12 Surprising Facts About Greece That Even the Locals Might Not Know

Greece, one of Europe’s most famous tourist destinations, is a fascinating country with a long and rich history. This nation’s history is evident in breathtaking archaeological sites, ancient wonders of the world, picturesque islands, and vibrant towns. However, most tourists are captivated by what they can see and do in Greece.

Therefore, it’s easy to overlook the finer details. Digging deeper, you’ll find many exciting and fun things about Greece. To learn more, we’ve compiled a list of 12 fun facts about Greece you might not know. Whether you want to surprise your friends with an interesting statistic or ace the geography round in your local quiz, we have something for everyone.

Table of Contents

There Are Over 6,000 Islands and Islets in Greece

European Towns That Are Like Stepping into a Fairytale Oia, Santorini, Greece — © Patryk Kosmider / Adobe Stock

While the Greek mainland has much to offer, including the Acropolis of Athens and Mount Olympus, the Greek islands often draw tourists in. The Greek islands are famed for their beautiful beaches, impressive natural scenery, rich history, and charming small towns. However, most travelers don’t realize how many islands there are to explore.

To many people’s surprise, Greece is home to over 6,000 islands and islets, including world-famous tourist destinations like Santorini, Crete, and Mykonos. With so many unique places to explore, you’ll struggle to see it all. Although only roughly 220 islands or islets are inhabited, so that narrows the list of potential destinations down somewhat.

Almost 80% of Greece Consists of Mountains

If we told you to think about Greece, you’d likely imagine white sand beaches, charming Old Towns, historic landmarks, and tasty Greek food. It’s unlikely you’d have visions of mountains in your mind. However, according to Study.com, almost 80% of Greece comprises mountains.

One of the most mountainous countries in Europe, Greece’s landscape is dominated by towering peaks, the tallest being Mount Olympus. Regarded in Greek mythology as the official home of the Greek gods, Mount Olympus has an elevation of nearly 9,500 feet (2,895 meters). Meanwhile, the longest mountain range in Greece is the Rhodope Mountain Range, with a total length of 150 miles (241 kilometers) from east to west.

Greece Is the World’s Third Largest Producer of Olives

If you love eating olives, Greece is the perfect summer vacation destination. The olive tree is a big part of Greek culture, and with good reason. It’s used to produce some of the best olives in the world. In fact, according to the World Population Review, the nation is the world’s third-largest producer of olives.

It’s reported that Greece produces 2,232,412 metric tons of olives annually, approximately 1,000,000 metric tons less than Italy and 3,000,000 metric tons less than Spain. Incredibly, almost 60% of cultivated land in Greece is used for olive production, with approximately 65% of olive oil production in the Peloponnese region. Simply put, Greece has between 130 to 150 million olive trees.

Athens Has More Theaters Than Any Other City in the World

Ever since Athens’ first democracy in the 5th century BC, theater has been big business in Greece. So much so Athens is home to more theaters than any other city on Earth. There are believed to be 148 theatrical stages in Athens, including the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus, which opened in 161 AD.

That’s more theaters than Broadway and the West End combined. It’s fitting that Athens should hold this title because it’s believed to be where acting and theater were born. It’s said the earliest forms of drama originate from Athenian hymns and dance performances. Even theater derives from the ancient Greek word “theatron,” meaning “a place of seeing.”

Greece Has More Archaeological Museums Than Any Other Country Worldwide

European Countries Ranked by Pickpocketing Risk_Athens, Greece — © Achillefs Katsaounis / Wirestock / Adobe Stock

With so many ancient sites to explore, a rich history to discover, and great mysteries to unravel, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that Greece has many archaeological sites. However, did you know Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country worldwide?

According to Visit Greece, there are over 95 archaeological museums in Greece. Some famous museums you can visit include the Acropolis Museum in Athens, the Delphi Archaeological Museum in Delphi, and the Archaeological Museum of Mesara in Crete. These museums display ancient Greek artifacts, beautiful sculptures, and the stories of ancient Greece. The Acropolis Museum is often considered one of the world’s most important museums.

There Are Over 10,000 Traditional Dances in Greece

Top Tropical Beaches To Escape to in May Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece — © evannovostro / Adobe Stock

There’s no denying that Greeks love to dance, but the sheer number of traditional dances will shock you. It’s widely believed there are approximately 10,000 varieties of traditional dance in Greece, including popular dances like Sirtaki, Kalamatianos, and Tsamiko. So, why is dance so popular here?

For starters, Greek dance dates back to prehistory, so they’ve had a long time to work on their moves. Secondly, there are many traditional dances because dancing is essential to the Greeks. The ancient Greeks believed that dancing was a gift from the gods. Therefore, it became a form of ritual and a popular pastime. It was commonplace in marriage, death, and initiation ceremonies, festivals, and religious activity.

The Country’s Official Name Is the Hellenic Republic

European Cities With Unforgettable Historic Districts Athens, Greece — © J. Ossorio Castillo / Adobe Stock

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If someone told you Greece technically isn’t called Greece, you’d probably tell them they’re mad. However, they wouldn’t be wrong. Greece’s official name is the Hellenic Republic, and most Greeks call the country Hellas. According to Medium, this name originates from the name of an ancient Greek tribe called the Hellenes.

Even today, many Greeks refer to themselves as Hellenes. Most people around the world refer to the country as Greece instead simply because of an English translation. The word Greece derives from the Latin word “Graecia,” which means “the land of the Greeks” in English. Ancient Romans used this word to describe the area of modern-day Greece.

It’s Illegal To Wear High Heels in Archaeological Sites

Not To Do When Visiting Greece Wear Inappropriate Clothing at Historic or Religious Sites — © EdNurg / Adobe Stock

It’s not unusual for governments and heritage sites to establish specific rules regarding clothing. For example, in many religious sites worldwide, dress codes require visitors to wear shorts and dresses that reach below the knee and tops that cover their shoulders. These rules are usually implemented to show respect.

However, wearing high heels is illegal in Greece’s archaeological sites, including the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon. This law was introduced to protect ancient sites and monuments from abrasion. You might not think a heel could cause much damage, but believe it or not, a stiletto exerts more pressure than an elephant walking. With that in mind, you might want to leave those six-inch heels at home.

In Greece, Your Name Day Is More Important Than Your Birthday

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According to Greek tradition, every day of the year in Greece is dedicated to a Christian Saint or Martyr. These Saints and Martyrs have a celebration day called the “feast day,” and everyone named after them celebrates their name day (onomastiki eorti). Name days are widely celebrated throughout Greece, with families and friends coming together to enjoy traditional food and drink.

Name days are celebrated similarly to birthdays, but some differences exist. For example, name days don’t typically include a birthday cake. Interestingly, many older Greeks celebrate their name day and skip their birthday celebrations altogether. However, most young people prefer to shun their name-day celebrations in favor of their birthdays.

Pirates Used To Hang Out in Mykonos

Things You Should Know Before Going to the Greek Islands Budgeting — © pkazmierczak / Adobe Stock

Mykonos, or the ‘Island of the Winds’ as most people call it, is famed for being one of Greece’s most beautiful tourist destinations. The island is often associated with scenic landscapes, sunny beaches, epic parties, and fascinating attractions. However, the island wasn’t always a fun place to visit.

Throughout history, Mykonos served as a notorious hideout spot for pirates. With the promise of hot weather, beautiful beaches, and parties that run into the morning, we can’t say we blame them for stopping by. Piracy was such a big issue in Mykonos that fortifications were built to protect the island from invading pirates. Luckily, we don’t need to worry about pirates while sipping our cocktails today.

Over 150,000 English Words Come From the Greek Language

Top Places in Greece for Digital Nomads, Naxos Chora, Naxos — © Nicole Kwiatkowski / Adobe Stock

English is the world’s most spoken language, with over 1.5 billion speakers. However, most people don’t realize that the language wouldn’t be the same without the Greek language. According to Leonardo English, approximately 150,000 modern English words have deep roots in the ancient Greek Language.

For context, that’s an impressive 30% of the English language. It’s reported that 5% of the 150,000 words are directly taken from Greek, while the other 25% come indirectly, primarily through Latin. Some of the most common English words that derive from Greek include geography, economy, dialogue, and antique. We were also surprised to learn the word telephone has roots in the Greek language.

Spitting Isn’t Deemed Rude or Offensive in Greece

Not To Do When Visiting Greece Spend Everyday at Your All-Inclusive Hotel Mykonos — © biletskiyevgeniy.com / Adobe Stock

This final fact might seem entirely bonkers for many of you because most countries deem spitting rude, offensive, and even assault. However, in Greece, spitting isn’t considered any of those things. Quite bizarrely, spitting is seen as good luck instead. However, we don’t recommend walking around spitting at people.

Many Greeks believe spitting chases away misfortune, bad luck, and the devil. Therefore, it’s long been tradition to spit at someone to protect them from bad luck and to tell the devil where to go. People would often spit on newborn babies and at weddings. Today, few people spit, opting to make a spit sound instead.