Fun facts about Greece, plus cultural etiquette and customs

Beyond its turquoise coastlines, iconic islands with pink bougainvillea flowers, and historical monuments, Greece is one of the oldest countries in the world, with centuries-old traditions and customs. Discover fun facts about Greece, how to avoid offending locals with a list of cultural etiquette to follow, and how Greek culture shaped Western civilisation, for a better travel experience for you and the local Greek communities. 

Basic facts about Greece

Fun facts about Greece

1. Greece is officially known as the Hellenic Republic

• This comes from the word Hellas, which is what Greece used to be called
• Hellas also refers to the time between the death of Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE) and the Battle of Corinth in 146 BCE between the Romans and the Corinth area of Greece.
• After conquering them in the 1st century, the Romans started calling Greece “Graeci” and the people “Graikos”, which is how the word “Greece” came about.
• Greeks still refer to themselves as Hellenes.

2. Ancient Greece has strongly shaped Western civilization by setting the grounds for politics, philosophy, math, science, art, literature, theatre, and architecture. 

• Many English words, such as democracy, logic, ethics, psychology, rhetoric, astronomy, atlas, and bacteria, originate from Ancient Greece.
• The Greek alphabet influenced the Latin alphabet.
• Democracy was invented and practiced in Ancient Greece (though women and enslaved people didn’t have any say or power).
• Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle developed ideas around politics, ethics, and logic.
• Mathematical and scientific concepts that came from Greece include: the Pythagorean theorem, Euclidean geometry, astronomy (heliocentric model proposed by Aristarchus), and medicine (Hippocratic Oath).
• The Parthenon has influenced and inspired architectural designs from the Renaissance to the Neoclassicism period.
• The Olympic Games were invented in Greece, in 776 BCE, in Olympia. The most popular events were wrestling, boxing, long jump, javelin, discus, and chariot racing. Apparently, wrestlers performed naked, and there were no rules to wrestling. 
• The Ancient Greeks invented the theatre. They used to perform plays, and some theatres could hold up to 15000 people. Only men and boys were allowed to perform. 

3. Ancient Greece was not a unified nation like today’s Greece but rather split into different independent states with their own laws and customs. Those city-states would often be at war with each other, except during the Olympics, so that they could all reach Olympia safely. 

• Greece’s capital, Athens, is one of the oldest cities in the world
  • Athens was founded in 508 BCE and has been conquered by many countries and rulers (including Alexander the Great and the Macedonians, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire).
  • Athens is considered the birthplace of democracy and philosophy.
  • Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom.
    • According to Greek mythology, both Athena and Poseidon wanted to name the city. Athena offered the people an olive tree, while Poseidon offered water. The olive tree was considered more valuable, so they named Athens after Athena.
  • Greek mythology is a big part of Greece’s culture.

4. The Greek Empire existed from around 1200 BCE til the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, and is split into three main eras

• The Archaic period (800-500 BCE)
• The Classical period (500-323 BCE)
• The Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE)

5. Greece had a monarchy until 1975. Since then, it has been a parliamentary republic with a president and a prime minister.

• The prime minister has the most power, whereas the president’s role is to select ministers for various cabinets.
• Members of the parliament, which is called Vouli, are elected every 4 years.

6. Acropolis vs Parthenon

The Acropolis is the whole archaeological site, a fortified hill with many historic ruins. The most popular one is the Parthenon, an ancient temple and the most recognisable symbol of Athens. It was built between 447 and 432 BC.

7. Greece is one of the largest olive and olive oil producers in the world. Olives have been cultivated in Greece for over 6000 years, and are a big part of the country’s cultural identity. 

8. Greece’s geology: although known for its islands and beaches, most of Greece is actually made up of mountains (80% of the country is mountainous).

• Greece has over 6000 islands, but only 227 are inhabited.
  • Greece’s islands are grouped into 6 island groups:
    • The Cyclades (e.g., Santorini, Milos, Mykonos, Paros). The iconic blue and white colours of the Cyclades were to ward off evil spirits, but also as a symbol of pride because they weren’t allowed to display their flag during the Ottoman occupation.
    • The Sporades (e.g., Skiathos, Skopelos)
    • The Ionian Islands (e.g., Corfu, Kefalonia, Paxos, Ithaca)
    • The Dodecanese (e.g., Agathonisi, Leros, Rhodes)
    • The Saronic Islands (e.g., Hydra)
    • The North Aegean Islands (e.g., Thassos, Lesbos)
  • Crete is one of the few Greek islands that does not belong to any of the island groups. It’s a standalone island. 
  • The most popular island in Greece is Santorini, but there are plenty of other islands with similar views, white-washed houses, blue-domed churches, and cliffs within the same Cycladic island group, such as Milos, Naxos, Mykonos, and Paros.
  • A few islands are car-free (e.g., Hydra). The best way to get around is by walking, as some car-free islands don’t allow anything with wheels, including bicycles.
    • Please don’t ride or use donkeys. There are many animal exploitation issues regarding donkeys in Greece. The ones used for transport (whether it’s transporting people or things) are generally not well-treated and suffer from spinal injuries due to carrying all the weight. Some are even whipped or beaten by their owners, but tourists usually don’t see all of this because donkeys are sweet, docile animals and tend to suffer in silence.

9. There are many species that are endemic to Greece, including the loggerhead sea turtle.

10. Feta cheese is Greece’s national cheese and is heavily consumed. 

11. Greece has a lot of international students because its university fees are some of the most affordable.

Greek customs and etiquette in Greece

Aside from learning fun facts about Greece, knowing the cultural etiquette, including the Dos and Don’ts, allows for a much better experience for everyone. You don’t need to consider yourself a sustainable traveller in order to be respectful of the culture and country you’re visiting. Plus, it’s fun to learn about other cultures.

Greek customs you should know about

• Families are important in Greek culture, and children often live with their parents until they’re far into adulthood, sometimes even after they get married.
• Just like birthdays, Greeks celebrate “name days”, but only if you share a name with a holy person, be it a saint or martyr, from the Greek Orthodox religion. 
• Sundays are considered public holidays in Greece, so everything will be closed. 
• Greeks believe in the “evil eye”, which is why you’ll see talismans being sold everywhere. They are called Nazar charms, and are sometimes sold as home decor, sometimes as jewellery. Nowadays, it’s mostly sold as a souvenir, but it represents a big part of Greek culture.
• If you ever attend a Greek party or wedding, you will see Greeks smashing plates. It’s one of the most popular traditions in Greece, featured in many movies, and symbolises joy and wealth. 
• Dancing is a big part of Greek culture, and most regions have their own dances. There are apparently over 4000 traditional dances in Greece. 
• Since most of the population is Greek Orthodox, religious festivities like Easter are widely celebrated with processions and holidays.

Etiquette in Greece: dos and don’ts

Dos in Greece

• Always greet people when entering a store, restaurant, etc., before asking anything else.
• Both men and women should dress modestly when visiting churches and religious sites like monasteries. Shoulders and knees should be covered. 
• If invited to someone’s home for a meal, it’s polite to accept. And always bring a small gift.
• Depending on where you’re staying in Greece, switch off the water heater if you’re not showering, as leaving it on all the time can cost the owner a lot of money.
• If you’re renting a car in Greece, drive slowly and carefully, as there is a high rate of vehicular fatalities and road accidents. 

Avoid this in Greece

• Don’t wave at people with all 5 fingers open, as this is considered the equivalent of giving the finger. Wave with your fingers closed, or don’t wave at all and just say hello.
• Never point the finger at something or someone.
• Don’t make the “ok” gesture (touching the thumb and index finger to make a circle).
• Avoid too much PDA.
• It’s considered rude to be drunk and loud in public, especially in small towns. 
• Don’t flush toilet paper if there are signs saying to not flush. This is due to old sewage systems that can get blocked. 

Facts about Greece: FAQs

• What’s the tipping culture in Greece?

Tipping is not part of Greek culture, just like in most, if not all, EU countries. It’s still fine to show appreciation by rounding up the bill or tipping €1-2, but certainly not more, and definitely not 20% like in the US. Tipping when it’s not part of the culture actually creates more issues. 

Also, if you want to tip the wait staff for good service, it’s best to leave the small tip in cash on the table to make sure they get it. If you put the tip on the card, it will most likely go to the owner, not the wait staff.

• How many islands are there in Greece? 

Greece has over 6000 islands, but only about 227 are inhabited. Islands are grouped in various groups; for instance, Santorini, Milos, and Mykonos all belong to the same island group called the Cyclades. 

• What is Greece best known for?

Greece is known for its beautiful islands and beaches, fresh food, and historical landmarks.