Greece is one of the most popular destinations for tourism and relocation. The country attracts visitors with its warm climate, high standard of living, friendly locals, and rich history and cultural heritage.
Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization. The first settlements of farmers and herders appeared on the island of Crete in the 7th-6th centuries BC, and the history of Ancient Greece as we know it dates back to the third millennium BC. Greek culture has had a colossal influence on the world — the phenomenon of the “Greek miracle” gave an incredible impetus to progress.
In the Astons Greece blog, we have compiled 10 of the most interesting facts about Greece that will help you get to know the country better, plan your vacation, and, potentially, consider relocating your entire family.
Greece: Interesting Facts About History and Culture
Greeks call their country Hellas, and themselves Hellenes. The official name of the state — the Hellenic Republic — is a translation of the Greek Ελληνική Δημοκρατία (phonetic: Elliniki Dimokratia).
Greece gave the world phenomena that characterize European civilization: democracy and political science, economics and the open market, philosophy and education, theater and the Olympic Games. Here were born Euclid and Archimedes, Aristotle and Hippocrates, Socrates and Plato, Homer and Aeschylus.
The Greek alphabet was the first to include both vowels and consonants, and its name comes from the first two Greek letters — alpha and beta. From it, the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets and many other writing systems developed. As a character in a famous movie said: “Give me a word — any word, and I will prove to you that its roots are Greek.”
Athens is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has been the capital of Greece since 1834. It is the cultural, economic, industrial, and administrative center of the country with a population of over 3.2 million people. According to one version, the city is named after the goddess of wisdom, Athena, whom the city’s residents chose as their patroness. According to legend, Athena grew an olive tree, while her rival, Poseidon, created a spring, but its water was salty and unfit for drinking. The enraged Poseidon lost the contest, but the lack of water in Athens is still felt to this day.
Interesting Facts About Greece: Tourist Attractions
Greece is hugely popular among travelers from all over the world: in 2023, more than 32.7 million tourists visited the country, a record since the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourism is one of the main sectors of the country’s economy, and the government is consistently developing the infrastructure.
Greece’s coastline exceeds 16,000 km, half of which is mainland. Greece has more than 500 beaches awarded the “Blue Flag” for their cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. The Athenian Riviera — the coastline from Athens to Cape Sounion — is as popular as the French Riviera. The magnificent beaches and picturesque nature of Voula, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Paleo Faliro have become one of the favorite vacation spots in the Mediterranean.
Here are a few more interesting facts about Greece: the country is home to an enormous number of architectural and cultural-historical monuments: 18 of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and another 14 are candidates. Three of the seven ancient wonders of the world were located here — the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Colossus of Rhodes on the island of the same name. On the island of Crete is the Dikteon Cave, where, according to legend, the goddess Rhea hid the infant Zeus from his bloodthirsty father Cronus, who devoured his children.
Interesting Facts About Greece: Geography
According to an ancient legend, when God created the continents, he sifted the earth through a sieve, and the remaining stones he threw over his shoulder — thus Greece was formed. Greece is rightly considered one of the most mountainous countries in Europe — mountains occupy more than 80% of the country’s territory. The highest point in Greece is Mount Olympus (Mytikas peak, 2,918 m above sea level): according to ancient mythology, it was here that the Greek gods lived, led by Zeus.
Greece is not only the Balkan Peninsula: the country includes more than 2,000 islands. Only 227 of them are inhabited, and another 78 islands have fewer than 100 inhabitants. The largest islands — Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos — are popular not only among tourists but also among investors buying Greek real estate.
Greece has access to three seas: the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian. Geographically, seas like the Cretan, Thracian, and Libyan are part of the Mediterranean, so their names are not shown on maps.
What’s Interesting in Greece for Gourmets?
According to the Greeks, Greek cuisine cannot do without three ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, and cheese. Greece is a paradise for lovers of Mediterranean cuisine: fish and seafood, fresh vegetables and greens, various types of cheese, and fresh bread. The main national dishes include moussaka (vegetable casserole with meat), kleftiko (baked lamb), stifado (meat stewed in tomato sauce), and, of course, dolma — a variant of stuffed grape leaves instead of cabbage.
Among alcoholic drinks, Greeks prefer wine, often diluted with water according to ancestral traditions — this helps quench thirst in the heat. Greece produces retsina — a strong white wine with a distinctive “resinous” taste. Popular strong drinks include ouzo — an anise-flavored vodka with a strength of 37.5%, made from grape must. This drink is exclusively produced in Greece and Cyprus: since 2006, ouzo has been a protected designation of origin. In Greece, there are even separate bars — ouzeries — where you can enjoy this original drink. According to Greeks, ouzo should only be diluted with ice-cold water, but various cocktails based on this drink have recently become popular.
Greek fast food is known worldwide — souvlaki and gyros can be found in almost any capital’s fast-food outlets. An interesting fact about fast food in Greece is that local dishes are considered the least harmful and of the highest quality in Europe.
And, of course, we must mention the Greeks’ passionate love for coffee. They drink it whenever possible, but always without haste. Most Greeks prefer black coffee, served with a glass of cold water, but in summer, iced coffee drinks are popular.
The Most Interesting About Greek Mentality
Family and religion are of immense importance to Greeks. They honor and respect their ancestors — elderly relatives often live with young families. Greece boasts the lowest divorce rate in Europe: newlyweds typically have a church wedding, and marriage is considered a serious and responsible decision. Children are named after saints, and their name day is more significant than their birthday.
The most important holiday in Orthodox Greece is Easter, celebrated widely and grandly. On Good Friday, many establishments declare a day off — government offices, schools, and universities do not operate. On Easter Sunday, towns hold public celebrations, local authorities set tables for residents, and festivities continue all week.
Greeks are open and emotional people, they laugh loudly, argue loudly, swear loudly, actively gesticulate, and express their mood and feelings in every way. At the same time, Greeks are often called some of the most unhurried Europeans: the Greek “siga-siga,” or “slowly, slowly,” has become a proverb. Here, no one is in a hurry, but they cannot be called lazy; they simply prefer a thoughtful, measured pace of life. Expats in Greece often mention this trait, especially referring to official services and government institutions, where you can wait weeks for an appointment or get a needed document.
How to Move to Greece? Residence Permit for Investment in Real Estate
The Greek residence permit for investment program is one of the most popular immigration programs in the world: according to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), real estate sales increased by 34% in 2023 compared to 2022. A total of 4,444 residence permits were issued in 2023. Forecasts and statistics show that sales will remain high, especially concerning foreign demand ahead of upcoming changes to the program and the increase in the minimum investment threshold to €800,000.
Until August 31, foreign investors can obtain a Greek residence permit for 5 years for themselves and their family members by purchasing real estate worth at least €250,000. Let’s take a closer look at the current program conditions.
Requirements for Real Estate:
- New, under-construction, or secondary residential property, or commercial property with subsequent conversion to residential;
- One or several properties worth at least €250,000 (€500,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini — a total of 36 municipalities);
- Can be registered to a legal entity if the main office is in the EU, and the investor owns a controlling stake;
- Can be rented out or lived in;
- Can be sold after 5 years of ownership and permanent residence.
Requirements for the Applicant:
- Age over 18;
- No criminal record;
- No entry ban to EU countries;
- No serious health problems.
Advantages of the Greek Golden Visa:
- Visa-free access to Schengen countries and EU resident status;
- No residency requirements in the country before or after obtaining the residence permit. You only need to visit Greece once to submit biometric data;
- Fast approval times — from 3 to 6 months;
- The minimum investment threshold for obtaining a residence permit (at least until the changes come into effect on August 31, 2023);
- Ability to include family members — spouse, minor children, and parents of both spouses;
- Access to international banks, unfreezing assets, and business relocation;
- Reliable investments in real estate and guaranteed rental income;
- A reliable backup plan and the possibility of moving to a safe country with a stable economy, or spending vacations in your own home or villa in the Mediterranean;
- Comfortable residence permit validity periods. The resident status is granted for 5 years with the right to subsequent renewals;
- Possibility of obtaining Greek citizenship after 7 years under certain conditions.
Moreover, Greece remains a comfortable European jurisdiction with a high quality of life and relatively low cost: a mild climate, good ecology, developed infrastructure and transport network, quality healthcare, and education recognized worldwide.
From August 31, 2024, the minimum investment threshold for participating in the Greek Golden Visa program will increase to €800,000 throughout the Attica region and the major islands. To get a European residence permit at three times the current price, contact Astons’ experts — we will help you choose suitable real estate and support you at every stage of the process, up to obtaining your resident card.