The currency used is the 'Euro' written as; €1.
Smaller change is known as 'Cent', pronounced 'Scent'. Euro notes
start from €5 and go all the way up to €500. The exchange
rate for Euro to the British pound is currently (November 2023) at
around 1.15 euros to the British pound.
Exchange rates are almost always better if your currency
exchange is done in Greece and a good tip is to take enough local
currency for your first few days or so and then change the rest
once you have settled in. There are exchange facilities at arrival
airports, however the exchange rate is often very poor compared to
post offices, banks and many other resort shops that offer
currency. The best rates for currency exchange in the UK are
generally found by pre-ordering with the post office and collecting
from your UK shop or departure airport. As well as many on the high
street shops, like Debenhams and Marks and Spencers. They can often
offer attractive rates and deals. Traveller's cheques are not
widely accepted in Greece, but there are numerous ATM's where
credit/debit cards are accepted.
Prices vary by destination and you will pay the most in
Greece's major cities, such as Athens and Patras, with
the best value found where tourism infrastructure is absent, such
as the smaller islands and resorts along the Aegean seas. If you
were to compare Rhodes, Mykonos and Santorini, Santorini tends to
be the most expensive out the three, whereas Rhodes and Mykonos are
quite evenly matched.
For those that self- cater on holiday, expect
grocery prices to be slightly more to what you would pay in the UK,
with the notable exception being fresh fruit and vegetables from
many local markets.
When searching exchange rates for the Euro you may see the
currency abbreviated to € or E. The European Central Bank
(ECB) unveiled the new €50 banknote, which will enter
into circulation on 4 April 2017. The introduction of the new note
marks the latest step in making euro banknotes even more secure.
After the €5, €10 and €20, the €50 is the fourth denomination in
the second series of euro banknotes, known as the Europa
series.
