Useful Tips

Time zone difference

Greece is in the Eastern European Time Zone. Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). Like most  countries in Europe, Summer (Daylight Saving) time is observed in Greece, where the time is moved forward by 1 hour, 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3).

After the summer months the time is moved back by 1 hour to Eastern European Time (EET) or (GMT+2). Daylight Savings Time (GMT+3) in Greece begins at 3 a.m. on the last Sunday of March and ends at 4 a.m. on the last Sunday of October.

Currency

Since the 1st of January 2002, the Euro (EUR) is the currency of Greece. Notes in circulation are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro while coins are in denominations of 1 euro, 2 euro, 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents. Currency converter

Formalities for entering Greece

Passport and visa requirements vary from country to country. Please click here for details. Greek Missions Issuing Visas on Third Countries: click here.

Banks

The banks in Santorini are open 8.00 am – 2.30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00 am – 2.00 pm on Friday.
ATMs are available in almost all villages of Santorini. Most accept Visa and MasterCard as well as debit cards of internationally recognized networks.

Wi-Fi

Most hotels, restaurants etc provide Internet access to their guests. Internet cafes are available mostly in Fira.
Free public wireless Internet access is available in main points in Fira, Oia, Messaria, Imerovigli, Exo Gonia, Pyrgos, Karterados and Akrotiri.

Health

In case of health problems you may visit the Santorini Hospital in Karterados (Tel.: 2286035300) or ask your hotel reception for a private specialist doctor.
There are pharmacies in Fira, Messaria, Emporeio, Perissa, Akrotiri, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos and Kamari where you can find medicines and advice for minor problems.

Electrical Appliances

The electricity supply in Greece is alternating current, 220-250 volts, 50 cycles. Appliances for 110 or 120 volts may be operated by using step down transformers of 220-250/110 volts connected to any outlet.

Postal Services

ELTA is the official name of the postal service and their colours are blue and yellow. The main postal offices on Santorini are located in Fira and Oia. Mailboxes are available in all the villages of Santorini. A standard letter or postcard less than 20 grams sent anywhere in Europe or abroad costs € 2.00 (as per January 2024).
Courier services are also available. Ask your hotel reception for more details.

Telecommunications

The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the USA or Canada, 0044 for the UK).

The local mobile phone operators (Vodafone, Wind, Cosmote) use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators.