Toilets in Greece: Everything Travelers Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

What are the toilet rules in Greece? ›

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. But why is this the situation in Greece?

One of the commonest questions first-time visitors to Greece ask is “is it true that you can't flush paper down the toilet?” Unfortunately, in the vast majority of accommodations, cafes, bars, shops and restaurants, the answer is “yes, it is true!”

So, why can't you flush toilet paper in Greece? Well, the country's plumbing system is not designed to handle large amounts of paper. The plumbing pipes are narrow, and paper or other waste materials would clog most Greek toilets, including those at rooms, hotels and restaurants.

The only thing you should ever flush down a toilet is human waste (urine and feces) and toilet paper. Here's what you shouldn't flush: Bags / wrappings and cardboard. Band-aids and bandage wrappers.

No, in Santorini you cannot flush toilet paper down the toilet bowl. As with most places in Greece, toilet paper cannot be flushed down the toilet. You should place the used toilet paper into a special trash bin located next to it. The hosts or hotel staff empty the bin every day and put a new bag in it.

Yes, you can drink tap water in Greece – it is not unsafe.

– you can wear jeans (even in more formal situations), as long as they are combined with an elegant jacket or stylish accessories. They should be well-fitting and stylish. Never ever wear a tie with jeans, though. – for men, always wear socks in closed shoes.

While there may be exceptions in some newly built resorts and modern hotels, the overwhelmingly common rule is to avoid flushing paper products down the toilets in Greece.

Mosquitoes and scorpions

Serious mosquito-borne illness is rare in Greece, but take some insect repellant for your comfort. There are scorpions throughout Greece, including Athens. The greatest danger is from accidentally turning over a rock and stepping on one, but they also come inside buildings.

In Switzerland, it is common courtesy to not flush your toilet between 10pm and 7am as it may lead to disturbance during people's allocated sleeping time.

Does Greece use bidets? ›

Bathrooms in Greece also don't have bidets. Though if you move here for longer you can, of course, install a bidet attachment.

One of the commonest questions first-time visitors to Greece ask is “is it true that you can't flush paper down the toilet?” Unfortunately, in the vast majority of accommodations, cafes, bars, shops and restaurants, the answer is “yes, it is true!”

Novario came up with a formula that combined a hybrid of the wad and the fold: a couple folded sheets of toilet paper with a crumple on top “for extra waste-wicking wrinkles and folds.” In other words, when it comes to toilet paper, don't just wad or fold; instead, you should “wafold.”

There are only three things you can safely flush down the toilet into the sewer system —pee, poo and (toilet) paper. Just remember those three as the three Ps that you can flush. And don't forget, "flushable" wipes are not really flushable.

Should I carry cash in Greece? It is a good idea to carry cash in Greece and to make sure that you always have plenty of smaller denomination notes and coins on you. While cards are widely accepted, Greece is still very much a cash society.

If you are new to squat toilets, it can be a good idea to fully remove your pants and underwear. If you are comfortable with squatting, you can try to leave your pants on, simply lowering them to your ankles.

Is Santorini safe at night? Any place where there is alcohol, there is some risk. Usual precautions apply but Santorini has very few problems with fights, violence, drugs, or organized criminal activity. The biggest risk at night is walking home down the caldera after too many drinks.

Don't walk barefoot on Perissa beach

One of the best beaches to swim in Santorini is the famous black-pebbled Perissa beach. And here's one more thing to avoid in Santorini – don't walk barefoot on Perissa beach, as the volcanic pebbles get really hot!

So is it safe to drink tap water in Santorini? Yes, you can drink tap water in Santorini. Like all of the rest of the country, the water in Santorini meets EU standards for water quality. Most of the water you will drink in Santorini will come from a desalination plant.

A typical Greek breakfast usually consists of a wide variety of bread, pastry, fruits, and Greek yogurt. These foods are high in nutritional value and a great source of energy — an excellent way to begin your Greek food adventures!

Is tipping expected in Greece? ›

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.

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.

Essentials to pack for the Greek Islands

Quick-drying beach towel and a waterproof bag to keep wet clothes in until you get to the laundry.

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

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.

Residents of some Greek islands have been forced to hang up posters urging people to “take pictures, not pebbles” to stop tourists making off with their coastline's famous white stones, says Culture Trip. The practice is illegal, and tourists flouting the rules can expect fines of between €400 and €1,000.

If you see an wastebasket near the toilet with used toilet paper in it, that's a sign that the sewer system isn't up to snuff. Put your used TP in the wastebasket instead of flushing it. (The rule of thumb in those places: Don't put anything in the toilet unless you've eaten it first.)

In Greece, drinking alcohol is a low-budget habit. You can enjoy your favourite music in one of the numerable Greek bars without having to worry about the cost. You can drink a prim co*cktail with only 9€, ouzo and raki with 4€, wine and beer with 3–5€ and all alcoholic beverages, such as gin or vodka with 6–7€.

There are more than 90 species of bugs, but the species parasitic in humans, which occurs in Greece and generally in temperate climates, is Cimex lectularius L. Their body is oval, flat, 5-7 mm long, allowing them to move and hide in narrow spaces and cracks.

In order to stop the itch of a mosquito bite, Greeks simply dab a cotton ball with some vinegar and apply it to the bite. Not only does the swelling and itching go away, but it is also thought to help in the healing process. Another Greek remedy that helps stop the itch or mosquito bites is using aloe vera.

What country has the cleanest toilets? ›

Often lauded as one of the cleanest and most advanced cities anywhere, Tokyo, Japan has the world's most spotless public restrooms, according to the list.

They can be found in nations like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore. People in sub-Saharan African countries, especially in rural areas, widely use squat toilets, for example in Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Most Italian public toilets don't have a toilet seat.

This has to do with maintenance. Since public toilets are often less than spotless, people often climb with their shoes on top of them, not to sit on a potentially dirty seat.

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!

Credit cards are widely accepted in Greece, particularly in the tourist areas. It's actually a legal requirement, as a response to the financial crisis, that working Greek citizens aged below 65 have a credit card so most hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants should offer the option of paying by credit card.

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.

Stolen items can cost hotels an estimated $100 million a year, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association. So the next time you're itching to “steal” a few extra items from your room, stick to the complimentary items like toilet paper, soap, and travel-sized bottles of shampoo.

Hotels and BnBs do not generally provide washcloths because they are considered personal items. Europeans know to pack their own when traveling.

Public toilets throughout Europe may be seatless. Seatlessness gets more common as you go further south. Very few public toilets in Italy and Greece have seats. By the time you get to Greece, you will find that even toilets in hotel rooms or in pensions or domatia (effectively extra rooms in private homes) lack seats.

Wiping Front to Back

You'll be moving feces away from your more delicate parts, lowering the risk of infection. This prevents the transmission of bacteria and goes a long way in preventing UTIs or an itchy, uncomfortable bum.

How far up should you go when wiping? ›

Using a wad of toilet paper, start at the perineum (the area between the genitals and anus) and wipe upwards, past the anus. Repeat as needed until the toilet paper is clean.

Unless you have physical limitations that prevent you from doing so (more on this later), it's best to reach around your body, behind your back and through your legs. This position allows you to wipe your anus from front to back, ensuring that feces is always moving away from your urethra.

Treatment plants effectively remove toilet paper from wastewater, but all other garbage should go in the trash can. These Items belong in the trash can. The only thing you should ever flush down a toilet is human waste (urine and feces) and toilet paper.

Well, you throw your toilet paper in the garbage — not the toilet. If you're visiting from the U.S., this may come as a culture shock. The custom in Mexico is to throw your toilet paper in the garbage when using the bathroom.

Colourful toilet paper began disappearing from shelves and toilet-roll holders around this time, with a few speculated reasons why. The first is that doctors began warning people that the dyes used in the loo roll could be harmful to our skin. The second is that the use of dyes could be harmful to the environment.

Greece is a Go Roam in Europe destination which means you can use your data here at no extra cost. If you have an Add-on with a data allowance of 12GB or greater, a fair use limit applies, with use over 12GB subject to a surcharge (see below).

Tipping the housekeeping staff in Greece is not expected but again, it is always appreciated. One nice thing that you can do for your hotel staff is to leave behind the spare change that you have at the end of your trip, along with a small thank you note.

A quick-dry beach towel that takes up small space in your luggage and is large enough to cover you up is a must-have item when you travel to Greece.

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.

Wiping after using a bidet is simple. Gently wipe or blot the wet areas to soak up the excess water. Remember that the area is already clean; one gentle wipe or dab should do the trick. We recommend using toilet paper, as most people already have it in their bathrooms, or a towel.

Should you wipe once before using a bidet? ›

When you first use a bidet, clean off with toilet paper first before attempting the bidet spray. You don't need to use soap to use a bidet. Some people do use the bidet like a mini-shower after a bowel movement, sexual intercourse, or for freshening up, but it isn't a requirement.

Using a bidet instead of toilet paper provides a thorough cleansing that wiping alone cannot. Water is more sanitary than toilet paper because it gently cleans the area instead of just rubbing it with toilet paper.