Opening Hours
Greece has its own unique opening hours rhythms. The Greek concept of Mesimeri (midday rest) shapes daily life — especially in summer and on the islands.
| Facility | Opening Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets | Mon-Fri 8:00-21:00, Sat 8:00-20:00 | Closed on Sundays (except tourist areas). Lidl, Sklavenitis, AB Vassilopoulos |
| Mini-Markets/Periptera | Daily 7:00-23:00+ | On islands often 7 days open, some 24h |
| Museums | Tue-Sun 8:00-15:00 (winter), 8:00-20:00 (summer) | Usually closed on Monday! Acropolis Museum: Mon-Sun |
| Archaeological Sites | 8:00-15:00 (winter), 8:00-20:00 (summer) | Last entry 30 min. before closing |
| Banks | Mon-Fri 8:00-14:30 | ATMs 24/7 |
| Post (ELTA) | Mon-Fri 7:30-14:00 | Main post offices until 20:00 |
| Pharmacies | Mon, Wed 8:00-14:30 / Tue, Thu, Fri 8:00-14:00 + 17:00-20:00 | Duty pharmacies rotate (notice on the door) |
| Taverns | 12:00-16:00 + 19:00-24:00 | Some only from 20:00. In Athens often until 1:00+ |
| Cafes | 8:00-24:00 | Greeks live in cafes. Some have 7:00-2:00 |
| Bars | 21:00-3:00+ | On Mykonos and Ios sometimes until sunrise |
The Siesta Lives!
Between 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM the country rests — especially in summer and on the islands. Many shops close, people speak quietly, construction noise is prohibited. If you are considerate, you will be immediately recognized as a respectful traveler.