10 Things NOT to do in Athens | Greece Travel

[@kloatlanta]

I need to plan my 2024 visit! Congrats on 10k!

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you!!

[@gianni1632]

You are spot on on all of your tips. We just spent 2 months scouting for a place and were told that even newer buildings cannot handle T.P. due to city infrastructure. Just double check with the owners to make sure.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Very few of the new places do. I always air on the side of caution when it comes to the toilet paper in Greece.

[@clapiotis]

Tipping is not really a part of Greek culture. You can leave a euro or 2 and only if you are satisfied. No pressure. 10% tip does not exist in Greece (this is not the US).

[@k.johnson1256]

Great, great tips! I was thinking another good one might be "don't assume you are on a pedestrian only street just because it's tiny and a lot of other people are walking in the street." Whenever we are driving in the Plaka I feel like we are constantly in danger of running over tourists who just step out into the street without looking around or behind them at all. 🙈

[@agirlandherpassport]

Very good advice. But also, be more aware when walking here in general. Some tourists treat it like Disneyland and think they can go wherever, whenever.

[@andrzejkorytkowski8151]

Fully agree - flexibility is a key thing to feel the place, any place. Especially in Greece "siga siga" attitude and you will love it!

[@agirlandherpassport]

Exactly!

[@andrzejkorytkowski8151]

@@agirlandherpassport this also refers to waiting for the coffee at a table or waiting for food in a taverna - just relax, watch people, listen to the music played, enjoy the moment. Athens is one of the most touristy cities in the world so sometimes it may take some time to wait.

[@agirlandherpassport]

@andrzejkorytkowski8151 People watching is one of my favorite things to do here.

[@andrzejkorytkowski8151]

@@agirlandherpassport we share the same hobby Tiffany:)

[@sled7782]

Tiffany, your don’t are certainly appreciated. Most are common sense but I did learn a thing or two. You Rock!

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thanks!

[@Jinxguy1000]

I’m sitting in the airport while posting this. Driving is crazy. Mopeds everywhere and taxis galore. Don’t drive here. Also the sidewalks are very smooth and you can easily trip. Also when you buy a metro ticket you have 90 minutes I think. Keep it until you get to your destination. When coming back to the airport, you’ll probably have to get off 4 or so stops before. Just look for the next airport train. There’s a west AND south entrance to the acropolis

[@agirlandherpassport]

You can also wait for the airport train anywhere on the blue line or get off and get back on.

[@hankdickson8308]

Also hotels will offer you a more authentic cultural experience

[@agirlandherpassport]

You will get the full Greek hospitality experience that way. It’s not that airbnb hosts don’t try but it’s not their primary business.

[@k.johnson1256]

I agree, and they always take such good care of you- helping you print tickets, calling a doctor, all kinds of things.

[@agirlandherpassport]

@@k.johnson1256 Calling taxis, making dinner reservations, etc. Printing things is a big one.

[@billmeret]

Good video thank you. I always rent a car because I my condo is in the suburbs ( Nea Ionia ). You need an international drivers license if you are going to rent I never take my car downtown unless it's before 8:30 AM. Parking can be difficult. In the evenings.We use a taxi. If you do drive, it's like driving in a busy shopping mall parking lot at Christmas time. Everything is coming out of everywhere.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Not all countries need an international drivers license. The rule changed a few years ago.

[@maniatisastrong]

One caveat about tipping: Ask if the wait staff gets to keep their tips or if they have to give/split them with owners/management.

[@TheGlitterGlobe]

You covered it all beautifully. The only thing I can think to add is please don't loudly/publicly complain about the differences between your culture and the one you're visiting. It's rude and just because it's different or weird to you, remember, it's normal there. Even the TP.

[@agirlandherpassport]

YES!! I hear this a lot and it is so embarrassing. You came to see what was different right? Also, different doesn't make it bad.

[@tedn6855]

I have to strongly disagree. Tipping is not part of greek culture. You can leave a euro or 2 but not 10% . This is americanism which doesn't belong in greece.

[@jjjddd231]

Tipping has been commonplace in Greece since at least 1950 when my father worked in a taverna in Florina. The waiting staff rely on the tips to make a living.

[@BillDrives]

You are correct. Some places already include service charges to your bill in lieu of tipping. But they will ask for tips when you go to pay. Talk to the locals and they will tell you where and when you tip. Not all places are the same. Good work.

[@tedn6855]

@@BillDrives I have never experienced anyone asking for tips this is bs

[@tedn6855]

@jjjddd231 this is ridiculous have you visited greece or are you a greek american who has never been. It is not common.

[@jjjddd231]

@@tedn6855 You're the one with the ridiculous comment and I am Greek. Tipping in Greece is commonplace and has been so for decades.

[@JimmyTheGreek2000]

Good advice, in particular the car rental in Athens, No needed, expensive to park inside, hard to find parking spaces outside! Driving around is not so easy ! Take the Metro, it has AC in the summer mounths Visiting the churches with a tank-top is not respectful and is NOT something particular to Greece, it is like that the world over ! SHOW SOME RESPECT !

[@tyxeri48]

Tipping is not compulsory. I, personally, leave some change on the table or round the bill up, if I am satisfied with the service in the restaurant or cafe and if I am touched by the kindness of the waiters or waitresses. This may be less or more than 10% depending on where I am and what the services are. Generally, though, I am not concerned about tips.

[@janetf3377]

My shoulders really burn 🔥 when the sun is strong. I would say for me, don’t wear tank tops.

[@agirlandherpassport]

The sun can be intense here in the summer!

[@Pardesiraja786]

Very very nice ❤. Saif Raja from Athens Greece 🎉 stay blessed.

[@bobfotoples6950]

I know you have a schedule to keep for your subscribers, but your voice needs some rest! Take care of you first! The people who visit your channel will understand.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you! I appreciate that. It’s better now. It was my asthma inhaler causing me to be hoarse.

[@shaulkirsch1263]

🙏😊

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thanks!

[@bethmoseley1244]

Ladies! Do not buy a Greek toga dress, climb around the Acropolis or the Parthenon to have your photo taken. So tacky and disrespectful.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Have you seen this? I don't go up there often and have never seen it, but I would believe it.

[@jimmyj1969]

People DO flush toilet paper in their houses in Athens. The whole thing about "don't flush..." in restaurants or hotels is ment to discourage people who stuff a ton of paper in the toilet, breaking it - that's my guess, anyway...

[@agirlandherpassport]

I don’t know many people who do flush in their houses. My toilet definitely is not capable.

[@AB-jz9ns]

@@agirlandherpassportI have to agree with the other poster on this one. As a Greek born and raised in Athens now living in the US I have never heard anyone living in Greece not flushing paper down the toilet. There isn’t anything special or inferior about Greek toilets. You will find the same systems everywhere in Europe. Yes it’s true in small islands where they use septic tanks and due to large population of visitors in the summers they are asking to not throw paper down so they don’t have any backup issues but not in any cities. The fact that toilet tanks seem to flush using less water pressure than in the US doesn’t mean they aren’t capable.

[@goodrich06]

​@@agirlandherpassport😮

[@optimistalways5526]

Thank you great informations

[@canadianloon6433]

The 1st and most important not to do in Athens is to not be Stupid and go there. I got scammed like crazy. It's a giant toilet.

[@hankdickson8308]

As part of my vacation research to anywhere , I watch many videos on KZbin. Always with a pad and pen to take notes. Unlike many other “influencers” , you do your research ! As an example, some will say “I had this sandwich filled with some kind of shredded meat with a white sauce” or “I had these little fried dough balls with honey and nuts”. It almost seems like anything they encounter is a surprise! Almost like they did not research ahead of time. Your videos really helped me plan and be prepared for my Greece trip last year.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you so much! I try not to share things that I haven't experienced or done myself.

[@nick63837]

All you said is spot on!! 😊Listen to Girl and her passport!!You can not go wrong!!Yes greek drivers are savage beasts!Have you realised how they stop on top of pedestrian crossings instead of behind the barrier line? That used to make me mad!

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you!!!!

[@TestLearner]

Love your tips. We have booked for dinner at MS Rooftop mostly for the view at sunset. Could you suggest a better place? THanks!

[@muddywaters538]

All your tips were correct and valuable. I love going to church in Greece. Years ago when I was in my 20's, my family had a home in Thessaloniki. I remember being in Greece one summer and my mother forbid me to go to church without hosiery on, and were talking summer heat. Things have changed a bit 😊

[@agirlandherpassport]

I’m sure there are still some churches like this.

[@muddywaters538]

@@agirlandherpassportand mothers' too 😅

[@agirlandherpassport]

Haha!

[@Pardesiraja786]

Really great sharing 🎉

[@BillDrives]

I refuse to tip when the restaurant waiter asks me to tip before I have paid. Tipping should be at my discretion. Be mindful in tourist areas service charges may already be applied to the bill, so tipping is not compulsory.

[@joet52632001]

I have never ever had a Greek server expect or ask me for a tip.

[@BillDrives]

​@@joet52632001 The first one was O Thanasis, the waiter stopped me from paying at the cashier. After I returned to my table he then approached the table, and sweet talked me as to what a nice guy I am, and then said "are you going to leave something for the boys?" to which I replied "NO", He didn't say anything I paid the bill and we parted ways. The second within the same week, I was in Nafplio, I went inside to pay for my bill. I scanned the card and paid, and as I was leaving the cashier said "can you leave a tip" to which I replied "No". I then went to my family friend who owns a hotel around the corner, and told me they already charged you a service fee which IS the tip. You do not need to pay extra. The first was a taverna style, and the second was a coffee shop where I ate breakfast. I refuse to leave a tip unless the service reaches something beyond my expectation.

[@cynthiakritika5047]

Usually on the islands I’ll stay in a hotel but in Athens I like the Airbnb’s. Plaka/Monastiraki usually. I’ve lucked out so far! 🤞😁 You still sound sick! Hope you’re better soon.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Yes, but you have been here many times. I am better now, thanks! I was still sick when I filmed this.

[@cynthiakritika5047]

@@agirlandherpassport Oh good. Glad you’re better now. I’ll be in Greece again in sixteen days! Not that I’m counting or anything lol

[@agirlandherpassport]

@cynthiakritika5047 That’s exciting. I don’t blame you for counting the days.

[@marylennon1524]

Agreed about Airbnbs! There are so many great hotels here including lovely boutique hotels. Airbnbs are a crap shoot

[@agirlandherpassport]

I also don’t want to clean on my vacation. Haha!