Chania useful information

Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro. Greece, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents (lepta in Greek) and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros.

Before your trip, contact your bank to inform them about the use of your credit card and the withdrawal of money.

Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. Greek banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 14:00 Mondays to Fridays. They are closed on Public Holidays.

Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations.

A passport is required when exchanging currencies.

There are two types of holidays: Those occurring on the same day every year and the movable feasts, which occur on different dates every year.

• New Year’s Day: 1st of January
• Epiphany: 6th of January. Sea water is consecrated in the area of Piraeus. The priests throw the Cross into the sea and young men dive to catch it.
• Ash Monday: 41 days before Easter. It is the day people begin the Lent. On Ash Monday Greeks fly kites, eat meatless food and celebrate Koulouma. Athenians gather on Philopappou Hill.
• Independence Day & Celebration of Evaggelismos: 25th of March. Military parade.
• Easter: From Holy Friday until Easter Monday. On Holy Friday evening every church decorates the Epitaph (Bier of Christ). During the procession of the Epitaph the streets of every city or village in the country are full of people. It is a religious procession where everybody holds lit candles in their hands and sings hymns.
• Night of the Resurrection: It is celebrated in midnight before Easter Sunday with fireworks and candles.
• Easter Sunday: On Easter Sunday Greeks eat barbecued lamb. The celebrations include singing and dancing all day long in family and friends’ gatherings.
• Labor Day: 1st of May. Flower feasts in the countryside.
• Pentecost: It is celebrated 50 days after Easter.
• Assumption of the Virgin Mary: 15th of August. Celebrated almost like Easter Sunday.
• 28th of October: National Celebration. Military parade.
• Christmas: 25th-26th of December.

The official language is Greek. However, English, German, French, Russian and other languages are widely spoken in tourist resorts. Foreign visitors that try to speak even a few words of Greek are rewarded with warm smiles.

In Greece the right to religious tolerance and freedom is constitutionally established. The majority of the population is orthodox Christians, but there are also ceremony areas for other religions.

The climate of Crete is a factor that greatly contributes to its attractiveness. 

It is mild Mediterranean – dry and warm, which means high sunshine all year round, very small seasonal changes in temperatures and no extreme weather phenomena. 

In Spring temperatures fluctuate between about 16 and 24 degrees Celsius. 

During the summer, the average temperatures fluctuate between about 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, the maximum values reaching even 40 degrees Celsius, while the “meltemi” winds mitigate the warm weather. 

Autumn is the mildest season in Crete, with the average temperatures fluctuating between about 15 and 19 degrees Celsius.

In winter temperatures fluctuate between about 2 and 10 degrees Celsius. 

In general, eastern Crete is warmer than western Crete, the southern part of the island is warmer than the northern, the western part of Crete has more vegetation and in the mountainous areas the weather is cooler.

Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and has signed the Schengen Agreement. While traveling within the E.U., you only need your Identity card. However, a passport is necessary for a number of other transactions, such as currency exchange, purchases, etc.

Visas are not required by European citizens from countries that are part of the Schengen Area. Greece as a member of the Schengen Agreement, has abolished controls on common internal lands, at air and sea borders and allows Member-State citizens to travel around without a visa for a short stay period of up to three (3) months. However, keep in mind that airlines and other carriers require a valid passport and/or identity card.

Citizens coming from countries that have not yet joined Schengen Area may require a visa to enter Greece. The E.U. visitors from these countries can acquire further information from the Hellenic Embassies or Consulates in their countries, or from their travel agencies. Before visiting Greece, please consult the detailed information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website and find out whether you require a Visa.

Note: During your stay in Greece, if you require a Visa, you are advised to have suitable insurance coverage for emergency medical or other needs.

Embassies and Consulates in Greece 

The standard electrical current used in Greece is 220-240 volts AC and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

In Greece the power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. Check out the following pictures.

Type C: also known as the standard “Euro” plug. This socket also works with plug E and plug F.

Type F: also known as “Schuko”. This socket also works with plug C and plug E.

Crete has very good public hospitals, private hospitals etc. Make sure that your healthcare insurance is valid.

Visitors coming from European Union (EU)member-states and wish to receive the necessary healthcare should have the European HealthCard or another legal Community document, issued by their competent insurance authority. On the basis of it part or the whole of their care costs is covered.

Those whose country is not a member of the European Union, in order to receive the necessary healthcare should consult their insurance authority before they travel.

Tap water is safe for consumption, the consumption of bottled water is recommended though. Bottled water is in standard price 0,5 € for 500 ml (0,5 L)

Smoking is prohibited in all closed public areas, according to Law 3868/10. Hotels and similar accommodation may reserve rooms for smokers. There are designated smoking areas in some open-air restaurant and cafe.

Public Offices: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 15:00

Chania Post Office (Peridou 10 st): Monday – Friday 7:30 – 20:30 & Saturday 7:30 – 14:30
Banks: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 14:00

Shops are open on Monday and Wednesday: 9:00 – 14:30, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9:00 – 14:00 and 18:00 – 21:00, Saturday: 9:00 – 14:30.

In touristic areas during the summer months shops have free working hours.

Although pharmacies have free working hours they are usually open from 08:00 to 14:00 on Monday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday they are also open in the afternoon from 18:00 to 21:00. There are also emergency pharmacies which are open 24 hours and at weekends. You can find the lists of them on the doors of all pharmacies.

Crete has a wide coverage of mobile telephony networks, so you will have no problem.

However, contact your telephone company in order to activate the service of international roaming in your mobile phone.

If you plan to stay for a long time or make more calls, it might be better to buy a Greek SIM card. Go with your mobile phone and your passport to a mobile telephony shop, where your new SIM card will be registered, along with your telephone number and your personal information. (Undeclared telephones cannot receive or make calls).

In order to send postcards, letters or packages you should go to the Hellenic Posts. These offices also offer a fax sending service, like most hotels also do.

If you wish to connect to the internet, you can go to places offering this service: Areas of public use, Internet cafes, airport etc.

Before you start your trip with your pet, it is advisable to check with the accommodation you have chosen and with your travel company, regarding their rules on travelling with animals. According to Law 3170/2003 the dog may follow us in open areas, provided that it is tied, that we collect its mess and have with us its health booklet to prove it is vaccinated if we are asked to. In case of a dangerous animal a muzzle is required. In article 230, paragraph Ζ of the General Regulation on Ports (GG 912/11-10-99) it is specified that: “The movement of animals and their bathing in areas of swimmers is prohibited”.

The circular M.F. 3111.10/1/93/20-05-93 of the Direction of the Port Police of the Ministry of Shipping explains that the above mentioned prohibition does not include remote areas.

Before you travel you should get informed about the legislation governing the activities of amateur fishing and hunting. For information about hunting visit the website: ksellas.gr.

Amateur – athletic fishing is governed by the provisions of Presidential Decree (131A), as well as by Regulation (EC) 1967/2006. Hobby fishermen must have individual fishing permits issued by the Port Authority. From this obligation are exempt the amateur fishermen that fish from the land (article 232 General Port Regulation).

There are holiday centres, where, according to Law 1399/83 nudism is allowed.

If you are not satisfied with the quality of the tourist services during your stay in Crete, address the local offices of the tourist police and the Hellenic Tourism Organization. For filing a complaint you can fill in the following application form and send it to the following email address: [email protected] 

• Consulate of Great Britain:                           +30 2810 224012
• French Consulate:                                           +30 28210 91191
• German Consulate:                                         +30 28210 68876
• Consular Agency Italy:                                    +30 28210 27315
• Consulate Finland:                                          +30 2810 346202
• Swedish Consulate:                                         +30 28210 60605
• Danish Consulate:                                           +30 2810 243714

Source: www.crete.gov.gr

Individuals of nationality other than Greek that wish to marry in Crete should address the local municipalities (where the wedding is going to take place) and be informed about the certificates required. Wedding of individuals of the same sex is not allowed.