The Don’ts of Visiting Greece
Greetings from Crete, Greece! Today we’re sharing the don’ts of Greece – some are fun, and some are serious, but all of them will help you prepare for a fabulous Greek vacation. Greece is a great country, well worth visiting, with good prices, tons of great food, and super nice people.
Greece Travel Tip #1 Don’t Show Your Palm
Visitors to Greece are often unaware that showing the palm of your hand is an insulting gesture in Greece. It’s not too different from giving someone the middle finger. A little extra emphasis is required to do this in a derogatory way, so it’s not likely that an innocent gesture will be mistaken for an insult, but it’s good to know nevertheless.
Greece Travel Tip #2 Don’t Be in a Hurry
Greek time is different from actual time, so anyone in a hurry here is going to be frustrated by the slower pace. Five minutes might mean 15 minutes, and it’s best to just go with the flow, enjoying the more relaxed pace. When the restaurant bill is requested, it can take quite a while to show up. Despite the relaxed pace in Greece, buses and trains generally run on time, so don’t be late for your departure.
Greece Travel Tip #3 Don’t Be Scared of the Greek Alphabet
It can’t hurt to learn a few words of Greek before a vacation in Greece. It can be very hard to discern the letters and spelling of Greek words, but a few basic phrases like “please” and “thank you” are easy to learn. Greek people are super friendly, and even more so when visitors try to speak a little of their language.
Watch: Top Ten Greek Words for Tourists
Greece Travel Tip #4 Don’t Forget to Bring a Gift if You are Invited Into a Greek Home
If a Greek local invites someone into their home, it’s important to bring a gift. Something simple like wine, flowers or candy will suffice.
Greece Travel Tip #5 Don’t Eat Before Visiting a Greek Home For Dinner
Another don’t for visiting a local’s home is to not eat for several hours beforehand. The Greeks will lavish food upon their guests, to the point of explosion. And then just a little bit more. It’s best to save up an appetite to fully enjoy a spread of Greek home cooking. When eating out in Greece, the portions are quite large and sharable, so it’s not necessary to order a separate meal for each person in the party. Meals tend to be family-style, so a few entrees can feed several people.
Greece Travel Tip #6 Don’t Pour Wine on Wine. Finish a Glass Before Refilling
Greeks drink their wine in very small glasses, so many refills are inevitable. The key to drinking wine in Greece is to empty the current glass of wine before topping it off with more.
Read: How to Eat Like a Local & Cheaply While You Travel
Greece Travel Tip #7 Don’t Try to Drive Like a Greek
When driving in Greece, it’s not important to keep up with the Greek drivers. They drive fast and loose, sometimes making four lanes out of two lanes. Don’t feel pressured to keep up with them. When it’s safe, pull over to let them pass.
Greece Travel Tip #8 Don’t Forget Your International Drivers License
For U.S. drivers, an international drivers license is required to rent a car in Greece. A European drivers license will work fine, but Americans need to visit AAA before their trip and get an international driver’s license. They are only valid for one year at a time, so try to get one close to the departure date.
Greece Travel Tip #9 Don’t Freak Out About Protests & Strikes in Athens
Many travelers get nervous before a trip when they hear about worker strikes in Athens and worry about trains and buses being canceled. Strikes do happen, just like anywhere else in the world. Generally, a strike is localized to one mode, such as the airport train, or taxis. There’s always an alternative option, and the media tends to exaggerate the situations. Don’t let it affect your trip plans, just go with the flow, the Greek way, and it all works out.
Greece Travel Tip #10 Don’t Skip Greece
This is the biggest don’t: Don’t skip Greece! There are so many things to do in Greece, from the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Thessaloniki, plus all the cool towns and cities. Don’t miss the chance to explore this amazing country for as many days as you can spare.
Greece Travel Tip #11 Don’t Expect Easy Access Off Season
It can be tempting to try and avoid crowds by traveling to Greece in the off season, but it can be challenging to reach some places, like Santorini. Big summer holiday destinations practically close down in the off season. There are fewer flights, especially the low-cost carrier flights and you’ll see many closed restaurants and clubs. Travelers might actually spend more money visiting Greece in the off season, because of fewer options.
Greece Travel Tip #12 Don’t Cheap Out on the Ferries
A lot of travel in Greece involves island hopping via the ferry system. To travel from Crete to Athens is an overnight ferry. To save a few bucks, travelers can try to sleep with one eye on their belongings, sitting upright for the whole night. Or, for a few extra quid, there are nice, comfortable sleeping cabins. Even better? Spend the extra money on a 35-minute flight and skip the ferry altogether!
Greece Travel Tip #13 Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
The sun is super strong in Greece. Don’t be one of those purple sunburned tourists. You can buy sunblock in Greece, and it works just as well, but it will be pricey, especially in the tourist areas.
Greece Travel Tip #14 Don’t Mess Up “Gyro”
It’s not a “hard G,” it’s not a “hero”, it’s Gyro. Like yee-roh. The “G” makes a “Y” sound. The “Y” makes an “E” sound, followed by a rolling “R” and the “O.”
Greece Travel Tip #15 Don’t Skip the Greek Dancing
Greek dancing is a blast, don’t miss it! It’s easy! Left kick, right kick, step behind, step. Repeat. Inevitably, tourists in Greece will be pulled into a line dance at a restaurant, so don’t miss the opportunity to join in this fun tradition.
Greece Travel Tip #16 Don’t Just Eat Greek Food You Know
There is “typical” Greek food that is served all over the world: moussaka, souvlaki, and gyros. However, Greek food is so much more than that. Each region has a specialty. In Crete, eat Cretian food. Typical Greek food is fantastic, but it’s always fun to try new things and local specialties. Ask the waiter what the local specialty is.
Greece Travel Tip #17 Don’t Flush Toilet Paper or Anything Else
The pipes in Greece can’t handle it. Enough said. But you should pay attention in the restrooms and toilets where you stay as they will let you know if it is OK to flush it down or put it in the basket.
As you prepare for your vacation to Greece, these “don’ts” will help you navigate Greek culture a bit better and make the most of your trip. If you want more Greece travel tips, check out some of our other videos: