Can you get around Athens without speaking Greek?

Don't think that you need to learn some Greek before you get here. While a “hello” (yia sas) or “thank you” (efharisto) are welcome, most Athenians speak English. We often speak several other languages, too. Do be aware that Greeks love to talk.



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You should not have problems. My recent experience in Greece (mainly in Crete, off-season): Athens airport: no problem, English is understood, signs are also in English, personnel speak English. There is no problem in customs (like most countries: it is not necessary to know local language).

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Yes, you can. Speak in English, allmost everyone has at least basic knowledge of the English language.

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Greek is a relatively difficult language to master, even more so for English speakers. But it's still easier to learn than Russian or Arabic. The reason many English speakers find Greek to be so difficult is that it's not closely related to the English language.

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Greek is spoken today by at least 13 million people, principally in Greece and Cyprus along with a sizable Greek-speaking minority in Albania near the Greek-Albanian border.

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In the 2023 Expat Insider survey by InterNations, Greece was recognised as a country where settling and finding friends among locals is easy. Among the benefits of living in Greece, expats value its welcoming culture, mild climate and high quality of life.

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Overall, Athens is a very safe city to visit as the crime rates are currently at a very low level (lower than the average rate of other European cities). With its stunning monuments, delicious food, and friendly people, it's easy to see why many travellers flock to this historic place every year.

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Athens is a walkable city and its historic center is easy to navigate, while public transport is affordable.

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The best way to get around Athens is on foot and by metro; most of the city's major attractions are located within walking distance or a short metro ride of one another. In fact, renting a car is little more than a nuisance, as traffic is heavy and parking is hard to find.

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  1. Do accept a greeting with two kisses on the cheek. ...
  2. Do accept an invitation for a lunch or dinner at their home. ...
  3. Don't thrust the palm of your hand in front of someone's face, it is considered a very rude gesture, so don't attempt to do this even jokingly!


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The official language in Paris and the rest of France is French. Contrary to other counties, English isn't widely spoken. Although Parisians do not generally speak or like to speak English, tourists won't have any problems communicating in this language in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

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Stay with us to learn more about the most noticeable English-speaking places in Europe:
  • #1 United Kingdom. 91.1% of regular residents over the age of three speak English (or Welsh in Wales) as their primary language. ...
  • #2 Republic of Ireland. ...
  • #3 Netherlands. ...
  • #4 Iceland. ...
  • #5 Malta. ...
  • #6 Sweden. ...
  • #7 Norway. ...
  • #8 Denmark.


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The average cost of a trip to Greece for two ranges from $1000 for a budget stays to $3500 and up for a luxury stay of 7 days. For a budget trip, you could plan on spending about $150-$200 a day. You could have a very nice romantic Greek vacation for around $300 per day.

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Many UK expats already call Crete their home. The northern part of the island with the most populated areas is the most popular for expats, but there are expats living throughout Crete. The cost of shopping in the local markets is very affordable, and consumer goods are competitively priced.

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The largest and most southerly of the Greek islands, Crete offers an excellent year-round climate, making it one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations and also the biggest market for British buyers in Greece.

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