Greece

The official name of Greece is Hellenic Republic. The country is located in the southern part of Europe, more specifically in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece includes a large number of islands in the Mediterranean, Crete, Thrace, the Aegean and the Ionian. Neighboring countries are Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Greece is washed by the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan Seas. The capital is Athens. The country consists mainly of mountains and the state is one of the most mountainous in Europe. Among the most important is the Mount Olympus. The climate in Greece extends into three zones – temperate, mountainous and coastal. Depending on the climate, the weather and climate also depend. Tourists visit mainly historical destinations, with the most popular being Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Athos and Thessaloniki. In Athens, they will visit the Dionysus Theater, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Olympic Stadium. The Chalkidika peninsula attracts visitors not only with its clean beaches, but especially with the holy mountain Athos. A large number of foreigners will visit Mount Olympus, with which is associated the myth, according to which the Gods reside at its summit. Crete and Corfu are among the popular Greek islands that have beautiful beaches and great nature.

GREECE CUISINE
Greeks love to enjoy life, and food and drink is one of the manifestations of this use. Local people meet with friends and eat in restaurants quite regularly, regardless of social status. Greek cuisine is one of the best in the world and a number of local dishes have become well known abroad. The Mediterranean climate allows for the cultivation of many agricultural crops, so the Greeks tolerate fresh ingredients, as is the case in other Mediterranean cuisines. The most characteristic and oldest ingredient is olive oil, which is contained in almost every meal. Olives (the most famous are black olives from the town of Kalamata), tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini, onions, potatoes, green beans and okra (edible hibiscus) are also widely used. Spices with a variety of herbs, probably the most typical are oregano, mint and nutmeg. There are a number of different types of bread, such as bread with olives – eliopsomo. In terms of meat, sheep and goat meat are far more common than cattle, for which farming conditions are unfavorable in Greece. World-famous is feta cheese, cheese in brine from sheep‘s or goat‘s milk („Balkan“ cheese is our equivalent of feta). Of the other types of cheese, it is worth mentioning the graviér, which is very close to the Swiss gruyère and is made in Crete from sheep‘s milk, on other islands then from cow‘s milk. Kasseri is a semi-hard cheese mostly made from sheep‘s milk. Of course, fish dishes are quite common, especially on the coast. Yogurt is also popular, to which the famous Greek honey (eg thyme) is often added. Yogurt is made from sheep‘s milk, it is fatty and sweeter than the slightly more acidic yogurt from cow‘s milk. Many types of fruit are grown in Greece – oranges, lemons, watermelons, peaches, grapes, but also species such as figs, prickly pear, locust and kiwi. However, fruit is still more expensive than salad vegetables. Although the Greeks are not very much in love with the Turks, the influence of Turkish and Balkan cuisine, which is a remnant of the Ottoman Empire, is clearly evident in Greek cuisine. Interestingly, food was served lukewarm in Greece until recently, because the Greeks prefer it that way. An old joke says that the wife called her husband for lunch and said, „Come eat before the food warms you!“

Travel Documents and Entry Requirements for non-EU Nationals

All EEA citizens and Swiss citizens can travel to Greece under the visa-free regime. Third-country nationals are required to apply for a visa to travel or live in Greece. The visa depends on nationality and purpose.