Older public toilets may be squat. A 2013 Thessaloniki council survey found squat pans in 6 of its 13 public toilets and seated toilets in the rest.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Thessaloniki municipal public toilets (2013 council survey)
Toilet Index: what to expect from toilets abroad
Greece
What to remember
- Toilet paperPut used toilet paper in the bin beside the toilet unless a sign says to flush. Thessaloniki's water utility wrote in 2016 that Greece formally does not accept paper in toilets.Varies by venueWhere this applies: Statement about Greece by EYATH, the Thessaloniki water utility (2016); no national body found saying so
- Paper suppliedCarry tissues. At the Syntagma Square public toilets in Athens, a 2017 report found paper was handed out by the attendant, not left in the stalls.Varies by venueWhere this applies: Syntagma Square public toilets, Athens (2017 report)
- FeesCarry coins or a card at Athens' ancient sites. In April 2026 the Culture Ministry approved pay gates for the toilets at the Acropolis, Olympieion, Kerameikos and Ancient Agora.Where this applies: Athens archaeological sites: Acropolis, Olympieion, Kerameikos, Ancient Agora and Stoa of Attalos
Sources: EYATH S.A. (Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company), Ocean Sewage Alliance, Real Greek Experiences, Athens Voice, Hellenic Ministry of Culture
Sit or squat
A traveller's photo record shows squat pans in public toilets on Mykonos and in municipal ones in Fira on Santorini. The visits are undated.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Public toilets on Mykonos and in Fira, Santorini (traveller's record)
Newer units are seated: Thessaloniki's 2021 specification for portable toilets on its seafront calls for a seated porcelain toilet with a lid in each cabin.
Where this applies: Thessaloniki seafront (Nea Paralia) portable toilets
Athens' official guide lists adapted (wheelchair) toilets by the Acropolis info booth, on every floor of the Acropolis Museum and at Akropoli and Thissio metro stations.
Where this applies: Central Athens, around the Acropolis
A seated toilet may have no seat: the same photo record shows a seatless visitor toilet at Knossos on Crete, with a bin for paper beside it.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Visitor toilets at Knossos, Crete (traveller's record, undated)
If you need a seat: If you need a seat, look for the adapted (wheelchair) toilet. Athens' official guide lists them at the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and nearby metro stations, where they are kept locked: ask staff to open them. In older public blocks check each stall, as some have squat pans only.
Accessible toilets: not covered yet.
Toilet paper
Paper supplied
Carry tissues. At the Syntagma Square public toilets in Athens, a 2017 report found paper was handed out by the attendant, not left in the stalls.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Syntagma Square public toilets, Athens (2017 report)
Thessaloniki's 2021 contract for portable toilets on its seafront requires a toilet-paper holder in each cabin, restocked when the unit is serviced, at least twice a day.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Thessaloniki seafront (Nea Paralia) portable toilets
Where it goes
Put used toilet paper in the bin beside the toilet unless a sign says to flush. Thessaloniki's water utility wrote in 2016 that Greece formally does not accept paper in toilets.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Statement about Greece by EYATH, the Thessaloniki water utility (2016); no national body found saying so
At Heraklion airport on Crete, a visitor in 2023 found a sign in the toilets reading 'Do not throw paper in the toilet', with a small bin beside the toilet.
Where this applies: Heraklion airport, Crete (visitor report, 2023)
Some newer hotels and apartments have wider pipes and post a sign saying paper may be flushed. With no sign, use the bin.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Newer hotels and apartments (traveller reports, not an official source)
Never flush wet wipes, paper napkins, tampons, other hygiene products or cotton buds. Naoussa's water utility lists them among the items that block its sewers.
Where this applies: Naoussa (municipal water and sewerage utility notice, 2025)
Water and controls
Athens' self-cleaning street toilets work by sensor. Press the button after use and the bowl retracts, is washed and comes back about 10 seconds later.
Where this applies: City of Athens self-cleaning street toilets (2017 report)
Thessaloniki's 2021 specification for its seafront portable toilets calls for a push-button tap that runs on a timer, liquid soap and paper hand towels in each cabin.
Where this applies: Thessaloniki seafront (Nea Paralia) portable toilets
Look for 'WC' or ΤΟΥΑΛΕΤΕΣ on signs. Doors may be marked only in Greek: ΑΝΔΡΩΝ for men, ΓΥΝΑΙΚΩΝ for women.
Where this applies: Public toilets photographed on Mykonos and Santorini; WC sign at Makrygianni, Athens
Fees and access
Athens' staffed municipal public toilets are free. A 2017 report citing the city's toilets office says attendants are strictly forbidden to take money from visitors.
Where this applies: City of Athens staffed public toilets (2017 report)
Athens' self-cleaning street toilets have been free since 2007, according to the same 2017 report. Before that they took a 50-cent coin.
Where this applies: City of Athens self-cleaning street toilets (2017 report)
Carry coins or a card at Athens' ancient sites. In April 2026 the Culture Ministry approved pay gates for the toilets at the Acropolis, Olympieion, Kerameikos and Ancient Agora.
Where this applies: Athens archaeological sites: Acropolis, Olympieion, Kerameikos, Ancient Agora and Stoa of Attalos
The decision keeps these toilets free for disabled visitors and school groups. It names no price; a Greek news site reported 1 euro per use. Check on arrival whether the gates are in use.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Athens archaeological sites: Acropolis, Olympieion, Kerameikos, Ancient Agora and Stoa of Attalos
At Akropoli and Thissio metro stations the adapted toilet is kept locked. Ask a guard, the station master's office or the info desk to open it.
Where this applies: Akropoli and Thissio metro stations, Athens
Café toilets may be for customers only. An Athens café owner told a reporter in 2017 that many shops near Syntagma lock theirs with a code printed on the receipt.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Cafés and shops in central Athens (2017 report)
Where it varies
At the Acropolis, go before your ticket is scanned. In May 2026 a newspaper found the toilets inside the site closed, long queues at those by the entrance, and no re-entry on the same ticket.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Acropolis of Athens (newspaper visit, May 2026)
At Delphi, a licensed guide told the same newspaper in May 2026 that the archaeological site had no visitor toilet, so people walked to the museum and back.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Delphi archaeological site (guide's account, May 2026)
Opening hours differ by site. On a 2017 list, Athens' public toilets at Syntagma, Varvakeios market and Psyrri ran 24 hours; the one at Makrygianni, by the Acropolis, 7:30 to 20:30.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: City of Athens staffed public toilets (2017 list)
Sources
- Municipality of Thessaloniki, Directorate of Construction and MaintenanceΣυντήρηση και επισκευή δημοτικών αφοδευτηρίων: Τεχνική περιγραφή (μελέτη ΑΚ 12/2013)
- Toilets of the World (toilet-guru.com)Greek Island Toilets
- Municipality of Thessaloniki, Directorate of RecyclingΜίσθωση φορητών αυτόνομων τουαλετών – οικίσκων και χημικής τουαλέτας ΑΜΕΑ έτους 2022: Τεχνικές προδιαγραφές (μελέτη 20/2021)
- This is Athens (official visitor guide of the City of Athens)Accessible Guide: Ancient Athens Uncovered
- Athens VoiceΔημόσια Ουρητήρια
- EYATH S.A. (Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company)Στη διακήρυξη για τα λεγόμενα
- Ocean Sewage AllianceToilet Talk: What NOT to Flush in Greece
- Real Greek ExperiencesWhy Can’t You Flush Toilet Paper In Greece?
- DEYA Naoussas (Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Enterprise of Naoussa)Αποχέτευση και λεκάνη ΔΕΝ είναι ‘σκουπιδοφάγος’
- Hellenic Ministry of CultureΈγκριση προγράμματος αξιοποίησης από τον ΟΔΑΠ χώρων εξυπηρετήσεως κοινού σε επισκέψιμους αρχαιολογικούς χώρους αρμοδιότητας Εφορείας Αρχαιοτήτων πόλης Αθηνών, για το έτος 2026 (ΑΔΑ: ΡΚΤΧ46ΝΚΟΤ-ΡΚ0)
- Keep Talking GreeceFree use of toilets & lockers is over at Acropolis and major archaeological sites
- This is Athens (official visitor guide of the City of Athens)“Akropoli” metro station - Line 2
- To Vima (tovima.com)The Acropolis Experience: Broken Elevators and Bathroom Battles
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