Local Information and Customs

The Greeks are a proud people, with a strong sense of their history and national identity. The Orthodox Church is a unifying force, and even though church attendance has declined, its traditions are observed throughout the mainland and islands. 

There is a strong sense of community, and in the early evening the streets of a town or village may be thronged with people strolling up and down greeting each other and exchanging gossip. Greeks throw back the head when saying "Ohi" (No) and this may cause confusion at first. Dress is casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in public buildings.

National Cuisine

The Mediterranean climate and various cultures that have occupied Greece over the centuries have contributed to a cuisine that is unpretentious, fresh and well-seasoned.  Greek food is distinguished by the chargrilled flavor of the meat and the use of lemons and, in particular, olives. Olive trees flourish; the black Amrissa olive, grown in the centre of mainland Greece, large green olives from the Ionian islands and the most famous, Kalamata, all give Greek cooking its elegant flavor.  Spit roasted during festivals and holidays, simply braised and stewed in casseroles or skewered then grilled, arni (lamb) is traditionally the principal meat, although pork, beef, game, chicken and seafood (especially squid and octopus) are popular. One of the consequences of mass tourism has been the substitution of pork for lamb in the traditional spit-roasts (Souvlaki) in cheaper restaurants. 

Traditional dishes include dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with meat and rice), moussaka (a layered casserole made with minced meat and eggplant), spanakopita (spinach filou pastries) and bourekakia (filou parcels stuffed with vegetables or meat). Meals often begin with meze (appetizers) such as taramasalata (fish roe, olive oil and lemon juice), Kalamari (squid), dolmades, keftedes (spicy meatballs) and tzatziki (yoghurt, olive oil, garlic, cucumber and dill). 

Meze can also be eaten as a main meal. Greek salads accompany the main dishes and usually consist of green and Mediterranean vegetables, dressed with olive oil and mountain herbs (mint, garlic, oregano and dill) and topped with cheese; Feta or Kasseri are particularly common.  

Greek desserts are often fruit or pastry based. Kourabiedes (butter cookies) and baklava (layers of filou pastry and nuts, topped with syrup) are the two most famous and reflect Asian influences in Greek cuisine.

National Drink

The region around Athens (Attica) is famous for retsina (white) and kokkineli (rose) wines, unique because they are distinctively flavoured by the addition of Aleppo pine needle resin. They have a unique taste which borders on the unpleasant but go extremely well with Greek food. 

Demestica is a reliable brand of red and white wine which is widely available. Danielis and Vaeni are good reds, Robola a good white from Kephalonia. Kritikos is a drinkable white wine from Crete. A "mavro" ("black") wine will be dark red and usually sweet. 

A good aperitif before a meal is the colourless aniseed spirit Ouzo, which goes cloudy when water is added. It can also be a good accompaniment to the local food. 

Local brandy is strong and fiery. Metaxa has various levels of quality and a complimentary glass in a restaurant can be richly sweet, but the Five Star brand is a pleasant way to round off a meal, as is the thick, acidic, strong coffee (an acquired taste).

Places of Interest

The Acropolis  
Areopagitou Street, Plaka.  
Temples, museums, the Parthenon and buildings from the 5th century BC.

Benaki Museum 
Koumbari at Vasilissis Sofia.
Costumes, furniture and ornaments of Antonios Benaki and Lord Byron's writing desk.

The National Archaeological Museum  
44 Patission Street.  
2500 years of Greek civilisation.

Sounion  
On the peninsula, 70km (43 miles) southeast of Athens.  
Ancient temple.  

Plaka  
Close to the Acropolis.  
Crafts shops, flea markets and tavernas.

Piraeus  
One of the major ports just outside Athens.  Regular ferries to the Islands and other coastal points.

Shopping

Local handicrafts, flokati rugs, pottery, local wines and spirits and embroidered clothing.

Airport

The new International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos International, is 27 km (17 miles) from Athens.

Transfer from airport to city centre

Bus

*Express Line E94 (Ethniki Metro Station - Airport) - Buses depart every 16 minutes
   06.00 - 20.30 and every 25-30 minutes between 20.30 & 00.00.  
*Express Line E94 (Airport - Ethniki Metro Station) - Buses depart every 16 minutes
   06.40 - 21.05 and every 25-30 minutes between 21.05 & 23.30.

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*Express Line E95 (Syntagma - Airport) - Buses depart every 25 minutes (24 hour
   service).  
*Express Line E95 (Airport - Syntagma) - Buses depart every 25 minutes 06.30 -
  21.20, every 25-30 minutes between 21.20 & 23.25, every 15-20 minutes 23.35 - 01.30 and every 30-35 minutes from 01.30 until 06.30.

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*Express Line E96 (Piraeus - Airport) - Buses depart every 20 minutes 05.00 - 19.00,
  every 30 minutes between 19.00 & 20.30 and every 40 minutes from 20.30 until         
  05.00.  
*Express Line E96 (Airport - Piraeus) - Buses depart at 06.30 and then every 20
  minutes from 07.00 - 20.45, every 25 minutes between 20.45 25 minutes between
  20.45 and 22.05 and then every 40 minutes until 06.00.

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All above fares cost approx 3 Euro .

Train

The Athens Metro has been extended to serve the Airport and you can now travel from the centre of Athens to the Airport in a matter of minutes.  The one way fare is approx 9 Euro.
 

Airport car rental desk tel nos.

Avis

0210/353-0578  

Hertz

0210/353-4900

Car rental city office tel nos.

Avis

0210/322-4951  

Europcar

0210/921-5789  

Hertz

0210/922-0102



Car Rental Documentation Requirements

National Driving Licence is acceptable for EU Nationals. Nationals of non-EU countries may need an International Driving Licence.  Documentation should be carried at all times.  

Departure Tax

International Departures destinations more than 750km (466 miles): approx. EUR20. Domestic Departures destinations less than 750km: approx. EUR10. Ticketable Tax included in the price of the ticket.

Public Holidays

For information on Public Holidays observed, please visit the following website:

http://www.infoplease.com

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