Greece

Greece sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, sharing land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey, with an extensive Mediterranean coastline exceeding 13,600 kilometres. Athens serves as the capital and largest city. Greek is the official language, and the euro is the national currency. Greek culture, shaped by classical antiquity, Orthodox Christianity, and a strong maritime tradition, remains deeply embedded in daily life — from religious festivals to the rhythms of the fishing industry.

Greece is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, meaning nationals of many countries — including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK — may enter visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travellers whose nationalities require a visa in advance should consult Greece's official Ministry of Foreign Affairs or their nearest Greek consulate for current requirements.

The Acropolis of Athens, crowned by the fifth-century BCE Parthenon, remains the country's most visited site. The ancient oracle sanctuary at Delphi sits dramatically on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Santorini's caldera — formed by a volcanic collapse around 1600 BCE — produces one of the Mediterranean's most recognisable landscapes. The medieval Old Town of Rhodes, enclosed within Crusader-era walls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meteora's Byzantine monasteries perch atop sandstone rock pillars in Thessaly. The ruins of ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, are found in the western Peloponnese.

Greece has a predominantly Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Summer temperatures in Athens and the islands typically range from 28°C to 38°C, while winter temperatures in southern regions average 8°C to 14°C. Northern Greece, including Thessaloniki and mountainous areas, experiences colder winters with occasional snowfall. The best period to visit is generally late April through June or September through October, when heat is moderate and crowds are thinner. Light layers are advisable for spring and autumn evenings.

• Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country.
• The Greek alphabet is over 2,800 years old.
• Greece is the EU's largest producer of olive oil.
• No point in Greece is more than 137 km from the sea.
• Greece hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

• visitgreece.gr — official national tourism organisation of Greece
• mfa.gr — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa and consular information
• emy.gr — Hellenic National Meteorological Service, weather forecasts
• trainose.gr — Hellenic Train, national rail and intercity transport