Practical Info
Electricity
Greek sockets are
standard European sockets (voltage of AC/230 V/50Hz). Participants should bring their own adapters if their devices/appliances/plugs are incompatible with such sockets and voltage.
Weather
July is usually hot and dry in Crete. You can find the weather forecast for Rethymnon
HERE.
Internet access
Within the campus area, the participants can use the UoC wireless network. Participants affiliated with institutions that participate in the
eduroam network may use their own accounts.
Receiving and making international calls
International dialing code for Greece: +30. Area dialing code for Rethymnon: 28310.
To call from a Greek line abroad please check
HERE
Note that when you use your home country cell phone, you need to use the international codes that apply in your own country.
Medical Issues
The CreteLing office has a first-aid kit and a blood pressure monitor. If you think you need either of these, please come by. For more serious medical issues, if you are on campus during classes, please come by or have somebody notify the office. For other times, please be prepared by knowing where you can find the relevant information
HERE.
Swimming in the sea: One of the main attractions of Crete are its beautiful beaches. There are also various opportunities to swim in the sea in, and in the area of, Rethymnon. Be careful, though, not to overestimate yourself. Also, it is extremely important to keep in mind that there are strong currents (and sometimes dangerous rip currents). Best practice is to stay close to the beach, in particular when the sea is rough, and to avoid swimming out at night.
The sun: The Cretan sun is much stronger than many of you might expect. The island is far south in the northern hemisphere. Just look at one of our maps. Crete is at 35.2401° N. By comparison, Barcelona and Rome are much more to the North, at 41.3851° N and 41.9028° N respectively. So please wear a hat during the day, and wear sunscreen with a high SPF (SPF30 or above) and try to remain in shade. Do not lie on the beach in the sun during the day (between 12:00 and 19:00). Please take these protection measures very seriously! Also, it would be a good idea to have a look at the Mayo Clinic's pages on
sunburn and
heatstroke.
Useful phone numbers & addresses
Emergency phone numbers (from anywhere in Greece)
- First aid - Emergencies: 166
- European emergency: 112 - free of charge from most mobile phones for emergency services (ambulance, fire and rescue, police).
- Police emergency: 100
- Fire emergency: 199
- Poison center: 210 7793777 (operates 24 hours for advice)
- Tourist police: 171 (24 hour-line. Information and instructions in Greek, English, French and German).
Emergency phone numbers in Rethymnon (city map)
- General Hospital: 28310 87100, 2831 342100
- 17, Trandalidou St. south side of The Municipal Garden (city map no. 21)
- Police station: 28310 88154, 28310 8815526
- Iroon Politechniou St. (city map no. 23)
- Traffic Police: 28310 88163, 28310 8816626
- Iroon Politechniou St. (city map no. 23)
- Tourist police: 28310 28156
- S. Venizelou St, next to Marina (city map no. 16)
Useful phone numbers in Rethymnon (city map)
- TAXI services: 28310 24000, 28310 25000 or 28310 22316 🚕
- for people with disabilities: 28310 56678
- Tourist Info Office (EOT): 28310 83127
- S. Venizelou St, next to Marina (city map no. 16)
- Bus station (KTEL - Intercity & City Buses) - Info: 28310 22212, 28310 22785 (city map no. 13)
- Chania Airport (IATA code: CHQ): 28210 83800
- Heraklion Airport (IATA code: HER): 2810 397129 / 2810 397136
