Greece is a crossroads of ideas, customs, languages and knowledge for people in southern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean since antiquity.
Greece’s cultural heritage can be described as largely based on a skillful reshaping of elements from Ancient Greek imagination, Byzantine glories and European Modernity that form a cosmopolitan spirit of modern Hellenism.
https://www.mfa.gr/cyprus/en/about-greece/history-and-culture/
Greece is a truly unique location. Despite its small size, the country enjoys a particularly pristine and diverse natural environment that offers everything from scenic island getaways to cozy mountain retreats. The countryโs stunning topography provides the backdrop for an unequalled array of recreational opportunities. This, combined with a spirited lifestyle that blends the Mediterraneanโs ancient and modern culture, makes Greece a simply extraordinary place to beโand a wonderful place to call home.
History & Culture
As the birthplace of Western civilization, Greeceโs cultural legacy lives on in the modern Greek society. While countless archeological sites and museumsโincluding the new Acropolis Museumโoffer visitors a chance to experience Greek history up close and personal, the countryโs deep heritage is also felt in the spectacular concert halls, in the summertime open-air theaters, and in the bustling neighborhood art galleries throughout Athens. Greece is today, as it has been for thousands of years, an inspiring place to be.
Greece offers the visitor and resident unlimited opportunities to explore the very roots of Western civilization. Throughout the country, there are hundreds of museums, archaeological sites, and monuments that detail the rise of art, architecture, crafts, design, ideas and thought.
Gastronomy
The Mediterranean diet is a global brand that needs no introduction. There is nowhere on earth better suited for healthy, wholesome eating than Greece. Greece offers a bountiful array of raw ingredients and traditional products that will satisfy every foodie, and thrill every cook (a trip to a Greek farmers market is a joy for the senses).
It doesnโt matter if youโre eating at a neighborhood โtaverna”, a traditional โouzerieโ, or in a Michelin-starred restaurant. From the freshest seafood to aromatic ground coffee, specialty olive oils to artisan cheeses, tempting patisseries to sumptuous yoghurts, eating and drinking well is not only one of the pleasures of living in Greece, it is also a pre-requisite. And, of course, whether they are harvested from the volcanic slopes of Santorini or the rich soils of Nemea, Greeceโs globally celebrated wines are just one more gastronomic perk of the Hellenic life.
Lifestyle
With 300+ days of sunshine per year, the climate in Greece makes living in this Mediterranean destination a year-round joy. Take a swim in the crystal clear Aegean before work. Play 18 holes at one of the nearby golf clubs in the afternoon. Or, if you need to escape it all, dash off to a luxurious spa for a little rest and relaxation.
If thatโs not enough, take advantage of other nearby options like yoga, tennis, hiking, sailing, skiing, rafting, biking, kite surfing and rock climbingโjust to name a few. Afterhours, an endless array of restaurants, bars, clubs, entertainment centers and cultural venues all contribute to a vibrant nightlife that is bursting with Mediterranean zeal, yet is uniquely Greek. And with a modern tourism infrastructure at your disposal, weekend getaways to some of the worldโs most beautiful locales are a snap. Whatever you choose to do, healthy, joyful living is part and parcel of the Greek lifestyle.
Education
Greece offers a wide variety of international educational options for expatriates, from pre-schools to universitiesโespecially for students seeking studies in English, French, and German. Many high schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and have a good track record in placing students in prestigious universities, both inGreece and abroad.
At the same time, many international universities offer unique educational programs in Greece for undergraduates and graduates alike.
Transportation
Greece boasts a robust and modern transportation network that seamlessly connects air, land and sea. By plane, ship, train or car, traveling to Greece, and moving through the country, is simple and quick. Almost the entire country is covered by public transport, making travel easy within Greece.
Air
The most important entry point by air into Greece is Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens. It is situated 33 km southeast of Athens and easily accessible by highway (private vehicle or taxi), bus, train, and metro service. (www.aia.gr)
Other Greek airports also handle direct international flights from certain foreign countries, by regular and special airlines (especially during the summer months), as well as charter flights. Many of the larger islands and Greek cities also have domestic airports.
Sea
Greece offers a highly developed port and ferry network that connects all of the countryโs islands as well as ports in other countriesโpredominantly in Italy. There are daily routes from Patras and Igoumenitsa to Italy, reaching the ports of Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Venice and Trieste.
Rail
Greeceโs railway network is approximately 2,500 km long, covering the greater part of the mainland and linking the country to Central Europe and Turkey. Intercity express trains allow for easy city-hopping.
Urban Transport
Athens boasts a highly sophisticated public transportation network, comprised of buses, suburban railways, and a state-of-the-art metro. Thessaloniki and other cities in Greece also have integrated public transport networks.
Road
Greeceโs road network covers 117,000 kilometers. Following years of upgrades and modernization, driving via the national highway network is now one of the easiest and most efficient ways to traverse the country. Intercity bus lines make it simple to get from point to point.
The border crossing points for entering Greece by road from the neighboring Balkan countries are Exochi Drama for Bulgaria, Evzones Kilkis for FYROM, Kakavia in the Ioannina Prefecture for Albania and KipoiEvrou for Turkey.
Public Holidays
New Year’s Day: January 1st
Epiphany: January 6th
Clean Monday: 41 days before Easter. Lent begins.
Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation: March 25th, military parade
Anastasi (Resurrection): celebrated with fireworks and candles at midnight, on the eve of Pascha (Easter)
Pascha (Easter)
Labor Day: May 1st
White Monday: 50 days after Easter
Dormition (Assumption) of The Virgin: August 15th
October 28th: โOxiโ day, rejection of the Italian ultimatum in 1940, military parade
Christmas: December 25th-26th
https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/en/greece-today/living-in-greece/useful-information
