Know Before You Go
Tipping in Greece: A Quick, Practical Guide
Not as codified as the US, more expected than a lot of Europe — here's the realistic middle ground.
Tipping in Greece sits in a comfortable middle ground — more expected than in much of Europe, considerably less codified and less pressured than in the US. Nobody will chase you down for skipping it, but it's genuinely appreciated and increasingly normal, especially in tourist-facing spots.
Restaurants and tavernas
A service charge is sometimes already included on the bill in tourist-area restaurants — check before adding more. Where it isn't, rounding up the bill or leaving roughly 5–10% for good service is the norm; it doesn't need to be precisely calculated, and cash left on the table is the standard method even if you paid by card.
Cafés and bars
Tipping here is looser still — rounding up small change is common and appreciated, but far from obligatory for a quick coffee or drink.
Taxis
Round the fare up to the nearest euro or so. Not tipping at all won't cause a scene, but the rounding-up habit is widely practiced and simple to adopt.
Hotels
A few euros for porters handling bags, and a similar amount left for housekeeping on a multi-night stay, is a nice gesture rather than an expectation — more common at higher-end properties than budget ones.
The simple version
If in doubt: round up for casual service, add roughly 5–10% for a proper sit-down meal with good service, and don't stress about getting the exact percentage right — this isn't a culture with strict tipping math.