Useful data for tourists about Greece, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, the currency of Greece, the cuisine, the features of visa and customs restrictions in Greece.

Geography of Greece

Greece is a state in southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders with Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey. It is washed by the Aegean and Ionian seas. Greece consists of about 2 thousand islands, which account for almost 20% of the entire country.

Mountain ranges occupy almost a quarter of the country's surface. Highest point Greece - Mount Olympus (2917 m).

Mountain rivers predominate, short, stormy, with picturesque rapids and waterfalls, often flowing to the sea in narrow canyons. The longest river in Greece is Alyakmon (almost 300 km). In Greece, there are over 20 lakes with an area of ​​10-100 square kilometers.

State

State structure

Parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister.

Language

Official language: Greek

Also used: English, German, Italian, French.

Religion

Orthodox (97.6%), Muslims (1.3%), Catholics (0.4%) and others.

Currency

International name: EUR

History of Greece

The emergence of the first settlements in the Aegean basin dates back to the Neolithic era. From the 3rd millennium BC, state organizations of the early feudal type appeared on the island of Crete. Later, cultural centers appear in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, the islands of the Aegean Sea, the coast of Thrace, west coast Asia Minor. Ancient Greece (Hellas) - the common name of the ancient Greek states. The centuries-old history tells about their formation, development, rapid prosperity, wars (Greco-Persian, Peloponnesian), victories and defeats. In the 2nd century BC, these states became a Roman province, in the 4th-15th centuries AD they were part of the state formed during the collapse of the Roman Empire - Byzantium. The capital of this state was Constantinople.

Since the 15th century, Greece has been under Turkish rule. During the Greek national liberation revolution (1821-1829), the independence of Greece was proclaimed, after the defeat of Turkey in the war with Russia, its autonomy was recognized by the Treaty of Andriapolis. Since 1830 - Greece - an independent state.

Until 1973, Greece was a constitutional monarchy, the official head of state was King Constantine II, who ascended the throne in 1964 after the death of Paul I. In April 1967, the junta of "black colonels" led by Georgios Popadopoulos carried out a coup d'état and established a military dictatorship. On June 1, 1973, the government's decision to overthrow Constantine II was announced, and Greece was proclaimed a presidential republic. After the fall of the reactionary regime in July 1974, a civilian government headed by Konstantinos Karamanlis came to power. Since the November 17, 1974 elections, Greece has been a parliamentary republic with a presidential form of government. The final liquidation of the monarchy was, therefore, not the result of the maneuvers of the dictatorial regime, but the expression of the will of the Greek people, one of the largest political events in the country in the post-war years.

The emergence of the first settlements in the Aegean basin dates back to the Neolithic era. From the 3rd millennium BC, state organizations of the early feudal type appeared on the island of Crete. Later, cultural centers appear in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, the islands of the Aegean Sea, the coast of Thrace, the western coast of Asia Minor. Ancient Greece (Hellas) - the common name of the ancient Greek states. The centuries-old history tells about their formation, development, rapid prosperity, wars (Greco-Persian, Peloponnesian), victories and defeats. In the 2nd century BC, these states became a Roman province, in the 4th-15th centuries AD they were part of the state formed during the collapse of the Roman Empire - Byzantium. The capital of this state was Constantinople. ...

Popular Attractions

Greece Tourism

Where to stay

Today, Greece attracts tourists not only with its amazing beauty of nature, but also with a developed tourist infrastructure. The hotel infrastructure of Greece is represented by hotels from economy class to luxury, both on the mainland and on the islands. Many hotels are all-inclusive, although there is also a fine selection of half-board or breakfast-only hotels. It is worth noting that in Greece there is an “old” gradation system for hotels - a letter one. That is, the level of the hotel class is indicated by letters, that is, the gradation goes from L - luxury, an analogue of European five stars, and up to E - hotels that have not been assigned any category.

Most family-type hotels are located in Halkidiki, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu. Thanks to the rapid development of tourism infrastructure, over the past 10 years, many new hotels have been built in Greece, as well as old ones have been modernized. In the competitive struggle, hotel owners have begun to pay more and more attention to creating special conditions for recreation with children, which today allows us to state with confidence that Greece is an ideal place for a family vacation. As a rule, such hotels are equipped with children's playgrounds, attractions, sports grounds, a childcare service is provided, and animators work.

For those who care about their health and want to combine relaxation with wellness, then in Greece you will find many hotels that have at their disposal well-equipped fitness rooms, gyms, spas, saunas, beauty salons and much more.

It is worth booking hotels in Greece in advance, especially during the season. The cost of living in the coastal zone in July-August can increase significantly.

Rest in the private sector continues to be very popular, namely the rental of villas, cottages or apartments in close proximity to the sea. This vacation option is the most optimal for large companies, families with children, as it allows you to save on the accommodation of a large number of people. Plus accommodation in a cottage - you feel like in your own home, minus - service (food, cleaning, laundry) is not included in the rent. The cost of living varies depending on the location of the property, as well as the season.

No less common are Greek boarding houses (paradosiakoi oikismoi). They can be found in big cities as well as in the province. Boarding houses are either separate apartments with a shower, designed for 2-3 people, or small cottages with rooms for 4 people. The cost of living per person in such boarding houses depends on the capacity of one room and is comparable to the "upper D-class".

Greece has a large number of well-equipped campsites. It should be noted that parking outside of them is prohibited. As a rule, the cost of spending the night in a campsite is 5-7 euros per person (accommodation in a house), within 8 euros for a "caravan" and a little less for spending the night in a tent. However, many travelers note that the security situation in Greek campsites is a little worse than in European countries, and cases of theft of personal belongings have become repeated.

There are 10 youth hostels in Greece, which are part of International Association. However, here you can also find a large number of hostels that are members of the Greek Youth Hostel Association. If you want to stay in such a hostel, you will need an IYHF card. In many cases, you can purchase it directly from the hostel, or you can pay a little extra on top of the rate. Towels and bed linen must be paid separately. Standard prices for accommodation range from 7-9 euros per day, however, they may vary depending on the location of the hostel.

For pilgrims, and just believing tourists, there is the possibility of living in monasteries. It is worth considering that while living in such a place, you will need to fully comply with the monastery’s routine, as well as the requirements for dress code. The option of gender placement is also very likely, that is, men can only stay in the men's monastery, women - respectively, in the women's one.

Popular hotels

Tours and attractions in Greece

The history of Greece is rooted in the distant past. ancient country is rightfully considered the cradle of Western civilization and democracy. Unique natural landscapes, wonderful climate, an abundance of historical and architectural sights, impressive religious shrines and, of course, traditional Greek cuisine annually attract a huge number of tourists from all over the world.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the most beautiful and ancient European cities with an abundance of museums, exquisite architectural structures, unique ancient monuments and temples of different historical eras. The real pearl of Athens is the Ancient Acropolis with its majestic ancient buildings, which perfectly illustrate the skill of ancient architects. The National Archaeological Museum has a unique collection of ancient artifacts of great historical value.

The most interesting sights of Greece include the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Delphi, located on the slope of Mount Parnassus, which in the ancient world was considered the center of the earth. Here was the sanctuary of Apollo with his famous Delphic oracle (the most revered oracle in the ancient Greek world). An important historical monument is the ancient Greek city of Eleusis, famous for its Eleusinian mysteries.

Among the abundance of religious shrines in Greece, the most impressive is the famous monastery complex Meteor, which is located near the town of Kalambaka. Meteora gained its fame due to its unique location on the tops of huge sheer cliffs in the Thesalian valley.

Greece consists of about 2 thousand islands. Crete is the largest island in Greece. In ancient times it was the center of the Minoan civilization (approximately 2600-1400 BC). The island is rich in beautiful architectural structures, especially from the period of Venetian domination, but the most interesting attraction is the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Crete is famous for its picturesque gorges.

The island of Rhodes is considered the pearl of the Mediterranean and is one of the most beautiful islands Greece. His picturesque bays, clear azure waters, the most important archaeological sites and knight's castles create a unique color. Rhodes gained world fame thanks to the statue of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the world, which was located here in antiquity.

Impressive and natural beauty islands of Corfu. Its picturesque scenery is in perfect harmony with the unique architectural landmarks left behind from the mixture of different cultures that have ever flourished on the island. main square The capital of the island, Spianada (Esplanade) is the second largest square in Europe.

In the southern part of the Aegean Sea is the Cyclades archipelago, in the center of which is the island of Delos. It is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. desert island Business with - unique place which is, in fact, a huge museum under open sky. Among the popular tourist destinations of the Cyclades archipelago, it is worth highlighting such islands as Naxos, Mykonos, Thira and Paros. The island of Thira (Santorini) gained its historical fame thanks to active volcano Santorini, whose eruption 3500 years ago is considered the most powerful in the history of the earth. There is a hypothesis that it was this volcanic eruption that destroyed the legendary Atlantis.

Stunning nature and an abundance of various attractions that perfectly illustrate the centuries-old history of Greece will certainly provide unforgettable vacation and a lot of impressions.

Greek Cuisine

Greek cuisine is simple, wholesome, unpretentious and uses the very best ingredients: tempting olives, fruits and vegetables, freshly caught fish cooked in the finest local olive oil. The meat - usually lamb or pork - is stewed, baked or barbecued. Cheeses are very important: salty feta is used in salads, halloumi is often grilled, and amari, a mild, mild cheese like ricotta, is used in sweet and spicy dishes.

The unusual aroma of Greek cuisine is also achieved by the use of rosemary, basil, parsley, coriander, oregano and mint.

Greek cuisine is based on simplicity of flavors, quality fresh produce transformed with fragrant, sun-dried herbs and excellent cold-pressed Greek extra virgin olive oil. The result is a traditional yet lively cuisine, light and full of freshness, rich in Mediterranean flavours. The roots of Greek cuisine are sharing meals with family and friends, so meals are prepared in a relaxed and simple manner.

Much of the cuisine is based on the fresh produce that thrives in the dry climate of the Greek islands: sweet tomatoes, plump olives, sour lemons, chillies, wild greens, shiny zucchini, long green peppers, majestic eggplants, juicy melons and figs.

The main meat - mutton - is used in everything from small cubes to whole carcasses on a spit, which are often baked to mark the end of religious holidays.

The waters in Greece are crystal clear and rich in fish, which is usually barbecued. Delicious goulash is often prepared from other types of seafood.

From Greek cuisine, mezzes are very popular - a set of Greek appetizers that everyone can try - similar to Spanish tapas - creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Greeks are also very fond of pies, both sweet and savory. Goulash is cooked thick and rich, seasonal products are added to them; also the composition depends on local culinary customs. Risoli - cutlets-patties, in which everything that is tasty is added - vegetables and legumes, meat and seafood.

Greek yogurt is thick and creamy, spices up desserts, sauces, soups, dips and spreads, or served plain with honey.

Olives - which are most often exported - are used in a variety of dishes. Juicy and fragrant Kalamata olives with purple rinds and red wine vinegar aroma are among the best. They are often stuffed with jeera, fengel and pimiento.

Finally, the quality of olive oil is uncompromising. The Greeks hold this "liquid gold" in high regard and sprinkle it lightly on almost everything. It is impossible to imagine life in Greece without him.

Greek cuisine is simple, wholesome, unpretentious and uses the very best ingredients: tempting olives, fruits and vegetables, freshly caught fish cooked in the finest local olive oil. The meat - usually lamb or pork - is stewed, baked or barbecued. Cheeses are very important: salted feta is used in salads, halloumi is often grilled, and amari, a mild, mild cheese like ricotta, is used in sweet and spicy dishes....

Tips

Tips to waiters are usually 5-10% of the order amount, but this is solely the goodwill of the client. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary.

Visa

Office Hours

Churches and monasteries are open to the public, each according to their own rules. Churches are open during services. As a rule, museums are open daily, except Mondays, from 8 am to 3 pm. In summer, some museums are open until 7 pm. The Acropolis is open on full moon summer evenings.

Stores are usually open on weekdays and Saturdays from 9:00 to 15:00 and from 17:30 to 20:30. Supermarkets are open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm.

On weekdays, banks are usually open from 8.30 to 14.00 (on Friday until 13.30).

Purchases

In Greece, value added tax (VAT) ranges from 8% to 36%. VAT refund is possible for purchases in stores that have the inscription "tax-free". The store issues a special receipt to the buyer, which must be shown at customs when leaving Greece, along with the purchased item. Customs officers put a stamp on the receipt and send it to the store, which must transfer the amount of VAT to you within a month.

Medicine

Pharmacies are open all days except Sunday, and on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday they close at 13:00. In case of acute ailment, you should call an ambulance, and not look for the nearest hospital.

Safety

Beware of pickpockets and bag thieves. Be especially vigilant in the center of Athens, in public transport, in historical places of Greece popular among tourists.

Emergency Phones

Tourist Police - 171 (in Athens), 922-7777 (outside Athens)
Police - 100
Fire Department - 199
Ambulance - 166

National features of Greece. Traditions

Shaking the head from the bottom up, in Greek means "no", and from top to bottom - "yes". In Greek, the sound "ne" means "yes", and the denial sounds like "oh".

The Greek "tomorrow" ("avrio") means something indefinite or refusal.

It is not customary to take off your shoes in a Greek house.

Questions and opinions about Greece

Corfu Island - Q&A

Question answer

Crete - Q&A

Greece is a country in southern Europe, located at the southernmost tip of the Balkan Peninsula, with long coastlines and islands in the Aegean, Ionian, Cretan and Mediterranean seas. The country is bordered to the north by Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and to the northeast by Turkey. The area of ​​the country 131,957 km². In total, 10,741,165 people live here as of 2018.

The country has an ancient culture that has had a significant impact on the art, language, philosophy, politics and sports of Western society. A huge number of phenomena of Western culture originated precisely in Ancient Greece- this is theater, philosophy as such, a democratic model of government, the Olympic movement. Today Greece is an EU member state and a popular tourist destination with numerous resorts both on the mainland and on numerous islands. In total, about 600-700 islands belong to Greece, many of which are uninhabited.

Every year, the 11 millionth country is visited by tourists, whose number is comparable to the population of Greece, and more often even exceeds. Vacationers are attracted by the beaches, constant good weather in summer, night life, historical places and the beauty of nature.

More than 90% of visitors to Greece are residents of European countries, although recently the number of tourists from other parts of the world has been growing. Active tourist season lasts from April to October with a peak in July and August. The bulk of tourists come to the Greek islands of Rhodes, Kos and Crete, as well as to a number of others (Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, etc.).

Current time in Athens:
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Tourism is also developed in the Peloponnese and Chalkidiki in Macedonia. At the same time, there are many places in the country that are worth visiting, but not affected. mass tourism. The country is famous for its diverse architecture and many ancient and medieval historical monuments, so it is a real paradise for an inquisitive tourist.

How to get there

There are many ways to get to Greece, but the most logical, convenient, fastest and cheapest way is by plane. Both regular flights and charter flights fly to the resorts of Greece. At the same time, traditionally regular flights allow you to feel free, and charter flights are sold in most cases only as part of a tour.

The cost of tours to Greece due to its mass character is not so high, and just lying on the beach with a couple of excursions will most often be cheaper than a self-organized trip. However, it will be more interesting and richer to organize the trip yourself. By the way, it’s not a fact that this kind of trip will cost more, because there are often sales on European destinations.

In any case, it is up to you to decide how to go, and we will list the options for flights to the cities and resorts of Greece, both charter and regular flights. At the same time, the schedule of charter flights during the season (depending on the market situation, demand and other factors) changes, but in general the picture remains the same. Regular flights are less subject to change.

Regular flights to Greece

Direct regular flights from Moscow to Athens are carried out Aegean airlines Airlines and Aeroflot.

In addition to the obvious option to get to Athens from various cities Russia with a connection in Moscow, there are other ways: both from the Russian capital and from the regions, various European airlines fly to the capital of Greece with a connection at their home airports. Below we list these airlines (cities of connections are indicated in brackets).

• Austrian Airlines (Vienna): from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar to Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion (Crete), Chania (Crete), Kos, Mykonos, Rhodes, Zakynthos.
• Czech Airlines (Prague): from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi, Samara, Ufa to Athens.
• Lufthansa (Frankfurt am Main): from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara to Athens.
• AlItalia (Rome
• Air France (Paris): from Moscow, St. Petersburg to Athens.
• KLM (Amsterdam): from Moscow, St. Petersburg to Athens.
• Brussels Airlines (Brussels): from Moscow to Athens.
• Air Malta (La Valletta): from Moscow to Athens.
• SAS (Stockholm and Copenhagen): from Moscow, St. Petersburg to Athens.
• Swiss (Zurich): from Moscow, St. Petersburg to Athens. From Moscow it is also possible to connect in Geneva.
• Air Baltic (Riga): from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad to Athens.
• Turkish Airlines (Istanbul): from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Rostov, Ufa, Sochi, Novosibirsk to Athens and Thessaloniki.

Charter flights to Greece

Charters from Moscow

• Mykonos: Aegean Airlines (4 times a week)
• Santorini: Aegean Airlines (4 times a week)
• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Aegean Airlines (5 times a week), Astra (7 times a week), Aeroflot (5 times a week), Vim-Avia (6 times a week)
• (): Aegean Airlines (5 times a week), Aeroflot (5 times a week)
• Kos: Aegean Airlines (4 times a week), Kuban Airlines (2 times a week)
• : Kuban Airlines (3 times a week), Aegean Airlines (4 times a week), Aeroflot (2 times a week)
• Corfu: Aegean Airlines (3 times a week), Aeroflot (2 times a week)
• Kalamatu: Aegean Airlines (2 times a week)
• Zakynthos: Kuban Airlines (2 times a week)

Charters from St. Petersburg

• , Russia (2 times a week)
• Heraklion (Crete): Russia (2 times a week)
• Rhodes: Russia (2 times a week)
• Corfu: Russia (once a week)

Charters from Yekaterinburg

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Ural Airlines (3 times a week), Astra Airlines (2 times a week)
• Heraklion (Crete): Ural Airlines (3 times a week), Orenburg Airlines (once every 10 days)
• Kos: Ural Airlines (every 15 days)

Charters from Rostov

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Donavia (once a week), Astra Airlines (2 times a week), Aegean Airlines (once a week)
• Heraklion (Crete): Orenburg Airlines (once every 11 days), Aegean Airlines (once a week)
• Rhodes: Aegean Airlines (2 times a week), Donavia (10 days)

Charters from Samara

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Ural Airlines (once a week), Astra (once a week)
• Heraklion (Crete): Orenburg Airlines (once every 11 days), Kuban Airlines (once a week)
• Rhodes: Orenburg Airlines (once every 11 days)
• Kos: Sky Express (every 14 days), Kuban Airlines (every 10 days)

Charters from Kazan

• Heraklion (Crete): Tatarstan (every 10 days), Aegean Airlines (every 14 days)
• Chania (Crete): Tatarstan (every 10 days)
• Rhodes: Aegean Airlines (1 every 10-11 days)
• Kos: Tatarstan (2 times in 10-11 days)
• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Astra (once a week)

Charters from Voronezh

• Heraklion (Crete): Flight (2 times a week)

Charters from Perm

• Kos: Kuban Airlines (every 10-11 days)
• Rhodes: Kuban Airlines (once a week)

Charters from Ufa

• Heraklion (Crete): Tatarstan (every 11 days)
• Rhodes: Kuban Airlines (every 10-11 days)

Charters from Volgograd

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Astra (once a week)

Charters from Krasnodar

• Thessaloniki (Halkidiki): Kuban Airlines (once a week)
• Athens: Kuban Airlines (once a week / once every 2 weeks)

Charters from Nizhny Novgorod

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Astra (once a week)

Charters from Novosibirsk

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Astra (once a week)

Charters from Omsk

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Astra (every 2 weeks)

Charters from Orenburg

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Orenburg Airlines (once a week)

Charters from Saratov

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Astra (every 10-11 days)

Charters from Tyumen

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Astra (every 2 weeks)

Charters from Kyiv

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Astra (4 times a week)
• Athens: Sky Wings (3 times a week)
• To Heraklion (Crete): Windrose (once a week)
• Rhodes: Ukraine International Airlines (every 10 days)

Charters from Minsk

• Thessaloniki (Chalkidiki): Belavia (3-4 times a week)
• Corfu: Belavia (once a week)

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Climate and weather in Greece

Despite its small size, the climate of Greece is diverse.

Most of the country, including coastal areas, is dominated by a Mediterranean subtropical climate. Summers are hot and dry, with almost constant sunshine for 7 months, usually from April to November. The rest of the year from November to March is characterized by relatively cool and rainy weather. During the summer period, rains are quite rare. The largest amount of precipitation is on the coast of the Ionian Sea and the Ionian Islands. The driest regions of the country are the islands in the south of the Aegean Sea and the southeastern part of the mainland.

The peak holiday season starts in mid-July and usually lasts until mid-August, when northern winds the meltemi are starting to cool the country. During this period, the midday sun is very hot, and during this time, most Greeks avoid outdoor physical activity from 13:00 to 17:00. It is best to build a daily routine in accordance with the local way of life: get up early for sightseeing in the cool morning hours, and then spend the afternoon in pleasant shade or on the beach.

In the evenings, the temperature drops to a very comfortable level. In coastal areas near open water (away from bays and bays with stagnant water), especially on most islands, there is often a breeze and it can be cool at night.

Even though the Mediterranean climate dominates most of the country, there are still two more climatic zones. The first is a zone of cold alpine climate, which is observed in the mountainous regions of the country, including the high plains. The second type of climate is continental, found in the northern and northeastern regions of Greece, characterized by very cold winters and warm, relatively humid summers.

Cities and regions

Main cities of Greece

• Athens is the capital of Greece and the center of the Attica region. The first settlement appeared in this area around 3000 BC.
• Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece, proudly bearing the title of the northern capital.
• Heraklion - the largest city, airport and port of Crete, has become one of the most visited places in Greece due to excellent conditions for recreation and rich cultural heritage.

Tourist areas in Greece

Crete is the largest and southernmost island of the Greek archipelago. Located in the Mediterranean waters, Crete is surrounded by three seas: the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan. The area of ​​the island of Crete is over 8,000 square kilometers. The relief of Crete is predominantly mountainous, the highest peak - Mount Ida rises above sea level by 2457 meters. Numerous mountain ranges dissected by gorges, many fertile valleys are covered with date and olive groves, vineyards and orange orchards. Numerous (more than three thousand) caves of the island are famous for their stalactites and stalagmites.

Rhodes, located in the southeast of Greece, is one of the largest islands in the Aegean Sea, part of the Dodecanese group of islands. Translated from Greek, Rhodes means "island of roses". It was formed as a result of the collapse of the Aegean mainland, like most of the islands of the Aegean Sea. Among the islands, Rhodes is the fourth largest and has the mildest climate.

The island of Kos is located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea. Historians suggest that the name of this island comes from the word "crab". The image of this crustacean was minted on coins, which first appeared in use on this island. The relief of the island is mostly flat with small hills, although there are small hills on the eastern side.

Peninsulas bathing in the Aegean have become popular resort places attracting fans and family vacation, and Orthodox pilgrims, and active regulars at nightclubs or casinos. Geographically, the Chalkidiki peninsula begins southeast of the second largest Greek city of Thessaloniki, where the international airport is located. Hot summers and moderate winter temperatures around 12 ° C favorably affect the vegetation, allowing the peninsula to be surrounded by greenery almost all year round. Vast olive, beech, fir and pine groves and orchards abound here.

Corfu Island ( Greek name- Kerkyra) belongs to the group of Greek islands located in the Ionian Sea. Its area is 592 sq. km, length is about 64 kilometers, the widest part is 32 kilometers, the total coastline is 217 kilometers. More than 107,600 people live on the island, stretching along the mainland. The western part of the island of Corfu is washed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea, and its eastern part is washed by the waters of the Ionian. Being in the north of the island, you can see the coast of Albanialocated 1.5 kilometers from Kerkyra.

13 administrative districts Greece

Regions of Greece

• Thrace and East Macedonia (Kavala, Drama; Alexandroupolis, Komotini, Xanthi)
• Central Macedonia (Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Vergina, Edesa, Veria, Naousa)
• Western Macedonia (Kastoria, Kozani)
• Thessaly (Larisa, Magnesia, Volos, Karditsa, Trikala, Mount Pelion, Meteora)
• Epirus (Ioannina, Igoumenitsa)
• Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca)
• Western Greece (Patras, Agrinio, Messolonghi)
• Central Greece (Lamia, Thebes, Livadia, Chalkis, Amfisa, Delphi)
• Peloponnese (Corinth, Sparta, Nafplion, Argos, Kamalata, Tripoli, Monemvasia)
• Attica (Athens, Sounion, Kitira)
• Crete (Heraklion, Rethymnon, Knossos, Chania, Gramvousa, Agios Nikolaos, Lassithi, Sitia, Ierapetra)
• The South Aegean Islands consist of two main groups: the Cyclades: (Anafi, Andros, Amorgos, Folegandros, Ios, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Sifnos, Koufonisi) and the Southern Sporades: (Kastelorizo, Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kassos, Karpathos, Kos , Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Symi, Rhodes, Tilos)
• Northern Aegean Islands (Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Lemnos, Agios Efstratios, Psara, Thassos, Samothras)

What to see

Undoubtedly, it will not work to embrace the whole of Greece in a two-week vacation, the country is too rich for interesting places. However, it does not hurt to choose the most interesting for yourself before the trip, so as not to waste precious time while already on the spot. To do this, you can look at the "attractions in Greece" section, or select a specific location just below from the list.

Athens

Crete

Rhodes

Kos

Where to go in Greece

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Transport

Private guides in Greece

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Greece in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

Leisure

Holidays and festivals

List of public holidays:

• New Year - January 1
• Epiphany - January 6
• End of Maslenitsa (First Day of Lent) - floating (February 19, 2007)
• Independence Day and Annunciation - March 25
• Good Friday - floating (April 25, 2008)
• Easter - floating (April 27, 2008)
• The second day of Easter is floating (April 28, 2008)
• May 1, Workers' Solidarity Day - May 1
• Trinity - floating (June 15, 2008)
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin - August 15
• Liberation Day in World War II - October 28
• Christmas - December 25
• Saint Stephen - December 26

The three main public holidays are Christmas, Easter and Assumption. Christmas is usually a personal, family holiday, but illuminations and decorations are set up in squares across the country. On the day of the Assumption, many cities and festivals hold big festivals. The Easter weekend is perhaps the most lavishly celebrated of all holidays, with religious processions on Good Friday and Saturday evening culminating in a multitude of fireworks displays at midnight, before Easter morning.

Apókries (apokria), the carnival before Lent, although not an official holiday, is nevertheless widely celebrated throughout the country, the Patriarch attends the largest and most famous events. The carnival season is lavish, ending with costumes, festivities and various local rites a week before the end of Lent.

In addition to national holidays, most cities and regions have their own regional festivities dedicated to various historical events, local patron saints, or the grape harvest.

Unlike most public holidays in other countries, Independence Day in Greece is a very sober holiday.

Please note that the way of calculating Holy Week and Easter in the Greek Orthodox Church differs from that accepted in the Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches. Therefore, Holy Week and Easter in the Greek Orthodox Church tend to be somewhat later than in the Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches, however, they also often coincide (as in 2007, for example).

Movement around the country

Bus

Intercity buses are a popular mode of transport for travel within the country. - a state-sponsored network of independent carriers, united together in a dense transport system covering almost the entire country. The system is efficient, reliable and relatively inexpensive. It operates on both long and short distances, even including routes from large cities to islands located near the mainland, such as Corfu and Kefalonia (in this case, the cost of the ferry is included in the price of the bus ticket).

Train

Trains are another inexpensive way to get to your destination, but the system of national railways very limited. Railway transport fell into decline after the arrival of large road and air carriers, as well as due to technological difficulties in laying paths through the difficult terrain of the country. IN last years carried out a large-scale modernization of the country's railways. A brand new suburban (regional) railway system Proastiakos (Proastiakos), serving Attica and the surrounding areas, was opened in 2004 and is being expanded further. The Athens-Thessaloniki direction was also modernized, which reduced the travel time.

Automobile

Traveling across the country by car can bring unforgettable experience, giving you the opportunity to discover, on your own, incredibly picturesque, diverse areas of coasts, mainland and islands. However, the number of victims of road accidents is quite high, and Greece is in the "leaders" among the EU countries. Most Greeks drive aggressively, and the country's topographical realities create problems, causing most of the narrow roads in the mountainous regions to twist and turn. On the positive side, the death rate on the roads is constantly decreasing due to government campaigns, tightening controls and legislative initiatives.

Roads are generally well marked and well maintained. The state network of multi-lane highways is being expanded. Due to numerous changes, it is recommended to have the most up-to-date road map. Most new highways charge tolls, often hefty. Road signs in Greek are usually duplicated by inscriptions in Latin.

For some, secondary Greek roads, such as those in towns and villages, may seem surprisingly narrow. If two cars meet on a narrow stretch of road, usually one of the drivers is looking for a place to pull off the road and let the other pass. Sometimes one driver must yield to another. Following these traditions is the norm, and a departure from them may cause the wrath of other drivers. Because of this, and also due to the fact that pedestrians often walk on the roadway, slow down in villages and small towns.

Another distinguishing feature of driving in Greece is the range of speeds at which vehicles move, especially on highways. Although the top speed is 120 km/h, some cars can go as fast as 60 km/h. Others, on the contrary, drive beyond the specified limits, and can approach from behind very quickly. It is recommended to drive in the leftmost lane, overtaking only slower vehicles.

Car rental agencies are present throughout the country, especially in big cities and in places popular with tourists. The offered cars are mostly manual transmission cars, there are also automatic ones, but it is advisable to reserve them in advance. Gasoline prices are high compared to Russia, although not higher than in other EU countries. Some insurance agencies and regulations do not allow you to drive a car outside the country.

Drivers who do not have a European license must have an international driving license obtained in their home country. They may not be required when renting a car, but they will definitely be needed in the event of an accident or when checking on the road. The insurance conditions may not be valid if the non-EU driver does not have an international license.

Ferry

One common way to get to the islands is by ferry. The frequency, reliability and availability of ferries is highly dependent on the time of year. For example, during the low season in winter (January to March), the weather in the Aegean Sea can be unfavorable, and ships often stay in ports for several days. This type of delay is completely unpredictable (the decision is not made by the ferry companies, but rather by the port authorities) and it is almost impossible to determine when ships in the harbor will be able to go to sea. On the other hand, ferries in August are full on the eve public holiday(August 15), so it is better for the traveler to plan ahead.

In the high season, the number of routes from Athens is large, and only a few intermediate islands cannot be reached by anything other than "shuttles". And again, in winter, some ferries run once or twice a week.

There are 3 ports in Athens: the main port of Piraeus and remote ports - Rafina and Lavrio. They serve all the islands, but for the central islands of the Cyclades, such as Tinos, it is better to sail from Rafina.

The average sailing time for ferries from Athens (port of Piraeus): to Paros - 4 hours, to Mykonos - 5.5 hours, to Santorini - 8 hours, to Heraklion (to Crete) - 9 hours.

Ferries are perhaps the only transport in Greece that leaves on time. The new "fast ferries" cut the time by almost half, but the prices are slightly higher. Sometimes it is more practical to travel by air, especially to Crete and Rhodes. However, the flight will cost more. The passage from Athens to Santorini by regular ferry takes 8 hours, but the view from the ship on the approaches to the island is amazing.

The main ferry companies operating in Greece are:

• (Cyclades)
• (Crete and international transport)
• (Italy - Greece and the Aegean Islands)
• (Saronic Gulf)
• (Aegean Islands)
• (Italy - Greece and Crete)
• (Aegean Islands and northern part of the mainland)
• (Italy - Greece)
• (Italy - Greece)

Airplane

Domestic air travel in the country is dominated by a state-owned company and its competitor. Both airlines offer a wide range of destinations, including links to some of the islands from the mainland. Tickets can be booked directly on the websites of the airlines. Both have a number of convenient Internet services, special offers, etc.

Taxi

There are many taxis in Greece, and in resort areas they are not a particular problem. But in big cities, especially in Athens, it can be difficult to catch him. Taxi drivers are notorious for being rude and they won't take you if they don't like something. Taxi can be called in the same way as in any other big city, but in Athens, many taxi drivers can refuse if they do not like the direction. If you need to catch a taxi during rush hour, it's almost impossible to find a car that would go outside of Athens (they'll all say they're going home, or worse, ignore you).

When you need to get to the beaches of the southern suburbs, you can find a hotel, and take a taxi from the hotel, it's much easier. A taxi driver, as a rule, will not take more than three people, but can load the trunk so that it does not close - the car can be very small. The situation with taxis improved somewhat after the Olympics, when all drivers were taught courtesy, but finding a taxi in Athens is still a problem.

Communication

Greek is the official language of the country, and the mother tongue of the majority of the population, but the English-speaking visitor has no particular language problems. English is the most widely spoken and understood foreign language. This is followed by French, Italian and German. Basic English can be expected from almost all personnel working in the tourism and public transport industry, as well as from Greeks under the age of 40. However, knowledge of a few Greek words such as "hello" and "thank you" is warmly welcomed.

The Latin and Cyrillic letters are descended from the Greek alphabet, and almost half of the Greek letters look like their Latin counterparts, as well as most Greek letters are similar in style to their Cyrillic counterparts. With a little practice, it becomes easy to decipher written names and common names, such as "hotel", "cafeteria", etc. In addition, the names of cities on road signs throughout the country are often transliterated in Latin letters (some signs, especially on new roads, are even fully translated into English).

culture

Norms of behavior in society

The Greeks judge a person's politeness by their behavior, not by their words. Moreover, the spirit of informality is everywhere, everyone is considered a relative. Greeks love to gesticulate a lot. Sometimes excessively verbal politeness is regarded by the interlocutor as pretentiousness. It will be kind of you to learn the basic words: "thank you" (Ευχαριστa - Eucharist O), "please" (Παρακαλώ - Parakal O), "Hello" ( Καλημέρα - Kalim uh ra).

The Greeks take their leisure time very seriously. Don't take apparent laziness or rudeness too personally. However, the Greeks take politics and football very seriously.

It is also not customary for women to appear in churches with bare shoulders and for men and women with bare legs. During the tourist season, this rule is not strictly followed.

Don't call Greece part of Eastern Europe, Greece was the only openly pro-Western country on the coast among its pro-Soviet and neutral communist neighbors. Geographically speaking this is also incorrect. The Macedonian question is also very acute: the Greeks believe that the name "Macedonians" was stolen from them and used as a name by Tito's partisans in southern Yugoslavia.

Also, be careful when talking about the Byzantine Empire, which is a symbol of their national pride and greatness. However, the majority will express the opposite opinion about the military junta of the late 1960s, mid-1970s. Many Greeks, not only communists or members of other left groups, have been subjected to brutal repression and speak of those leaders with obvious resentment. Also, be polite when asking about their relations with the Turks, the Turkish occupation and the civil war in Cyprus in 1974, as this provokes a heated, sometimes furious debate, causing turmoil between the two nations.

Indecent gestures

To "scold" someone with their hands, the Greeks show an open palm, as if calling them to stop. This is called "munza". Sometimes they do this by saying "on" (here). Thus, the Greeks can "send" a person, or say that he did some kind of absurdity. "Muntza" comes from a gesture used in the Byzantine era, when the judge smeared ashes over the condemned person's face with his hand in order to expose him to ridicule.

Smoking

Greeks smoke an awful lot, considering it their birthright. However, new laws already impose restrictions on smoking, and awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke has grown in recent years. Don't be afraid to ask the taxi driver or neighbor to remove your cigarette butt if it's inconvenient.

Kitchen

Food

Greek cuisine is a mixture of local traditions and borrowings from other cultures. Neighboring Italy and Turkey have had a significant impact on Greek cuisine, so there are even many common dishes. Traditional Greek food includes a lot of vegetables, herbs and cereals, seafood. Here they are very fond of dishes from lamb, beef, pork, chicken meat is especially popular. Olive oil is one of the staples in Greek cooking, other common ingredients are lemon and tomato paste. Bread and wine are always served at the dinner table.

Greek restaurants around the world try to cater more to the expectations of visitors than to offer a truly authentic Greek dish. For example, gyros is a traditional dish on the Greek menu outside of Greece. While today in Greece, the Greeks themselves consider it an everyday food that can be bought in any cafe.

Eating out is a common pastime for Greeks and a rewarding experience for visitors, but not knowing where to go or what to do can ruin the experience. In the past, restaurants catering more to tourists tended to be disappointing. Fortunately, the national restaurant industry has grown significantly in sophistication over the past decade, and now in popular tourist places you can find many excellent restaurants, especially in those resorts that are also popular among Greek tourists. So it's a good idea to dine where the Greeks themselves dine. Best Restaurants will offer not only authentic traditional Greek cuisine (with local features), but also the latest culinary trends in Greece.

There are also international restaurants in the country offering a wide variety of dishes such as Chinese, French, Italian and modern international.

Vegetarian cuisine

Greece never had vegetarianism popular destination, and vegetarian-friendly restaurants can be counted on the fingers. However, Greeks consume less meat per capita than northern Europeans or North America, in Greek cuisine there are countless plant-based dishes. Greeks eat meat and milk, but due to the fact that a large part of their diet consists of legumes, vegetables, herbs and fruits, vegans or vegetarians visiting Greece will have no problem finding vegetarian food. There is a special travel agency offering many tours designed specifically for vegetarians and vegans.

Popular local dishes

Traditional fast food dishes: gyros (γiρος) - fried pork or chicken (rarely beef) and a side dish wrapped in fried pita or on an open plate; souvlaki (σουβλaκι), meat fried on a spit; the Greek dish tzatziki (τζατζiκι) is made from filtered yogurt, olive oil, garlic, finely chopped cucumbers, and dill or mint; and scordalia (σκορδαλιya), a potato cream sauce with garlic, usually served with deep-fried cod.

Thanks to the large length of the coasts and the presence of islands, Greece has excellent sea food. Try fried octopus or achinosalate (eggs sea ​​urchin with lemon and olive oil). By law, frozen seafood must be labeled on the menu. Some fried fish sold by weight can be very expensive, so if you're on the lookout for a budget, check how much a particular portion will cost before you order it.

Greek salad (called in some places "village salad", "Khorl A tiki") - a mixture of chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and onions, with a couple of olives, with the addition of green capsicum or other vegetables, usually garnished with oregano. It is traditionally seasoned with olive oil only; vinegar or lettuce is added only in tourist-oriented restaurants.

Also check out the following dishes:

• moussaka - a spicy, oven-baked dish of eggplant, minced meat, tomatoes and white sauce;
• pasticio - a type of lasagna;
• stifado - pieces of meat stewed with onions in wine and cinnamon;
• spetsofay - stewed sausages with peppers and tomatoes, a hearty dish from the region of Mount Pelion;
• saganaki - fried semi-hard cheese;
• paidakia - fried lamb chops, also a popular dish. They have a strange smell and are tougher than North American lamb chops, which may not be to everyone's taste.

Fried potatoes (often written on the menu as chips) is a naturalized Greek dish found almost everywhere. Very good if served fresh and hot. Tzatziki is a good sauce for potatoes, although the chips are delicious on their own.

For dessert, take baklava, a thin dough with honey and chopped nuts, or galaktoburiko, a sweet custard pie similar to Napoleon. Worth a try and other baked goods. Be sure to try the yoghurt with honey: yoghurts in Greece are very different from what you are used to. Fruits such as watermelon are also popular during the summer months.

For breakfast, head to the nearest bakery (furno) and sample fresh tiropita (cheese pie), spanakopita (spinach pie), or bougatsa (custard-filled pie or even "goriatko psomi"), a traditional crispy country bread, a staple of the home. also very tasty on its own. All this is delicious and popular among Greeks as a quick breakfast. Each bakery has its own recipe, so you will never be disappointed. Order more Greek coffee to this to feel like a real Greek.

For products such as bread and fresh orange juice, the just-in-time principle is often used: the cafe purchases bread or oranges immediately after the first order is received. Therefore, do not be surprised if the waiter returns to the cafe with a bag of oranges after taking your order. In the same way, in most places, the freshness of the bread is guaranteed.

A popular drink is frappe, which is made with instant Nescafe, water, sugar, and sometimes milk. All this is whipped until foamy and served with ice.

Tips

Tipping is sometimes indicated officially in a cafe (i.e., paid into the bill), usually from 0.4 € to 2.0 € per person, sometimes they leave the amount at their discretion.

Fast food

McDonald's and Pizza Hut have significantly expanded their presence in Greece over the past 15 years. However, they have strong competitors in the form of popular local chains.

Safety

First of all, it should be emphasized that Greece is one of the most safe places for travelers. A significant part of the people with whom you have to communicate are open and helpful. However, ideal and absolutely safe countries does not happen, so in Greece you can also run into trouble.

Crime and theft

The number of violent thefts and crimes is relatively low. At the same time, recently, due to the protracted economic crisis, there has been a sharp increase in social unrest, but it concerns Athens - everything is calm in the resorts. Foreign tourists are always advised to take basic safety precautions, just as they would at home.

According to the Athens car hire agencies, you can freely leave your luggage, car radio and other belongings in the car throughout the Greek mainland.

scammers

The most common travel scam is the Greek version of the classic "money scam". This happens mainly in the center of Athens, but sometimes there are cases in other big cities and even on the islands. A lone tourist in an area filled with bars may be approached in the evening and offered to go out for a drink. During the fun, the company is replenished, and at the end of the party an invoice is brought for an astronomical amount, which the tourist has to pay - because there is already a whole group of people around him who have lost their friendliness. On the whole, it’s enough just not to get caught on such a wiring, but at the same time you should not be suspicious of the Greeks - most of them are really open people who can talk with a tourist without any ulterior motive.

Photography bans

It is strictly forbidden to photograph military installations or other strategic places. Government officials take violations quite seriously. Follow the signs forbidding photography. It would be best not to photograph anything that is in any way connected with the army, including Greek military vessels, airports and any aircraft, even civilian ones: representatives of the Greek authorities can be very scrupulous in such matters. Most museums prohibit photography without permission, however, some prohibit only flashes or tripods, and may ask visitors not to photograph objects (statues, etc.) that are near people, as this is considered disrespectful. But these specific warnings should not prevent photographing the rest of Greece, which is admittedly one of the most interesting countries for photographers.

antiques

Greece also has very strict laws regarding the export of antiques, which include not only objects of antiquity, but also coins, folk art and even pieces of stones from excavation sites. Before you buy anything that could be mistaken for antiques, you should carefully read the laws that indicate what exactly can be taken out of the country.

drugs

Greece's drug laws are among the most stringent and closely enforced in Europe. Tourists are no exception. The legislation here is very strict, so it is quite difficult to purchase marijuana, although it is certainly possible in resort areas.

road traffic

The biggest danger for travelers in Greece can be simply trying to cross the road: traffic is erratic even in small towns and absolutely disgusting in Athens and other Greek cities, so the number of accidents is very high. Pedestrians should take precautions even if they cross the road at a green light or at a pedestrian crossing. In general, the behavior of a pedestrian in Greece should correspond to the behavior of a pedestrian in Russia.

Health

Health care is free and covers all Greek citizens in the same way as EU citizens upon presentation of the E111 form. For residents of countries outside the EU, only emergency care is provided free of charge.

A network of helicopter ambulances serve the islands, transporting a patient in need of immediate care to the nearest island or city with a major hospital.

In the pharmaceutical field in Greece, everything is in order - highly qualified specialists work in this area, and many medicines that can only be purchased with a prescription in the US or UK are sold without a prescription in Greece. In the case of a simple illness, general malaise, the pharmacist will be able to independently select the necessary medicine for you. If there is a need for a special medicine, you need to remember the common name of the drug, since brand names may differ. Most pharmacies are closed on Sunday, but there will be a sign posted on the door to find the nearest pharmacy on duty.

The Mediterranean sun can be very strong and can cause severe burns to skin that has not been exposed to the sun for a long time. So it is worth buying sunscreen in advance, which are available everywhere in Greece in supermarkets, grocers, pharmacies and specialty shops selling beach products.

Precautionary measures

During the hottest months, when visiting archaeological sites, wear T-shirts, carry an umbrella, and carry water with you. Daytime temperatures can reach 35-38 C. Summer heatwaves are not uncommon in Athens, when temperatures can exceed 38 C, putting some people at risk of breathing problems and heat stroke. Be aware that on many islands, especially in the Cyclades, there is very little shade to escape the summer heat. Therefore, when going for a walk along the island, it is especially important to hot weather put on a hat, put on sunscreen, take water with you and try not to get caught up in the hottest part of the day.

Jellyfish, which can sting painfully, periodically flood some beaches.

It is not recommended to walk around the neighborhood alone: ​​even in popular places the area can be surprisingly deserted, and if you get into trouble while out of sight of houses or roads, it can be a long time before anyone sees you.

There are no required vaccinations in Greece and the water is perfectly safe. The tap water on some islands is demineralized sea water, which can taste disgusting. The inhabitants of these islands prefer to drink bottled water, which is widely available in supermarkets, grocers and kiosks.

Where to stay

If you enjoy local traditions and a leisurely pace of life, then small family-type guesthouses are The best way acquaintance with Greece. The owners and staff there are friendly and open compared to the coldness you usually find in big hotels in Greece. With the help of a convenient form with many filters of the Booking.com service, it is possible both in a big city and in small villages. Don't forget that when you book a hotel on Booking.com using the links above, you are participating in a drawing of valuable prizes!

If the budget allows, a luxury idea is to rent a villa. They are usually located close to the beach and provide residents with more space and great views. You can also use the AirBnB service not only to book a villa, but also, it can be convenient for some categories of tourists - families with several children who prefer to cook for themselves and so on.

It should be noted that the arrangement of small hotels in Greece, especially on the islands, and even in Athens and other large cities, is quite modest. Rooms are small, bathrooms even smaller, with showers, often with hand sprayers; if there is a bathroom, then it is sometimes sedentary. On the other hand, such hotels often have balconies (although sometimes small) or a veranda, individual or common to all rooms (they are usually spacious enough not to feel cramped). The hotels are quite clean and tidy. Those who want to live in luxury can look for options in cities and on the most popular islands, but it is better to check the quality of the hotel with a reliable source to be sure of the level of service.

Location

On the Balkan Peninsula, in its southern part, there is an extraordinary country of Greece. It is washed by three seas at once - the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian. It is impossible to describe in words the beauty of this amazing country - it intertwines modern architectural solutions with monuments of ancient culture, stunning nature and bewitching landscapes, as well as most beautiful cities and warm sea waters.

The wealth of Greece lies not only in its unique nature, but also in its ancient history. Every time you come to Greece, you will discover something new and unknown, because every corner of Hellas is saturated with interesting history.

The people of Greece are known for their hospitality. Since ancient times, there has been a belief that at any moment God can enter the house of a local resident in the guise of a wanderer, so every guest here is treated like God. It is believed that each of the ancient Greek gods had his favorite island or city, and this deity was worshiped in such places.

Capital

The capital of Greece is the city of Athens, which got its name in honor of the ancient goddess. The legend says that Athena gave an olive branch to the city, which later made it rich and prosperous, since having olive groves is a very profitable business.

Today Athens is modern city, where both old and new buildings are found, and Turkish markets are located next to rich restaurants.

In order to plunge into the era of ancient Greece, there are many museums for tourists, including the National Archaeological Museum, but the main attraction of the capital is the Acropolis - ancient city. Although it originated before our era began, many of its buildings have survived to this day.

Indescribable emotions are caused by the temple of Athena - the Parthenon, which was built in the 5th century BC. Not far from it is the Erechtheion - a temple created in honor of the victory of Athena over Poseidon in a difficult dispute over who will be the patron of the city.

Islands

Most big Island Greece - Crete, located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. There are so many legends about this island: Zeus was born here, Theseus fought the Minotaur right there and many other legends. The remains of the Minoan civilization have been preserved on the island of Crete in the form of the ruins of the palace of Knossos, Phaistos and Malia.

There are numerous museums on the island, which contain archaeological finds from various eras of development and existence of the island.

The rich past of Crete is not the only pride of the island. The best resorts in Greece are located in Crete. Those tourists who want to spend time in an atmosphere of peace and complete harmony choose Rethymno and Chania, fans active rest Hersonissos, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos are perfect.

The islands of the Santorini archipelago include five islands - Thira, Terasia, New and Old Kameni and Aspronisi. The capital of the Santorini archipelago is Thira - a city of extraordinary beauty with snow-white stone buildings and blue roofs, colorful beaches and marvelous sunsets. Antiquities can be viewed in the museums of the city. The island of Thira itself is called Santorini by tourists.

The island of Rhodes is the pearl of the Mediterranean. Tourists buy tours to Greece on the island of Rhodes in order to enjoy the mild climate and beautiful nature, rich cultural heritage and great hotels with great restaurants. The symbol that personifies Rhodes is a statue with two deer, which stands in the place where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. According to another legend, the island arose after Zeus made a gift to Olympus Helios in the form of land raised from the bottom of the sea. It was decided to leave the gift and name it in honor of the nymph Rhoda, the beloved of Olympus.

It is impossible to describe all the good that awaits tourists on the island of Rhodes. Here you can dive into ancient history and see incredible landscapes. Butterfly Valley and Petaludes will not leave indifferent even the most seasoned travelers. If you climb to the top of Mount Montreux, you can see the stadium, which was built in the Second century BC, the ruins of the temple of Athena Polias, Zeus Polnaeus and Pythian Apollo. If you walk through the old city, you can feel the history through museums and souvenir shops.

Kitchen

Greek cuisine is worth talking about separately. For the local population, a meal means not just a meal, but also relaxation, it is possible to communicate and gather all family members. Traditional Greek dishes - feta cheese, olives, seafood dishes. It is impossible to imagine Greek cuisine without wine and strong, aromatic coffee, which is served in every restaurant and cafe.

The Greeks are very fond of vegetables, meat and fish dishes. In Greek taverns, you can taste real seafood - octopuses, mussels, shrimps and oysters cooked incredibly tasty. Grilled meat dishes are popular.

Greece is the birthplace of the god of winemaking, Dionysus. It is in this country that the best wines are revered and made, which are known for their tart and sweet taste. Muscat wines are usually served with sweets and fruits; Retsina wine is excellent for seafood and meat.

Weather and climate

Holidays in Greece are always pleasant and unforgettable thanks to the local Mediterranean climate. Summers in Greece are very warm and dry, while winters are mild and wet. The air temperature in summer is about + 32 degrees Celsius. In autumn and spring, the weather is not stable and is constantly changing. It is best to devote your vacation to studying the history of the country and visiting sights at this time.

Thanks to the breezes, the summer heat is easily perceived on the islands and coasts of Greece. In large cities, the summer heat is more strongly felt in the absence of wind. By the beginning of summer, the water in the sea warms up quite well and does not cool down until November. In Crete and other islands of the Aegean, winters are the mildest. The air temperature is generally around +10 degrees Celsius.

Religion

Greece is a country of Orthodox Christianity. Almost all Greeks practice this religion. The residence of the head of the Orthodox Church is in Athens.

Pilgrims from all over the world come to Greece to visit local churches, as this country is the world center of Orthodoxy. Travelers appreciate the churches, temples and monasteries of Greece, built in the Byzantine era.

The main shrines of Orthodox Greece are the relics of Spyridon Trimifutsky, the relics of the Holy Queen Theodora, Meteora, Holy Mount Athos and the churches of Byzantine times.

Religion plays a big role in every Greek home. The Greeks are very serious about the sacraments and customs that are sacredly observed. On Sundays, it is customary to visit churches, and Orthodox holidays are celebrated on a large scale.

Beaches

The beaches in Greece are mostly sandy, with occasional pebbles. On the municipal beaches of the country, you will have to pay for sunbeds and umbrellas; private beaches of hotels provide them for free. The mainland has more crowded and noisy beaches than the islands. Island beaches are often located in cozy bays and the sea in such places is cleaner and calmer.

Souvenirs from Greece

Every tourist, leaving Greece, wants to take with him not only memorable photos and unforgettable impressions, but also a small part of Hellas, its extraordinary history and culture.

As in other countries, Greece has a rich selection of souvenirs. But I want to choose just such a memorable gift that will personify Greece in the best possible way. What will best emphasize the zest of the country? These can be papyrus notebooks and woven bags, jewelry made of real pearls that no girl can deprive of attention, ceramics and porcelain with Greek painting, as well as marble figurines.

Amazing Greece attracts many tourists whose interests are diverse. Some want to learn more about antiquity, others about excavations, others go to the country to soak up the white sandy beaches in the warm rays of the sun, and someone is attracted by the myths read at school.

Greece is the country you want to know everything about! Each piece of the country is not like the other, and each one wants to be explored completely. Thousands of tourists come to Greece again and again, captivated by the beauty and history of this extraordinary country. But one life alone is not enough to know what has been created for centuries.

Greece is a country of mysteries, myths and legends, some of which have not been revealed to this day. Coming here for the umpteenth time, I understand that I will never be bored here. Every time Greece surprises and conquers me more and more.

It is impossible to describe it in a few words - despite the fact that this is a very small country, it seems to be divided into parts, each of which impresses with its color and beauty. A significant part of Greece and its capital is located on the Balkan Peninsula, and numerous islands in the Aegean, Mediterranean, Cretan, Thracian and Ionian seas.

The islands represent the main tourist pride of this country. It is not for nothing that it is called the "Land of a Thousand Islands", at the moment more than 160 inhabited and at least 1250 uninhabited belong to Greece. The largest ones - Crete, Euboea - attract tens of thousands of tourists every year, despite the crisis in the country and the world.

Visa and border crossing

Mainland Greece shares land borders with Macedonia, Albania, Turkey and Bulgaria. Like all Schengen countries, Greece requires a visa of the same name to enter its territory. Since September 2015, in order to get a Schengen visa, you need to personally come to the consulate, take fingerprints and take a photo. Children under 12 do not need to be fingerprinted.
Active travelers need not worry - such a procedure should be performed no more than once every 5 years. The cost of self-registration for an adult is from 35 to 37.5 euros, depending on its type.

Russian citizens can apply for the following:

1. Transit visa - for traveling to other countries through the territory of Greece.
2. Guest - provided at the invitation of citizens of the state.
3. Student - necessary for studying in the country.
4. Working - without it, it is impossible to apply for a job in Greece.
5. Tourist visa- the most common, allows our compatriots to enter the territory of Greece for up to 90 days within six months.

At the moment, special agencies operate in every city of Russia, allowing you to spend less time on obtaining a visa. In this case, you will have to pay from 1000 to 1500 rubles, but you still have to go to the Greek consulate to take fingerprints.
It is possible to visit Greece without a visa, subject to the following conditions:

• One of the Greek islands, Chios, Samos or Lesvos, was chosen to visit.
• The term of a tourist trip does not exceed 15 days.
• Entry is carried out from the territory of Turkey on one of the ferries.
• The trip will take place from June 7 to September 30, 2016.

In this case, a consular fee of 35 euros will be paid directly at the border of the state. You need to buy a ferry ticket in advance and print out a confirmation for booking accommodation, as well as send documents for a single entry visa to a travel agency organizing a trip to the islands 24 hours in advance - an application, a copy of your passport and a photo.
You should get a visa for a trip to Greece in advance, so that later, in case of refusal, you can reapply the documents. At the moment, permission to enter this country is issued more willingly, as the flow of tourists has decreased due to the crisis.

Customs officers usually let tourists pass very quickly, except for suspiciously behaving people. Baggage is checked extremely rarely, but you need to know what can be imported into the country without duty and what cannot.

• Food - drinks and food up to 10 kg;
• 10 packs of cigarettes;
• Alcoholic drinks stronger than 22% - 1 liter, wine - 4 liters, beer - up to 16 liters.

• Narcotic substances;
• Medicines prohibited for import;
• Weapon;
• Antiques;
• Dairy and meat products.

When crossing the border in the opposite direction, it is allowed to take out no more than 1-2 liters of wine and vegetable oil. It is forbidden to export from Greece any items of historical value.

How to get there

Our compatriots prefer to go on vacation to Greece in the simplest way - by buying a tour that includes a charter flight, accommodation and meals at the hotel. However, you can get to this beautiful country on your own by purchasing a ticket for a regular flight, by car, train, bus. The exception is the islands, for which there are water sports transport.

By plane

The plane is not in vain considered the most popular vehicle for a trip to Greece. Its main advantages over other types of transportation are:

• Convenience – regular ticket sales can save you a lot, especially if you buy them in advance.
• Speed ​​- after spending only a few hours on the road, you can find yourself in this fabulous country.
• Prevalence - due to the popularity of flights, they are now carried out from almost any major city in Russia with an airport, and it does not matter if you go to the mainland or to the islands of Greece.

Charter flights significantly benefit over regular ones, as they allow you to reach the goal of the trip without transfers. If 10-15 years ago it was much more difficult to get to the country on your own, now planes fly not only from St. Petersburg and Moscow, but also from Yekaterinburg, Samara, Rostov, Voronezh, Perm, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Krasnodar, Volgograd and others large Russian cities. In combination with regular flights, you can visit hospitable Greece all year round without any problems. You can easily buy a ticket from well-known Russian and foreign airlines: Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, Air Berlin, Air Serbia, but Aegean Airlines, or Aegean Airlines, are considered the most profitable.

Ticket prices from Moscow to Athens start at 6-7 thousand rubles, and the islands are a little more expensive, but you have to travel with transfers, sometimes up to 1 day. With careful monitoring of prices, you can buy a direct ticket for 10-12 thousand. You can see ticket prices in the Travelask section. Travel time without transfers is 3.5-4 hours from Moscow and St. Petersburg. In total, there are 55 airports in the country, the largest of which is Athens Eleftherios Venizelos. In addition to it, the most convenient and popular are:

• on Crete in Heraklion - Nikos Kazantzakis,
• in Chania - Daskalogianis,
• on Rhodes - Diagoros,
• on Corfu - Ioannis Kapodistrias.

By train

If you suffer from aerophobia, you can get to Greece by train, but this mode of transport is the least common in the country due to mountain roads inconvenient for railroad tracks. In addition, at the moment there are no direct routes from Russia that allow you to travel by train to at least part of the country bordering Bulgaria or Turkey.

To get to Thessaloniki, the capital of the Greek province of Macedonia, you need to buy a ticket from Moscow to or Sofia, and only then transfer to the train that will take you to your final destination. This option is not suitable for people who have a limited amount of time, because on independent travel take at least four days.

By bus

Bus tours are becoming more and more popular. This is due to the fact that transport is becoming more comfortable and allows you to make long trips almost without stops. Travel agencies are actively developing this direction, and at the moment you can get to Athens by bus from Moscow and St. Petersburg, or by going to any of the border countries, from where flights to major cities of Greece are free.

For example, the well-known travel company Ost-West organizes bus trips from Moscow through other European countries - Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria. The presence of a Russian-speaking guide will brighten up the time on the trip and allow you to better study the history of not only Greece, but also other countries. In St. Petersburg, Petrotur offers similar services. Typically, the cost of a trip, which ranges from 440 to 600 euros, includes the price of travel, food and hotel accommodation along the route. The travel program includes a visit to Athens, Thessaloniki, Livadia, Crete and. Travel time takes a little more than three days.

By car

You need to be a real romantic and adventure lover to decide on an independent trip by car to Greece. After all, the road there lies through the borders of several European states Therefore, it is necessary to complete all the documents for their passage.

The main advantage of this type of transport is independence and the ability to stop anywhere to explore the still unknown areas of the country. The route will depend on the region of Greece and the country bordering it.

The journey will take at least 3-4 days, and even then, provided that there are two drivers in the car who can change with each other. In the presence of modern navigation systems, build correct route much easier than before. It is necessary to take into account all the nuances on the road:

• Plan ahead for stops for snacks and overnight stays.
• Find out about the state of highways and the cost of gasoline in the countries through which you will travel.
• Specify the features of the border crossing.

If you have a Schengen visa, you will not have any problems at customs, but you should remember that in each country there are items that cannot be imported there.

The most successful entry into Greece is from Bulgaria, as these countries have very good friendly relations. There are only two options for routes that are popular with independent autotourists:

1. Ukraine, Moldova, .
2. Belarus, Slovakia, Macedonia.

The most interesting option would be to take a different route on the way back, then the number of countries seen will be greater. Do not forget that the number of days spent in the Schengen countries is summed up.

If you decide to take this step, a trip by car to Greece will be the brightest and most interesting adventure.

By ferry

For a country, a significant part of which is located on the islands, and the rest has access to the sea, the ferry is not at all uncommon. You can go by ferry to Athens, the capital of Greece, from Ukraine, Turkey, Italy, Cyprus. In addition, there is an opportunity to visit almost any of the Greek islands, with the exception of only very small ones. The schedule of ferries to Greece is designed in such a way that tourists can regularly cross the sea.

You can find out how ferries go to islands or cities on some Greek sites. There is an option to book in advance using the Ferriesingreece service, but be sure to check exact time their departures. Due to the delay of the ferries, the schedule can be shifted by several minutes, and sometimes even hours.

Feature of this species water transport in that they can transport cars and other bulky goods. For these purposes, ferries have a passenger and cargo deck.

In addition to ferries, which are distinguished by their low speed, there are fast big ships equipped with comfortable cabins. The most interesting option would be to travel by ship to such islands of Greece as Crete, Corfu with a call to the largest port cities.

The cost of the ferry ticket will depend on the end point of the route and the type of accommodation (cabin or seat). For example, the price from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete is from 30 to 50 euros. Travel time 9-10 hours. From Piraeus to Rhodes, the ferry takes 17-20 hours, on the way calling on the islands of Kalymnos and, and then on Paros, Naxos, and Kastelorizo. For comparison, from Thessaloniki, the ferry takes only 1 hour. For those who are not in a hurry and love to admire the seascapes and views of the islands, a long time on the road will not be a hindrance.

Tourist regions

For most tourists, Greece is associated with holidays on the coast and islands. However, this is only the most famous part of the country, represented by tour operators. In fact, the tourist potential of this state cannot be fully revealed by standard routes and requires more careful attention.

Geographically, Greece is divided into 13 regions, each of which has its own administration. According to the directions for tourism, three parts of the country of particular interest can be distinguished:

You can navigate the prices for tours to different regions of Greece.

If you prefer independent tourism, you can see hotels in mainland and island Greece in the TravelAsk section, options for renting private apartments -. You can book hotels on Booking -.

Top cities

Each of the cities of Greece has its own ancient history, which deserves a separate study. Historically, the largest cities were formed around seaports, allowing the development of trade relations.

Islands

All the islands in Greece are grouped according to their territorial affiliation. Northern and Southern Sporades (Dodecanese), ionian islands, Cyclades, Crete. Among the more than a thousand islands of Greece, only about 200 are inhabited, and only a few of them can count on the attention of tourists, because for this they must at least have an airport that allows them to receive planes from different countries.

• Northern Sporades in Greek means "scattered", they include Euboea (Evia), Skyros, Skiathos,.
• The Southern Sporades, or Dodecanese, are located in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas off the coast of Turkey. Among them, the most famous are Halki, Kalymnos, Symi, Kastelorizo, and.
• The Ionian Islands of Greece are located in the sea of ​​the same name and include Corfu (), Zakif, Ithaca, Kitira.
• The "arranged circles" of the Cyclades near Crete have retained a unique architectural style that tourists can observe on their own. famous island archipelago - Santorini, as well as Syros, Mykonos, Andros, Tinos, Ios and others.
• Crete is deservedly considered the most famous Greek island - because it is the largest of them.

Historically, among such a variety of islands, tour operators distinguish several of the most suitable for tourist trips:

1. Crete is the largest in terms of area, it is deservedly considered a favorite place for tourists to visit. According to ancient legends, Zeus, the supreme god of the ancient Greeks, was born here.
   The capital of Crete, the city welcomes guests at a large airport on the Mediterranean coast. When landing, it seems that the plane is landing directly on the water. Another airport is located in the city of Chania, so get on beautiful island, famous for its beaches and entertainment, will not be difficult. In terms of the number of attractions, the island surpasses even Attica. What is worth one Knossos Palace, located near Heraklion, the Phaistos Palace, the city of Olus at the bottom of the sea and much more. But its main advantage is not in this - first of all, tourists appreciate Crete for the opportunity to visit a variety of beaches. Pink, yellow and white, sandy and pebbly, cultivated, with a gentle entrance for swimming and wild, ideal for diving.
   
2. tourists love him no less than his older brother. I have always felt a certain attachment to this island. The capital is located in the city of the same name - Rhodes, in which the main attraction is the Palace of the Grand Masters and medieval fortress built in the 14th century. The major cities of the island are Faliraki, Ialyssos, Monolithos. Surfers come to Parasonisi, where the Mediterranean meets the Aegean. "Kiss of the two seas" - that's what they called this place - the most popular natural attraction of Rhodes. As in Crete, here you can find a variety of beaches for every taste, in addition, this island is located to the south, so the tourist season here starts earlier and ends later.
   
3. The northernmost Greek island is, with its capital in Kerkyra. Despite the fact that the climate here is not so hot and more reminiscent of Italy, the flow of tourists does not dry out. The whole secret of the island is that its nature is more picturesque than in Crete or Rhodes. Green pines and cypresses, olive groves, the cleanest beaches in the Ionian Sea will conquer any, even the most demanding traveler. The most visited place is the resort on the west coast of Corfu Paleokastritsa. Tourists have chosen the local beaches, which are surrounded by mountains and trees.
   
4. Santorini is a very small island, but one of the most popular. In fact, this is a small archipelago of 5 islands: Nea Kameni, Terasia, Palea Kameni, Aspronisi and Santorini itself, which the Greeks call Fira. The visiting card of the island are beautiful white houses with blue roofs, against which newlyweds love to be photographed, and beaches made of volcanic sand, which have different colors and shades. The island has several beaches with black and gray sand, red and white. Despite its small size, its beaches are worthy of being told about in a separate article.
   
5. Euboea, or Evia, is not so popular and famous, although it is the second largest island in Greece after Crete. It is located near north coast countries in the Aegean. Euboea is famous for the fact that in the Strait of Evrip, which separates it from the mainland, one can observe a natural phenomenon- "standing waves", formed every 6 hours during high and low tide. Travelers will not be disappointed by the beaches of the island, sheltered from the winds by high cliffs.
   

Top attractions

It's no secret that Greece is the cradle of an ancient culture that originated several centuries ago BC. Having read the "Myths of Ancient Greece" in all known publications while still at school, I most of all wanted to be in the country where the described events took place. It seemed to me that once I got there, I would find myself in a real fairy tale. The reality not only completely coincided with my expectations, but also exceeded them many times over.

Weather

The tourist season is open in Greece all year round, especially since the most interesting holidays begin here in December and continue until February. It is also better to visit sights at this time - there are either few or no tourists at all, the ticket price is reduced several times. However, winter weather is not at all suitable for swimming on the beaches.

The coldest months in these places are January and December, the air temperature does not rise above 10-12 degrees, February and March will please with warming up to 15-17 degrees, and already in May the most daring travelers open the swimming season, which will last until the end of October. In November, strong winds, rains and frequent storms at sea will not allow even the most desperate brave men to swim, although this month is not so cold yet.

Moving around the country

Moving along the Greek roads would be a real pleasure, if not for the mountainous terrain. In this regard, you should not expect that you will drive distances at the usual speed, usually cars move here no faster than 70 km / h. For those who have rights, there is a great opportunity to rent a car and arrange self-guided tour. This service costs from 50 euros per day, and even in small villages there are several "Rent a car". You can see the cost of renting a car for the dates you are interested in. The owners of such agencies will be happy to provide a car at your request if you are already 21 years old, and in some regions 23 years old. You need to have an international driving license and a driving experience of more than 1 year. Temporary insurance is issued on the spot and is included in the rental price.

If you didn’t take your driver’s license with you or simply don’t have one, you can travel around the area by bus or fixed-route taxi. This is the most common public transport in Greece, stops with timetables can be seen everywhere. A one-time ticket costs only 2-3 euros.

IN major cities you can catch a taxi. You can easily recognize them by the inscription. In addition, there is a water taxi, where you can move between the islands. If you urgently need to leave, and there is no suitable transport, just raise your hand. The Greeks are very responsive and help everyone without exception. You will have to pay the meter for taxi fares, and a random taxi driver can give you a lift for just a few euros or for free, wishing you good luck goodbye.

Greeks rarely overtake when driving into the oncoming lane, so don't be surprised if the car behind you flashes its headlights or honks. In this case, you need to drive off to the side of the road, by the way, also paved.

Connection

It is not for nothing that the Internet is called the World Wide Web, it is ubiquitous in Greece. Almost all hotels and nearby cafes have the opportunity to connect to free Wi-Fi, as evidenced by signs with the inscription "Wi-Fi". However, the speed of the Internet is very low, it will be possible to chat on Skype with great difficulty.

To profitably call home while relaxing, experienced travelers are advised to buy a plastic card with a certain denomination for calls from a payphone, which are available in every hotel or near it. With such a card worth 10 euros, you can call home 8-9 times.

If you prefer to communicate on your phone, ask the household to call you themselves. In this case, the cost of cellular communication will be minimal.

Language and communication

Greece is one of those countries in which hospitality can be called one of the most pleasant customs. From my own experience, I want to note that any person who finds himself in a difficult situation will be helped. Many Greeks know English well, speak German well, but it is difficult to meet Russian-speaking residents here.

Despite this, the locals are always smiling and friendly, and at the same time they prefer not to impose themselves, as the Turks like to do when you go through souvenirs for half an hour. The restaurant usually has a menu in two languages ​​- Greek and English, and even with colorful pictures illustrating the dish.

If you learn a few standard phrases in Greek, you will gain an advantage over other customers in cafes and shops.

1. kali mera - good morning, good afternoon (until 14.00);
2. kali spera - good evening;
3. yasu, yasas - hello;
4. efharisto - thank you;
5. parakalo - please;
6. signomi - excuse me;
7. ne - yes;
8. ooh – no;
9. Poso cani? - what is the price?
10. you canis? - How are you?
11. me lane? - What is your name?
12. then onoma mu ine - my name is.

Features of the mentality

Greece is a country that has retained its unique style, unlike other states. This can also be attributed to architectural style, and to nature, and to the mentality local residents. Any tourist who finds himself here will feel friendliness and friendliness, unless, of course, he behaves defiantly.

The main tradition in Greece is the observance of all Christian holidays of patron saints, which are held with special pomp and obligatory procession with relics through the streets of the city. Most of these events occur in autumn and winter, so tourists in our country are only familiar with them by hearsay. When planning a trip or a trip to church, one should not forget that visiting these places in trousers, shorts and short skirts is unacceptable, and the head should be covered with a scarf.

Another feature that can be explained by the country's climate is the opening hours of almost all establishments: restaurants, shops, museums. In the afternoon heat, they close for 1-2 hours and only after the sultry time subsides, at 4 o'clock, they open again. But you can not be afraid that in the evening you will not be able to visit the store, they work until late. Most best time for friendly meetings - 18-20 hours. And if you are invited to visit, do not forget to grab something for tea - to come empty-handed is considered the height of indecency.

The Greeks are very friendly, so do not be surprised if you are easily invited to visit after a superficial acquaintance. Try to accept this with joy and bring some kind of present for tea. This friendship can last quite a long time. This is the peculiarity of their mentality - friendly relations start up easily and for a long time.

Food and drink

Greece is known as a country that competes with Turkey for all-inclusive meals. However, the hotel will not serve you typical Greek cuisine. To learn the traditions of cooking, you need to visit local cafes and restaurants.

It is simply impossible to tell in a nutshell about the national food of Greece. Each island and region of this country has its own special dish. It is better to devote a separate article to this. In short, traditional Greek cuisine is prepared using fresh vegetables, seafood, herbs, classic yogurt and olive oil. This feature is a reflection of the centuries-old life of the Greeks, whose traditional occupations were and remain agriculture, fishing and cattle breeding.

The cooking method differs in that almost all foods are deep-fried in olive oil or butter. The cost of lunch for one person will be no more than 20-25 euros, but do not rush to order a portion for each - in Greece they are large. At the end of the meal, do not be surprised if, along with drinks, they bring you small pies with cottage cheese, fried in butter, usually honey and sour cream are served with them.

You will not find rich soups typical of Russian cuisine here; they add very little potatoes to them. But pastries in Greece deserve all the praise. Phyllo dough, used all over the world, is an invention of Greek culinary specialists. On its basis, pies of karidopita stuffed with walnuts and syrup, galaktobureko with sweet semolina are made. Bugatsa puff pastry pie will not leave you indifferent either.

Drinks in Greece are typical for all Mediterranean countries: light wine, which is usually diluted with water, beer, natural fruit juices - orange, tangerine and apple. The strongest among alcoholic beverages is rake - aniseed vodka, with a strength of about 40 degrees.

5 dishes worth trying

Among the variety of Greek cuisine, you must definitely try some dishes:

Acquaintance with new dishes will add pleasant impressions to the trip, especially since spicy and unusual seasonings are not used in Greek cuisine.

shopping

Those who consider Greece an unsuitable country for shopping are fundamentally mistaken. There are a large number of things that are worth buying in this country. Besides, in holiday season there are many shops, shops, bazaars designed specifically for tourists.

What you need to know about shopping in this country

The inclination of the Greeks to observe custom and tradition could not but be reflected in the type of things that can be found in local shops: almost all of them are made from natural cotton, linen and woolen fabrics, often handmade and are piece goods. It is difficult to find cheap things here, but they are all very high quality. There are also Chinese goods, but mostly they are toys or household items.

You can pay both in cash and with a plastic card, in large stores prices are usually fixed, but in the bazaar or small shops you can bargain with sellers and get an additional discount.

The best cities for shopping

What to bring from this country

Things that deserve your attention as souvenirs of a trip to Greece can be bought at almost any store near the beach. At the same time, do not forget that their cost is slightly overpriced, so it is better to purchase them away from the bathing area. Usually tourists bring from a trip:

• Greek clothes and shoes - from 15 to 100 euros.
• Ceramic dishes - from 20 to 50 euros.
• Antique coins - from 15 to 30 euros.
• Figurines of ancient Greek gods or animals carved from stone or wood - from 10 to 150 euros, depending on the size.
• Buy cosmetics based on olive oil only in a pharmacy for no less than 20-30 euros for a small set.
• Pine, olive and myrtle icons - from 3 to 15 euros.
• Food: house wine from 10 euros, olive oil and olives from 3 euros, fetax cheese and spices from 10 euros.

Things of historical or cultural value cannot be exported from Greece. Oddly enough, this also applies to sea pebbles, sand and shells. Despite the fact that they are exported in large quantities, try not to show them at customs.

When buying goods for a large amount, you can get tax free, or the so-called value-added tax (VAT) refund, which is 24% on the mainland and 17% in the island part of Greece. This privilege can only be used by citizens of countries outside the European Union. In this case, the purchase amount must be at least 120 euros.

To receive such a benefit when leaving the country, contact the special Tax free point located near duty free and provide checks with goods specially designed in the store.

Vacation with children

Greece is a country perfect for children's recreation. Little tourists of all ages will not be bored here. For children from 3 to 10 years old, hotels with animation are suitable, which are in no way inferior to Turkish ones, but you should not count on the availability of such a service in a three-star establishment. Rest on the beach can be diluted with visits to water parks, dolphinariums, oceanariums, zoos, which are very numerous throughout the country.

Traditionally the best resorts Greece for children's holidays are:

• On Rhodes, the city of Faliraki. It is located not so far from the capital of the island - only 12 km. It is famous for its clean beaches with a gentle entry into the water.
• In Crete - and Agios Nikolaos, the hotels of the first beach line in these cities often provide benefits for children.
• On the peninsula, the resorts of Tolo, Kassandra and Sithonia, protected from the winds by cozy bays, are suitable for relaxing with children.
• In Corfu, children will love to relax in the capital of the island, Kerkyra. There is entertainment for every taste, from sightseeing to swimming on the beach.

Top places to visit with children aged 5 and over:

Holidays with children in Greece will become a pleasant memory if you book a hotel according to the system All inclusive and at the same time it will be located no further than the 2nd beach line.

Safety

Greece is quite safe for travel, however, at the moment, after the resettlement of many refugees from Syria, Turkey and other nearby countries, one should be very careful. Hotel burglaries are extremely rare, but they do happen.

Popular types of scams

It is necessary to follow the safety rules that will be useful to tourists in any country:

• When you check in, ask for a safe, which will cost 2-3 euros daily, but the money will be safe.
• Never carry all the funds in one pocket, take only an approximate amount for the day.
• Do not withdraw money from the card if there are suspicious persons nearby. Recently, fraudulent reading of data information during cash withdrawals has become more frequent.
• Do not demonstrate your financial capabilities by showing a lot of banknotes.

There are scammers in almost every city, some of them earn money during the beach season in this way, but more than the Greeks themselves, you should be afraid of other Europeans, often appearing in high-profile criminal cases.

5 things you definitely shouldn't do

For personal safety in Greece, you need to remember the following things:

1. You need to cross the road very carefully, drivers are watching other cars, not pedestrians, even at the crossing you may not be allowed to pass.
2. Women should appear in public places only accompanied by men or girlfriends in order to avoid harassment by other members of the stronger sex.
3. Annoying visitors in cafes or shops during a siesta can not only be blamed, but also be recognized as violators of public order.
4. There is no need to use gestures when communicating - the country has its own sign language, without knowing it, you can insult the owner of the establishment.
5. You can not leave valuables on the dash and the front seat of the car: bags or phones, thefts from cars are the most frequent in Greece.

5 things to do in this country

After visiting Greece several times, one gets a single picture of this diverse and beautiful country. From places, attractions and interesting things for a tourist, you can make a huge list.

Here are the top 5 things without which a visit to Greece would be incomplete:

Nearby countries

While traveling in Greece, you can go on an excursion to the border countries, fortunately, that the Schengen visa allows you to do this. It will be interesting to travel by ferry or plane, just keep in mind that you need to enter from the south side, where Greek-speaking Cypriots live. Such flights are operated from Thessaloniki, Athens, Rhodes and Heraklion to Nicosia and Ayia Napa.

It also provides tourist interest, thanks to its resorts and Dalaman. They go there by ferry from Rhodes or Kos for cheap and high-quality things.

Ferry service with Italy allows you to go to this country in the cities of Bari, Ancona, Brindisi and Venice from Piraeus or Kerkyra. Travel time will be 2-3 hours.

One visit to Greece is not enough, I want to come back here again and fill in the gaps in the study of the country: go to new regions and unexplored places. Undoubtedly, after what you have learned from this article, it is worth going on a trip, if not on your own, then at least with a ticket from one of the tour operators in order to get to know this unique country better.

Money

As in all EU countries, the official currency of Greece is the euro. In addition to them, the Greeks do not recognize other money, no dollars or rubles as in Turkey. Credit cards are accepted in almost all stores, but the Greeks prefer cash. Visa and Mastercard are best suited, but not all payment terminals accept Maestro.

You can exchange rubles for euros in exchange offices and banks located in such large cities as Athens and Patras. The percentage for such an operation is very small and amounts to 1-2%. The only downside is that you can't check your card balance at ATMs.

Greece is of interest to almost any person. Someone is interested in the history of Ancient Hellas, someone aspires to this country, considering it the cradle of Orthodoxy, and some tourists, and they seem to be the majority, just want to relax in the beautiful Greek beach resorts. More than 15 million tourists from all over the world visit Greece every year.

In the 5th century BC, Greece was the center of the ecumene, the undisputed leader in art, architecture, science, mathematics, philosophy, theater and literature. Now Greece is famous for its amazing landscape, natural beauty, numerous historical monuments as well as beautiful beach resorts.

Geography of Greece

Greece is located in southeastern Europe. In the east and northeast, Greece borders on Turkey, in the north - on Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania, in the south it is washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the west - the Ionian, and in the east - the Aegean Sea.

The total area of ​​Greece is almost 132 thousand square kilometers, including the islands (about 20% of the territory of Greece are islands), and the total length state border– 1,228 km.

A significant part of the territory of Greece is occupied by mountains. And the highest of them - famous mountain Olympus in Thessaly (2917 m).

There are about 3,053 islands in Greece. The largest Greek islands are Crete in the Mediterranean and Euboea in the Aegean.

Capital

The capital of Greece ancient city Athens, which is now home to more than 5 million people. This city was founded about 3,500 years ago.

Official language of Greece

The official language of Greece is Greek, which is a branch of the Indo-European languages. The first archaeological evidence for the existence of the Greek language dates back to the 15th century BC.

Religion

About 97% of the Greek population consider themselves Orthodox Christians belonging to the Greek Catholic Church. According to a Eurostat poll, 81% of Greeks believe that "God exists".

State structure

Greece is a parliamentary republic in which the head of state is the President (he is elected by the Parliament). The current Greek Constitution was adopted relatively long ago, in 1975.

Legislative power in this country belongs to the unicameral Parliament (300 deputies).

The main political parties are the liberal New Democracy, the leftist Panhellenic Social Movement, the Coalition of the Radical Left, the People's Orthodox Appeal, and the Communist Party of Greece.

Climate and weather

In the coastal regions of Greece (Athens, Cyclades, Dodecanese, island of Crete, Peloponnese and part of Central Hellas), the Mediterranean climate prevails (winter is mild and humid, and summer is dry and hot).

IN mountainous areas northwestern Greece (some parts of Epirus, Central Greece, Thessaly and Western Macedonia), as well as in the mountainous part of the Peloponnese, including Achaia, Arcadia and Laconia, the climate is alpine with heavy snowfalls.

In the interior of central Greece, in Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the climate is temperate.

In July average temperature air in Athens is +28.7C, on the island of Corfu - +27.8C, and on the island of Rhodes - 26.8C.

Sea in Greece

Greece is washed by the waters of the Ionian (in the west), the Mediterranean (in the south) and the Aegean (in the east) seas. The total coastline is about 17,000 km. About 85% of the population of all of Greece lives in coastal areas (up to 50 km from the coast).

Sea water in Greece amazes and surprises all tourists. Its deep blue color is due, in part, to the reflection of the blue sky and the fact that it does not contain a large amount of solid matter (for example, plankton, dirt and dust).

There are about 450 species of fish and 12 species of cetaceans in the Greek seas.

There are about 3,053 islands in Greece. The largest of these are Crete in the Ionian Sea, Euboea in the Aegean Sea, and Corfu in the Ionian Sea.

Average sea temperature in Greece:

• January - +15C
• February - +14С
• March - +14C
• April - +15С
• May - +18С
• June - +22C
• july - +24С
• August - +25C
• september - +23С
• october - +21C
• November - +19С
• december - +16C

The average water temperature near Crete in May is +19C, in August - +25C, and in October - +23C.

Rivers and lakes of Greece

Despite the fact that a significant part of the territory of Greece is occupied by mountains, this country also has many rivers. In ancient times, the Greeks believed that the rivers belonged to the world of the gods, and worshiped them as separate deities.

Most big rivers in Greece, Alyakmon (297 km), Acheloos (217 km), and Mesta (230 km).

Perhaps tourists will be interested Greek lakes, among which we single out Trichonis, Volvi, and Vegoritis.

History of Greece

Greece marked the beginning of European civilization. The Greek city-states of Athens, Corinth, and Sparta joined forces only when threatened by Persian invasion.

In the 5th century BC. Athens was political, economic, and, of course, cultural center Mediterranean. Then Sparta, led by Alexander the Great, gained a dominant role over the Greek lands. At this time, the Greeks defeated the Persians and extended their influence over vast territories, up to India.

In 146 BC. Greece was conquered by the Roman Empire. In 395 AD, after the collapse of the Roman Empire, Byzantium was formed ( official name- Eastern Roman Empire), whose capital was Constantinople (modern Istanbul).

In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was liquidated, and the territory modern Greece came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. For the next 350 years, Greece was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

As a result of the liberation war of 1821-1829, Greece finally gained independence. In 1833, Otto of Bavaria became king of Greece. The monarchy in Greece (since 1863 the Danish royal family ruled the Greeks) lasted until 1973.

After World War II, Greece plunged into civil war until the right-wing monarchists won in 1954. From 1967 to 1974, Greece was ruled by the so-called. "black colonels".

In 1981, after years of consultation, Greece became a member of the EU.

Greek culture

Greek culture begins with the Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations (this is an example of 2000 BC). After that, there was a period in the history of Greece, which historians call classical. At this time, Greek culture was formed, which began to influence neighboring peoples. In general, Greece is the birthplace of mankind, and one way or another, Greek culture has influenced a huge number of countries. The successors of Greek culture are Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire.

In the Middle Ages on the culture of Greece big influence provided by the Ottoman Empire. But this is understandable, because. For about 350 years, Greece was just one of the provinces of the Ottoman Empire.

It was in ancient Greece that science was born. Modern philosophy, mathematics and astronomy are based on the knowledge gained by the ancient Greeks.

The most famous ancient Greek philosophers are Aristotle, Plato, Diogenes, Crates of Athens, Diogenes and Socrates.

The most famous ancient Greek mathematicians are Archimedes, Pythagoras, Democritus and Euclid.

The Greeks are very superstitious, they believe not only in God, but also in supernatural powers. Until now, the Greeks take the myths of ancient Greece seriously. Moreover, in every region of Greece, in every village, on every island, there are their own superstitions and traditions.

The Greeks will never personally hand over a knife to a person who asks them to, but simply put it, for example, on the table. It is believed that if you give someone a knife, then this person will have to fight.

The most popular Greek folk (and very often religious) holidays are Theophany, Gynecocracy, Tsiknopempti (Meat Thursday), Maundy Monday, Annunciation, Good Friday, Easter, Pontic Genocide Remembrance Day, Trinity, Polytechnic and Christmas.

If two Greeks say the same words at the same time, they will definitely touch some red object, otherwise, it is believed that they will fight and become enemies. Where this superstition came from - history is silent.

Greek Cuisine

We definitely advise tourists in Greece to visit local restaurants and enjoy Greek cuisine. The variety of dishes, as well as their taste, make Greek cuisine unique. Feature Greek cuisine - the use of olive oil in absolutely every dish.

Also, the Greeks usually use a lot of vegetables and spices when cooking. However, the spices are quite mild, and there is no need to be afraid of strong spiciness.

We all know "Greek salad" and moussaka. However, these dishes are only a prelude to real Greek cuisine. Each region of Greece, each island has its own dishes and methods of their preparation. Therefore, the taste of moussaka on the island of Corfu will not be the same as that of moussaka on the Dedecanes Islands.

We definitely advise tourists in Greece to try Fasolada bean soup, shrimp fried in butter, souvlaki (shish kebabs on wooden sticks), Greek fish fillet, flatbread with meat, potatoes and tomato "gyro", "fritta" from vegetables with tzazyki sauce, as well as kakavia fish soup.

The ancient Greeks considered wine to be the drink of the gods, and in modern Greece this alcoholic drink is very popular. True, the ancient Greeks diluted wine with spring water, and modern Greeks for some reason forgot this, in general, very useful tradition.

The most famous Greek spirits are tsipouro (also called tsikudya or crayfish), 38-47% alcohol, ouzo (anise vodka, 40% alcohol), and Metaxa brandy.

Sights of Greece

Greece ranks 1st in the world in terms of the number of attractions (in second and third places are Italy and Bulgaria, respectively). Therefore, we will highlight, in our opinion, the ten best attractions in Greece, although in fact there are many more.

Top 10 best attractions in Greece:

Cities and resorts

The biggest Greek cities– Athens, Piraeus, Patras, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion.

The coastline in Greece is 13,676 kilometers, which means that there are a huge number of beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, which are surrounded by rocks with pines and palms.

Most Popular beach resorts in Greece - Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes, island of Kos, Chania and Halkidiki.

Souvenirs/Shopping

• Greek shoes (in particular, handmade sandals).
• Gold jewelry.
• Folk talismans that "drive away the evil eye."
• Bouzouki (baglama) is a small stringed musical instrument.
• CDs with Greek folk music.
• Olives, olive oil.
• Greek cheese.
• Kitchen utensils.
• Alcoholic drinks - ouzo, tsipuro (tsikudya or raki) and Metaxa brandy.

Office Hours

Bank opening hours:

Mon-Thu: 08:30-14.30
Fri: 08:30-14.00

Banks on big islands, as a rule, work also in the afternoon to serve tourists.

Shops in Greece are open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am (from 8:30 am in summer)

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