Travel Don’ts When Visiting Greece

When visiting a foreign country it’s easy to commit tourist fouls when you don’t know what you should or shouldn’t do. Greece is no exception. Follow these tips on your next trip to make sure you don’t commit a major faux pas during your stay.

The Greek civilization is ancient, and, so, unfortunately, is much of the sewage system. In most public restrooms you will be encouraged to put used toilet paper in the trash can instead of the toilet. While this may contradict everything you know about toileting, just go with it because you don’t want to be the tourist that overflows the toilets everywhere you go!

When visiting ancient sites like the Acropolis, don’t plan on taking home a rock as a souvenir. Taking anything from these protected sites is punishable as a criminal offense — purchase your mementos from a souvenir shop the legit way.

Don’t skimp on tips. There once was a time when tipping wasn’t commonplace in Greece, but these days it is welcome and greatly appreciated.

Don’t make yourself a target for pickpockets. This doesn’t just mean not flashing your cash around — be aware of your surroundings and where your wallet is at all times, especially in crowded areas.

Don’t assume the marked price of an item is the final price. When shopping in tourist areas, such as the famous Plaka neighborhood of Athens, the shopkeepers expect you to bargain with them. While they won’t complain if you don’t, haggling for a better deal can be fun and help stretch your money.

Last, but not least, don’t forget to relax and have fun. The crowds and traffic can be overwhelming, but don’t let them get to you. If you take a moment to recognize the order within the chaos, you’ll soon find yourself enjoying every moment of it.