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Ever wanted to visit Greece? Well, before booking your next getaway, learn more than 50 interesting facts about the country that will make you want to pack up and head straight for this beautiful European destination.
Bordering the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is praised for its eye-popping beaches, bustling islands, amazing food, and rich culture, and it's one of the top tourist destinations in Europe.
But how well do you really know this splendid Mediterranean nation?
Sure you may know many common fun facts about Greece including that is one of the oldest countries or a thing or two about Greek mythology, but we are diving in to share the most interesting facts about the country you need to know before your visit.
Keep reading to learn 50 incredible Greece facts!
First, let's learn some basic information about Greece: the country is known for its rich history, especially how it was the birthplace of democracy. Greece is also known for its beautiful blue coastlines and picturesque villages on top of hills.
The Greek islands are a popular destination because they are close to mainland Europe but have unique cultures!
It's no surprise that Greece has one of the oldest and longest histories, but one of the biggest misconceptions is that the period most famous for architecture, art, and philosophy is the Archaic or Ancient Greek period. However, it was in fact the Classical Age (480-323 B.C.).
Athen's origins date back as far as 3,400 years ago. This makes Greece's capital one of the oldest cities in the entire world! Plus, Athens has been continuously inhabited for at least 7,000 years
People in Greece got together and decided what they wanted to do. It also was the country that gave birth to Western civilization. This means Greek history has had an enormous impact on our lives.
The games happened more than 2600 years ago in 776 B.C. in Olympia. The tradition of the games lasted until 393 A.D. and did not return until the first Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
Women were forbidden to watch or participate in the ancient Olympic Games.
The two major Greek poems, the Odyssey and the Iliad by Homer were written during the ancient Greece period.
Greece's official name is the Hellenic Republic, also known as Hellas.
The main ones were Athína (Athens), Spárti (Sparta), Kórinthos (Corinth), Thíva (Thebes), Siracusa (Syracuse), Égina (Aegina), Ródos (Rhodes), Árgos, Erétria, and Elis.
They cleaned clothes with fat from sacrificed animals!
Many ancient Greeks believed that eating beans were a bad thing because the grains had the souls of dead people in them. Creepy!
It's also one of the highest peaks in Europe. Located on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, the mountain rises up to 2,917 meters above sea level.
80% of the country is mountainous. Aside from Mount Olympus, the country is home to other well-known mountains, such as the Parnassus, Taygetos, and Pelion;
Over 60 km of the coastline surrounds Athens!
Greece is smaller in size than the state of Alabama, in the USA;
About one-third of the Greek population lives in the capital, Athens.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Europe was in Athens — 48° C on July 10, 1977.
Some of these archaeological museums include the most famous, Acropolis in Athens, The Archeological Museum of Rhodes, National Archeological Museum, and many more.
Including the Acropolis, Mount Athos, Old Town of Corfu, and the Medieval City of Rhodes. According to the official list, there are 14 locations that are currently pending consideration for becoming a Greek UNESCO World Heritage site.
Aside from being one of the most prominent World Heritage Sites in Greece, the Acropolis Of Athens is considered to be the symbol of Athens and Western Civilization.
There were twelve Olympic gods celebrated in Ancient Greece, including Zeus, leader of the Olympians, Hera, Zeus's wife and sister, and Athena, goddess of wisdom, defense, and war.
They each gave the city a gift, Athena an olive tree and Poseidon water in the form of a spring. The people of Athens thought the olive tree was much more useful as it could provide food, oil, and wood.
There are three main types of columns used to build Greek temples and structures. They are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
The saying “taking the bull by its horns” comes from the Greek myth of Hercules saving Crete from a raging bull by seizing its horns.
But Mexico’s Chichén Itzá made it to the list.
It's illegal to wear high heels in Greece when going on a tour of ancient historic sites because you could damage the monuments.
These islands are spread throughout the Aegean Sea and are some of the most popular destinations to visit in the world. Only 200 of these islands are populated.
The entire island is 3218.548 square miles (8836 square kilometers) and has a population of over 630,000 people. In comparison, Halki is the smallest inhabited Greek island and is only 11 square miles (28 square kilometers).
The country has 85% of sunshine a year, an equivalent of 300 days of sunshine per year.
The last eruption recorded was in 1950. Santorini is also commonly known as the most popular Greek Island to visit.
The towns and villages sit densely on top of the mighty cliffs of the caldera (volcano cauldron).
That color is believed to keep evil spirits away.
It's a pelican named Petros!
This happened due to the strong Meltemi winds that sweep through the Aegean Sea.
Slanders would paint them according to their profession.
These picture-perfect beaches are Elafonisi, and Balos, in Crete.
The sequel was filmed on the Greek islands of Skopelos and Vis.
The country is inhabited by bountiful wildlife. Some animal species, including the Mediterranean Monk Seal and the Cypriot Mouflon, are only found on certain Greek islands.
More than New York's Broadway or London's West End. There are a total of 148 theatrical stages in Athens.
40% of the entire population resides in the capital city, Athens.
There are very few retirement homes in Greece, so grandparents will live with the family of their children for the rest of their lives.
The Word "Alphabet" actually comes From Greek, and refers to the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha (α) and beta (β),
The Greek language has contributed to the English vocabulary, and 150.000 of the English words derive from Greek. Examples: economy, academy, paradise, school, poem, and decade, just to name a few.
Also known as mati, the "evil eye" is believed to be negative energy, such as jealousy or hostility, and it can cause several bad things, such as headaches, weakness and bad luck. To protect against the harmful energies of the evil eye, Greeks wear a mati pendant, a blue and white eye charm that dates back to the 6th century BC.
The Orthodox Church is the third largest branch of Christianity, after the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. There are also Muslims, Jewish, and Catholics in Greece.
Greeks have a holy name calendar, and each day of the year is dedicated to a Christian saint or martyr. According to the Greek Orthodox tradition, when someone is named after one of these holy figures, that saint’s day becomes their “name day”.
The sentence means Liberty or Death.
The flag consists of a cross in the upper left corner, and nine horizontal lines of sky blue and white alternated. It’s said that the nine stripes represent the nine syllables of the phrase “'Eleftheria I Thanatos”, but some say they symbolize the nine letters of the Greek word “freedom” (Eleftheria).
This gesture happens on the day of the ceremony and symbolizes trust.
Winemaking in Greece has been a tradition for 4,000 years, and there are over 600 wineries in Greece. A typical meal in ancient Greece always included bread, olives, and wine.
This is the most important meal of the day in Greece.
The Mediterranean Diet includes vegetables, olive oil, nuts fish, grains, and a low intake of red meat.
Greece is also known to be the country in the world with the most olive oil consumption per capita. In fact, many greek women rubbed olive oil into their skin to make it soft.
And it produces more than 430,000 tons of olive oil annually.
According to Greek mythology, the goddess Athena gave the first olive tree to Athens before it spread to the rest of Greece.
Fetta cheese is one of the country’s most important exports. In fact, the cheese was affectionately nicknamed “white gold”.
According to Greek mythology, the gods sent the son of Apollo to teach the Greeks the secrets of cheese making.
| Anthem | Athens |
| Official Language | Greek |
| Country Code | 30 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time Zone | GMT+2 |
| Flag | The Galanólefki |
| Population | 10.72 million (2019) |
| Location | Southeastern Europe |
| Area | 131,957 km² |
| Neighboring countries | Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey |
| Anthem | "Hymn to Liberty" or "Hymn to Freedom" |
Greece is one of the more accessible European destinations, but a few cultural norms and practical facts make the experience better.
Dress codes at churches and monasteries. Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter Orthodox churches and most monasteries. This applies to both men and women. Many sites sell cheap wraps at the entrance, but it is worth packing a light scarf or sarong. On the islands, walking through a village in a swimsuit is considered rude in areas away from the beach — most locals expect visitors to cover up.
The tipping norm. Tipping is not mandatory in Greece but it is appreciated. 10% at a sit-down restaurant is standard. Leaving coins on the table rather than adding to the card is the local custom. At tavernas, rounding up the bill is common. At a kafeneio (traditional coffee house), leaving small change is the norm.
The meze culture. Greek meals are social and slow. Ordering meze (small plates) to share across the table is the default at a taverna. Many restaurants do not rush diners — you ask for the bill (ton logarismo, parakalo). This is a feature, not slow service.
Island hopping logistics. Greece has 6,000+ islands but only 227 are inhabited. Ferry connections between islands run from Piraeus port (Athens) and take anywhere from 30 minutes (Aegina) to 12 hours (Santorini overnight). Booking ferries in advance in July and August is necessary for popular routes. Fast ferries cost more but cut journey times by half. Hotels in Santorini on CuddlyNest from €65/night.
When to visit. May to June and September to October are the best months for most of Greece: warm (25-28C), far fewer tourists than July-August, and accommodation running 30-40% below peak prices. Athens in July and August is brutally hot (38-42C) and crowded. The Greek islands in July and August are expensive and crowded, but the water is at its warmest (26-28C). The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos) are rainier in winter but functional year-round. Athens hotels on CuddlyNest from €45/night, with the best value in the spring and autumn shoulder seasons.
1) Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world. 2) The Greek alphabet is the oldest alphabetic script still in use, dating to the 9th century BCE. 3) Greek shipowners control around 20% of the global merchant fleet. 4) Greece produces 80% of Europe's olive oil. 5) The country has over 250 days of sunshine per year, making it the sunniest country in Europe by most measures.
Ancient Greek civilization's contributions to philosophy, democracy, mathematics, and the arts. The Olympics originated in Olympia in 776 BCE. Specific modern recognition: the islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu), the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens, Greek cuisine (souvlaki, tzatziki, spanakopita), and the Orthodox Christian tradition that shapes most Greek holidays and customs.
Yes, everywhere except inside churches and monasteries, where shoulders and knees must be covered. On beaches, in resorts, and in tourist areas, any summer clothing is fine. In traditional villages away from tourist strips, locals dress modestly and visitors dressing in beachwear on village streets stands out. In Athens, normal city clothing is appropriate for sightseeing; shorts are fine in summer.
Greece legalized same-sex civil partnerships in 2015 and same-sex marriage in 2024. Athens has an active LGBTQ+ scene, particularly in the Gazi and Metaxourgeio neighborhoods. Mykonos has been a major international LGBTQ+ destination for decades. Outside Athens and the tourist islands, smaller towns and villages in rural Greece remain traditional in outlook. The Pride Athens festival takes place annually in June.
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