9 Fun Facts About Greece

We gathered nine fun facts about Greece highlighting its special name days, impressive tourist numbers and its slightly unusual policy on high heels.

I visited Greece on a family trip at 14. It had been a dream of mine since learning about ancient Greece in school.

I was so interested that I learned some basics of the Greek language and memorized the alphabet, ancient and modern. By the time I visited the Greek island of Corfu, I had forgotten most of it, but I was still excited to finally see the amazing country I had studied.

The architecture, the blue waters of the Ionian Sea against the Greek coastline, and friendly people serving Greek cuisine in roadside restaurants made it enjoyable. I hiked, tried scuba diving, shopped in the Old Town, put olive oil on everything, and went on a boat trip.

I treasure those memories and dream of returning to relax on the beaches along the blue Aegean Sea, island hopping with sea turtles and exploring the ancient ruins. Until then, I’ll share some fun facts about Greece.

1. Greek people celebrate name days

Thanks to Greek Orthodox practices, Greek people celebrate name days. Much like birthdays, your name day is a time for people to gather together and celebrate you.

What has this got to do with Greek Orthodox practices? I’m glad you asked. Each day of the year is dedicated to at least one saint, holy person, or martyr and if you share a name with one of these people, their day is your name day. Anyone who does not have a name day can celebrate on All Saints’ Day. It’s like having two birthdays!

Learn More About Trips to Greece

2. The Greeks gave us a lot

The Greeks gave the world a lot. The nation created the first Olympic Games, and the Olympic Games as we know them were also first held in Greece in 1896.

Greece gave the world democracy, Western theater and Western philosophy, as well as a lot of medical knowledge. A lot of surprising inventions also come from Greece, including: the water wheel, the alarm clock, the catapult, the vending machine and the umbrella.

3. Ancient Greeks believed that Greece’s highest mountain was the home of the gods

Ancient Greeks believed that Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest mountain, was the home of the 12 Olympian gods:

• Zeus
• Poseidon
• Hera
• Demeter
• Aphrodite
• Athena
• Artemis
• Apollo
• Ares
• Hephaestus
• Hermes
• either Hestia or Dionysus

Standing at 9,570 feet (2,917 meters) above sea level, this mountain still has cultural significance as it was designated as a national park in 1938. Greece now has ten national parks but Mount Olympus was the first to gain the status. The mountain is also a World Biosphere Reserve and a popular hiking destination.

Students relax on the beach in Greece.

4. There are more visitors to Greece each year than people who live there

There are more visitors to Greece each year than people who live there. In 2023 alone, Greece welcomed over 36 million people to the country, far exceeding the population, which amounts to just over 10 million.

With such an impressive coastline and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea, who can blame them?

5. Greece is one of the most homogenous countries in the world

According to Yahoo! Finance, Greece is one of the top 10 homogenous countries in the world, standing at number 8 on the list. The top 10 most homogenous countries in the world are:

1. North Korea
2. South Korea
3. Japan
4. Tunisia
5. Italy
6. Portugal
7. Poland
8. Greece
9. Netherlands
10. Yemen

6. Greece is the world’s 5th-largest producer of olive oil

Greece is the fifth-largest producer of olive oil in the world, (and 4th-largest in the European Union) coming behind Spain, Italy, Turkey and Tunisia, showing that it is serious business in Greece.

Olive oil is even featured in Greek mythology. Elais was a granddaughter of the god Dionysus and was also the Greek goddess of olive oil.

All these years later, olive oil is still significant, making up part of the famed Mediterranean diet. It’s one of the reasons Greek cuisine is so irresistible!

A student holds a turtle hatchling in her hands.

7. A not-so-fun fact about Greece: It’s home to endangered sea creatures such as the loggerhead turtle

Greece is home to endangered sea creatures such as the ceretta ceretta turtle, or loggerhead turtle. Specific Greek islands, such as Kefalonia and Zakynthos, offer important nesting locations for the loggerhead turtle.

However, according to the WWF, of every 1,000 loggerhead turtle hatchlings, only one will survive into adulthood. Fortunately, there are lots of conservation efforts, with many people working to ensure these beautiful creatures continue to live alongside us for as long as possible.

Greece is officially called the Hellenic Republic.

8. Greece’s official name is the Hellenic Republic

Greece’s official name is the Hellenic Republic and Greeks refer to themselves not as Greeks but as “Έλληνες”— Hellenes. The word Greek actually comes from the Latin word “Graeci” and Greece from the Latin word “Graecia.”

9. It’s illegal to wear heels in certain places

It’s illegal — yes, illegal — to wear heels in certain places. This may sound excessive, but it’s because your footwear could cause damage to important heritage sites such as the Acropolis and Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens. If you’re in any doubt about your desired location, opt for flats!

The Acropolis in Athens, Greece.