at each.

Across the board, Greece is stepping up its efforts to make the country more accessible, and this includes improving access to its many world-class tourist attractions, not least the Acropolis of Athens. Previously inaccessible to many—it was after all built as an impenetrable citadel atop a craggy outcrop—the Acropolis now welcomes visitors with mobility issues thanks to a wheelchair-friendly lift and level, wheelchair-friendly paths that have been installed on the site.

Many more sites and museums around the country have been or are being adapted to be more disability-friendly, with a range of amenities such as access ramps, lifts, and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms. In Athens, for example, this includes the award-winning Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Benaki Museum, and the Museum of Cycladic Art, as well as the Ancient Agora of Athens, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. When in doubt, don’t forget that staff at these sites are always happy to answer questions and help out.

Greece isn’t just making changes to improve accessibility; it’s also seeing a surge in new initiatives and commercial ventures catering specifically for people with disabilities and different access needs.

Over the past years, this has resulted in a number of accessible hotels and resorts in coveted destinations such as sunny Crete and the seaside spa town of Loutraki, just a short drive from Athens. These hotels offer a range of purpose-designed facilities and amenities, including accessible rooms and bathrooms, wheelchair-friendly dining facilities, special ramps for sea and pool access, and specially fitted spa facilities.

If you want to add more variety—or even a little adventure—to your trip, you’ll find plenty of fun options to choose from. A small but dedicated number of specialised tour providers offer disability-friendly tours to some of the best attractions and destinations in the country, while some can also design bespoke travel itineraries and arrange everything from accessible hotels and transfers to wheelchair rentals and support staff. Disabled-friendly yacht holidays and private cruises are also available, with some yacht charter companies offering specially adapted wheelchair accessible yachts.

With a safe rural environment and great nature, the Greek islands and mainland destinations are fantastic places for pets. Here are some practical rules and legal regulations about traveling with pets in Greece.

The standard requirements for bringing a pet into Greece are that your pet must be micro- chipped and registered, blood tested and must have had a rabies vaccination within the last 12 months, more than 30 days prior to travel.

Cats and dogs travelling to Greece will need to comply with the Pet Passport Scheme. Throughout the EU there are standard rules for the issuing of a Pet Passport and animals travelling within the EU are required to have one.

In line with European Union rules, if you’re travelling to Greece with your pet dog, cat, or ferret, they must:

•  be microchipped;
•  have a valid rabies vaccination (and in some cases a rabies antigen check); and
•  have a valid European pet passport, when travelling from an EU country or Northern Ireland, OR an EU animal health certificate, when travelling from a non-EU country—if you are travelling from Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, or Vatican City State, your pet can also enter the EU with a pet passport issued in one of these countries or territories.

In addition to the basic travel documents and requirements outlined above, individual airlines and ferry and rail operators may have different policies on travelling with animals, so it’s important to check with your carrier to confirm their specific rules and requirements for transporting your pet.

If you’re bringing your pet to Greece by private transport, whether that’s a car, yacht or aircraft, you’ll have to enter the country through an authorised border inspection post (BIP). These can be found at the Athens and Thessaloniki international airports, the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki, and the railway entry points at Eidomeni and Neos Kafkasos (on the border with North Macedonia) and Promachonas (on the border with Bulgaria). Additional BIPs can be found at border crossings at Evzonoi (border with North Macedonia), Kakavia (border with Albania), and Peplos (border with Turkey), as well as Ormenio and Promachonas (border with Bulgaria. If you arrive through a non-EU country, you’ll also need to check the individual requirements for that country plus any relevant requirements for re-entry into the EU.

Authorised island entry points include Syros in the Cyclades island chain; Kalymnos, Kos, and Rhodes in the Dodecanese; Chios, Lesvos, Limnos, and Samos in the North Aegean; Corfu and Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea; and Heraklion and Chania on Crete. BIPs can include airports and/or ports depending on the island, so always contact authorities at your point of entry to confirm.

When out and about in Greece, you’re required to have your passport or some form of photo ID with you at all times—and so is your pet, so make sure to always have their passport or health certificate at hand.

Greek legislation provides that the transport of small pets (pets weighing not more than 10kg) is allowed in all road, rail and fixed-route public transport as well as in taxis and passenger ships, provided the animals are placed in a secure travel crate or carrier and accompanied by the owner or by the person responsible for them during transport. Larger dogs (over 10kg) can travel with you by rail, provided they are placed in a secure travel crate or carrier, which is then transported in the luggage coach.
Passenger ships have a limited number of kennels on board for larger pets and often have dedicated areas for animals and pet hygiene. Some operators also offer pet-friendly cabins on longer routes. While onboard, animals are required to remain in their crates or carriers and/or must be kept on the lead and wear a muzzle while in common use areas.

Remember that taking your pet on the ferry, train, coach, or taxi might incur an additional charge and that different carriers and operators may have different requirements and capacity limits for the transport of animals. Make sure to check the amenities, fees and policies of individual providers before you travel and let your carrier know at the time of booking that you will be travelling with your pet or assistance animal.

Certified guide dogs and assistance dogs, regardless of size, can be transported without a travel crate or muzzle but must be kept on the lead at all times. In public transport, such as trains, these animals are also allowed access to restaurant coaches.

From luxury resorts in the Peloponnese and the Athens Riviera to family-run B&Bs in charming mountain towns like Metsovo and independent campgrounds in Halkidiki and the Aegean islands, there are plenty of pet-friendly accommodation options throughout Greece. 

While not all providers accept pets, many do, and you’re sure to find something to suit your needs and budget. Booking a stay with your pet will likely incur extra charges, and there may be specific guidelines and policies regarding the type, size, breed and number of pets allowed. Depending on the establishment, you may enjoy access to additional amenities, ranging from dog beds and pet play areas to grooming and pet sitting services; in some cases, availability might vary depending on the season, so always enquire ahead to get the most up-to-date information and ensure a comfortable stay. 

With the exception of guide dogs and assistance dogs, animals are not allowed inside restaurants. That said, thanks to the country’s fantastic Mediterranean climate, cafés and restaurants usually have outdoor seating areas, including patios and gardens, that are popular with patrons regardless of the season.

As always, it’s best to call ahead to confirm that it’s okay to bring your pet; some places might not have the space to safely accommodate your four-legged companion, while others may be able to provide water bowls and dog treats to make sure you both enjoy a delicious experience.

Greece boasts numerous dog-friendly beaches that provide excellent opportunities to run, play and splash in the water; these can be found across the country, from Messinia in the Peloponnese to the islands of Lesvos and Samothraki in the Aegean, and even around Athens. You’ll have to keep your dog close to you and use a lead (larger dogs need to be muzzled). It’s your responsibility to pick up after your dog and ensure your dog doesn’t bother other beachgoers. 

Remember that during the hottest hours of the day, the sun and heat can get too intense for dogs and the sand or pebbles on the beach can get hot enough to hurt your furry friend’s paws. Try to visit the beach earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when the sun isn’t as hot and your dog can comfortably run about and enjoy splashing in the water. Ingesting saltwater, seaweed, or sand can be dangerous for dogs, so keep a close eye on them and take precautions to mitigate the risk: make sure there’s fresh water available to them at all times, play with toys that don’t absorb a lot of sand, and hose off your dog after leaving the beach to prevent them from licking the sand off their coat and feet.

Since April 2023, new Ministry of Culture regulations mean that dogs are now welcome at more than 100 key archaeological sites across Greece. A further 110 sites that don’t allow dogs have been equipped with kennels (complete with comfy bedding, toys, and water bowls) that can accommodate your dog, free of charge, for up to two hours while you explore the site. For practical reasons, dogs are still not allowed at sites that tend to get very crowded, such as the Acropolis of Athens or Knossos in Crete, and are not permitted in ancient theatres, temples, tombs, and monuments with sensitive mosaic floors.

Your dog must be at your side at all times and must be kept on the lead; larger dogs will also need to wear a muzzle. Of course, it’s your responsibility to clean up after your dog and dispose of waste properly, as well as to ensure that your dog doesn’t cause any disturbance or damage.

Your children can really have the time of their lives here. Smiley faces and hospitality, family warmth and peace, security, untouched nature and magnificent food give a unique combination, making Greece the number one family destination worldwide. Either way, mums and dads, be prepared to relax and have a good time in a country where everyone, young and old is a kid!

Electric current- The “norm” in Greece is 230V AC (50Hz). Appliances from North America need a transformer and those from England an adaptor.

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