Now in Greece, the euro is used, but before its appearance in the country, the drachma was the national currency for many centuries. Its history dates back to the 5th century BC. e. Drachma is considered one of the oldest currencies in the world and the most durable. It was the national currency of Greece before the euro. It will be discussed in our article.

Where did the name of the Greek currency - the drachma - come from?

The name of the Greek currency appeared for the first time in the 5th century BC. She was called Drachma for a reason. At that time, iron tetrahedral silver and gold twigs - “obols” were accepted for money. A handful of six of them was called "drachma". Translated from the local language, this means "handful" or "palm". Therefore, the national currency got its name. The coin was the mite.

History of the drachma

For the first time, the Greek drachma appeared as a national currency during the Hellenic period. The first money in the form of handfuls of metal twigs was used from 1100 BC. Basically, the drachma was made from silver, rarely from gold.

Each city of Ancient Greece had its own currency name (Babylonian drachma, Phoenician, etc.). The currency units were:

• dodecadrachm, which was equal to 12 drachmas;
• dekadrachm (10);
• octadrachm (8);
• pentadrachm (5);
• tetradrachm (4);
• tridrachm (3);
• didrachma (2).

There are three periods when the currency was modified:

• Ancient Greek. At that time, silver coins were in use (2000 years ago).
• Hellenistic. The Greek currency was used as the main currency unit by various states.
• Modern. The drachma acquired a new design and face value in the 19th century.

Thanks to the conquests of A. Macedonian, the drachma spread in the Arab countries, having received the name "dirahm". During the Roman Empire, the drachma was replaced by a denarius, then a solidus appeared. In the 15th century, after the capture of Greece by the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish piastres appeared in everyday life. In 1828, after the liberation of the country, a new currency appeared - the phoenix. But by the royal decree of Otto, it was replaced with the old drachma. It was also the national currency of the country until 2001, then it was replaced by the euro.

Drachma design and safety

In a short time, the former national currency of Greece has undergone many modifications. The design of the coins is associated with legends and myths. The face value was indicated on the front side. All the inscriptions were made strictly in Greek.

Separately, it is worth paying attention to the color scheme. Artists, developing the design of the currency, were able to combine different colors and their shades in an unusual way. Thanks to this, the design of Greek banknotes acquired originality and uniqueness. On the back of the banknotes, the sights and cultural values ​​depicted were decorated in antique style. All the modifications, due to which the drachma was modified, led to the fact that it became almost impossible to counterfeit coins and banknotes.

Greek currency: ancient coins and banknotes

The profiles of the goddess Athena and her symbol, the owl, were minted on coins in the 5th century. When Greece was part of the Byzantine Empire, the solidus was the main gold coin. In 1204, a cross was minted on the obverse side of the drachma.

As the modern Greek national currency, the silver drachma was put into circulation in 1833. During the German occupation, new coins began to be minted. They entered circulation in 1944. The new drachma was exchanged for 50 billion old ones. Inflation continued until May 1954. After that, the new drachma was equal to a thousand old ones.

The currency of Greece consisted not only of coins, it was also issued in banknotes. The first paper drachmas appeared in the 19th century. The Greek government decided to issue banknotes due to the lack of precious metals for minting coins. The first banknotes appeared in denominations from five to one hundred phoenixes.

During the Second World War, banknotes were printed in denominations of tens of billions of drachmas. In 1944, new banknotes were issued in an attempt to avoid inflation, but this did not help. And only in 1955, after the release of new banknotes, inflation stopped. Modern banknotes Drachmas were printed until January 2001. It was the national currency of Greece before the euro. Before the transition to the euro, banknotes in denominations from 50 to 10,000 drachmas were in use in the country. On the largest banknote, the image of the Greek scientist George Papanicolaou was printed.

Features of Greek coins

A feature of Greek coins was a unique design. Its author was Georgios Stamatopoulos. The currency of Greece had the following images:

• an Athenian tirema of the 5th century;
• 19th century corvette;
• modern tanker;
• the scene of Zeus kidnapping Europa;
• Rigas Fereos;
• John Kapodistrias;
• Eleftherios Venizelos (famous politician).

History of the 200 drachma banknote

A denomination of 200 drachmas has its own separate history. For all the years of issuing banknotes, it was printed only once, in 1996. The obverse depicted the national hero of Greece, Rigas Feraios.

What currency to take to Greece: a memo to tourists

Now in the country the payment currency is the euro, since Greece is part of the European Union. They pay in this country with these banknotes. There are banknotes of different denominations - from 5 to 500 euros; coins - from 1 to 50 cents and one and two euros. When withdrawing money, there are uniform tariffs adopted for countries that are part of the European Union.

Greek banks open from 8 am and close at 2.30 pm. You can exchange the currency you brought with you at any exchange office. The commission will be up to 2 percent. The euro exchange rate is constantly fluctuating, so it is impossible to determine the exact amount of the exchange in advance.

Small money will be required to avoid problems with change. At the same time, it must be remembered that denominations of 100 and 200 euros often turn out to be fake, so it is better to play it safe by exchanging for smaller ones.

In hotels and supermarkets, you can pay with a bank card (visa, mastercard, maestro) or in cash. For settlements in restaurants and cafes, it is best to exchange large banknotes for small ones in advance.

If there is a desire to wander around the shops, then you need to know that absolutely all of their owners have "problems" with change. This is calculated on the fact that tourists will not take change. This practice exists not only in Greece, but also in Turkey, Egypt and some other resort countries.

Among the resorts in Greece there is something for everyone - whether you are looking for privacy or dancing until you drop, meeting the fascinating world of mythical gods and antiquities, or active recreation. After all, in Greece you can bask in the rays of the hot sun, enjoy the turquoise sea and white sandy beaches, walk through picturesque places, go surfing, admire the unique architecture, visit the

Each culture has its own unique, sometimes bizarre customs and traditions. Greece is no exception. New Year's Day is celebrated here as the feast of Saint Basil, who was one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Greeks love and honor Basil, the patron saint of the poor, for his kindness and generosity. This day opens a whole series of winter holidays, each of which is unusual and unique.

There are hotels in Greece for every taste: for families with children and for lovers of silence; luxurious palaces and modest villas; hotels by the sea and apartments in the mountains; spa hotels and even island hotels. Airotel Stratos Vassilikos Hotel, Athens, Greece. View tours to this hotel Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, hosting more than 12

There are many religious (Orthodox) holidays in Greece. Widely celebrated New Year and Christmas, Epiphany, Apokries and other dates. There are national holidays, and state, and small-town festivals and carnivals. At Christmas in Greece, the head of the family cuts the cake, leaving one piece for St. Basil, another for Jesus, a third for the Virgin Mary, the rest of the pieces are distributed

Photos of Greece amaze with bright colors. It seems that the sea here is all shades of blue: from pale blue to deep turquoise. This combination is especially beautiful in Crete. Balos Lagoon. Crete, Greece. Find out the prices for tours to Crete Look at the photo of the Balos lagoon - three seas meet at once on it, which makes the landscape fantastic. It's hard to imagine that such beauty exists.

Many people go to Greece just to catch a glimpse of the sights and spend the rest of their time sunbathing on the beaches, but in vain. In Greece, it is worth visiting wherever you can, for example, in a variety of restaurants where you can taste and appreciate local wines and dishes, as well as in shops and markets where it is worth buying an outlandish handmade little thing, an unusual outfit or a special cosmetic as a keepsake. means. In addition, Greece will appeal to both lovers of silence and spiritual practices, and fans of active entertainment. Greek nature and seascapes pacify and inspire, and entertainment events and discos will not let you get bored even at night.

The locals are quite welcoming to the guests of the country, some tourists even manage to communicate with the Greeks. Greece has fans all over the world, because here the Mediterranean seaside vacation is perfectly combined with visiting historical sites, the flavor of local cuisine, making new acquaintances, vibrant shopping and outdoor activities. In addition, numerous hotels in Greece offer various accommodation options for tourists, differing in level of service, price category, comfort and convenience of location.

Regions and resorts of Greece

Athens is the capital of Greece, so you can meet a huge number of visitors here. Many tourists arrive here from other countries, landing at the international local airport. For lovers of a relaxing holiday, Athens is not suitable, because the city seems to be saturated with bustle, noise and sun. Athens is popular among fans of the history and myths of Ancient Greece, as well as among fans of excursions to local attractions: the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, the Eleusinian ruins and the Byzantine monastery of Daphni.

Crete

Crete is the largest Greek island, known to most of the inhabitants of the planet. Locals claim that the great thunder god Zeus was born here, as well as the notorious artist El Greco, so there are always a lot of tourists here. The cuisine of the island of Crete, according to its inhabitants and guests of the country, is not only interesting and unusual, but also very tasty. Holidays in Greece, of course, should start with a visit to this island and the capital - Athens.

Saronic Islands

The archipelago is located between the Peloponnese and Attica and is popular with tourists who want to stay at sea near Athens. During the peak season, local beaches, especially on the island of Aegina, are almost completely occupied by tourists. The picturesque Saronic Islands also attract tourists thanks to the well-preserved temple of the goddess Aphaia.

Central Greece

This territory stretches from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Parnassus and the highest mountain range of Olympus to the Corinth Canal. Here, in the distant past, the Battle of Thermopylae took place, as well as the Battle of Chaeronea, where the Greeks were defeated by Philip of Macedon. Fans of the beach and shops will not be too interested here, but those who are interested in the history and sights of Greece should visit the monasteries of Meteora, the Delphic sanctuaries, as well as the slopes of Mount Pelion, where centaurs could have been many years ago.

Dodecanese archipelago

A number of islands are located extremely close to the Turkish coastline. Here are located one of the most famous Greek resorts after the island of Crete - Kos and Rhodes, famous for their magnificent beach areas and hotels, as well as a variety of sightseeing tours. The small island of Patmos is especially popular with those interested in history and culture.

The Sporades are a group of islands famous for their clearest waters and golden yellow sandy beaches surrounded by lush greenery. This amazingly beautiful place is located in the vicinity of Athens. Especially popular is Evia, the main island of this archipelago, where at the peak of the season there is such an overcrowding of the beach area that there is nowhere for an apple to fall.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in the country and is rightfully considered the Greek Constantinople. There are many attractions here, in addition, Thessaloniki is an ideal place to start excursions in Macedonia and Northern Greece.

These islands attract visitors with picturesque landscapes, lush vegetation and incredible blue sea. Especially popular and in demand is the island of Corfu, which is considered the "pearl" of the Ionian Islands, due to which rest and entertainment here are quite expensive. The Ionian Islands occupy one of the important places among the many resorts in Greece.

Climate of Greece

The climate in Greece is very pleasant, Mediterranean, which is characterized by dry, hot summers and warm, wet winters. In general, it is approximately the same in different coastal resorts.

For a trip to Greece citizens Russian Federation you need to get a visa. Greece is a member of the Schengen Agreement, so if a tourist has a "Schengen" of this country, it allows you to visit other Schengen countries. Document requirements are as follows: a passport valid for 3 months after the end of the trip, a completed application form, a hotel room reservation, a round-trip air ticket and proof of solvency.

IMPORTANT: In most cases, the presence of even one Schengen visa to Greece (or another Schengen country) is issued by the Greeks for a multi-Schengen visa for 3 or even 5 years.

How to get to Greece

Tourists from Russia can use the following flights to Greece:

Moscow - Zakynthos Island EL 000 (from Domodedovo to D. Solomos);

Moscow - Thessaloniki EL 909 (from Sheremetyevo to the Macedonia region);

St. Petersburg - Thessaloniki EL 911 (from Pulkovo-1 to the Macedonia region).

Direct flights are operated by Aeroflot airlines (flights to Athens daily) and Polet (from Voronezh to Athens and Heraklion once a week in summer). How to get to Greece by car or bus? There is a highway Moscow-Sofia-Istanbul-Skopje. In addition, the Arda Tur company sends daily 6-hour tours from Sofia to Thessaloniki.

Greece transport

The transport infrastructure of Greece is extremely developed, so buses and trains, as well as planes and ships can easily take you anywhere in this unforgettable country. Terms of use vehicles in Greece are similar to the rules of the CIS countries.

You can buy a ticket for a trip on public transport at periptores (local kiosks) or in transport using terminals. There are no bus ticket sales in Athens.

There is a metro only in Athens. The surface metro line in the capital of Greece (from the local area of ​​Thissio to the city of Piraeus) is one of the first European metro lines. It has been operating since 1869 (for comparison, the London Underground has been operating since 1863). Currently, the metro in Athens is equipped with 3 directions (lines), one of which is ground. Single and multiple tickets are sold at the subway ticket offices and periptores.

Transport in Greece is quite convenient and affordable, but many tourists prefer to rent a car for easy travel to places of interest. The rent will depend on the class of the chosen car, the season and the level of tourists visiting the country. The driver must have an international driving license, be aged 25-70 years and have a driving experience of 3 years, the recommendation is credit card(not necessary). Private car rental companies have more relaxed requirements. Remember: Conditions insurance policy must cover third party costs and possible theft or theft of the vehicle.

Currency in Greece

Greece is part of the European Union, so the official currency here is the euro. One euro is equal to 100 cents (or eurocents, as many people call them). Before exchanging money in Greece for other currencies, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the current state of affairs.

Greek beaches

Balos is considered one of the best Greek beaches. It is located on the island of Crete, in a bay surrounded by mountains. There is no infrastructure, in general, Balos is a wild beach, although you can find sun loungers here. It is better to buy food and drink in advance.

The graceful beach is located on the coast of the island of Ios, washed by the Aegean Sea. This place is perfectly protected from the effects of winds, so there are no high waves. Clear water, golden sand and picturesque views of Manganari Beach attract a large number of tourists here.

The sand of Elafonisi Beach has a pinkish tint and the water is crystal clear. The bizarre color of the sand is given by sea shells, shells and corals broken into crumbs. The shade of local sand becomes even more pronounced under water, near and far from the coast. Elafonisi beach has a developed infrastructure, there are sun loungers, taverns, beach bars and many options for outdoor activities - windsurfing, diving and much more.

Sani Beach is located on the peninsula of Halkidiki and is included in the list of the best Greek beaches. The coast, covered with golden sand, is washed by the warm Aegean Sea and is surrounded by bright greenery. On one side, Sani Beach is surrounded by a local ecological reserve.

The beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, there are restaurants and bars, as well as clubs. For fans of outdoor activities there is the possibility of diving and other water sports. The local hotel complex offers visitors a wide range of services.

This crescent-shaped beach is located on the Greek island of Mykonos. The name of the island is translated as "paradise", but this place is not the best option for a family vacation. The cost of rest here is high compared to other resorts in Greece. At night, the coast becomes a place for dancing, so there are always a lot of young tourists here.

Entertainment in Greece

Windsurfing. The Athens Surf Nissalia club allows tourists to surf and kite surf (it is possible to train beginner surfers, rent equipment). The club is located 25 kilometers from Athens. In addition, on the island of Rhodes there is a Windsurfers’ world kitesurfing station, where both beginners and professionals can practice;

Water parks and aquariums. In the aquarium, located in the northern part of Rhodes, there are sea turtles, clams, octopuses and corals. Crete is home to the Water City Water Park, which has 34 water activities and special tropical drinks. The Waterland water park in Thessaloniki welcomes guests of all ages. There are wave and hydromassage pools, slides for rafting, as well as children's and adult pools.

Sights of Greece

Greece, whose sights are numerous and varied, every day attracts an increasing number of tourists, including those who did not manage to see all the antiquities and rarities on their first visit. The most recommended places to visit include the following important cultural and historical sights:

Athens Acropolis. Perhaps the most famous attraction in Greece and the main architectural monument of Athens. At one time, the Acropolis was erected by the best architects and sculptors, and over the centuries this building has not lost its grandeur. In the center of the Acropolis is the Parthenon temple and several other monuments.

Asklepion. The temple is located on the island of Kos. In ancient times, the Greeks called hospitals and temples asclepieions, because they were created in honor of a god named Asclepius. People came here for healing in the evenings and fell asleep in order to analyze dreams in the morning and prescribe a suitable treatment. It is believed that classes of Hippocrates were held here in the past;

Acropolis in Lindos. Its age is more than 3 thousand years, it is considered the second largest after the Acropolis in Athens. Here are the ruins of the temple of the god Apollo and the stadium, where at one time the Greeks held various ancient games, as well as mass tournaments;

White Tower in Thessaloniki. The Greeks call it Cooli Blanca. It is located on the boulevard near the seashore. The modern building appeared on the site of the old Byzantine fortification;

Mount Olympus. A place known to children and adults all over the world. Here, according to legend, the ancient Greek gods lived. Olympus is located near the Halkidiki peninsula;

Castle of the Knights of St. John. Once the island of Kos was ruled by the Knights of the Order of St. John. For two centuries, the indestructible fortress of Neratzia was built to protect against enemy invaders;

Labyrinth of the Minotaur. According to the legend, King Minos ordered to build a palace with an incredibly complex system of internal passages. Soon the king sent the Minotaur there - a monster with a bull's head and a human body, to which instead of food every seven years he brought 14 youths. Theseus saved people from the monster with the help of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, who gave the young handsome man a magic thread. The ruins of the palace are located 5 kilometers from Heraklion;

The sunken city of Olus. It is considered the "pearl" of the island of Crete. The legendary city is located at the bottom of the Poros Canal. Olus used to be an important merchandise export center and had its own currency. The city is not in guidebooks and sightseeing routes, and there are no road signs to it, not every local resident knows the way to it. It is better for tourists to plan the path here clearly and in advance.

You can read more about the sights of Greece here //www.site/countries/greece_showpl/

Greece Hotels

In Greece there are hotels and hotels of any level, they can be found on the islands and the mainland. There is both a “star” (1-5*) and a “literal” classification of levels, starting from E (analogue of 1-2*, “without category”) and ending with L (analogue of 5*, “luxury”). Often the service of a class E hotel is much better than the service in hotels and class C hotels (equivalent to 3 *).

IMPORTANT: There are both large private (Hilton) and Greek chain (Louis and Chandris) hotels. The price of settling in such establishments starts from 150-200 euros to 700 or more euros.

Boarding houses

Pensions are a place where it is easy to feel the Greek good nature and hospitality. In the city, tourists are offered rooms and apartments with 2-3 beds and a shower, in the suburbs - houses with 4 beds and all amenities. Prices vary from 40 to 60 euros per night, there are discounts. In big cities and large hotels, class C (3 *) accommodation costs 60-100 euros, class B (4 *) - 75-120 euros or more (depending on the location of the institution).

Is it worth vacationing in Greece?

Many tourists and tourism professionals are very fond of Greece, but it cannot be said that there are only advantages in resting there - this country also has some disadvantages.

Very interesting sights;

Pleasant beach holiday;

Proximity to the European part of the country - Thailand, for example, cannot boast of this;

Closer culture to Russia;

Rest turns out to be quite budgetary;

It is good to have a rest with children;

There are opportunities for shopping, including buying a fur coat;

Very tasty cuisine.

In the high season, popular resorts have a huge number of tourists;

The beach season is not so long, it will not work to rush “from winter to summer”;

Greece is located in a seismically active zone, so if you are afraid of earthquakes, you should not go there;

There is a language barrier, many Greeks do not even speak English, and there are often no signs in this language;

Some are not satisfied with the level of service in hotels, as well as the fact that they rarely have an all-inclusive system;

Prices may be higher than on some budget destinations.

IMPORTANT: In general, we can say that Greece is a great place for a varied holiday in the summer. Especially lovers of ancient culture will like it here. And if you are not interested in a beach holiday, then a trip to the country at the end of autumn would be an excellent option, when the weather is still good and there are few tourists.

Before going on vacation, many tourists are interested in how much pocket money to take. Moreover, the all-inclusive system in Greek resorts is not very popular.

It is difficult to give a definite answer to this question, because the final amount depends on many factors:

• whether major purchases are planned (leather, gold, furs, electronics)
• what excursions would you like to visit?
• what type of accommodation the hotel offers (breakfast only, half board or all inclusive).

National currency Greece - the euro, so it makes no sense to take money in dollars or rubles with you. Of course, in tourist areas there are exchange offices, and banks provide a currency exchange service, but doing this is extremely unprofitable. As well as withdrawing cash from ATMs using a debit or credit card. Extortionate bank and service interest on both sides pays off only with the security of the withdrawal large sums. It is better to purchase the required amount in euros before leaving.

Excursions

The history and culture of Greece cannot leave indifferent even people who are far from ancient art. Therefore, the lion's share of expenses inevitably goes to excursions, and the mainland is the richest in sights. The recently popular Greek islands (Corfu, Euboea, Thassos, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos), although they boast the ruins of ancient cities, are more suitable exclusively for a relaxing beach holiday. Of course, you can organize a trip to Athens, Delphi or Meteora from here, but the prices for excursions will be much higher.

Average cost of excursions

• Sightseeing tour of Athens - 45-110 €, depending on the proximity of the resort to the capital. The first price is given from the Athenian Riviera, the second - from the Chalkidiki peninsula.
• Olympus - Dion - Vergina - 40-65 €
• Rock monasteries in Meteora - 75 (Chalkidiki) -120 € (Athens Riviera)
• Any boat trip - 35-50 €

So if you plan to visit 2-3 excursions in Greece, budget 150-200 Euro per person.

Car rental

Some tourists do not trust tour operators and prefer to travel around Greece on their own, armed with a map and renting a car. I must admit that this is a rather interesting and in many ways profitable way to get to know the culture of the country. The cost of car rental on the mainland and the islands is approximately the same, although the price fluctuates throughout the season. There is a general rule here - the earlier the car is booked, the lower the price. Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, you can order and pay for car rental in advance using the Internet.

For example, a weekly car rental like Toyota Aygo or Chevrolet Matiz (the most inexpensive category) in Crete costs about 230 € in mid-July (reservation on the spot upon arrival). For the same period, but when ordered 2 weeks before arrival, a car will cost 200 € and will cost only 145 € if booked early in early May. It is cheapest to rent a car in Athens - on average, it will cost only 120-130 € per week.

Entertainment

A bite to eat at a local diner with a chicken or meat dish costs 10-12 € per person. Lunch at McDonald's or Burger King will cost only 6-7 €. If we are talking about a three-course dinner in some fashionable restaurant on the seashore, then the prices here will be completely different - from 30 € plus drinks. As elsewhere, the cost of alcoholic and soft drinks in restaurants and cafes is slightly overpriced. Local beer (bottle 0.5 l) costs about 4 €, imported (bottle 0.33 l) - 4.50 €, a bottle of good wine - 12-20 €.

shopping

Many women take the opportunity to visit Greece to indulge in a new fur outfit. To buy a fur coat, it is better to go to the city of Kastoria, where the best factories and shops selling leather and fur products are located. The price of fur coats depends on the length, type of fur and the number of skins. A short coat made of seals, for example, costs about 1000-1200 €, but a one-piece mink coat to the floor is much more expensive - 2500 € and more.

But not only fur coats are brought by tourists from Greece. Gorgeous ceramics, olive oil and soap, handmade jewelry and bijouterie, fabrics and traditional items - this is an incomplete list of unique Greek goods and souvenirs that you can buy as a memory of a wonderful holiday.

Calculate the travel budget

Generally, minimum size"pocket" money for a trip to Greece ranges from 350-400 € per person, again, it all depends on the category of the hotel and the type of accommodation. The amount of 600-700 € per person will allow you to practically not deny yourself anything and even leave a little for Greek duty free. Large purchases require serious sums, so it is better for men to have an extra thousand or two euros with them in order to please their lady with a fur or gold surprise.

Greece currently uses the euro. Prior to this, the currency was the drachma. In general, this monetary unit has an ancient history. Its origin dates back to ancient times. The drachma was first mentioned in the fifth century BC. It is the oldest currency in the world. In addition, it is also the most durable.

What was the currency before the euro

The currency of Greece is the euro, but before that there was a drachma, which appeared in the fifth century BC. Why did the coin get this name? In ancient days, instead of paper money, twigs made of silver and gold were used, having four corners. They were also called "obols". Six pieces were called "drachma". From the Greek language, this word means "palm" or "handful". The coin was the mite.

Money in Greece of that period was called as drachma. The same name has survived to this day. It originates from the Hellenic period. Most of these were silver coins. All cities had their own name for the drachma, for example, the Babylonian or Phoenician drachma.

ancient drachma

Until 2001, there was just such a currency in the territory. From time to time throughout the history of the country, its name changed depending on under whose yoke the state was. In 2001, new money appeared.

The monetary unit of Greece has undergone many modifications throughout its history. On the front side was the face value, all the inscriptions were written in Greek. The color scheme was different, as the masters in antiquity managed to combine different shades together.

In the fifth century, the coins bore the profile of the goddess Athena and an owl. Starting from 1204, a cross appeared on the money. In 1833, the silver drachma came into use. New coins appeared during the Second World War. One unit of such money could be bought for 50 billion old ones. Inflation continued until 1954. Then one new coin could be bought for 1000 old ones. The paper drachma appeared in the 19th century.

The government made this decision because minting money from gold and silver has become an expensive pleasure, and it has become more difficult to get precious metals.

Until January 2001, banknotes were valid from 50 to 10,000 drachmas. The largest denomination on itself carried a portrait of George Papanicolaou, who was a famous Greek scientist.

200 drachmas paper bill

What money do tourists need in 2018

The currency used here is the euro. After all, this country has been part of the European Union for a long time. Although it is possible to come with dollars, experienced tourists still say that it is better not to do this.

If a tourist decides to pay in a hotel, bar or on the beach with a dollar bill, they will, to put it mildly, not be understood. The maintenance staff will look at this money as fake. They will have a question: is it money at all or some kind of rally.

If a person is going to go to Europe, but he has dollars or rubles in his hands, then it is better to buy national money at home. This is more profitable, and they will not look at the bills with surprise.

If there is a bank card, then it will be a salvation for the tourist. You can take either a credit or a debit card:

• There are many ATMs throughout the country, so there are no difficulties with cashing out the card;
• Almost every store and outlet in Greece accepts cashless payments by card.

It is impossible to find out about the favorable exchange rate in the store when paying with a card in advance. For this reason, it is better to travel to the country with local money, as this is the payment currency of the country. Therefore, it is better to pay with such banknotes.

What money goes in Greece? These are euro banknotes with denominations from 5 to 500 units. Coins are presented from one to 50 cents, also 1 and 2 euros. You can withdraw money from cards at ATMs. The tariff for the country is the same, by the way, it is valid throughout the European Union.

Banks start working at 8 am and end at half past two in the afternoon. You can exchange dollars anywhere. The commission will be 2 percent.

10 euro note

It is better to have small change coins and banknotes available so that you can get change for the purchased goods.

Additional Information! Banknotes of 100 and 200 euros are most often counterfeited, so it is better to use 10 or 50 euros.

It is best to pay by card, then there will never be any problems with taking change. But if a tourist decides to walk through small souvenir shops, then he will not wait for change there, as the sellers rely on the fact that he simply does not need it.

Given all these nuances, it is worth noting that it is better to have small bills with you when traveling to Greece in order to avoid counterfeit banknotes. It is also recommended to pay everywhere with a card so as not to leave legal change to the seller.

How to exchange money in Greece

Can I pay with US dollars in Greece? This question can immediately be answered with no. US dollars are not recognized in the EU. Therefore, a tourist with that kind of money will simply be looked at as a clown. And this is at best, at worst they will call the police to deal with those who do not want to pay the bill.

Do dollars or euros work in Greece? Since the country belongs to the European Union, euros go here, so it is better to have this particular currency with you. Concerning Russian rubles, then they are not needed here at all. Not only are they considered non-convertible currencies, but they cannot be exchanged even at the most unfavorable rate.

It is better for visitors from Russia to have euros with them. As a backup, you can take bank card both credit and debit.

The introduction of the euro turned the politics of the whole country upside down. The national currency could no longer be called a drachma. Now euros are circulating around the country in denominations from 5 to 500.

Important! It is more difficult to change the dollar for the euro than in Russia, so it is better for tourists to come with the national currency of the European Union.

Each country that signed an agreement to join the European Union had to accept the arrival of new money. For this reason, now every tourist is obliged to pay with euro banknotes.

The ruble is not in use in Greece. Even in the early days, he was not very welcome, now no one needs him here at all.

Banknote denomination of 50

On the territory of Greece, there is a local institution Euroexchange, which was established back in 1993. Here you can exchange up to 50 world currencies. The rate is more profitable than in other exchangers of the country. Although the institution is not banking, the Bank of Greece controls its work.

There are 28 branches throughout the country. These are the following cities:

• Athens;
• Thessaloniki;
• Piraeus;
• Rhodes;
• Mykonos;
• Santorini;
• Spit.

And also at the Eleftherios Venizelos airfield.

Since the organization has always regularly fulfilled its obligations to the citizens and guests of Greece, it has earned the respect and trust of more than one person. Now visitors and locals turn to this institution for the issue of exchange.

Important! For the exchange, you need to provide a passport.

Each major city, as well as the center of tourist congestion, is equipped with an exchange office, which has a sign "Exchange". Currency exchange points work every day, even on weekends. If there is a need to change money, you can also in hotels, as well as at the airport or seaport, here exchange offices work around the clock. Change is given only in the currency of the country.

This means that a person should have banknotes of different denominations. The bank has a commission of two percent of the amount.

If a tourist decides to leave the local currency in Greece, then it will be more difficult to exchange money in the opposite direction. After all, the bank can give out no more than one hundred dollars.

If there is a desire to use the bank for currency exchange, then it is open from 8 am to two in the afternoon from Monday to Thursday, or from 8 am to half past one on Friday. The bank is closed on Saturday and Sunday. It is best to use credit cards.

Experienced tourists report that although crime in the country is quite rare on the part of local residents, since you can leave any thing, it will not be taken by anyone. The owner can always return and take it from where he put it. As for foreigners, cases of thefts on their part have become frequent.

This means that it is better to store valuables in a hotel safe and be careful with your belongings, especially in places with a large concentration of foreigners. For example, in a market or a large shopping center.

Places where people gather

In the exchanger, deception is minimal, but it is possible that an inexperienced tourist will be given counterfeit banknote. Usually these are banknotes in denominations of 100 or 200 euros. To avoid this, it is better to receive banknotes in smaller denominations.

Considering that the doors in hotel rooms are unreliable (due to the heat, as well as the lack of wood, they are made of plastic), you should not leave valuables in the room.

They can even cheat in a cafe when they offer to try some delicious dish or drink, and then include it in the bill. And it usually turns out that it is very expensive. Therefore, you need to clarify in advance whether this is a gift or you will need to pay for it.

Important! It is better to pay in cash, especially if the card is carried away from the eyes.

In the end, it is worth noting that it is better to take euros on a trip. Also, a tourist should be careful in crowded places of foreigners, as thefts are possible. Pay in cafes in cash, in shops with a card.