What You Need To Know About Traveling To Greece This Summer

Greece recently became much easier to visit and is poised to be one of the hottest destinations for international travel this summer. The country's amazing beaches and archaeological sites have reopened as restrictions and travel requirements loosen more than one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Flights are also returning, giving travelers more options in terms of getting to Greece this summer. But before you plan your visit, here are some important things to know.

The U.S. State Department is advising Americans to not travel to Greece right now due to COVID-19 while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also encouraging travelers to delay plans to visit the country, issuing a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Greece due to the pandemic, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. For perspective, the State Department's current "do not travel" list includes roughly 80 percent of countries around the world. As of May 24, Greece has reported more than 390,000 COVID-19 cases, including 11,772 deaths.

Visitors from the following countries can visit Greece without having to quarantine as of May 14: EU and Schengen Area countries, United States, U.K., Israel, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, Russia, North Macedonia, Canada, Belarus, Bahrain, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia. To enter, eligible visitors over the age of five can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival, a certificate proving that they've been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus (two weeks after the final shot) or proof that they've recovered from COVID-19 in the past nine months. Acceptable vaccines include Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics and Sinopharm. Travelers also need to complete the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) no later than 11:59 p.m. of the day before they arrive and may be subject to random testing upon arrival. The PLF includes a QR code that must be scanned upon arrival. Travelers returning to the United States after visiting Greece this summer will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the past three months in order to board their flight home, regardless of vaccination status.

The CDC recommends getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling internationally. However, even inoculated travelers are advised to "follow all recommendations and requirements at their destination, including mask-wearing and social distancing." Vaccinated individuals returning from Greece should get tested with a viral test three to five days after their trip and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, isolating and getting tested if any develop. Meanwhile, unvaccinated travelers are encouraged to take a viral test one to three days prior to their trip and to delay any plans to visit Greece in the event of a positive result. These individuals should also wear a mask, avoid crowds and wash or sanitize their hands frequently during travel and take a viral test three to five days upon their return home, quarantining for seven full days with a negative result and 10 days if they choose to not get tested.

Beaches, restaurants, bars, shops and attractions such as museums and Greece's iconic cultural sites like the Acropolis in Athens have reopened with capacity limits, curfews and other restrictions in some cases. Open-air cinemas recently reopened as well while open-air performances can resume on May 28. Visitors will also have plenty of accommodation options as hotels and resorts have reopened with enhanced protocols in place, including COVID-19 testing for staff and mandatory mask-wearing required in common-use areas.

Booking an international trip amid an ongoing pandemic is easier with an experienced travel advisor working by your side. A travel professional with experience booking Greece can help you find your ideal destination within the country as well as quality accommodations and exciting activities and experiences to participate in once you've arrived. Travel advisors' exclusive access and supplier connections can even save you money or lead to special perks to enhance your Greek getaway. Your advisor can also keep you updated on the latest conditions on the ground and what if any requirements or restrictions you can anticipate over the course of your itinerary. Visit TravelSense.org to begin your search for an American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) verified travel professional based on your destination and trip type today.