The Greek National Tourist Organization (GNTO)
is your best source for whatever information you may seek while in Athens.
GNTO'S multilingual staff can provide you with answers to all your questions
and will be happy to provide you with free maps, brochures and programs
in many languages. GNTO information centers are located at 1, Voukourestiou
St. (basically for information about the Athens Festival
cultural events during the summer months); 4, Stadiou St. (inside the
arcade) with telephone number 322-1459, 922-6210. The main GNTO headquarters
are at 2, Amerikis St. with telephone number 327-1300 with visiting hours
11.00 to 14.00, Monday-Friday. The new GNTO Infodesk, at 2, Amerikis St.
(groundfloor, next to "Aliki" theater) operates from Monday
to Friday, 09.00-19.00 and Saturday 10.00-15.00 with telephone number
331-0561 to 2. Information brochures and maps are also given out free
here to tourists. A wide range of information can also be obtained from
the Tourist Police at 4 Stadiou St., 4th floor, office 447 from 07.00-23.00
(including weekends and holidays) with telephone number 171. Leaflets
and maps are given for free.
The ELPA Tourist Information
Department with telephone number 174 provides information on traveling
abroad and in Greece, accommodation, transportation,
motoring, events, sights and museums, tourist location and general information.
| Water |
| Tap water in Athens is
chlorinated and fluoridated and is safe to drink. However, bottled
water is available at supermarkets, restaurants and kiosks. |
|
Electrical |
| In Greece,
you will find electrical current at 220 volts, 50-cycle AC. Appliances
of lower voltage would require a transformer, but again it is recommended
that appliances are checked for safety and plug requirements before
use. Most hotels provide adapters upon request from the reception
or adapters can be purchased from electrical stores. |
| Drugs |
| Dangerous drugs, including
marijuana, are not permitted in Greece. Violators are subject to
detention, court trial and severe penalties. |
| Weather |
| Summers have abundant
sunshine and it seldom rains but there are occasional tropical thunderstorms.
Winters are mild and warm, due to the sub-tropical climate. The
average high and low temperatures for Athens are as follows: Jan.-April,
43-68° (6-20°C); May-Sept., 61-91°F (16-33°C); Oct.-Dec.,
46-75°F (8-24°C). |
| Time |
| Greek time
is GMT plus two hours. |
| Language |
| Modern Greek
is the national language, although English and French are spoken
widely and German is used in business circles. |
| Exchange |
| The Greek
unit of currency is the drachma. Check the local news media for
current rates of foreign exchange or contact any bank in Athens
which often displays the foreign exchange rates visible from the
outside. The currency notes come in denominations of 100, 200, 500,
1.000, 5.000 and 10.000 drachmas. Coins are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and
100 drachmas. Please note that you must produce your passport when
exchanging money. All banks in Greece are authorized
to convert foreign currency into drachmas as are the foreign exchange
centers (Cambio and Acropole) found at the main squares (Syntagma
and Omonia). Banks in Athens are open Monday-Friday from 08.00 to
14.00 (except Friday when they close at 13.30) for exchanging money.
Some private banks in the center of Athens are open also on Sunday.
In addition to local banks, many major international banks have
branches or representative offices in Athens, such as Algemene Bank,
American Express, Bank of America, Bank of Nova Scotia, Bankers
Trust, Banque Nationale de Paris, Barclays Bank, Chase Manhattan,
Citybank, Grindlays Bank, Midland Bank, National Westminster Bank
and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Some major hotels also change money
and banks at the airport are open longer to serve travellers. |
| Credit
cards |
| International credit
cards are accepted at many restaurants and shops throughout Athens.
Visitors can also contact the appropriate bank for the withdrawal
of cash with their credit cards. |
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Hotels in Greece |
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Athens Information |
| Travel
Information |
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