What time zone is Greece in?

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.

What currency is used in Santorini, Greece?

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

Do I need a passport or visa to enter Greece?

Passport and visa requirements vary from country to country. Typically, if you are a European passport holder, you can enter Greece with your ID or passport. If you are not a European passport holder, you will need the documents that the EU requires. Please click here for more information. Greek Missions Issuing Visas on Third Countries: click here.

Do I need a converter for my charger/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.

What happens to my travel plans if the weather gets bad?

Santorini is an island, which means you can’t leave unless ferries/flights run. Bad weather conditions only affect these transportation methods if it is dangerous to travel. In case of Santorini, only with extreme wind conditions ferries and flights are cancelled, and rarely for more than a day. Find Santorini weather information here.

If you are travelling to a different island from Santorini, keep an eye on the type of ferry making the connection. Fast ferries are the first to cancel their route in case of strong winds, while bigger and slower boats can handle waves much better and are the last to cancel. 

In case you are not able to arrive or depart on your scheduled date, accommodations tours and other prebooked services are not necessarily obliged to refund for a lost night or service. For example, if there is another way to get to Santorini but is too expensive, it is not considered force majeure, it is a decision. You will need to ask your travel insurance to cover for the extra accommodation cost if the delay is due to extreme weather conditions or the flight/ferry company for other cancellation reasons. Find how to reach  Santorini information here.

Is there 3G/Internet access in Santorini? 

Yes. 3G and 4G is available all over Greece. In Santorini, because of it’s architecture (cave rooms, thick walls) and its geology (villages built in a gorge, on the cliffside), sometimes signal might be weak. 

Most hotels, restaurants etc provide free wi-fi access to their guests.

Free public wireless Internet access is also available in main points in Fira, Oia, Messaria, Imerovigli, Exo Gonia, Pyrgos, Karterados and Akrotiri.

How can I get cash in Santorini?

The banks in Santorini are open 8.00 am – 2.30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00 am – 2.00 pm on Friday. They are able to make conversions from other currencies. 

Conversion spots are also available in Santorini for longer hours and you can also convert in Santorini airport when you land. 

ATMs are available in almost all villages of Santorini. Most businesses accept Visa and MasterCard as well as debit cards of internationally recognized networks.

You will probably need cash for taxi service and tipping.

Is tipping optional in Santorini, Greece?

Yes, tipping is optional but greatly appreciated. In the service industry, especially in seasonal jobs, staff relies on tipping to increase their income. An average tip would be 10% of your bill. Tips are not included in the total bill of the service provided. 

What should I do if I have a health emergency in Santorini?

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. If you need to visit a pharmacy during off hours or Sundays, look for on-duty pharmacies online or on the doors of closed pharmacies. 

Find all the useful phone numbers for Santorini here.

How do I call a local number in Santorini? 

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.

Can you drink tap water in Santorini? 

No. Bottled water is recommended for drinking. Tap water can be used for washing, bathing and cleaning your teeth. Tap water that comes from the local desalination plants may be drinkable but it doesn’t taste good and it is our personal choice not to drink it nor use it to cook. We highly recommend that you ask for further clarification regarding this matter at your hotel reception. Some villages still use cisterns for tap water, which is brought by water tracks. This water is also not drinking quality.  

Where can I mail a postcard or something bigger from Santorini?

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 but more expensive. If you want to ship a souvenir we recommend purchasing it directly from a seller that can ship it for you. Santorini.net e-shop is a one-stop-shop for this, as it features all wines of Santorini, books, souvenirs, local delicacies, accessories and more. Shipping is available worldwide with much lower rates than if an individual were to use courier service.