The Greek Islands are known for their beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and delicious cuisine. It may surprise you to learn that Greece also has some of the most fascinating marine life in the world. Are you planning a trip to Greece and looking for some tips? You’re lucky! The Greek spirit and hospitality are world-renowned. Its culture, history, and geography make it one of the most iconic countries in the world. Here are the top 10 Things To Know About Greece Before You Visit

Number 10.  Greeks are on island time

Greek islands and the mainland are both relaxed, island time, so you should expect the same. Don’t expect everything to happen when it should. Your taxi driver might arrive a few minutes late, and the ferry might arrive a day later than expected (especially if the workers are on strike, which is relatively common). Go with the flow when dealing with this mentality. Your transportation won’t show up faster if you stress about when it will arrive.

Number 9. Greek Beaches Are Beautiful

There are some pretty attractive people frolicking on the Greek beaches of Mykonos and Santorini, but that’s not what I’m referring to. Rather, I want to talk about the abundance of beautiful Mediterranean bays. Because of the Greek archipelago and deep water bays, the Greeks were historically seafaring people. It is no longer used to harbour ships; instead, it is a beautiful place to swim (or, for the more adventurous, to cliff jump). Instead of some of the more crowded beaches, we prefer these bays. Traveling to them takes more time, and they are small, but they usually reward you with serenity.

Number 8. Shops Close on Sundays

Also, make sure you check the opening hours of the places you hope to visit in advance! They may not always be open when you expect. In Greece, almost everything closes on Sundays. On Mondays and Wednesdays, everything closes early. Plan your trip itinerary taking these hours into account!

Number 7. Sometimes it is not necessary to wear clothing on the beach

On Mediterranean beaches, topless people are pretty common, and Greece is no exception. In Greece, however, there are quite a few clothing-optional beaches – and they’re not hidden away.  You can certainly embrace this way of life if you wish. If you’d rather stay away, stick to the more crowded beaches filled with umbrellas and beach towels.

Number 6.  Usage of currency and credit cards

Greece uses the Euro (€) as its currency. Double-check currency exchange rates every day, but be aware that the Euro is a strong currency. Keep some cash on hand at all times. In Greece, you can use your credit or debit card at any ATM. Debit and credit cards are increasingly accepted, including contactless cards that do not require a PIN. Remember that sales tax is included in an item’s price, so you won’t be surprised at the checkout counter.

Number 5. The sciences

Thales of Miletus is often called the father of western science. During the pre-Socratic period, he was a philosopher. It was he who used natural explanations for natural phenomena to jump-start philosophical and scientific thought. The first person to formulate hypotheses and develop general principles was him. Many scientific and mathematical concepts were introduced by Thales from Egypt, and several of them were developed by him (such as Thales’ theorem). 

Number 4. The majority of cars are manual

It’s not true that automatic cars can’t be found, but manuals are more likely to be found on the smaller Greek islands and on the smaller mainland destinations. I recommend renting a car in Athens and planning your trip from there if you feel this will affect you. On ferry journeys to bigger islands, you can take your car, and the bigger islands will have automatics anyway. In high season, you shouldn’t rely on this. Booking one in advance is always a good idea.

Number 3. Take a trip to Athens

There are some gorgeous sites in Athens after you’ve visited the Parthenon and Acropolis Museum. Spend some time exploring the city instead of just using it as a transit point before going to the islands. During your trip, you can visit Anafiotika, an island village that sits just beneath the Acropolis rock; or take a tour of the city’s phenomenal street art, learning about each piece’s background and understanding that graffiti is not all that street art is. Take advantage of this eclectic city’s gorgeous and cozy boutique hotels.

Number 2. Take a trip to the mainland 

In addition to the many islands in Greece, there are also some gorgeous mainland destinations to discover. As one large island, the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece is surrounded by water and connected to the mainland by the Corinth Canal or Rion-Antirion Bridge. Nafplion is the original capital of Greece, with its cobbled streets, grand mansions, and large squares. From Athens, it takes just under two hours.

Number 1. There are amazing ancient ruins in Greece

Greece is full of ancient ruins, medieval ruins, and buildings dating back to the turn of the century. No matter where you go in Greece, you’ll find some pieces of history. Because it can overwhelm you, take it in small doses. There are a lot of archaeological sites in Greece that have been well protected and restored; tourism plays a large role in this, and you can expect to pay a few euros to see the most famous ones.

A Greek vacation means more than lounging on a sun-soaked beach. Travellers can learn about the country and its history at museums and historical sites, such as the Acropolis in Athens, the Delphi archaeological site or the Temple of Olympian Zeus near the island of Santorini.