PASSPORT – VISA
Visitors from EU countries
Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and has signed the Schengen Agreement. While traveling within the E.U., you only need your Identity card. However, a passport is necessary for a number of other transac- tions, such as currency exchange, purchases etc. Visas are not required for European citizens from coun- tries that belong to the Schengen Area for a short stay period up to three (3) months. However, keep in mind that airlines and other carriers require a valid passport and/or identity card.
Visitors from USA
For US citizens who travel to Greece, a valid passport is required.
The US Consulate in Thessaloniki is located at 43 Tsimiski St., 7th floor, tel: +302310242905.
https://gr.
Visitors from other countries
Citizens coming from countries that have not yet joined Schengen Area may require a visa to enter Greece. The E.U. visitors from these countries can acquire further information from the Hellenic Embassies or Consulates in their countries or from their travel agencies. Before visiting Greece, please read carefully the detailed infor- mation on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website and find out whether you require a visa.
WEATHER
Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sun- shine, mild temperatures and it rarely rains. But when it rains, the rains are rapid and short lasting, so you are ad- vised to have a small umbrella with you. Spring in Greece does not have long duration and may look more like summer. In summer, dry hot days are cooled by sea- sonal winds, while mountainous regions have generally lower temperatures. You can find data at www.meteo.gr. Greece uses Celsius scale. If you wish to convert, use the following formula: T(°F) = T(°C) × 1.8 + 32
For forecast please visit https://freemeteo.gr/
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
You will probably need a plug adaptor because Greece has electric current 220V.
SAFETY
Greece, in general, is a safe country. Even late at night, you will meet people outside. Taxis are also very safe, as well as public transportation anytime.
CURRENCY – CREDIT CARDS – BANKS
The official monetary unit in Greece is Euro (€) and no other currency is accepted, so you will have to exchange your currency with euro. You can also use your credit card or get money through ATMs (Automated Teller Machines). All travel cards let you load and spend Euros. The advantage of a travel card is you avoid the fee for international transactions. Some debit cards and credit cards also give you this convenience. Travel cards are not your only travel money option in Greece. Sometimes small places do not use credit cards, therefore it is better to have a small amount of cash, just in case. ATMs can be found everywhere.
While there is no limit to the amount of cash you can bring into Greece, you must declare anything over 10,000 euros. Traveller’s cheques, bank bills, personal cheques and money orders are all considered ‘cash’.
Always have an emergency supply of cash with you, and a back-up card when you travel. Don’t be afraid to try the ATMs that don’t have signs written in English; when you insert a foreign card, the ATM display will usually pop up in English.
Banks tend to have the best exchange rates and are open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Automatic foreign ex-change machines are also a common feature in tourist centres, however they charge a sizable commission.
MEDICAL CARE
There are public and private hospitals in Thessaloniki. Everyday a different hospital is on duty.
There are also private hospitals. The best organized private hospitals are:
https://www.klinikiagiosloukas.gr/
https://www.iatriko.gr/el/
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Police: dial 100
Tourist police: dial 171
Ambulance/hospital care: dial 166
Fire: dial 199
METRICS
Currency (Euro) 1 Euro = 1.23 US dollar (rates are changing)
Weight (Kg) Kilogram: 1kg = 2.2lb
Distance (km) Kilometers: 1km = 0. 62 miles
Temperature (Celsius) 1 degree Celsius = 33.8 degrees Fahrenheit
ABOUT THESSALONIKI
The city of Thessaloniki is a lively modern metropolis. It is the capital of the region of Central Macedonia and the second largest Greek city. Its 1 million inhabitants are renowned for their hospitality and easy-going life- style. It takes a walk on the “paralia” – the longest urban waterfront in Europe- to relax and feel the charm of this unique Greek city.
Thessaloniki offers a wide range of attractions:- modern art and history museums, ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, exhibi- tions, galleries, spas, restaurants, taverns and coffee shops; along with their unique exhibits and style, they all offer a rare combination of relaxation, safety and entertainment.
For more information visit: https://thessaloniki.travel/
It takes a few hours in the city center to turn a stroll into time travel: from Alexander the Great and Aristotle the philosopher, to the inventive Romans or Byzantines through to the Ottomans and the cosmopolitan contemporary Greeks. The city is easy to explore. You can go anywhere within about 30 minutes.
It takes less than a two hour drive to the divine Mt Olympos for a climb or to the emerald waters of Halkidiki for a swim; add an hour or two to your day trip and visit Vergina, Pella and Dion.
TOURING – SIGHTSEEING – TRANSFER
You can have a complete sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki in an open bus:
https://thessaloniki-sightseeing.com/en/home/
Themed walks and alternative routes in the city and nearby archaeological sites are also organized by dot2dot team.
For more information: https://www.dot2dot.gr/en/
For your transfer, as well as daily excursions you can use:
https://www.tlt.gr/en/
https://transfervip.gr/en/home/
https://myviptaxi.com/
https://taxiway.gr
HOTELS – ACCOMMODATION
There are numerous hotels in Thessaloniki:
https://www.booking.com/city/thessaloniki
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g189473-Thessaloniki_Thessaloniki_Region_Central_Macedonia-Vacations.html
Also many Airbnb options, even in the center of the city:
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Thessaloniki–Greece
For your accommodation in Thessaloniki we suggest walking distance from Regerative Clinic- the following hotels (although many cheaper options are available):
https://www.daioshotels.com
https://www.excelsiorhotel.gr/
https://makedoniapalace.com/
If you wish to combine accommodation with vacation during your stay, we suggest:
Hotel Nikopolis (30 min from the center of the city) – https://www.hotel-nikopolis.com/
Hotel Hyatt (30 min from the center of the city) – http://thessaloniki.regency.hyatt.gr/
Hotel Sani resort (75 min from the center of the city) – http://www.sani-resort.com
MORE INFORMATION
We also recommend the following websites for further information:
http://www.enjoythessaloniki.com
https://www.inthessaloniki.com/en/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/greece/northern-greece/thessaloniki
