Pass The Passport

Places / Europe

Greece

Visited

At a glance

Region
Southern Europe
Capital
Athens
Population
10.4 million (2025)
Area
131,990 km²
Languages
Greek
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+30
Visited: Greece

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Before you go

Overview

Greece is formerly called the Hellenic Republic. It is a country located in southeastern Europe at the intersection of Europe, Asia and Africa. It has thousands of islands but only 227 of them are inhabited.

It is a mountainous country the highest point being Mount Olympus. Greece has the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. It also has 9 geographic territories: Macedonia, the Peloponnese, Thessaly, Central Greece, Epirus, The Aegean Islands, Thrace, Crete and Ionian Islands.

The country recorded a population of 10.72 million in 2019 and covers an area of 131,957 km2.

The capital and largest city are Athens. It is an old city that still preserves its ancient treasures.

The Capital, Athens.

History

Greece was formerly called Hellene and their land Hellas until the Romans renamed it to its current name.

It became a republic after the removal of the monarchy in 1924.

The country fell under German rule in 1941 after the death of Prime Minister Metaxas. However, the Greeks united with British forces and forced the Nazis out in 1944.

Greece became a kingdom in 1952 following a new constitution. It joined NATO the same year.

The monarchial government was abolished in 1973 when the country became a republic.

Food & culture

The country’s culture has developed over thousands of years from Minoan, Mycenaean, Classical Greece, Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire.

The main crops are olives, cereals, sugar beets, cotton, peaches, tomatoes, grapes, melons and tobacco.

The common dishes are taramasalata, olives, dolmades, moussaka and grilled meat.

Wildlife

The main wildlife animals include host bears, wild cat, jackals, wolves, foxes, deer, lynxes and riot dog.

Festivals & events

The major festivals include New Year Day, Feast of Annunciation, Feast of Saint Georgia, Day of the Holy Spirit and the Day of Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Things to see

Acropolis of Athens is an ancient fortress built on a rugged outcrop above the city of Athens that comprises of the remains of several early buildings of unique architecture like the Parthenon.

There is also the Acropolis Museum, which is an archaeological museum that houses the remains found at the archeological site of Acropolis of Athens.

National Archeological Museum preserves the ancient Greece sculptures, vases and jewellery.

Interesting facts

Greece is the world’s third-largest olive oil producer after Spain and Italy.

Athens is the origin of democracy in the world. It was developed approximately 5th century BCE.

The predominant religion is Greek Orthodox Church.

The official language is Greek.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Famous hikes in Greece

Samaria Gorge

Distance
About 16 km
Time
5 to 7 hours
Best time
May to October

How to do it: Walk down one of Europe's longest gorges to the sea at Agia Roumeli, then take a ferry and bus back. Organised day trips handle the transport.

Run a marathon in Greece

Athens Authentic Marathon

Athens · usually November

The original route, from the town of Marathon to the marble Panathenaic Stadium. Hilly for the first half, so not one for a fast time.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

Races I've run in Greece

All my races

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece

1 of 21 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Greece

From 2 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

October 2025 Mykonos

Mykonos, Ano Mera

Whole trip gallery
  • A man crouching on a rock at the edge of a calm, clear blue sea.
  • A smiling man and a woman taking a selfie in front of a turquoise sea.
  • A man and a woman standing on a seaside terrace with white buildings and a bay behind.
  • White houses with colourful balconies built right at the water's edge under blue sky.
  • Harbour with a traditional fishing boat on the quay and white buildings across the bay.
  • View across a deep blue sea from sandy rocks, with a figure sitting on the rocks.
  • Crystal-clear shallow water over pebbles in a cove with rocky headlands.
  • The white windmills of Mykonos on a hill above the sea.

October 2022 Rat Race - Santorini

South Aegean, Thira, Santorini, Oia

Whole trip gallery
  • Kayakers paddling past the towering caldera cliffs of Santorini
  • Sunlight sparkling on the sea between volcanic rocks off Santorini
  • Sunset over the white houses of Santorini.
  • A large group of people cheering at a terrace bar as the sun sets over the sea.
  • Two people in a kayak on the sea at dusk beside a dark rocky islet.
  • Two runners in sunglasses taking a selfie above Santorini's white villages and the sea.
  • An aircraft wing over a deep blue sea with the islands of the Santorini caldera below.
  • White houses and a windmill clinging to a cliff above a deep blue sea.
  • Several octopuses hanging to dry on a line over blue sea, with cliffs in the distance.
  • Whitewashed houses stacked along a cliff edge under a deep blue sky.
  • A white Greek Orthodox church with a bell tower against a deep blue sky.
  • An orange sunset over the whitewashed buildings of Oia with crowds along the cliff.

Plan your trip to Greece

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Greece