Despite Greece being one of the hottest tourist destinations for Brits in 2025, new research commissioned by The Real Greek has revealed a surprising gap in knowledge about this Mediterranean gem. While 74% of Londoners recognise Greece’s major contributions to Western civilisation, many still link the country to its past, with 19% of those living in London picturing ancient Greek gods when asked what they associate most with the country.
The survey, which polled over 2,000 UK adults, uncovered surprising gaps in awareness about Greece’s contributions to the world. Shockingly, more than half of Londoners (52%) were unaware that the Olympics originated in Greece, while 68% didn’t realise amphitheatres came from here, and 53% didn’t know that Greek philosophy laid the foundation for modern thinking. Over two-thirds (74%) of Londoners had no idea that the Greek alphabet was the basis for many Western writing systems.
In an effort to challenge these widespread misconceptions, The Real Greek is launching an interactive quiz inviting Brits to test their knowledge of Greek culture, history, and contributions — and Londoners can take part here.
To sweeten the deal, 10,000 free souvlakis are up for grabs — rewarding top scorers and even those who need a little help. Plus, Londoners can scan QR codes on posters across the city to claim their free souvlaki and join in the fun.
“Greece is often reduced to myths and ruins, but its influence reaches far beyond that,” said Laura Mimoun, Chief Marketing Officer at The Real Greek. “We wanted to encourage Brits to explore the rich and ongoing contributions Greece has made to everything from science and sports to the arts and cuisine. This quiz is a fun, interactive way to learn more while enjoying a taste of Greece with a delicious free souvlaki!”
The study also found that while 67% of Londoners are familiar with Aristotle and 61% know of Socrates, 4 in 10 Londoners (40%) have never heard of Plato. Additionally, 65% recalled learning about Ancient Greece in school.
In terms of travel, nearly half (48%) of Londoners have never visited Greece, though 84% expressed interest in going, with ancient history (49%), islands (41%), and Greek cuisine (39%) as the top reasons for wanting to visit.
Greek cuisine continues to be a favourite among Londoners, ranking second, with 34% of Londoners naming it their preferred choice, only behind Italian (42%).
Half of Londoners (50%) enjoy Greek food at least once a month, with popular foods including Greek salad (39%), olives (33%), and feta cheese (28%). However, traditional dishes like taramasalata (16%), dolmades (15%), and spanakopita (13%) remain less familiar.
The quiz, available on The Real Greek’s website, offers a chance to learn more about Greece’s cultural, historical, and culinary legacy. After completing the quiz, participants will be rewarded with one of 10,000 free souvlakis.
