The Dos and Don’ts of Tipping in Athens: Greek Hospitality Unveiled

Tipping is an important part of many cultures around the world, and it may come as a surprise that Greece is no exception! If you're planning to visit the birthplace of democracy and want to avoid any faux pas related to tipping, it's wise to become informed about proper etiquette for showing your gratitude to the locals. In this article, you'll learn the dos and don'ts of tipping in Athens so that you can give your best to show your appreciation for the renowned Greek hospitality.

Tipping While Dining Out

When it comes to tipping etiquette while dining out in Athens, it is very similar to what is customary in the U.S.-- leaving a 10 to 15% gratuity for good service is appropriate. If the restaurant has their own “tipping box” usually near the register, helping yourself to a self-service gratuity is quite common as well. If it’s not a high-end establishment, your waiter likely earns a fraction of the minimum wage and relies heavily on tips for income.

Taxi Drivers

Tipping taxi drivers is not a custom in Athens or Greece in general; however, many visitors will leave a few Euros as a “thank you” for a pleasant trip. A tip of 10-20%, rounded up to the nearest Euro, is considered generous.

Guides

When taking a guided tour, a tip of 10-15% of the tour cost is a good rule-of-thumb. Although tipping is not mandatory, it is deeply appreciated and considered very polite.

Hotel Staff

When travelling in Athens, tipping the hotel staff is not necessary but definitely encouraged as a sign of appreciation. It is common to tip the bellman who carries your bags 2-3 Euros per bag. Additional tips may be given to the housekeeping staff—1 or 2 Euros per night is ample.

Tourist Office Staff

When visiting a tourist office to get more information about the city, it is perfectly acceptable to slip the staff member a one or two Euro coin as a thank you.

Hairdressers

When visiting the hair salon, it is polite to leave a 5 to 10% tip of the final bill.

Baristas

If you stop by a cafe for a quick coffee or snack, it is appreciated to leave a small tip (one Euro or less) for baristas—especially if they went out of their way to provide special service.

Tipping while dining out in Athens follows similar custom to the U.S. aside from the option of tipping boxes for self-service gratuity. It is not expected to tip taxi drivers, however, leaving a few Euros is a nice gesture. Visitors are encouraged to tip tour guides, hotel staff, tourist office staff, and hairdressers. Finally, baristas at cafes can be tipped one Euro or less. Tipping is a way to show appreciation for economic and friendly service, so it is important for visitors to keep these standards of etiquette in mind while traveling through Athens.