- Currency
- Greece uses the euro (€, EUR), same as most of the EU. Cards are widely accepted these days, even on the smaller islands, but it's smart to carry some cash for tavernas, taxis, and tiny beach kiosks that still prefer it.
- Language
- Greek is the official language, and you'll hear it everywhere from ferry announcements to market chatter. English is spoken very widely in restaurants, hotels, and shops across the tourist islands and Athens, so you'll get by just fine without a phrasebook — though locals always appreciate a "kalimera" (good morning) or "efharisto" (thank you).
- Visa
- Good news for Swedish and other EU passport holders: as an EU citizen you have full freedom of movement in Greece, so no visa is needed and there's no day-limit to worry about — just bring a valid passport or national ID card. The upcoming ETIAS system you may have heard about is aimed at non-EU, visa-exempt travelers (Americans, Brits, and the like), not EU citizens, so it shouldn't apply to you. Entry rules can still shift, so it's worth a quick check of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you fly.
- Power
- Greece uses the standard European two-round-pin plugs, types C and F — the same as most of continental Europe. Coming from Sweden, you won't need an adapter at all; travelers from the UK, US, or other non-European sockets will. · Standard voltage is 230V at 50Hz, in line with the rest of Europe. Devices built only for North American 120V systems will need a proper voltage converter, not just a plug adapter.
- Best time
- Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the sweet spot — warm enough to swim, plenty of sun, and without the July–August crush of heat, crowds, and peak prices. If you don't mind trading beach days for quiet ruins and empty tavernas, even April or November can be lovely, especially around Athens and the mainland.
- Safety
- Greece is genuinely one of the safer countries in Europe to travel in, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The real thing to watch for is petty theft and the occasional taxi overcharge in busy spots like central Athens, Piraeus port, and the airport — keep bags zipped in crowds, agree on or confirm taxi fares upfront (or use an app), and you'll likely have zero issues.
Tipping isn't obligatory but is appreciated: rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% at tavernas is the norm, and taxi drivers are happy with an extra euro or two. Plenty of shops and smaller sights still take a long midday break outside the big cities, so plan errands around it rather than against it. If you're island-hopping, build in slack — ferry schedules are famously weather-dependent, so a delayed or cancelled sailing shouldn't derail the whole trip.
