Greece · Practical · 2026
The operational basics
Plug type, voltage, time zone, drinking water, emergency numbers — the answers every guidebook tucks into the back inset. Here as a single card.
Power
Same EU plug standard. Voltage stable in cities; islands occasionally see drops in peak summer — sensitive electronics on UPS only.
Time
Same EU DST schedule.
Emergency
Drinking water
Athens tap water is safe and clean. Many islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Paros) have desalinated tap water that's safe but mineral-heavy and tastes salty. Locals on those islands drink bottled.
Business hours
Shops 9:00-14:00 + 17:30-20:30 in summer (siesta-style gap). Banks 8:00-14:30 weekdays. Athens central + tourist-island shops often run continuous hours in season. Tavernas serve dinner from 19:30 onwards; locals arrive 21:30+.
Public holidays
January 1, January 6 (Epiphany), Greek Orthodox Easter (Good Friday + Easter Monday), March 25 (Independence), May 1, August 15 (Assumption — biggest holiday of the year), October 28, December 25-26. Greek Orthodox Easter falls on different dates than Western Easter.
Last reviewed .
See also: visa & entry · connectivity & SIM.