Is Athens Safe for Tourists? The Answer May Surprise You, and Here Is Exactly What Happened to Me.
Is Athens safe to visit?
This question often pops up in the minds of millions of tourists planning a trip to Athens, Greece. The city, renowned for its rich history and vibrant culture, is a magnet for travelers worldwide. However, like any major city, it has its share of safety concerns.
Short answer: Yes, Athens is safe. The main issue in Athens is street crime, not anything seriously dangerous like terrorist attacks. In some places, the chance of becoming a victim of crime is higher.
But there are some things you must know to avoid having all the troubles I had.
First of all, the title of this article may make you think that this is some rant where some blogger complains about something that made him pissed.
It is not. Well, maybe part of it, but just a tiny part. handy give you some really useful safety advice.
Athens is lovely in many aspects and areas (like Plaka), and it is still one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. However, tourist areas have cases of scammers. We wrote a special article about Europe’s most creative (but widespread) scams.
Here, in the next few paragraphs, you will discover surprising facts about crime in Athens and if is it safe to visit the Greek capital in 2023.
Are you considering a trip to Athens? Are you curious about the safety in Athens at night or when traveling alone? Do you want to know which areas to avoid in Athens? This guide answers all these questions and more, providing a comprehensive overview of safety in Athens. So, before you pack your bags, take a moment to explore this guide and equip yourself with the knowledge to make your trip to Athens as safe as possible.
Ready?
Omonia: One of The Areas in Athens to Avoid
(And why hotels for discounted prices in dingy places may not be a good idea if you want to stay safe.)
I spent months planning a road trip with my parents that would go from Croatia to Greece.
We had fun, and everything went incredibly smoothly.
This included even parts where I was counting on problems related to infrastructure, bad roads, and so on, like Albania. But no, no problems at all. Indeed, I was amazed by how delicious Albanian food can be and how friendly some people were.
We arrived in Athens. It would be the first place on the entire trip where we would stay in a nice hotel, with breakfast included. Until then, we stayed only in budget bed and breakfasts to save money and spend it on more interesting things like tours.
But not in Athens, because there I found a really nice hotel at an incredible price. The reviews of its cleanliness, staff, value for money, and everything else were sky-high, except for one factor: location.
I wondered why the location was relatively poorly evaluated. The hotel was so close to the central zone that it looked very convenient, so I reserved it anyway.
Big mistake.
In one day, my father was encircled by a group of teenagers who stole his phone and ran away.
As a precaution, I stopped walking with documents so someone would not steal them.
The other day, a few minutes after I parked my car in front of the hotel and went to help my mom go down the stairs, someone broke the rear window and stole my luggage and backpack, including all my money and some documents.
One of these documents contained the visa to go back to the country where I was living back then (Qatar). Without it, I couldn’t return. I lost almost one month of my salary while waiting for a new visa. I also had no clothes and little money left. My (until then) awesome road trip turned into a nightmare.
But before any Greek reader tells me something like “you are putting our capital in a bad light while coming from one of the most dangerous places on earth!”, that is not what I am saying.
So it’s time for some clarification, and a proper safety guide.
Read also: There is no more East-West, and the city now represents reunification and joy. But is Berlin safe?
Is Athens Really Safe to Walk or Take the Metro?
Pieces of advice that I wish I knew much, much earlier. It would save me thousands, and one of the most spectacular holidays I had would not end almost tragically.
Yes, Athens is, on average, a very safe city (although it is the most dangerous city in Greece). The homicide rate is a meager 0.94 murders per 100 thousand residents/year. To put it into perspective, Madrid, a city with safety indicators and size to Athens, had only 34 homicides in 2021.
Even the safest capital in Brazil, São Paulo, has numbers far worse crime rate numbers (although improving quickly), and Athens is also much safer than any of the 10 most dangerous cities in Europe. On the other hand, Athens lags way behind European capitals such as Lisbon in terms of safety.
But there are 2 problems with analyzing only murder rates and talking about the city’s average:
1st — It doesn’t consider other crimes like burglaries, robberies, or assaults. These types of crimes are rising there.
2nd — When we consider general numbers for the whole city, we ignore that Athens is one of the largest European cities, with a metropolitan population of over 5 million residents. This is more than, Rome, Berlin, or Milan.
Being a very large city, Athens has many safe places and a few dangerous areas.
One of them is Omonia.
But not only.
Areas and Neighborhoods in Athens to Avoid
Athens, (just in case you missed it, I am talking about the capital of Greece, not the city in the USA) is a beautiful city.
Historically important and culturally rich, it offers its tourists endless ways to discover a wealth of ancient sights and museums. But, like many large cities, Athens has issues that visitors should know about.
Including delinquency, which is more prevalent in districts such as:
Omonia
Omonia is rife with drug dealers, petty crime, prostitutes, pickpockets, petty criminals, and addicts. Always keep an eye on your belongings. You won’t see many (if any) Greek locals if you walk around the area, and more shady conditions exist at night, so not recommended for solo female travelers.
After seeing it with my own eyes, I could finally understand why such a nice hotel received a low rating for the factor “location.”
Vathi
This is an area just northwest of Omonia and has similar problems (although likely in a smaller proportion).
Exarcheia
It is a run-down, largely neglected part of the city. Keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings.
Best Area to Stay When You Visit Athens
Plaka
Choose Plaka, and you’ll discover the definitive Greek neighborhood. It is the closest you can find in Athens to the Historical Old Towns that exist in other European capitals like Rome, Warsaw, or Prague.
A community that is a place to visit by itself, rooted in antiquity and a living museum of Greek culture. A place full of history and culture, art and entertainment that is also blessed with exceptional scenery.
Marvel at the white marble edifices of the Ancient Agora jutting out between Byzantine Mosaics, Roman Columns, Byzantine churches, and Venetian mansions while basking in the ambiance of pedestrianized streets lined with cafes and tavernas. Everything in close distance to Metro stops.
Given Plaka’s prime position and beauty, you should expect higher hotel prices in this part of Athens.
Syntagma Square (and surroundings)
This is one of the best places to stay in Athens if you are visiting the Greek capital for the first time. It is a central point of the city, connected to the entire city and within walking distance of major attractions like the Greek Parliament Building, the tomb of the unknown soldier, and the Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaro — the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, rebuilt in the 2nd century.
Since it is the most important square in Athens, it also has numerous restaurants and cafés.
Be aware, however, that such tourist areas, especially on crowded days, is a spot for scams in Athens. A famous one is the bird poop scam when a passerby sprays fake bird poop on your shoulder and helps to clean it, but this is only a distraction for someone to pickpocket you.
Check also: Get inspired for your next European adventure with this list of the best destinations to visit from January to June.
Kolonaki
If you are looking for a more luxurious/trendy place, then Kolonaki is where you should look for a hotel.
It is a district surrounded by the finest shops and boutiques, as well as remarkable museums and monuments. Kolonaki offers a lively and cosmopolitan environment that attracts visitors worldwide, but it is also one of the most expensive areas in Athens.
Koukaki
There is a sense of local community in this area south of the Acropolis.
Koukaki is the ideal location if you’re searching for a walkable area where regular Athenians hang out and reside. The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum are the main attractions in this area. There are several pedestrian areas here, and most sites can be reached by foot. You may walk kilometers around the Acropolis without seeing any cars.
There are some excellent and (surprisingly!) inexpensive hotels in the best areas of Athens. You can find them below.
Top 5 popular tours in Athens on a Budget (Below $99)
- 🏛️ Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Walking Tour – Take in the ancient wonders of Athens with a guided tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon.
- 🎭 Athens: Street Art Walking Tour – Discover the vibrant street art scene in Athens on this guided walking tour.
- 🏞️ Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour – Visit the stunning Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon on this half-day tour.
- 🎨 Athens: Street Food Tasting Tour – Discover the flavors of Athens with a street food tasting tour.
- 🍽️ Small-Group Greek Traditional Food Tour around Athens with Tastings – This is a hit! Savor the flavors of Greek cuisine on this food tour around Athens.
Is Athens Worth Visiting?
Despite all the problems I had there, yes, definitely worth visiting. It is the birthplace of philosophy, Western civilization, and even the Olympics.
Athens is a city that almost everyone should visit — and Greece at large, too. That’s not just because of the Acropolis, although that’s something everyone should see. One could spend days and still have much to see in this metropolis (a word that, by the way, derives from the Greek language).
Are Taxis Safe in Athens?
Absolutely yes, if we are only considering safety.
The government regulates taxi services. Owners and operators of taxis are licensed and have specific permits.
BUT…
In some instances, they have been caught overcharging visitors while using “scenic routes” (aka driving around Athens in circles). Something similar to what often happens in cities like Buenos Aires.
It’s best to use an app (like Google Maps) or ask at your point of origin (hotel/restaurant) what the price and duration of a particular ride will be. Then when you enter the car, politely say to the driver:
“Going to X place. So it is approximately 25 minutes and 15€, right?”
Book a transfer in advance if you are coming from the Athens International Airport to your hotel or final destination (and vice-versa). I like to use Get Transfer for that since it compares quotes from multiple providers and gives you the best, cheapest, and more reliable choice.
Talking about safety, check also the 8 safest big cities in the US.
Travel Insurance
As a travel insurance policy provider for exploring Athens (and other cities in Europe), we recommend Ekta.
Scams in Athens
In another article we explained the most common and shocking scams you can find in European popular tourist destinations in 2023.
Popular tourist areas attract scammers, and areas like Central Athens and Omonia Square are often their places of activity. Read the article we mentioned above and get familiar to avoid unpleasant surprises close to tourist attractions.
Conclusion: Is Athens Safe for Tourists like a Solo Female Traveler?
Athens, like any other major city in the world, has both safe and less safe areas (check the previous paragraphs to know their names), and while it can’t be considered as safe as many other European capitals, it’s not an inherently dangerous place to visit… probably I was just very unlucky 🙂
The city’s relative danger compared to other European capitals is a complex issue that has been exacerbated by the economic crisis Greece has faced in recent decades. This has led to higher crime rates in certain parts, especially involving petty crimes like pickpocketing and tourist scams.
While violent crime is generally low in Athens, petty theft and pickpocketing are common in crowded areas and on public transportation, such as the metro. Tourist areas, like the Athens city center, are particularly targeted by pickpockets due to the high number of visitors.
Despite these concerns, Athens remains an incredible city to explore with a rich history, vibrant street art, and delicious Greek food. The vast majority of tourists have a trouble-free experience, provided they take normal precautions.
Solo travelers, and especially women travelers, should be extra cautious when walking around at night, especially in less frequented neighborhoods. It is also advisable to avoid demonstrations, as they can sometimes escalate and become violent. It’s always a good idea to stay alert, keep valuables hidden, and avoid flashing luxury items or large amounts of cash.
In conclusion, Athens is safe for tourists. Instead of anything life-threatening like terrorist attacks, street crime is the main problem in Athens. The likelihood of being a victim of crime is increased in some areas.
You should avoid staying in places like:
- Omonia
- Vathi
- Exarcheia
Some nice and safer places to stay are:
- Plaka district
- Syntagma Square (and surroundings)
- Kolonaki (for those demanding more luxurious locations) or Koukaki (for the local atmosphere).
Some Safety Tips Athens For Your Travel to Athens
1st — If you are visiting the city, there are plenty of options in terms of luggage storage, so you don’t need to walk around with your carry-on bags. Reliable, convenient, and inexpensive luggage storage services you can find at Radical Storage.
2nd — If you want to walk around and see some stunning spots without the risk of getting lost or wasting your limited time, hire a guide. You can find some amazing and reliable guides and tours at Viator. They will give you insider information about historical facts and curiosities, and also warn you of risky areas and keep you safe.
3rd — If anyone stops or calls your attention to offer some service in the street, keep walking. Another good idea is to use a dummy wallet.
4th — Areas surrounding airports and train stations can be dangerous. Book a transfer in advance from the Athens airport (or from any station) to your destination and vice versa, so you can avoid scammers and criminals. I often used Get Transfer for that and it always worked fine.
5th—Stay in a good hostel. Hostels are usually in the safest parts of cities (at least in Europe and South America), unlike hotels. Most hostels have private rooms that are as comfortable as a hotel, plus a friendly staff to give information. When looking for hostels, I visit Hostelworld and filter for those above grade 7. Many of them are in the safest areas to stay in Athens.
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Levi Borba is the founder of the Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and a best-selling author. Some of the links of this article may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transaction.
