Athens, Greece

Athens is the capital city of Greece and believed to be one of the oldest cities in the world. It is a must-see on the itinerary of most visitors to take in the wonders of spectacular historical sites such as the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, and the Parthenon.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ATHENS, GREECE
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The Old Town of Athens (also known as ‘Plaka’) lies on the northeast slope beneath the Acropolis.  It is very popular with tourists and should not be missed.  It is a place filled with colour and music, with its many open-air tavernas, restaurants, bars and shops.  Because of its narrow, cobblestone streets the area is mostly pedestrian-only, which makes strolling a pleasure and only adds to the atmosphere.

Athens is a haven for history buffs with its many museums, including the Acropolis Museum and National Archeological Museum – which houses a huge collection of Greek antiquities.  Athens hosted the first Olympic Games of modern times, and again hosted the Summer Olympics in 2004. 

Before booking your trip to Greece it is recommended that you check the Foreign Office (FCO) website for the latest travel advice as part of their ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign.  They regularly post advisories of the fairly frequent occurrence of strikes and the possibility of demonstrations.  Visitors are advised to avoid any such large gatherings or protests and exercise caution.

Before hiring any vehicles in Greece such as mopeds, scooters, quad bikes, etc. check whether your travel insurance covers this activity.  There is a fairly high record of injury and even deaths from using these forms of transport.  Also, be aware that it is the law in Greece to wear a crash helmet and carry the appropriate license.  At no time should you hand over your passport as a form of security when renting a vehicle. 

It is required that you carry photo-ID with you at all times when visiting Greece. Note that it is illegal to smoke at any indoor public place in Greece and penalties for violations could mean a fine of up to €500. 

Go easy on the Ouzo - don’t forget that excessive drinking and intoxication from alcohol or other substances could lead to the denial of any related claims on your travel insurance!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Useful travel advice from the Foreign & Commonweath Office for travel to Greece. Click Here

Visitors with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to free emergency medical care, but this should never be used in place of comprehensive travel insurance.  For example, the EHIC does not cover travel problems such as lost or stolen luggage or property, cancellation and curtailment, and expensive matters like personal liability, legal costs, ongoing or non-urgent medical care, air ambulance and medical repatriation.

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Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure the information in this Travel Guide is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy, or the content of external links.

Inclusion in this Travel Guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in any country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have issued an advisory against travel.

You are strongly advised to visit the FCO website for updated travel information and general travel advice before you travel.