Greece is a country in Europe. Its capital is Athens, which has a total area of 130,395 square kilometers. It is the southernmost country in the European Union, borders Albania to the southwest, North Macedonia to the northwest, Bulgaria to the northeast, Turkey to the east, and Romania to its northeast. Travel to Greece from Canada means exploring ancient Europe with the most beautiful historic sites, mesmerizing beaches, and incredibly delicious cuisine.
Greece has many beautiful places that are worth visiting. There are over 1,000 islands that make up Greece’s coastline. The islands are dotted with white and blue beaches perfect for swimming or sunbathing. The Greek culture is also worth exploring as it has been around for thousands of years and remains relevant today.
The Greek culture has a rich history and is one of the oldest civilizations. It has a lot to offer to travelers. From the breathtaking landscapes, ancient monuments, and delicious food, Greece has everything you need for an unforgettable trip.
The article below covers everything you need to travel to Greece from Canada whether it’s your first time or not.
History of Greece
Greece is one of the oldest civilizations in Europe. It has a rich and diverse history, which spans over 3,000 years.
Geeks are called Hellenes (locally) and Greece – Hellas. Our term “Greece”, derived from their Roman conquerors, is the Greek word for them. The eighth century BC saw the colonization of Greek-speakers across the Mediterranean. They were spread from Turkey to North Africa and Spain to the Black Sea.
The first settlement of Greece was around 7500 BC. The Mycenaeans founded many cities and developed their own unique culture.
The fifth century BC was when Classical Greeks formed their own independent citizen states (known by polis, which is how we get our word “political”), such as Athens and Sparta.Each polis had their own laws, language, currency, and government.
In the second century BC, the land-mass of Hellas was included in the Roman empire. While the poleis and leagues continued to operate independently, they were now under close Roman oversight. However, the Greek language spread across the Mediterranean. It was probably heard more often in Rome than Latin that Greek. Romans embraced Greek culture, including literature, history and philosophy.
It was evident that the Roman Empire was growing too large to be controlled centrally by the fourth century AD. Constantine, the Roman emperor, split the empire in 324. The eastern half, which was centered on Greek Byzantium and renamed Constantinople, is now Istanbul. Constantinople, which was renamed the Byzantine Empire, became the new centre for the Roman empire after the Western Roman empire fell to the Germanic invasions of the fifth century.
The fall of the western empire caused some turmoil in the east. However, the Byzantines slowly regained control over Greece and were eventually defeated by the Frankish crusaders in 1204. Although the Franks broke up Greece, they were defeated by Serbs, Albanians, Turks, and fought against each other. Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman branch, a group of Turkish invaders. They had been occupying the territories of the Byzantine empire and were attempting to retake them. For nearly 400 years, Greece was under Ottoman rule.
Had Greece remained under Turkish control traveling to Greece from Canada would not be as easy as it is today. The empire was economically in decline by the turn of the 19th century. It was only on 25 March 1821 that Greece declared independence.
What to see when travelling to Greece from Canada
Greece is a country that has a lot of must-see attractions for tourists. Some of the most popular and note-worthy attractions in Greece for Canadians are:
Acropolis (Athens)- Ancient Olympia (Olympia)
- Ancient Epidaurus (Epidaurus)
- Amorgos Island 5. Delphi (Delphi)
- Mycenae (Mycenae)
- Monemvasia Island
- Nafplio (Nafplio)
- Pylos Palace Ruins
- Santorini Island
- Thessaloniki
- Volos
- Meteora
- Mount Olympus
- Athens
- Patrai
- Thessalon
Acropolis (Athens)The Acropolis Exists – It’s Not Just a Myth!
The acropolis exists; it’s not just a myth! The Acropolis of Athens is a world-famous ancient Greek structure that served as the high point of the citadel of Athens. It is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been described as “the perfect example of monumental architecture ever created.”
The Acropolis is located on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the city and was built by the Athenians in the early 5th century BC. It was designed with two primary elements, an area for worship and secular use.
Where should you eat when travelling to Greece from Canada
The best place to eat in Athens is a controversial topic. Some people say that the best place to eat in Athens is a local fish restaurant, while others say it’s better to eat at one of the many trendy restaurants.
The point of this article is not to tell you what the best places are, but rather to give you an idea of where they are located. This will allow you to plan your next trip and find out where you can get the best food without spending too much time looking for it.
The top three places with good seafood are:
- Kapsalis Seafood Restaurant – Kapsalis Square
- Zorbas – Monastiraki Square
- Taranaki
Where to Stay in Greece?
The best way to find hotels in Greece is by using a travel website like TripAdvisor.
When finding the perfect hotel for your trip, you have to do your research first. You can check out reviews and ratings online or ask friends and family about their experiences with a particular hotel.
There are many different types of hotels in Greece that suit any budget or taste. Some of the most popular locations are Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros Island, and more!
Can you travel to Greece from Canada right now?
Greece is open to international travel and Canadians do not need to apply for a visa to visit Greece. However, from 2025 all Canadians will need to apply for ETIAS visa waiver before traveling to Europe.
Even though Greece was in a lock down during the Covid-19 outbreak now all commercial flights operate without any interruptions. But, the situation in Greece in terms of Covid-19 infection is still critical. A new wave of the infections is covering the country at an alarming speed.
The government does not recommend travel to Greece from Canada without being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or having a proper medical insurance covering Covid-19 related treatments.
Travel restrictions to Greece from Canada
On a daily basis, Greece is home to a high number of Covid-19-related infections. The CA government is not recommending that you visit Greece right now. On May 1, despite the infection peak, all restrictions on Canadian visitors to Greece were lifted. No longer are vaccination passports, recovery certificates, or antigen/PCR testing mandatory.
At the airport, Greeks conduct random health screenings. A person must be kept in quarantine for at least 5 days if they are positive after testing positive. The Canadian government recommends that citizens obtain travel insurance to cover Covid-19 medical expenses and fees.
In Greece, face masks are required. In order to travel safely, you should always have two or more masks. Taxis can only hold no more than three passengers.
Check the official government website of Greece for more information on restrictions to travel to Greece from Canada.
