Introduction

Greece, the cradle of Western civilisation, is one of the most historically and naturally magnificent countries in the world. The Acropolis of Athens with its Parthenon is among humanity’s most iconic monuments. The Minoan ruins of Knossos in Crete, the archaeological treasures of Delphi, the dramatic caldera of Santorini, the medieval Knights’ fortress city of Rhodes, the remarkable monasteries of Meteora perched on pinnacles of rock, the Venetian-influenced Corfu Town, and the olive groves and Byzantine mosaics of the Peloponnese together form one of the world’s great civilisational landscapes.

Greece receives some 30 million tourists annually, making tourism one of the country’s primary economic sectors. The Greek people are genuinely warm and hospitable, and the combination of extraordinary history, superb food, remarkable landscapes, and vibrant cultural life makes Greece an outstanding destination. Understanding a few specific safety and scam issues will ensure your visit is entirely positive.

Greece is an EU and NATO member state with professional law enforcement and adequate emergency services. The most common safety issues for tourists involve pickpocketing in Athens, taxi overcharging (historically significant, now considerably improved with apps), and bar/nightlife overcharging on certain islands and in tourist resort areas.

General Safety Overview

Greece is generally safe for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. The areas of greatest crime risk for tourists are in central Athens — particularly around Omonia Square and the Exarcheia neighbourhood (which has historically been associated with anarchist activity and occasional civil unrest), and around Athens Central Market (Varvakeios) — and in the nightlife-heavy tourist resort districts of Mykonos, Ios, and parts of Rhodes and Crete.

Athens’ tourist core (Monastiraki, Plaka, Syntagma, the Acropolis foothill area) is generally safe but experiences significant pickpocket activity during peak season when visitor density is highest. The Athens Metro (Lines 1, 2, and 3) and the city’s trolleybuses carry pickpocket risk in crowded conditions. Demonstrations occasionally occur near Syntagma Square (the location of the Greek Parliament) — while generally peaceful, they can escalate; maintain distance.

Personal Safety and Crime Prevention

In Athens, the highest-risk areas for tourists are: the Monastiraki Flea Market area (particularly during crowded weekends), the Athens Central Market, the Metro (especially Line 1 serving Piraeus and the busiest Line 3 segments), and the footpaths leading up to the Acropolis during peak tourist season. Keep bags secured at your front with zippers closed. Be alert to deliberate contact or distractions from strangers.

On Greek islands, the nightlife resort areas — particularly Mykonos Town in July-August, Ios (famous/notorious for its intense party culture), and resort strips in Crete — present specific risks from drink spiking, aggressive tout behaviour, and bar/club overcharging. These risks are concentrated; beaches and daytime tourist activities carry negligible crime risk.

• Keep bags secured and phones in inside pockets on Athens Metro and in Monastiraki.
• Never leave drinks unattended on Mykonos, Ios, or in intensive nightlife resort areas.
• Stay with companions in nightlife areas; do not let friends become separated.
• Keep valuables out of sight on all beaches — bag theft from sunbeds is reported.
• Be particularly alert near the Acropolis tourist footpaths during peak crowds.

Transportation Safety

Athens taxis have historically been one of the city’s most significant tourist problems — in fact, deliberately rigged meters, illegal per-item surcharges, and refusing to go to specific destinations were systematic issues for years. The situation has dramatically improved since ride-hailing apps (Uber, Beat, and Bolt) entered the market and the government reformed taxi regulations. These apps are strongly recommended for all Athens taxi journeys.

Greece has an extensive ferry network serving its numerous islands (over 6,000 total, with 227 inhabited). The ferry system is generally safe; ANEK Lines, Blue Star Ferries, and Minoan Lines are the main operators on major routes. However, smaller island hopper vessels and private speedboat taxis on smaller islands have a more variable safety record. Always ensure life jackets are visibly present on any small boat you board.

• Use Uber, Bolt, or Beat app for all taxi journeys in Athens.
• If using a street taxi, insist the meter runs from the start; the legal rate is set by law.
• Always confirm ferry ticket validity before boarding; buy from official company offices.
• On small boats and speedboat taxis: confirm life jackets are available.
• Greek driving is aggressive; exercise heightened caution if renting a car or scooter.

Health and Medical Safety

Greek healthcare is adequate in main cities and tourist areas. Athens has several good private hospitals (Hygeia, Metropolitan). On smaller islands, medical facilities are limited and serious cases require evacuation to Athens or Thessaloniki. EU citizens with EHIC can access state healthcare. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation is particularly important for anyone visiting small islands.

The Greek summer sun is intense and unforgiving; tourists consistently underestimate it. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke occur regularly at the Acropolis and other exposed historical sites where shade is minimal. Jellyfish (particularly the mauve stinger) are present in Greek waters in late summer. Sea urchins on rocky coasts require water shoes.

• Apply high-factor sunscreen and wear a hat at the Acropolis and other exposed sites.
• Carry water at all times during summer sightseeing.
• EHIC for EU citizens; travel insurance with evacuation for island visits.
• Water shoes on rocky coasts prevent sea urchin injury.
• Jellyfish stings: treat with sea water and seek medical attention for severe reactions.

Natural Hazards

Greece is one of Europe’s most seismically active countries. The Aegean and Ionian regions experience frequent earthquakes; some have been serious (the 1999 Athens earthquake killed 143 people; the 2020 Samos earthquake was devastating). Familiarise yourself with earthquake safety procedures in your accommodation. The island of Santorini is a dormant caldera; while eruption risk is low, volcanic unrest can occur.

Wildfires are an increasing and severe risk in Greece during summer months. The 2018 Mati fire near Athens killed over 100 people; subsequent fires in 2021 (Attica, Evia) and 2023 (Evros) burned vast areas. Follow all fire warnings immediately and do not light fires of any kind in rural or forested areas.

Digital and Financial Safety

Greece uses the euro. Cash is important — many businesses, particularly on smaller islands, are cash-only or prefer cash. Card acceptance has improved but rural and island establishments often require cash. ATMs are available throughout tourist areas; standard precautions apply. Keep a cash reserve for island travel.

• Carry cash for smaller islands and rural areas.
• Standard ATM safety precautions apply.
• Greek islands in particular — many smaller establishments are cash-only.

Common Tourist Scams and How to Avoid Them

Greece has several well-documented tourist scams, concentrated in Athens and the most heavily visited islands. The following are the most commonly reported.

Athens Taxi Overcharging (Pre-App Era Practices)

Before ride-hailing apps, Athens taxi overcharging was systematic and widespread. While apps have largely resolved the problem, some street taxi drivers still use rigged meters, add illegal surcharges, or refuse the meter entirely, relying on tourists’ unfamiliarity with legal rates.

How to Avoid: Use Uber, Bolt, or Beat apps for all Athens taxi journeys. If you must use a street taxi, ensure the meter is running from the start, confirm the tariff, and know that legally there are supplements only for airport journeys, large luggage, and holiday periods. Ask for a receipt at the journey’s end.

Bar Overcharging on Greek Islands

In tourist resort areas on Mykonos, Ios, Rhodes, and parts of Crete, bars and clubs present bills dramatically higher than what was agreed or displayed, add unsolicited drinks to the bill, or create intimidating environments when tourists refuse to pay.

How to Avoid: Always review a written menu before ordering. Specifically decline any drinks brought to your table without your order. Review the bill item by item. Use reputable, reviewed venues found on Google Maps or TripAdvisor rather than entering venues on tout recommendations.

Friendship Bracelet Scam

On the steps of the Acropolis footpath and near major Athens tourist attractions, individuals approach tourists and quickly tie a bracelet onto their wrist before the tourist can refuse, then demand payment.

How to Avoid: Keep your hands at your sides in tourist areas. Firmly say “no” and continue walking if anyone approaches with bracelets. You are under no obligation to pay for something placed on you without consent.

Unofficial Guides at Tourist Sites

At the Acropolis, Delphi, and Olympia, unofficial individuals offer guiding services, insisting they are “official” or “authorised,” then demand disproportionate payment.

How to Avoid: Official guides at Greek archaeological sites wear identifiable jackets and are listed at the site’s ticket office. Hire guides only through official channels.

“Authentic” Olive Oil Selling

Some vendors in tourist markets and shops sell low-quality or blended olive oil in traditional bottles claiming it is premium single-estate Greek extra virgin olive oil. Prices charged reflect the premium claim, not the actual quality.

How to Avoid: Purchase olive oil from clearly labelled, certified products with verifiable origin (Protected Designation of Origin, PDO certification). Visit reputable food shops rather than tourist market stalls.

Rental Car Damage Claims

As in other Mediterranean tourist destinations, rental car damage disputes are a documented issue in Greece, particularly on islands where the car rental market includes many small operators.

How to Avoid: Conduct video documentation of all existing damage before accepting any rental vehicle. Insist all pre-existing damage is noted on the agreement. Retain documentation until the deposit is fully returned.

Cultural Awareness and Etiquette

Greek culture is warm, expressive, and hospitable. The concept of “philoxenia” (love of the stranger) runs deep in Greek cultural DNA and is a genuine lived value, not merely a historical concept. Greeks are expressive communicators and physical contact (handshakes, embraces, cheek kisses between friends) is common. Haggling in tourist markets is expected and considered part of the interaction.

Visiting Orthodox churches and monasteries requires modest dress — shoulders and knees covered; some sites provide coverings for inappropriately dressed visitors. Greece’s ancient monuments and ruins are protected as national and world heritage and deserve respectful treatment; touching, climbing, or removing any stone or artefact from a protected site is a serious criminal offence.

• Dress modestly for Orthodox churches and monasteries.
• Never remove stones or artefacts from archaeological sites — it is a criminal offence.
• A firm “Efcharistó” (thank you) and “Yassas” (hello/cheers) goes a long way.
• Tipping 10% in restaurants is standard practice.
• Greeks eat dinner late — restaurants often only fill up after 9pm.

Emergency Contacts

Service	Number
Police	100
Ambulance	166
Fire	199
General Emergency	112

Note: 100 = Police; 166 = Ambulance (EKAB); 199 = Fire Brigade. 112 is the general EU emergency number. The Tourist Police (171) can assist with English.