About Thessaloniki and Greece
Frequently Asked Questions  

Greece

Greece has a total area of more than 130,000 km².
Greece consists of the mainland and islands; the islands comprising 20% of the total area.
Greece borders on the north with Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria and on the northeast with Turkey. It is Europe’s closest link to the Middle East and is considered the gateway to, and the capital of the Balkans. Mountains cover 80% of the land in Greece, the highest being Mount Olympus.

The Northern Capital - Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a beautiful city; the northern capital of Greece and a gateway to the Balkans. It has a population of 1.300.000, it is situated on the sea front, and has one of the biggest ports in Europe.
Thessaloniki was honoured with the award of the European City of Culture in 1997 and combines the best of old and new. It is rich in history, with numerous theatres, museums and attractions. Thessaloniki attracts many well-known artists from all around the world who come to perform at venues such as the Thessaloniki Concert Hall.
Thessaloniki also hosts annual International events such as the International Trade Fair and International Film Festival. Thessaloniki offers everything that a big city can offer, such as excellent modern shopping and traditional markets, without losing the personal and friendly atmosphere characterised by a city of its size.
Thessaloniki is one of the safest cities in Europe, which makes it a great place to live and study. 

Everyday Life in Greece – Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the currency in Greece?
  Since January 2002, Greece’s currency has been the Euro due to its membership of the Euro-zone. The banknotes are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Each banknote is a different colour and size. Every country has a separate design for each of their coins; in Greece, the designs are inspired by Greek mythology, history, politics and shipping. The coins, called lepto (or cent), come in the following denominations 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, 1 Euro and 2 Euro. 
  

• Which is the time zone in Greece?
  Greece is located in the following time zone - Standard Time +0200 UTC. This means that Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). From the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in September, the clocks are put forward one hour (1+) to take advantage of the extra daylight. 

• What is the weather like in Thessaloniki?
  What kind of clothes shall I bring?
  Greece has a Mediterranean climate. Greece is perfect for those who enjoy the sun, as for over two thirds of the year the country basks under clear, sunny skies. Temperatures do vary, however. Winters are mild and rainy, with temperatures sometimes dropping to freezing, especially in the north. Summers are long and dry, with extremes of 37°C (99°F), making the yearly mean temperature about 17°C (63°F). Therefore, you will need both summer and winter clothes. Click here for the current weather forecast. http://www.emy.gr or at http://www.poseidon.ncmr.gr/ 

• Will my mobile work in Greece?
  In Greece you can use all GSM mobile phones but US cell phones do not work. However, buying a local sim card is the cheapest way to have a mobile. A street kiosk will sell one for 15 euros. 

• What is the voltage in Greece?
  The Voltage in Greece is 220V and the plugs have two pins.