Essentials & practical info
Η βαρετή σελίδα που θα χαρείτε να διαβάσετε.
Emergency numbers
| Αριθμός | When to call | Πηγή |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Any life-threatening emergency — EU universal line, English usually available | EU 112 standard |
| 100 | Police (theft, report a crime) | Greece national |
| 166 | Ambulance / medical emergency | Greece national |
| 199 | Fire service | Greece national |
| 1571 | Tourist police — central Athens and major sights | Greece national |
Save 112 in your phone before you land. For serious illness or injury ask for Evangelismos General Hospital (δημόσιο νοσοκομείο που αναφέρεται για Athens). Τα εκκαθαριστικά τέλη φαρμακείου δημοσιεύονται στο eof.gr — search by region and date.
Φαρμακεία, νοσοκομεία και συνταγές
Greek pharmacies (φαρμακείο) display a green cross. Staff often speak English in Plaka and Syntagma; they sell over-the-counter remedies and advise on minor ailments. For duty pharmacies outside normal hours, use the official finder at eof.gr — search by region and date (pharmacy source, city config).
Evangelismos General Hospital is the public hospital listed for Athens in our city config. Carry travel insurance details — EU visitors with valid EHIC/GHIC cards receive state care on the same terms as Greek residents for medically necessary treatment; check your national health service for current rules (Aug 2026).
Bring enough prescription medication for your stay plus a few days' buffer. A doctor's note or copy of the prescription helps at customs; pharmacists cannot always substitute a foreign script — plan ahead.
Cards, cash and tipping
Greece uses the ευρώ (€). Cards are widely accepted in Plaka and Monastiraki hotels, restaurants and museums, but small kiosks, some bus ticket kiosks and market stalls still prefer cash — carry €20–40 in small notes daily.
ATMs (ΑΤΜ) sit on Syntagma, Monastiraki and outside metro stations. Your home bank sets conversion and withdrawal fees — decline dynamic currency conversion when the terminal offers to charge in your home currency. Taverna dinners run 15–30 € and coffee €2.50–4 (city cost guide, Aug 2026). Tipping is not obligatory; rounding up for good table service is appreciated.
SIM cards, eSIM and Wi-Fi
EU roaming: if your mobile contract is from an EU/EEA country, you can usually use your included data in Greece at no extra cost under “Roam Like at Home” — check your operator's fair-use policy before streaming maps all day.
Non-EU visitors can buy prepaid SIMs from Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova shops in Syntagma and Monastiraki — passport required. eSIM marketplaces work if your phone supports them; activate before you leave airport Wi‑Fi. Most hotels and cafés in the centre offer free Wi‑Fi; treat public networks cautiously for banking.
Νερό βρύσης, πρίζες και φαρμακεία
Tap water in Athens is municipal supply — many locals use it for cooking and tea. If you prefer bottled, supermarkets sell 1.5 L cheaply; coffee shops charge €2.50–4 (city cost guide, Aug 2026). When unsure, ask your hotel or buy bottled.
Power is 230 V, 50 Hz, with Type C/F sockets (two round pins) — same as mainland Greece and most of continental Europe. UK and US travellers need adapters. Pharmacy duty rotas remain at eof.gr.
Είναι το Athens ασφαλές; Τι να προσέξετε πραγματικά
Athens is a major European capital visited by millions annually. Practical risks are petty theft in crowded metro cars and around Monastiraki flea market, plus pickpockets at busy sights — keep bags in front and zip pockets on the Acropolis queue.
Traffic and scooter noise on narrow lanes are the other daily hazard. Summer heat on exposed marble is real — carry water, visit the hill in morning, and use the €1.20 metro (oasa.gr, Aug 2026) instead of long walks in midday sun. Report theft to police on 100 or tourist police on 1571.
Ασφαλές τη νύχτα: περιοχές, ταξί και κοινή λογική
Syntagma, Plaka and Monastiraki stay busy until late in summer. Psiri's tavernas and rebetiko bars fill after 21:00 — stick to lit main routes when walking back to your hotel. Metro runs late on Lines 2 and 3; X95 is 24h for airport links (oasa.gr).
Licensed taxis use the €40 day / €55 night flat fare to ATH (aia.gr, Aug 2026). FREE NOW αναγράφεται στη σελίδα του αεροδρομίου. Αποφύγετε αυτοκίνητα χωρίς σήμανση που προσφέρουν βόλτες έξω από μπαρ. Βλέπω Μετακίνηση for night transport details.
Local etiquette and quiet hours
Dress modestly in active churches — shoulders covered, no swimwear in town after the beach. Greeks greet with “Kalimera” (morning) or “Kalispera” (evening); a little Greek earns smiles even if you switch to English immediately.
Acropolis and museum sites enforce timed entry — arrive inside your hhticket.gr slot, not early. Residential blocks near Koukaki and Plaka observe afternoon quiet; keep balcony noise down 14:00–17:00. During the Athens & Epidaurus Festival (June–October, greekfestival.gr), respect venue photography rules at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Public holidays and what closes
State museums and the Acropolis follow Ministry of Culture holiday closures — check odysseus.culture.gr before you travel. The Acropolis Museum closes every Monday (theacropolismuseum.gr). Banks and public offices shut on Greek public holidays; supermarkets in the centre often stay open with shorter hours — verify locally.
OASA metro and buses run reduced schedules on public holidays (oasa.gr). Major events such as the Athens Authentic Marathon on 8 November 2026 (athensauthenticmarathon.gr) close roads near the Panathenaic Stadium — check the official route before you plan transport.
Twelve phrases that earn goodwill
English works in tourism, but Greek efforts matter in local tavernas:
- Kalimera — Good morning
- Kalispera — Good evening
- Efharistó — Thank you
- Parakaló — Please / you're welcome
- Signómi — Sorry / excuse me
- Né / Óhi — Yes / No
- Póso káni? — How much?
- Ena ticket, parakaló — One ticket, please
- Pou íne to…? — Where is the…?
- Thélo taxí — I want a taxi
- To neró — Water
- Ton logariasmó, parakaló — The bill, please
Practical questions
Ποιος είναι ο αριθμός έκτακτης ανάγκης στην Ελλάδα;
Καλέστε το 112 για οποιαδήποτε απειλητική για τη ζωή έκτακτη ανάγκη — ο αριθμός σε όλη την ΕΕ με συνήθως διαθέσιμα Αγγλικά. Για αστυνομία καλέστε το 100, ασθενοφόρο 166, πυροσβεστική 199 και τουριστική αστυνομία 1571. Αποθηκεύστε το 112 στο τηλέφωνό σας προτού φτάσετε στο Athens.
Can you drink the tap water in Athens?
Tap water in Athens is municipal supply and many locals use it for cooking and tea. Many visitors prefer bottled water for drinking — coffee costs €2.50–4 at cafés (city cost guide, Aug 2026). When unsure, ask your hotel or buy bottled.
Is Athens safe at night?
Syntagma, Plaka and Monastiraki stay busy in summer; Psiri fills after 21:00. Stick to lit main routes after midnight. Use licensed taxis or FREE NOW (aia.gr); avoid unmarked cars outside bars. Metro and X95 run late (oasa.gr).
Do I need cash in Athens?
Cards work in most centre hotels, museums and restaurants, but kiosks and some market stalls still want cash. Carry €20–40 in small notes daily. Urban transit is €1.20 (oasa.gr, Aug 2026). ATMs dispense euros — your bank sets any fees.