Everything you need to know before and during your trip to Athens.
Most independent shops open around 09:00 and close at 14:00 or 15:00. Many then reopen from about 17:30 to 21:00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday only. On Monday, Wednesday and Saturday they often close at 15:00 and do not reopen. Supermarkets, chains and anything in a tourist area usually run straight through, and most close on Sunday.
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Leave a review Review this placeThe afternoon quiet, mesimeri, runs roughly 15:00 to 17:30. It is not a formal rule but it is widely observed, especially in villages and residential streets. Shops shut, people rest, and there is a legal quiet period covering noise. Avoid phoning anyone, ringing a doorbell or running power tools then, and plan sightseeing or a long lunch instead.
Leave a review Review this placeBanks open Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 14:30 and Friday 08:00 to 14:00, and close at weekends. Pharmacies follow shop hours but a rota keeps one open overnight and at weekends in every area, posted on the door. Museums and archaeological sites often have shorter winter hours from November to March.
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Fixed dates: 1 January, 6 January, 25 March, 1 May, 15 August, 28 October, 25 and 26 December. Moving dates follow the Orthodox calendar: Clean Monday 15 March 2027, Good Friday 30 April 2027, Easter Sunday 2 May 2027, Easter Monday 3 May 2027 and Whit Monday 21 June 2027. On these days most shops, banks and public offices close, transport runs a reduced service, and the days either side get very busy.
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Save these before you need them: 112 (EU emergency, English speaking), 100 (police), 199 (fire brigade), 166 (ambulance/EKAV), 108 (coast guard), 1571 (tourist police, not 171), 10400 (ELPA roadside assistance).
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The Tourist Police line is 1571, not 171. 1571 is the number the Hellenic Police list themselves, it runs 24 hours, and it is answered in Greek, English, French and German. It exists to sort out the problems tourists run into, so scams, disputes and lost documents. For a lost or stolen passport, report to the police first, then contact your embassy, most are based in Athens.
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Leave a review Review this placeBlue lines are for residents, white lines for visitors who pay, yellow lines for special uses; visitors may stay 3 hours at most. Garage prices, park and ride and the fines are in our parking guide.
FreeNow (formerly Beat), Bolt and Uber all work with licensed taxis in Greece at the regulated taximeter rate, a quick, cashless way to book a ride.
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efood is Greece's biggest delivery app, with the widest range of tavernas and souvlaki shops. Wolt often has the best English interface and a stronger brunch and specialty selection. BOX is handy for chains and frequent discount codes.
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Greece uses the euro (€). Cards are widely accepted in cities and larger towns, but carry some cash for small tavernas, markets and island villages. Tipping isn't obligatory, rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% is appreciated.
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Google Maps and Google Translate cover the basics. Ferryhopper is the easiest way to compare and book island ferries. For hire cars, check reviews carefully as availability changes fast in summer.
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Leave a review Review this placeEmergency numbers, hospitals and health centres, and how to find the hospital and pharmacy on duty tonight. Tap a number to call it. Every line was read on the official pages listed under it on 4 Oct 2026.
Public hospitals in Attica take turns to be on duty for emergencies, by specialty. The Ministry of Health posts the official list for each day as a PDF file, and the next day's file is often online the day before. Open the file with today's date and find the specialty you need. In an emergency call 166 and EKAB will take you to a hospital on duty.
Ministry of Health: on duty hospitals in Attica Ministry of Health: on duty hospitals, all lists
Pharmacies in Attica take turns to stay open in the evening and overnight. The Pharmaceutical Association of Attica runs the official finder: use your location or type an address, pick the date, and you get the on duty pharmacies with their hours and phone numbers. Every pharmacy must also post the list of extended hours pharmacies in its window.
Pharmaceutical Association of Attica: on duty pharmacies Pharmaceutical Association of Attica Ministry of Health: on duty pharmacies
Address: Ypsilantou 45 to 47, Athens 10675
Phone: +302132041000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Agiou Thoma 17, Athens 11527
Phone: +302132060800
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Vasilissis Sofias 114, Athens 11527
Phone: +302132088000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Rimini 1, Chaidari 12462
Phone: +302105831000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go. Listed by the 2nd Health Region.
Address: Mesogeion Avenue 154, Athens 11527
Phone: +302132032000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Mesogeion Avenue 152, Athens 11527
Phone: +302107763100
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Specialises in chest diseases. Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Zanni and Afentouli, Piraeus 18536
Phone: +302132081000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
General on duty day every fourth day, according to the hospital. Emergency department line +302132080444.
Address: Vasileos Pavlou 1, Voula 16673
Phone: +302132163000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Sismanogleiou 1, Marousi 15126
Phone: +302132058001
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Nikis 2, Kifisia 14561
Phone: +302132086000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Its name means Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Injured; it treats accidents and injuries. Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Papadiamantopoulou and Thivon, Goudi, Athens 11527
Phone: +302132013000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Children only. Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Thivon and Livadias, Goudi, Athens 11527
Phone: +302132009000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Children only. Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Vasilissis Sofias 80, Athens 11528
Phone: +302132162000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Listed by the 1st Health Region as a general hospital. Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list for maternity and gynaecology cover.
Address: Plateia Elenas Venizelou 2, Athens 11521
Phone: +302132051000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Maternity hospital. Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: D. Mantouvalou 3, Nikaia 18454
Phone: +302132077000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Peiraios 3, Athens 10552
Phone: +302132044000
Central location. Emergency cover not confirmed; check the daily list.
Address: Eleftheriou Venizelou 26, Athens 10672
Phone: +302132052700
Public eye hospital. Check the daily list for eye emergencies.
Address: Athanasaki 2, Athens 11526
Phone: +302132068000
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Hellenic Red Cross general hospital. Takes part in the Attica on duty rota; check the daily list before you go.
Address: Erythrou Stavrou 4 to 6, Marousi 15123
Phone: +302106867000
Private, charges apply. Check your travel insurance before treatment. Emergency department hours not confirmed.
Address: Erythrou Stavrou 6, Marousi 15123
Phone: +302106869000
Private, charges apply. Maternity, gynaecology, children's and general clinic. Its website says Mitera and Hygeia are merging into one hospital.
Address: Athanasiadou 7 to 9, off D. Soutsou, Athens 11521
Phone: +302106416600
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Private, charges apply. Has an emergencies section on its website; 24 hour operation not confirmed. A separate Euroclinic Children's Hospital also exists.
Address: Distomou 5 to 7, Marousi
Phone: +302106198100
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Private, charges apply. Has an emergency department; the group also lists the short line 1012 for emergencies. 24 hour operation not confirmed.
Address: Akadimias 58, Athens 10679
Phone: +302103663760
Official hours: regular service 07:00 to 20:00.
Address: Leoforos Alexandras 119, Athens 11475
Phone: +302106479799
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Official hours: on call 24 hours, plus regular daily service. The phone is the emergency reception.
Address: Korytsas 3, Vyronas 16231
Phone: +302146872980
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Official hours: on call 24 hours, plus regular daily service.
Address: Keiriadon 4 and Evrystheos 1, Athens 11854
Phone: +302103463749
Official hours: regular service 07:00 to 19:00.
Address: Kononos 54 to 56, Pangrati 11633
Phone: +302107512532
Official hours: regular service 07:00 to 19:00.
Address: Chalkidos 15 to 17, Patisia, Athens 11143
Phone: +302132056113
Official hours: regular daily service 07:00 to 19:00.
Address: Tsouderou 61, Athens 10445
Phone: +302108320211
Official hours: regular service 07:00 to 19:00.
Address: Machis Analatou and Lagoumitzi, Neos Kosmos 11744
Phone: +302109023470
Official hours: regular service 07:00 to 19:00.
Address: Papadiamantopoulou 80, Zografou 15771
Phone: +302107772671
Official hours: regular daily service 07:00 to 19:00. Phone +302107772671 from 07:00 to 15:00 and +302107793277 from 15:00 to 19:00.
Address: Davaki 11 and Sokratous, Kallithea 17672
Phone: +302109574166
Emergency department: yes; check the on duty list for today.
Official hours: on call service 08:00 to 22:00; regular daily service 07:00 to 20:00. The phone is the emergency desk.
EU visitors: carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and an ID. It gives access to medically necessary state healthcare during a temporary stay, on the same terms as people insured in Greece. Health centres and public hospitals treat you free of charge when you show the card; without it, a public outpatient visit costs 20 euros plus any tests. Private hospitals are covered only if they have a contract with EOPYY, and then you pay part of the cost. Medicines on an electronic prescription can be bought at any pharmacy, in most cases with a 25% contribution. UK visitors: a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a UK EHIC gives access to medically necessary state healthcare in Greece. Neither card replaces travel insurance: private clinics and repatriation are not covered.
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