Greece has one of the richest and most fascinating histories of any country in the world. Coupled with the gorgeous natural landscape, this makes it one of the most sought after vacation destinations in the world. If you are going to be visiting Greece, you have a number of different places you can visit and things you can do. Spend some time at the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Visit Meteora, the Parthenon, and the Delphi Ruins. The kids might want to visit Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Center. There is something for everyone in the family.
Renting a car in Greece
If you come from the United States, you will need to have your original driver’s license, as well as an international driving permit to drive in the country. The minimum driving age in Greece is 18 years old. The vehicle needs to have a fire extinguisher, a warning triangle, and a first aid kit. Talk with the rental car agency to make sure your rental has these items. Get the contact numbers for the agency so you have them on hand just in case you need to get in touch with them.
Road conditions and safety
The roads in Greece vary greatly when it comes to their quality, as well as their width, so you have to pay attention at all times. Some of the roads in the larger cities are in fantastic condition and have no potholes or other issues. There are large highways with multiple lanes, as well as very narrow roads that lead to villages. Some of the rural roads are in poor condition and are rough to drive on. There are a number of mountains in the country, and the roads can be curvy.
Most of the main road signs are in Greek as well as in English. However, when you head to some of the smaller villages in Greece, they will only have signs in Greek.
The drivers in Greece abide by the traffic laws for the most part. There may be some drivers that do not signal and that do not stop at traffic lights though, so you always want to drive defensively. When you drive, you will be on the right side of the road, and you will overtake on the left, except where there is a double solid line. Give way to vehicles coming from the right.
Tolls
There are several roads with tolls in Greece. The following are some of the common roads and their cost in Euros.
- Thessaloniki to Katerini – 1.20 Euros
- Afidnes to Athens – 3.30 Euros
- Larisa to Lamia – 7.50 Euros
- Athens to Tripoli – 8.80 Euros
The speed limits
It is important to follow the speed limits when you are in Greece. The following are the typical speed limits for different areas.
- Expressways – 130 km/h for passenger cars, 100 km/h for passenger cars with a trailer and 85 km/h for trucks greater than 3.5 tons
- Outside cities – 110 km/h
- Urban areas – 50 km/h
Having a rental car will make it much easier to get around Greece. It is a convenient and comfortable way to experience the country while you are on vacation.
