Type and sockets at 230 V, and clocks an hour ahead of central Europe. The rule that catches people out is plumbing: used toilet paper goes in the bin beside the toilet, not down the pan.
- Used toilet paper goes in the bin beside the toilet, not down the pan. Historic drainage uses narrow pipes that block easily, and this is the single most common visitor mistake.
- Church and monastery dress codes are enforced, not suggested: long trousers for men, covered shoulders and a skirt below the knee for women. Many monasteries keep wraps at the door.
- Sockets are type and at 230 V, and the clocks run an hour ahead of central Europe.
- Traditional shops split the day, closing mid-afternoon on some days and reopening in the evening on others; supermarkets and tourist-area shops run straight through.
- Meals run late - lunch at 14:00 to 16:00, dinner rarely before 21:00. A taverna that is empty at 19:30 is not a bad taverna.
Local rules and cultural differences
- Churches and monasteries: Dress codes are enforced, not suggested. Men need long trousers; women need covered shoulders and a skirt below the knee. Many monasteries keep wraps at the door.
- Drones: Regulated by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority. Flying over archaeological sites, near airports, over crowds or over military installations is banned and fined heavily. A camera drone requires operator registration.
- Photography: Never photograph military installations, border infrastructure or naval vessels. It can lead to detention and confiscation of the equipment.
- Beaches: Nudism is legal only on officially designated beaches. Drinking alcohol in public is not banned outright, but disorder and night-time noise are policed.
Everyday practicalities
- Power sockets: Types and , 230 V, 50 Hz - the standard two-pin European plug.
- Time zone: EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3) in summer - an hour ahead of central Europe.
- Toilet paper goes in the bin: Historic drainage in much of Greece uses narrow pipes that block easily. Every bathroom has a bin beside the toilet and it is there for paper. This is the single most common visitor mistake.
- Opening hours: Traditional shops split the day - roughly 09:00 to 15:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and 09:00 to 14:30 plus 17:30 to 21:00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Supermarkets and tourist-area shops run straight through, 08:00 to 21:00. Most ordinary shops close on Sunday.
- Meals run late: Lunch is 14:00 to 16:00 and dinner rarely starts before 21:00. A taverna that is empty at 19:30 is not a bad taverna.
- Wi-Fi: Free at Athens airport, on the metro and in most cafés and restaurants.
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