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Greece

Travel Guide Greece

Greece is considered the cradle of Europe. The European understanding of politics, science and art was significantly shaped by Ancient Greece. Impressive buildings and temple ruins still bear witness to the significant past.

But Greece fascinates not only culturally, but also with beautiful natural landscapes. Secluded bays, deep blue water, white beaches, green hills and impressive mountain formations shape the scenery. In our Travel Guide Greece you can learn more about the state in Southeast Europe.

Our trips to Greece:

Volunteering Greece – Sea Turtle Conservation

Volunteering Greece – Animal Welfare

Internship Abroad Greece: Veterinary Medicine Animal Welfare

Volunteering Greece for families – Sea Turtle Conservation

Highlights in Greece

The ancient Greeks began to build temples to house a statue of a god or an emblem. The temples were rather considered as monuments to the gods instead of places of assembly for worship. The construction of temples began in the 6th century B.C. and still today many of them can be admired in partly well preserved condition. The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Poseidon or the Temple of Olympic Zeus (Olympieion) – a visit to these impressive historical sites should not be missed.
Magnificent sights and cultural highlights – the capital of Greece is without doubt a place to be seen. Probably the most important attraction is the world-famous Acropolis with the Parthenon which dominates the cityscape. Since 1986, the landmark has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the foot of the Acropolis rock you can find the Acropolis Museum, an absolute must for those interested in history. Other historical sites that should not be missed when visiting Athens are the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as well as the Theatre of Dionysus, the Temples of Hephaestus and Olympic Zeus, Hadrian's Gate and Library, Panathinaiko Stadium, the National Garden, the picturesque Old Town of Plaka and the Lycabettus Hill, which offers a breathtaking view of the city.
Located in the province of Thessaly on high cliffs, the Meteora Monasteries are among the most impressive sights on the Greek mainland. The complex consists of 24 individual monasteries and hermitages built on huge sandstone rocks. Their beginnings date back to the 10th/11th century and six of the buildings are still inhabited today. Visitors can explore the complex via stairs carved in stone.
Greece counts more than 3,000 large and small islands, all of which are characterised by beautiful natural landscapes, fantastic beaches, turquoise waters and cozy villages. Whether Crete, Cykanthos, Kos, Rhodes, Mykonos, Corfu, Samos, Santorini or Kefalonia – here you can relax, discover magnificent natural areas and enjoy breathtaking views.

Geography of Greece

Greece is located in south-eastern Europe on the eastern Mediterranean and, including its islands, has a total area of almost 132,000 km². Its capital is Athens. Geographically, the country consists of the Greek mainland, the Peloponnese peninsula and over 3,000 smaller islands in the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan Seas. Greece borders Albania, Northern Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, the Ionian Sea and the Libyan Sea.
Around 25,000 km² of the country's surface area falls to the countless islands of which almost 90 are inhabited. The ten largest islands are Crete, Euboea, Lesbos, Rhodes, Chios, Kefalonia, Corfu, Samos, Limnos and Zakynthos.

Geomorphology/Geology

Despite its maritime nature, Greece is considered a mountainous country due to its mountainous terrain which accounts for almost 80% of its territory. The Pindus Mountains, the Olymp-Ossa-Pelion mountain range and the Rhodope Mountains on the Greek mainland, the Taygetos Mountains on the Peloponnese Peninsula and the Psiloritis Mountains on Crete are particularly noteworthy. On Mount Olympus you can find the Mytikas, which at more than 2900 m is the highest peak in the country. Impressive rock formations form the Meteora complexes and the Vikos Gorge, which in relation to its width is considered the deepest gorge in the world. The rocky, mountainous landscape is interspersed with green valleys, winding rivers and lakes. Larger plains, which can be used for economic purposes, occur only sparsely.

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Travel Tips and Trivia for Greece

In general, the transport network in Greece is well developed. The use of long-distance buses is particularly suitable for travelling around the country, as they often serve even small villages. In contrast, the railway network is very limited. Due to several airports in the country, travelling by plane is also possible. If you want to be completely independent, take a rental car. Within towns, buses and taxis operate; in larger cities such as Athens, there are also streetcars and metros. Travellers who want to get to the islands or move between them need to change to ferries and catamarans. Ships and boats run in large numbers – to be able to plan better, you should first check the timetable.
- 01 January: New Year's Day
- 06 January: Epiphany
- 25 March: Independence Day
- 01 May: Labour Day
- 15 August: Assumption of the Holy Virgin
- 28 October: Ohi Day
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 26 December: Boxing Day
Movable holidays: Clean Monday (corresponds to Catholic Ash Wednesday), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday
Dos
- Friendliness, openness, respect – Greeks are very sociable and hospitable people who enjoy small talk. Be just as friendly and treat everyone with courtesy and respect. And don't be surprised if instead of a handshake there is a warm hug.
- Those who travel to Greece should not miss to taste the typical Greek delicacies: wine, olives, feta. When visiting a restaurant, it is also appreciated if the bill is paid together.
- Outside the beach, and especially in religious institutions, travellers should keep in mind to dress appropriately. Therefore, don't reveal too much skin and if possible, keep your knees and shoulders covered.
Don’ts
- As a tourist in Greece, you should refrain from raising political issues. Especially in times of crisis some topics are very conflictual. Expressions of opinion or well-intentioned advice from tourists can be perceived as arrogant.
- Misinterpreting a nod of the head as "yes": In Greece, "no" is often underlined by throwing the head backwards.
- Never hold the palm of your hand with your fingers spread forward, for example to signal "Five". This gesture is considered an insult in Greece and is considered a sign of an evil curse.

Climate in Greece

Greece's climate can be described as predominantly Mediterranean. Winters are usually mild and humid while summers are dry and hot. While winters are comparatively mild on the coast, they are much cooler inland, often bringing night frosts and sometimes heavy snowfall. Summers are relatively hot both on the coast and in the interior of the country. The average temperature in summer is 29 °C, in winter about 13 °C.

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Flora and Fauna in Greece

Greece has more than 6.5 million hectares of forests. There are hard deciduous plants such as laurel and carob, as well as olive trees, pines, cypresses, palms and various fruit trees. The Greek fir belongs to the endemic trees. In total, Greece's flora comprises about 5,500-6,000 species and subspecies, of which about 20% are endemic. Especially the variety of medically usable plants is remarkable.

The fauna of Greece is characterised by about 900 species. These include geckos, lizards, various tortoises, deer, wild boars, foxes, wolves and bears. An endemic species is for example the kri-kri. The bird world is also extremely rich in species due to various wetlands and lagoons. The country's diverse flora and fauna is protected in ten national parks and two marine national parks.

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Social Geography of Greece

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More than 10.7 million people live in Greece. The vast majority is made up of the Orthodox, Greek-speaking population. There are also other religious and linguistic minorities and immigrant groups, such as half a million Albanians who came to Greece as labour migrants. Since 2014 in particular, an increasing number of refugees from the Near and Middle East, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa have been migrating illegally to Greece in the hope of building a better life there and in other European countries.
Religion and religious affiliation play an important role in Greece. About 97% of the population professes Orthodox Christianity. According to the Constitution, this is the predominant religion. Greece is the only state in the world to have declared this denomination the state religion.

Other religions represented in Greece are Catholicism and Protestantism, Islam and Judaism. Furthermore, a small percentage of the population is Jehovah's Witnesses. According to surveys, only a fraction of the Greek population claims to be non-denominational or atheistic.
Greece's economy is a market-oriented economy with limited state intervention.

The service sector is the largest and most important economic sector in the country. The most important branches are tourism, trade, shipping and financial services. Although Greece is mostly associated with products such as wine or olives, the agricultural sector has increasingly lost importance in recent years.

The 2007 financial crisis and the subsequent Greek government-debt crisis have had a severe economic impact on the country. The gross domestic product and wages have fallen massively while unemployment figures have risen sharply. In the meantime, however, Greece's economy is visibly recovering.
Greece is a unitary parliamentary republic. The executive power lies with the government, to a lesser extent also with the president, the head of state of the country.

Greece is considered a safe destination. As everywhere else in the world, in larger cities or tourist regions, it is important to keep a close eye on your valuables to avoid falling victim of pickpocketing.