An old, tired mule lock comes limping with its owner holding his cane in his hand and looking out from under the shadow of his cap. Behind follows another mule lock, loaded with large olives and giant tomatoes. The man greets an Orthodox priest sitting on an outdoor tavern and sipping his black coffee. A holiday in Greece is a village idyll and a calm pace. But it is also a hectic metropolis in the metropolis of Athens and a cultural journey to what many consider the cradle of Western civilization.

See trips to Greece

Population: 10.7 million

Capital: Athens

Language: Greek

it took six tons of tomatoes, three tons of cucumber, two tons of peppers, 800 kilos of onions, 500 kilos of feta cheese and 500 kg of olive oil to make the world’s largest Greek salad at an impressive 12 tons?

Athens is the city in the world with the most theaters? Here you will find 147 scenes with everything from romantic comedies to melancholic monologues.

The Greek archipelago

According to top-medical-schools, Greece is a country rich in stories – myths, legends and great dramas. On tragedies and epics with archetypal heroes and villains. Some of them take place in the Greek archipelago, including Homer’s Odyssey about the Greek fairy tale king’s ten-year adventures and hardships at sea before returning home to his wife Penelope and to Ithaca in the Ionian Sea.

Some Ionian islands that are definitely worth a visit are mountainous Lefkas, Zakynthos with lush olive groves, vineyards and the opportunity to experience large sea turtles and not least Corfu which is the largest of the Ionian islands. The Ionian Islands lie to the west of the Greek mainland, while another large archipelago, the Aegean Islands, lies to the east of the Turkish border.

n the Aegean Sea are the large islands of Samos and Lesbos where there are wild orchids, flamingos, huge olive groves and lively folk festivals, as well as Chios, Homer’s birth island with its beautifully ornamented medieval houses and shady acacia trees. Some prefer the Cyclades with the black lava beaches of the volcanic island of Santorini as one of the major attractions, or the islands of Paros, Naxos and Ios which in addition to fine beaches, charming villages and fine cultural monuments such as the Temple of Demeter and the Temple of Dionysus are also known and infamous for their released nightlife..

Even ancient classics in tourism such as Rhodes – which in ancient times was the center of literature, rhetoric, philosophy and art – and Kos which is part of the Dodecanese, contain this mixture of prosaic folk life, perfect bathing conditions and fine cultural attractions, not least the huge Colossos. the statue that you meet at the entrance to Rhodes and the Crusaders’ castle that was built in the 14th century.

In total, the Greek islands have about 1.5 million inhabitants out of a total Greek population of about 11 million. The islands make up 19 percent of Greece’s total area. The largest of the islands, Crete, located in the southeastern part of the Mediterranean between Europe and Africa, has a population of 600,000. Most in the three major cities of Heraklion, Chania and Rethymno. Here you should definitely take the opportunity to see the famous Minoan palace Knossos which was the most impressive and luxurious edifice in Europe during the Bronze Age.

Athens

Of course, there are also many major archeological and cultural-historical sights in the capital Athens, which with its 4 million inhabitants is also a vibrant metropolis. Not least thanks to the 2004 Olympics, large parts of the city have received a proper facelift. But it is still ancient Greece that gets the most attention: the Acropolis with the ruins of the Parthenon temple and the remains of the gods’ 2,400-year-old city that sits on top of the capital along with the ancient Dionysus Theater, where the ancient Greeks played the famous, dramatic tragedies. Also experience the ancient labyrinthine district of Plaka and continue the journey of discovery further into the Greek mainland: not least the Peloponnese, with the ancient ancient Olympia where the Olympic Games were born.

With its location on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece is on the absolute edge of Europe. But a journey here is a journey to the place where Western civilization and European culture originate.

Facts Greece

Worth knowing

• Language: Greek

• Capital: Athens

• Residents: 10, 7 million.

• Religion: Greek Orthodox

• Currency: Euro

• Area131,957 km2

Worth knowing

Time difference

The time difference is + 1 hour, both winter and summer time.

Transport in Greece

The buses we use in Greece have a good standard and are of course equipped with air conditioning.

Economy

Prices in Greece are somewhat lower than in Sweden. Just like at home, you can enjoy a meal in different price ranges. You can get a 3-course menu for under 50 euros. A cup of coffee costs about 2 euros. On trips with half board or extra meals that are included in the price of the trip, you must normally pay for the drink yourself.

Tip

Many restaurants write on tips directly on the bill. Here, as a guest, you should round off a little upwards. If tips do not appear on the bill, you typically add 10-20 percent. Taxi drivers and hotel piccolos expect to get a few euros in tips. On round trips, you often give a little tip to local guides and bus drivers. A reasonable amount can be found in the price information on the trip that you have purchased. On cruises, there are other rules that apply – here too we ask you to look in your specific program.

Currency and credit cards

The currency in Greece is the Euro (EUR). It is possible to change from home before departure or in Greece. Most credit cards are valid here, except for American Express and Diners.

Electricity

220 V. The Greek electrical outlets are the same as the Swedish so you do not need to bring an adapter.

Telephone and internet

The international to Greece is +30. If you need to call home, feel free to check if necessary. charges with your mobile operator regarding coverage and different prices from Greece. Most cities have internet cafes where you can connect and many hotels offer internet service with wifi, free or paid connection.

Customs and traditions

When attending church in Greece, make sure you are properly dressed with covered arms and legs to show respect. It is also bad to use flash when photographing in churches.

Smoking

Just like in Sweden, smoking is not allowed indoors in public places in Greece. Smoking is also prohibited during all flights and train and bus transport.

Hygiene

Most hotels and restaurants have the same kind of toilets that we are used to at home in Sweden. In small cafes and public toilets, however, you can come across so-called pedal toilets. We recommend that you have a bottle of hand sanitizer close at hand.

Climate and weather Greece

Read about Greece’s climate and weather below. See for example temperatures for Athens, Crete and Thessaloniki.

The southern part of Greece has a Mediterranean climate and is located in the border area between the temperate and subtropical climate belt. Here, all coastal areas and low-lying areas have dry and hot summers, as well as winters that are mild and low in precipitation. The northern part of the country has a temperate mainland climate with frost and snow in winter and hot summers, in addition to the coastal areas which have a Mediterranean-like climate.