Generally, restaurants will refuse to do tap water in Greece (like the majority of Europe) because they make a mint from selling bottled. Prices aren't different depending where you sit. Bread is hit and miss, sometimes it's free but sometimes there's a surcharge advertised on the menu.
You get bread and it is on the bill. Period. You also get a carafe of water which is normally tap water which is fine, especially in Athens. But some restaurants may try to pull a fast one and bring you bottled spring water which you have to pay for.
In Athens and most places across mainland Greece, the tap water is perfectly safe to drink. In harbor towns and the Greek Islands, however, it is generally better to drink bottled water, which is readily available and very cheap.
Water -- The public drinking water in Greece is safe to drink, although it can be slightly brackish in some locales near the sea. For that reason, many people prefer the bottled water available at restaurants, hotels, cafes, food stores, and kiosks.
Bottled water is very cheap in Greece. It varies greatly depending where you are. I always drink tap water here, but not on some of the islands. Always fine for cleaning teeth etc though!
Essentials to pack for the Greek Islands
Day bag – Bring a lightweight backpack or cross-body bag to hold all your daily essentials and souvenirs. Reusable water bottle – This will help you save money and plastic waste, plus keep you hydrated. Sun protection – Including a hat, sunglasses and high SPF sunscreen.
Prices for monthly utilities do not seem high as in the rest of the European countries. Water, electricity, rubbish management, cooling, and heating in Greece cost $219.37 per month on average.
Brushing your teeth with tap water in Greece is absolutely fine. However, if you want to be 100% certain that the water you are using is ok, use bottled water instead.
There is not a strong tradition of tipping in Greece, particularly among the locals, but it's become expected that tourists leave a small tip while travelling through the country. In restaurants it's common to leave a cash tip for whoever is looking after you – 10–15 per cent is standard.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Greece – it is not unsafe.
Towel ✔ Many hotels in Greece do not supply beach towels. You will find them for sale everywhere but the quality is often poor. Pack a small quick-dry towel for use at the beach as well as at waterfalls, on boat trips and for exercise too.
Do You Pay for Public Bathrooms in Greece? Public restrooms in Greece cost money (around 50 cents). Most restrooms are fairly clean, but many of the toilets don't have seats so you'll need to squat over them. To be safe, I recommend carrying around some hand sanitizer in case the bathroom you visit doesn't have soap!
In most places throughout Greece you can't put toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, you must put your toilet paper in the bin beside the loo. So long as the bins are tightly closed and emptied daily, the health risks are minimal to anyone who uses this method.
Do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. It is polite to offer the host your help in preparing and cleaning up the meal. That being said, do not expect your gesture to be accepted unless you insist.
Greek cuisine and restaurants are usually straightforward and still largely affordable – typically €12–20 per person for a substantial meal with house wine. Even when preparation is basic, raw materials are usually wholesome and fresh.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Greece? Tipping in taxis isn't expected or required, but if you want to do so, you can round up to the nearest Euro and tell the driver you don't want the change. The maximum tip in a taxi is 5-10% of the final fare amount.
Tipping in Greece (and Europe as a whole) is very different from tipping in say, the United States or Canada. For the most part, tips are not expected here and they definitely are not compulsory.
Bathing suits are for the beach only. Never leave the beach without covering up. Also, it is considered quite rude to go barefoot on the beach. And while there are some nude beaches in Greece they are few and far between.
A lot of people visiting the country wonder if they can drink tap water in Greece. The tap water is not potable throughout the country. Although it is perfectly safe to drink water from the tap in Athens and Thessaloniki it is better to ask in all the other places or even better buy bottled water which is fairly cheap.
Santorini really has no sources of natural drinking water. While a couple of new sea water desalination plants have been able to supply the main cities with clean water, many households still rely on collecting the winter rain fall in large tanks that sit on top of many houses.
Major tourist areas in Greece, like Athens and Thessaloniki, are mostly cash-free and will accept credit and debit cards and contactless payments. Plastic money is widely accepted in Greece, and the exchange rates are rather favorable.
Lunch and beverages
Gyros (typical Greek dish of cooked meat): € 2 ( US$ 2.10) or € 3 ( US$ 3.20). Main dish at a normally-priced restaurant: € 8 ( US$ 8.60) - € 13 ( US$ 14). Desserts: € 3.50 ( US$ 3.80) - € 5 ( US$ 5.40). Dinner for two in a restaurant: € 40 ( US$ 42.90) (without wine).