Greece Athens Information For Your Holidays
Athens has no shortage of banks and most around the centre are used to working with foreign exchange. All banks are open Monday to Thursday from 8.0.0. am to 2.0.0. pm. Beware – on Friday they close half an hour earlier at 1.30. pm and are closed Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
The Foreign Exchange branch of the National Bank of Greece is on the west side of Syntagma Square in the centre of Athens. It is open mornings from 8 am to 2 pm and afternoons from 3.30. to 6.30. pm Mon to Thurs. On Fridays they close half an hour earlier at 1.30. pm but reopen again at 3 pm til 6.30. pm. On Saturdays they open from 9 am to 3 pm and Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm.
There may be a queue but the service is quick and efficient as the tellers work only with foreign currency. don’t forget to take your passport along.
Outside the bank is a machine which gives you euro Canadian, American and Australian, and Japanese yen – handy if you’re stuck for instant cash.
A number of banks now have outside cash machines: In Syntagma Square you’ll find Access, Visa, Mastercard, Citibank, Cirrus, ServiRed, Star and Plus. All you need to remember is your pin number and to hope that the machine has some money in it.
There are a number of foreign banks in Athens. If you’d like to know whether your particular bank has a branch the best bet is to phone your Embassy. Embassy telephone numbers can be found in the weekly English language newspaper, The Greek News, which is available from cigarette kiosks in central Athens.
Most banks will change travellers cheques, Eurocheques and cash. It’s generally safer to take your passport with you when changing money, as bank tellers are likely to ask for it.
There are a number of foreign banks in Athens. If you’d like to know whether your particular bank has a branch the best bet is to phone your Embassy. Embassy telephone numbers can be found in the weekly English language newspaper, The Greek News, which is available from cigarette kiosks in central Athens.
At the Post Office All post offices have foreign exchange windows and are open daily from 7.30 am to 2.00 pm. You can identify them by the bright yellow sign of a horn with the letters ELTA underneath. Unlike the bank which charges a percentage commission, the post office charges a flat rate for changing money, regardless of the amount.
Two central post offices, on Syntagma Square, corner of Mitropoleos Street and 100 Eolou Street, near Omonia Square, are open from 7.,30 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday, Saturdays from 7.30 am to 2.00 pm and even on Sundays from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm.
In Tourist Shop & Foreign Exchanges Kiosks
These stay open well into the evening and some display Exchange signs meaning they have a license to change money. They will provide a receipt showing the amount changed, the exchange rate of the day, and their commission which is controlled by the government.
In Hotels
A number of hotels also have a license to change money. The commission they charge is slightly higher than banks or the foreign exchange kiosks but as you only have to walk downstairs it is often more convenient.
Church Services
The main religion in Greece is Greek Orthodox and Athens is home to many beautiful Orthodox churches same of which you will find in the section headed Exploring.
If you would like to attend a service you are welcome in any church. The service on Sunday / starts at about 9.00 am and goes on till about 11.00 am.
Obviously you will need to dress suitably (no shorts or bare shoulders). It is not necessary to stay for the entire service. If you would like to attend a service in your own denomina¬tion you can phone up and find out the times of the services.
Duty Free
These are goods on which no tax has been paid, bought from a duty free shop or on the airplane. Goods up to the duty free limit can be purchased in full on both your outward and return journey, even if all your outward bound purchases have not been used during your holiday. This limit is in addition to any tax paid purchases you may have made during your stay. No tobacco or drinks allowed if you’re under 17.
The ED allowance is 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. You are allowed 2 liters of still table wine and a liter of spirits, or instead of .the spirits another 2 liters of table wine or sparkling wine.
Electricity
The mains supply in Greece is 220 volts which is the same as the rest of Europe. If you forgot to buy a travel adaptor at home you’re -unlikely to find one here. The best bet is to find a shop that sells plugs buy a small screwdriver and change the plug. Do remember to check whether your room has a two or a three pin plug.
Any American appliance will be wired for 110 volts and will need a transformer. Best to take the appliance with you when you go to buy the transformer from an electrical shop.
Electricity is expensive so try to remember to switch off lights before you go out in the evening or before bed. For small children you can find inexpensive night lights in most grocery and electrical shops.
Find a Hotel
The Foreign Exchange Branch of the National Bank of Greece in Syntagma Square has a clearly marked desk with information about hotels in Athens and around the country. They can check availability and make reservations in any hotels on their lists. This office is open Mon to Thur from 8.30 to 2pm and Friday till 1.30 pm Sat 9 to 1 pm. Tel: 323 7193.
If the office is closed the tourist office next door has a list of hotels, along with phone numbers, and the category into which they fall which gives an indication of the price though not necessarily the quality of service or facilities, A being the most expensive and D about five times cheaper.
