Banks: 08.30 to 14.00, Mondays to Thursdays; 08.30 to 13.30, Fridays
Post Offices: 08.00 to 20.00, Mondays to Saturdays
Department Stores and Shops: 08.00 to 13.00 and 17.00 to 20.00, Monday to Saturday
Museums: 08.00 to 19.00, daily
Business Offices: 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday

There’s little in the way of danger in Thessaloniki and few visitors experience anything untoward during their holiday. Pickpockets can be an issue so it pays to be cautious with your belongings around popular tourist attractions. Some of the churches attract gypsy children who may attempt to distract your attention while accomplices relieve you of your wallet and valuables, so keep your distance from them.

220V, 50Hz, plugs come with two round pins.

The city is modern and well developed, presenting few health related issues for visitors. Standards of hygiene in most public dining establishments are high but may be questionable at take away establishments or food vendors. Immunisations are not necessary prior to visiting. Health care at the city’s hospitals is of a high standard and emergency treatment can be accessed at a discount by EU citizens carrying a European Health Insurance Card

G. Papanikolaou Hospital: +30 2310-350174
Emergency services: 15

Locals in Thessaloniki speak Greek, in line with the rest of the country. English speakers are common in tourist areas.

Greece uses the euro (EUR), with €1 equal to 100 cents.

EU nationals entering from other countries within the union are not required to pay duty on alcohol, tobacco or other goods, provided they are for personal use only and not in excessive volumes. Visitors arriving from outside Europe are permitted the following allowance: 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 200 cigarillos or 500g of tobacco; a litre of alcoholic drink over 22 per cent or two litres of alcohol drink of 22 per cent or less and two litres of wine and two litres of still table wine.

The locals are friendly characters and welcoming of visitors provided local customs and traditions are respected. Visitors should be aware that religion is taken seriously and on visits to churches, long sleeved tops and long pants should be worn. Beach attire is fine on the beach or around the pool but not best worn at restaurants or other formal settings in the city.

A firm handshake is an appropriate greeting when meeting someone for the first time; kisses and embraces are reserved for parties with more familiarity. If invited for dinner at the house of local, it’s polite to bring a small gift. Table manners in the dining room are continental. Punctuality is not such a big deal in Greece, and arriving 30 minutes’ late is usual for social arrangements.

Visitors from countries that are party to the Schengen Agreement are permitted to enter Greece for up to 90 days with a passport. Citizens of the US, Canada and Australia are subject to the same regulations. The majority of other visitors require visas, which can be obtained from Greek embassies in major cities around the world.

There is an information office located in the Domestic Arrivals area of Thessaloniki International Airport. 
Phone: +30 2310 471170