Things That Set Tourists Apart from Locals at a Greek Beach

When Greeks hit the beach each summer they do it with an effortless finesse. You will see them soaking up the sun and enjoying a day at the beach as if it were second nature for them.

Tourists, on the other hand, tend to get it all wrong — from their outfits to beverage choices. Here are some things that tourists do that makes them stick out like a sore thumb at a Greek beach.

Modesty at a Greek beach

Dressing from head to toe and then hitting the beach in Greece is sure to make you stand out. A lot of tourists tend to wear clothes over their swimsuits when they go for a swim in the sea.

This is, no pun intended, quiet a foreign concept for Greeks who believe that the less tan lines you have, the better.

Ordering a hot coffee or tea at the beach – or even asking for decaf

Classic Greek beach order: frappe and water. Credit: Catherine Singleton/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0

Greeks drink coffee at the beach. In fact, when there is a bar at the beach, you will find that throughout the day, Greeks will order only coffee and water, particularly a frappe or freddo espresso.

As the evening approaches they might order a cold beer or another coffee, but throughout the day, it’s chilled coffee all the way.

Tourists on the other hand, often order hot drinks at the beach. This appears insane to Greeks as the temperature is usually 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

Another funny thing is expecting to find hot tea or decaf coffee at the beach bar. It’s summer in Greece, and Greeks just don’t drink hot beverages while at the sea!

Arriving at a Greek beach late and thinking you can find a spot

This is amusing to watch: A group of tourists get to the beach at 2 pm and are surprised to find it crowded.

They struggle to find a working umbrella and then scope out the entire beach for enough lounge chairs to accommodate the group. Usually, they are not successful.

Note: Greeks get to the beaches early in the morning just to find an umbrella and sun beds, and even then they have difficulties at some popular beaches if they arrive around 10 AM to 11 AM, as it might be too late to find something free.

Laying on a towel directly on the sand to sunbathe

Greeks don’t ever sunbathe on the sand, only if the beach is absolutely packed. Rather, they prefer to sunbathe in comfort, on sun beds.

One way to look like a foreigner on a Greek beach is to lay your towel down directly on the sand to sun tan. First off, the sand is super hot; secondly, if its windy, the sand is going to blow all over you.

Assuming the beach is free

Any organized beach, or one with sunbeds and umbrellas, in Greece is going to have a fee; there is no way around it. If there are beach bars, showers or a restaurant as well, you will pay even more to use the amenities at the beach.

For example, using sunbeds or umbrellas at organized beaches in Greece usually costs around five to six euros, plus any cost of drinks or snacks if there is a beach bar nearby. Well worth it!

Getting wasted at the beach on beer by 12 noon

This is actually something that is not hilarious to Greeks, but more of a nuisance. Getting drunk during the day at a beach is truly something only a tourist would do.

It’s great to have fun and make memorable moments while on your Greek vacation, but at least make memories that you will actually recall after all is said and done.

Using baby oil instead of sun lotion

It’s understood that if you don’t live in the Mediterranean and you are visiting Greece that one of your vacation goals is to return home with a glowing tan.

However, tourists will often lather on baby oil instead of sun lotion and end up looking ridiculous, like a bright red lobster, for the rest of their trip in Greece.

Spending the entire day in the hot Greek sun

The umbrellas at organized beaches are there for a reason. You must pace yourself when laying in the strong Greek sun to not get burned, or even experience sun stroke.

Tourists will move their chairs so that they are laying in the direct sun for the entire day at the beach (with the above mentioned baby oil). When in doubt, take a look at the locals.

They are laying in the diffused sunlight coming through the semi-transparent umbrellas, or laying in the sun directly but only for short amounts of time.

Greek swimwear choices at the beach

Greeks are fashion conscientious and update their swim wardrobe every year. Wearing older styles of swim suits, sunglasses and sun hats makes you stand out.

Greek swimwear is fun, with bright colors and bold designs – perfect for the beautiful Greek beaches.

So instead of packing up last year’s swimwear for your Greek vacation, why not just buy a new swim suit when you get to Greece? Many hotels have boutique shops with all of the latest designs and it will help you blend in with the locals.

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