As with any major city, it make sense to avoid certain areas at night. High Heels & a Backpack works as an affiliate partner for several businesses. The above situations account for probably 95% of all the petty crimes I've heard about from visitors to Athens and locals as well. Is Athens Safe? Crucial tips for your visit in 2023! - Pilot Public transport here is excellent and getting around congested Greek cities can be a nightmare. Visitors should be alert when walking around popular monuments and on public transport just like in any other big city. "text": "Serious crimes such as gun crimes are extremely rare in Athens. But first, what does that question even mean? Travel insurance should be one of the items to check off on your preparation list before traveling to ensure that you're covered while on vacation. Theyre among the sort of petty crime thats most likely to have a negative impact on your trip. Some Athens neighbourhoods are safer than others and there are definitely parts of town where you need to be more careful. Namely, they are Makrygianni, Petralona, Koukaki, Kolonaki, Kifissia, Paleo Faliro, and Thissio. Athens is considered a very safe destination to visit with a low crime rate. You dont have to trawl through all of the reviews but generally speaking, if somewhere has an average overall rating of 4 stars, you know its pretty decent. "@type": "FAQPage", The short answer is yes, but there are caveats. These are listed below. Sure, if you eat somewhere thats right beside a tourist attraction or an ancient ruin, the prices might be a little higher than the average but the food will still be excellent. Watch this Topic Browse forums All Attica forums Athens forum Bobby112 Bengaluru, India Level Contributor 10 posts 4 reviews 4 helpful votes Is Athens safe for Indian tourists right now (in 2013)? Dont buy counterfeit goods, such as sports shoes or handbags, from the sidewalk sellers. There are no dangerous neighborhoods but avoid the following places at night time. The US Department of State categorises Athens as a MEDIUM threat location for terrorist activity, but this is more of a general categorisation of Europe rather than Greece or Athens specifically. Is it safe to use public transport in Athens? A couple of years ago, Exarchia was a lot worse but today, a lot of hipsters and students from the nearby Athens Law School come here to hang out and drink beers so it has changed a lot. This area is perfectly fine in the day but you want to leave after dark as there have been a few incidents in recent years with tourists being robbed at knife-point. Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Itineraries | Bicycle Touring. Since Athens is such a major tourist destination and a popular jump-off point for a wider Greece itinerary, it is very easy to meet other travellers here.Greece is a patriarchal country and some people do have outdated views of women and gender roles. Is Athens Safe? Areas to Avoid and Other Warnings - SmarterTravel I avoided where the situation was and just focused on what I wanted to do! Let me outline them for you here so you know what to avoid or be aware of: Some people who have taken the metro from the airport to the center of Athens have mentioned that pickpockets work the line. Althoughprostitution has been legal in Athens since 2010, there are still many illicit brothels (usually advertised as studios) throughout the city. { This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. My girlfriend's lived here most of her life, and none of those things have happened to her either. Athens is very safe for female tourists. Its true that Athens looks a little grittier than a lot of European capitals but that definitely doesnt mean its more dangerous. What crime there is tends to be petty crime. 10160 Athens, Greece Telephone: +(30)(210) 721-2951 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +30 210 729-4444 or +30 210 729-4301 . There are also a lot of rough sleepers around Monastiraki station. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Athens: 7 Things Travelers Need To Know Before Visiting Some people also find the amount of graffiti in Athens, specifically in those areas very intimidating it makes the city seem unsafe. How long can you stay? However, that is not something that is likely to affect you as someone who is just spending one or two days in Athens.Greek men are often more forward than men in some western countries and you may experience people looking at you or approaching you. It's just spray paint on a wall though, it won't bite you! It could be an uncomfortable place to walk through when the sun sets. If you have a backpack, hold it in front of you rather than on your back. Seriously though Enjoy your time in Athens. 41 helpful votes Is Daytime Use of Metro Safe for Tourists? Always purchase insurance and inspect the vehicle when you pick it up. (So always make a mental tally of the cost). Melissa Douglas is a British Travel Writer and Blogger based in Athens, Greece. Here's: These are some of the most commonly asked questions readers have when it comes to finding out whether Athens in Greece is safe to travel to. The same website states, due to several cases of pickpocketing inside the Metro system [] you are advised to be constantly aware of your belongings and your pockets, especially in central stations and inside trains.. Well, Athens has an urban population of 3 million people. You should be ashamed by the way you refer to foreigners as sewers and third world or drunkards. . }, { You are far less likely to be ripped off this way and drivers on the platform care about their ratings. We would say that there are certain tourist scams in Athens to know about, and some neighborhoods that are probably worth avoiding all together. In particular, look for the Foreign Girls Living In Athens group which is very active and helpful. In Greek neighbourhoods that are more residential like Koukaki, Kolonaki, Vyronas, the Mets, Pagrati, Neos Kosmos, and Zografou, you are okay to walk around in the evenings (i.e. In general, yes. Greece hasone of the highest rates of road accidents for any European city, and safety measures like seatbelts and bike helmets are regularly ignored. In 2018, 1300 protests were documented in Athens and its vicinity. My name's Miles and I've been round the world at least eight times, probably more. The vast majority of those trips happen without a single hitch, making Athens pretty safe for visitors. The article was simply written for travellers who may be wondering if Athens was safe. Athens has a safety rating of 44.34 which is pretty good for a large city that is home to 3.15 million people. }. The pickpocket got off the train at the next stop, and the tourist was oblivious that they had almost gotten their vacation off to a bad start! Travelling across Athens by cab is very cheap. What I would suggest though, is checking out a couple of Facebook groups. For instance, cape Sounion, Delphi, or Nafplio. Use well-lit, well-populated ATMs When you visit the city, you can base yourself in one of the central districts (like Psyri or Koukaki) and explore the entire city centre on foot without having to take cabs or public transport.There are no dangerous, no-go areas in Athens. I am always hearing of tourists having their phones stolen from their pockets or their backpacks and one of my friends lost three different phones in the course of just one year living in Athens! Kolonaki is a great place to stay in Athens if you are looking for quiet, safe accommodation while still near dining, shopping, and sightseeing. Based on homicides alone, the question shouldn't be is Greece safe, but HOW is Greece SO safe! Safety | The Official Athens Guide - This is Athens The nightlife hub of Exarcheia might also sound tempting for those on the hunt for rock bars and alt nightclubs, but its not the place to flash expensive phones. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. }] As is Greece in general. Always best to be aware of what is going on around you, and have your valuable tucked away safe. A lot of opportunitists operate on the metro and in crowded areas like the Monastiraki Flea Market so it is important to always be careful with your personal belongings. I am looking at ferries from Naxos. In addition, roughly half of the pipes carrying water around Athens aremade of asbestos, which is now a banned material as it contains elements that may cause cancer. There's also a visible homeless presence. Useful contact information is detailed below for your reference. And sign up for my free travel guides to Greece, which I'm sure you'll love! Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Greece.. But its also worth doing a little research before you arrive, to discover the ins and outs of travel here and see is Athens safe for travelers in 2022. How to Stay Safe in Athens. "@type": "Question", You might now be worried that Athens is too safe, and you won't have an exciting story to share. Safety Athens is generally a very safe city. In addition, the 'bar scam' does still sometimes happen."} If you are an introvert and you want to spend your time in Athens solo, thats great. After a brief conversation, you tell the person you are not interested and they take the piece of paper away and wander off. . Solution Pre-book a taxi instead. This capital city of Greece has nearly 3.7 million inhabitants - crime almost seems inevitable right? A recent confidential surveyfound that 7% of public officials admitted to acceptingfakelaki(a slang word for small envelope. Athens is one of the world's safest cities. Hopefully your vacation in Greece will be trouble free, but it's best to have a good travel insurance policy just in case! Safe to travel to Athens?? - Athens Forum - Tripadvisor Is Athens Safe For Tourists? 2023 Athens Safety Guide - Dave's Travel Pages Is it safe for tourists that use common sense and aware of surroundings? Locals are accustomed to seeing foreigners explore alone so rest assured you wont get weird looks, comments, or be hassled for going solo. Use a hidden wallet to hide your credit cards and bigger amounts of money. However, I've seen many people struggling. Women traveling alone probably have a whole set of concerns or issues I'm completely unaware of. In short, yes! Psiri and Plaka place you in the heart of the old part of town, surrounded by lively tavernas and bouzouki bars. It is an unfortunate reality that accidents and illnesses can happen anywhere and todays health is not promised tomorrow. Samrat. Bicycle Touring Electronic Gear For Iceland. Please distinguish these categories properlyevery ethnic group has its negative qualities and, CRIME IS NOT ONE WHICH IS INHERENT IN ETHNIC GREEKS. They also give the city an overall very safe rating. Local food and drinks How good is the WiFi? But, if. Scams against tourists are relatively common in Athens. You'll want to make sure you have trip cancellation coverage of some sort, and personal and medical insurance. Is Athens safe for Indian tourists right now (in 2013)? This means that as a tourist in Athens, the odds are extraordinarily low in regards to homicide. Greece International Travel Information "name": "Is Greece dangerous for tourists? These are very safe at night, although you should be aware of typical big city annoyances like pickpockets and bag snatching from restaurant tables or the backs of chairs. How safe is Greece? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "name": "How safe is Athens at night? If anything is less than 3.5, its best avoided. Waiters will often bring a basket of bread to your table which you will usually be charged a couple of extra euros for so if you dont want it, ask them to take it back. In fact, the Greek capital has risen to become something of a hub for digital nomad workers in the post-pandemic age remote-worker destination aggregator NomadList ranks it as the 44th most popular destination out of 318 in Europe! AKA: bribes), but some estimations put the number closer to 40% in reality. How safe is it? (Obviously, you should remember that these are still internet strangers so always check their profiles and meet in a public place). Yes! Fast forward a few decades, and the city is now a first-choice destination for visitors to Greece. These attacks have not targeted tourists. Therefore it might be best to avoid them at night, especially if you don't know where you are going. Hotels and tourism facilities may have lists of nearby testing sites or be able to help arrange tests. Forest fires are common, especially during the dry summer months, . Does this make the area unsafe for visitors? It is prudent to ensure that you have comprehensive travel insurance before you travel anywhere. At least as far as the anecdotal evidence of myself and girlfriend and our circle of friends and acquaintances goes. "@context": "https://schema.org", "acceptedAnswer": { Closest metro station: Evangelismos, Syntagma . When you are in crowded areas (e.g. As some said before, IF there is a demonstration, it's round Syntagma/Omonia - you can easily avoid this area as a tourist ;) Last year I was stuck in the middle of Syntagma, a demonstration was going on (from immigrants I heard later on), bombs were thrown . Is Athens safe to visit in 2023 and beyond? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Take the usual precautions to avoid pickpocketing and scams when exploring Athens and you'll have a great time! How to take the Athens metro Some visitors may however prefer the taste of bottled water. Greek driving can seem erratic and aggressive, especially if you are from a country like the US, UK or Europe where driving is a lot more tame!" They operate in two ways, either subtly lifting wallets, or two or three of them will use a blocking or distraction method while another lifts the wallet. If you prefer not to keep your passport with you all day, consider making a photocopy. Still, its worth bearing in mind that this is one of the largest cities in southern Europe, and a lived-in and gritty town with lots of people and a whole patchwork of different areas, some less savory than others. Or simply take a ferry to Mykonos orKos, andparty on the beachuntil sun up! These travel tips will help you avoid scams, let you know which areas to avoid at night, and inform you as to different scenarios where you should pay extra attention. You will find some practical advice for keeping safe below. There are cheaper ones on Blue Star but they arrive at 23:15 (I am talking 42 vs 72 euros). Athens is considered a very safe city, even for solo female travelers. In general, however, Athens is very safe late at night in the historic center which is where most tourists will tend to want to spend their time. I would personally advise against walking up some of the Athens hills during the night time. Some tourist restaurants might try and cheat you on the prices which is why its a good idea to try and find a lunch/dinner spot away from the super crowded areas. Yes, you can drink the water in Athens. Athens Safe for tourist ? - Athens Forum - Tripadvisor It can prove a nightmare in the relocation process and youll need bags and bags of patience! On top of that, the the Greeks are, at heart, a very warm and friendly people, even if many of the men you meet in Athens will probably come on a bit too strong. (Ideally Glyfada way!) (As long as you avoid those dates, you should be fine. In the above search box, type in "Athens safety".There are numerous posts concerning this topic. There are plenty of excellent historical sites, art galleries, and museums in Athens that you dont need travel companions to be able to experience. I am thinking of taking the blue line from Piraeus to Evangelismos, but would like to hear your thoughts. Crime statistics point toward the fact that it's actually quite a safe city for travellers, as Athens is not included on lengthy lists of the world's most dangerous cities, and a 2019 crime index from Numbeo put the Greek capital at number 130 on the list, rating . ", The biggest risk for tourists in Athens is the risk of being a victim of petty crime like pickpocketing or theft. Most visits are trouble-free, but the theft of passports and wallets are common on the metro and in crowded tourist sights. Obviously, safety is a very personal thing and it is often a lot more complex than just a simple yes/no answer. As I'm not a solo female traveler, it's not my place to write about it. (I am American and working in China. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Much of what you suggest was the same advice I lived by when I arrived in Athens as a solo traveller in June of 1987. Is Daytime Use of Metro Safe for Tourists? - Athens Forum Thanks all the very useful information on your website. There are a few areas that are a little rougher around the edges and where you need to exercise increased precautions, but that is the case in most places around the globe. Mind you, 8 of those years I lived in Voila. There is a strong police presence in Central Athens. Travelers brought31.8 billion eurosinto the Greek economy in 2019 and the powers that be are constantly looking to push that number up. Thanks for your comment. The embassy information for British and American travellers is provided below. You can join our group Real Greek Experiences for updates of this sort of thing.
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