Travelling soon - any advice if hostels accept cards in Greece or I have to give them cash
I actually liked that some hostels in Greece prefer cash - felt more personal. In Athens, my card worked at a hip hostel near Exarchia, but on Naxos and Santorini, cash was expected. No big deal, there’s always an ATM from Alpha Bank or Piraeus Bank close by. If you’re only staying in Athens or Thessaloniki, card is enough. If you’re traveling islands, have cash ready.
Advice: bring both card and cash. Greece had a banking crisis years ago, so many places still rely heavily on cash. In Thessaloniki my hostel took card, but on Paros, the small family hostel only wanted euros. ATMs from National Bank of Greece are all over, but on smaller islands they can run out of cash in high season. Always better to withdraw in Athens or Thessaloniki before heading out.
I stayed in Athens at a hostel near Monastiraki and had no trouble paying by card. But when I went to Crete, my hostel in Chania said their machine was broken and wanted cash. Ended up running to a Eurobank ATM at the Venetian harbor. Overall, Greece is mixed: urban hostels = cards fine; family-run or island hostels = cash preferred. Keep at least €100 cash if you’re island-hopping.
In Athens and Thessaloniki, most hostels accept cards. I paid with Mastercard at City Circus Hostel in Psiri without problems. ATMs from Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank are nearby, so cash is easy too. Smaller islands are where cash comes into play - on Naxos, my hostel near Agios Georgios beach asked for cash only. So in big cities: card-friendly. On islands: better to have euros ready.