Send a surprise in Athens
To send a surprise to someone in Athens, post it on Surprizia and a local Helper can offer to bring it to their door. Much of the city is made up of multi-storey apartment buildings called polykatoikies, so give the floor, the apartment number and the name on the buzzer, and plan around the summer heat.
Country
Greece
Time zone
Europe/Athens
Currency
EUR
Official languages
Greek
Weekend
Saturday & Sunday
Right now in Athens
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Watch this city to be emailed when a helper joins or a request appears, or invite someone you know in Athens.
Gifting occasions in Athens
New Year's Day
1 January
Many families cut a special New Year cake and exchange small gifts, linked to St Basil's Day.
Mother's Day
Second Sunday of May
Children often give flowers, potted plants and cards.
Birthdays
Any day of the year
In Athens a card is almost always expected, usually with a cake, flowers or a small gift.
Surprise ideas
A bouquet or a potted plant
Flowers and plants suit Mother's Day, birthdays and visits to a home.
A box of Greek pastries such as baklava
Syrup-soaked pastries are widely served to guests and make easy shared gifts.
A box of loukoumades or baklava from a local bakery
Syrupy sweets are a classic Greek treat and are easy to share with the family.
Greek honey or Turkish-style delight (loukoumi)
These are long-lasting sweet gifts that suit people who may be out when the Helper arrives.
A handwritten card with a small olive-wood keepsake
Olive trees are such a recognised symbol of Greece that a small keepsake feels local.
Delivery tips for Athens
- 1
Many Athens buildings have a buzzer panel with names, and some have a lift that is too small for large boxes, so describe the package size.
- 2
Summer afternoons can be very hot, so ask the Helper to keep cakes and flowers out of the sun.
- 3
Around mid-August many Athenians leave for the islands, so check that the recipient will be at home.
- 4
Narrow hillside streets in older areas can be steep and hard to drive in, so the final stretch may need to be walked.
Gift etiquette
When visiting a home, guests traditionally bring sweets, flowers or a small present for the host.
Many Greeks welcome visitors warmly with something to eat or drink, so a Helper may be offered a little hospitality.
Success stories in Athens
No stories yet. The first completed surprise in Athens can be the first one.
Questions about sending a surprise to Athens
›Can I send a birthday surprise to someone in Athens from abroad?
Yes, post the request with the date and the neighbourhood, and a local Helper can offer to deliver sweets or flowers. Choose a time when the recipient is likely to be home, as birthdays often bring visitors.
›How should I describe an apartment in an Athens polykatoikia?
Give the street, building number, floor and flat number, plus the name beside the buzzer. If there is a ground-floor entrance gate, mention it as well.
›Are August and public holidays a bad time to send a gift to Athens?
In August many Athenians leave for the islands, so confirm the recipient is in town. Outside the summer break, weekday evenings and weekend mornings are usually the easiest times for a handover.
›Who arranges payment for the item in Athens?
Payment is arranged directly between you and the Helper, because the platform itself is not a seller or a courier. Write the plan down in chat.
Send a surprise in Athens
Watch this city to be emailed when a helper joins or a request appears, or invite someone you know in Athens.