💊 What Greek pharmacies sell without prescription
Greek pharmacists have considerable scope under EU and Greek pharmacy law. Many medicines that require a prescription in the UK or US are sold over the counter (OTC) here — pharmacists can advise on basic conditions and dispense accordingly:
Pain and fever
Paracetamol (Depon, Panadol), ibuprofen (Brufen, Nurofen), aspirin. €2-€5 a pack.
Stomach issues
Antacids, anti-diarrhoea (Imodium, oral rehydration salts), motion-sickness, anti-nausea tablets. €4-€8.
Cold and flu
Decongestants, throat lozenges, cough syrups, nasal sprays. €4-€10. Pharmacist will recommend specific brand based on symptoms.
Allergies
Antihistamines (Telfast, Aerius, Xyzal). Some require prescription, many don't. €5-€15.
Antibiotics — restricted
Greek law has tightened: most antibiotics now require prescription. Don't expect to buy amoxicillin OTC like in some Mediterranean countries 10 years ago.
Skin / wound care
Antiseptic creams, plasters, bandages, sunscreen, after-bite. €3-€20.
📍 Pharmacies near the apartment
Within a 200-metre radius of Heyden / Victoria Square, there are typically 3-5 pharmacies:
- The closest pharmacy — usually within 100 metres of the apartment. Look for the green cross sign (illuminated when open).
- Pharmacy on Victoria Square / Heyden corner — visible from the metro exit.
- Pharmacy on Patission corridor — further south, useful when walking toward the museum.
- Pharmacy on Acharnon Street — west of the square; slightly different opening hours.
- Pharmacy on Aristotelous — alternative if the closest is closed for siesta.
🕐 Standard pharmacy hours
Mon–Fri
~08:00-14:00, then ~17:00-21:00. Many close 14:00-17:00 for siesta.
Saturdays
~08:00-15:00 (varies). Some open all-day Saturday, some closed.
Sundays
Most pharmacies closed. Duty pharmacy (eforipoiía) covers the area.
Holidays
Closed except duty pharmacy; rota covers Easter, Christmas, national days.
🚨 The duty pharmacy system (efimerevon farmakeio)
The 24/7 emergency pharmacy network
Greece operates a rotating duty system: every neighbourhood has at least one pharmacy open at any given time, including overnight, Sundays, and holidays. The on-duty pharmacy changes daily — your closest pharmacy may not be the duty one tonight. To find which is open:
- Check the door of your closest pharmacy — they post the duty rota for the week, naming the duty pharmacy and its hours.
- Call 14944 or 11890 — Greek pharmacy information services. Some English support.
- Website: ww.fsa.gr/eforimou-farmakeia — official duty-pharmacy database (mainly Greek).
- Google Maps — search "pharmacy open now" — but verify with phone before walking; map data sometimes outdated.
- Hotel reception — they can locate the night-duty pharmacy quickly.
🆘 The 24/7 reality
The duty pharmacy is open all night, but "open" sometimes means "ring the bell." For overnight emergencies:
- Find the duty pharmacy address via the methods above.
- Walk or take a taxi. The duty pharmacy is usually within 1-2 km of any central neighbourhood.
- Ring the bell if the door is locked — pharmacist sleeps in or near the pharmacy on duty nights.
- Pharmacist may ask about symptoms through a small window before opening; this is standard.
- Be patient — overnight service is slower than daytime.
💉 Prescriptions from home
- Bring written prescriptions / packaging from home — Greek pharmacists can usually identify equivalent local brands.
- EU prescriptions — generally honoured in Greece. Ask your home doctor for an EU-format prescription for chronic medications.
- US/UK/non-EU prescriptions — pharmacist may dispense based on packaging recognition; reduces risk to bring extra supply for trip duration.
- Generic equivalents are widely available and often cheaper.
🧴 Essential travel pharmacy items
Things visitors typically pop in for at a Greek pharmacy:
- Sunscreen — high SPF for summer, €8-€20 a bottle.
- After-sun lotion with aloe, €5-€10.
- Mosquito repellent — DEET-based or natural, €5-€12.
- Bite-relief cream / antihistamine — for the inevitable mosquito bites. €4-€7.
- Plasters / blister patches — for Acropolis-walk feet. €3-€5.
- Oral rehydration salts — for hot-weather dehydration. €3-€5 a sachet pack.
- Probiotics / Greek-stomach prevention — for sensitive stomachs. €10-€15.
- Contact lens solution — €8-€15 a bottle.
🩺 When to skip the pharmacy and see a doctor
- Persistent fever above 38.5°C for more than 48 hours.
- Severe abdominal pain or signs of appendicitis.
- Chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe headache.
- Suspected food poisoning not responding to oral rehydration after 24 hours.
- Significant injuries requiring stitches or X-ray.
For these, go to an emergency room: Evangelismos Hospital (large central public hospital, free emergency room for EU citizens with EHIC card; private fee for others) or Hygeia / Iaso / Athens Medical Center (private, faster, English-speaking, expect €100-€300 for emergency consultation). Tourist insurance covers most private medical care.
📞 Emergency numbers
- Ambulance: 166
- European emergency: 112 (English available)
- Pharmacy info: 14944 / 11890
- Tourist Police: 1571 (English; can advise on medical access)
💸 Pricing perspective
- Greek pharmacy prices are competitive with other EU countries — generally cheaper than UK/Ireland, similar to Germany/France.
- Generic medicines can be 50-70% cheaper than branded.
- Insurance reimbursement — keep receipts; many travel insurance policies reimburse pharmacy costs.
🎯 FAQ
Do pharmacists speak English?
Most Athenian pharmacists speak functional English. Bringing the medication packaging or symptoms written down helps. Younger pharmacists generally more confident in English than older.
Can I get the morning-after pill?
Yes — emergency contraception is OTC in Greek pharmacies. Brand: NorLevo or similar, €15-€25.
What about birth control pills?
Most require prescription. Bring sufficient supply from home; if needed, a Greek doctor consultation costs €40-€80 private.
Are vaccines available?
Some pharmacies offer flu and basic vaccines; for travel-specific (yellow fever, typhoid), use a travel-medicine clinic.
Is there a 24/7 chain like Boots in the UK?
No — the pharmacy industry is independent / family-run, with the duty rota covering 24/7 service. Greek pharmacies are not chains.