Country Information

Restaurant and taverna food tends to be very simple, rarely involving sauces but with full use of local olive oil and charcoal grills. However, Athens and some of the more fashionable islands such as Santorini and Mykonos have seen the arrival of fusion cuisine and so-called modern taverna fare. Hours are normally 1200-1500 for lunch and 2000-2400 for dinner. Opening hours vary according to the region and local laws. Waiter service is usual.

National specialities:
• Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves).
• Moussaka (aubergine casserole with minced lamb, cinnamon, red wine and olive oil).
• Kalamari (deep-fried rings of squid) or htapodia (octopus).
• Souvlaki (spit-roasted meat, generally pork or chicken).
• Horiatiki (Greek salad: feta cheese, tomato, cucumber and fresh olive oil).

National drinks:
• Retsina (wine made with pine-needle resin).
• Ouzo (an aniseed-based clear spirit to which water is added).
• Raki (a sharp and fiery spirit made from distilled grapes).
• Greek coffee (thick and strong, and sugared according to taste).

Legal drinking age: 16.

Tipping: 12 to 15% is usual.

Greece's nightlife is centred in main towns and resorts with late-night bars, dance clubs and live concerts. Athens' nightlife is among the best in Europe, with many local tavernas, particularly in the Plaka area, and ouzeris (typical Greek bars), plus a plethora of trendy bars and small clubs in the fashionable night-time districts of Psirri and Gazi playing international music.

In summer, many of the big clubs move out of the centre to the beaches at Voula, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza. Nightclubs featuring live Greek bouzouki music are extremely popular. Through summer, the islands of Mykonos and Santorini are also noted for their exceptionally glamorous and up-market nightlife, while Corfu, Zakynthos (Zante), Rhodes and Ios attract youngsters in search of cheap alcohol and late-night discos.

Greece has some casinos, such as the Mount Parnes Casino in Athens, the Casino Achillieon in Corfu and the Casino at the Grande Albergo delle Rose in Rhodes. Regular concerts and evening shows are held at the second-century AD Odeon of Herodes in Athens during the Hellenic Festival (Jun-Sep).

Special purchases include lace, jewellery, metalwork, pottery, knitwear, rugs, leather goods, local wines and spirits. Athens is the centre for luxury goods and local handicrafts. The Sunday morning flea market in Monastiraki, below the Acropolis, is crowded in high season. Regional specialities include silver from Ioannina; ceramics from Sifnos and Skopelos; embroidery and lace from Crete, the Ionian Islands, Rhodes and Skiros; alabaster from Crete; and flokati rugs from the Epirus region.

Shopping hours: These vary according to the season, location and type of shop, but a rough guide follows: Mon, Wed, and Sat 0900-1430, Tues, Thurs and Fri 0900-1430 and 1730-2030. Most holiday resort shops stay open until late in the evening.

Note: (a) Visitors should be aware that many ‘antiques' sold to tourists are fake; information on exporting antiques can be found at www.law-archaeology.gr to (b) Non-EU citizens can get a refund on Greek VAT (which stands at 23%) on purchases worth more than Euro120; the process is fairly complex, but well worth it. Ask store owners and tourist information offices for details.