Is Greece Safe Right Now? (2026 Travel Advice)

Short answer: yes, Greece is considered safe for most travellers right now, and serious incidents affecting tourists are uncommon. The realistic risks on a typical trip are pickpocketing in central Athens, scooter accidents on the islands, and summer disruption from wildfires or ferry strikes rather than crime.

Quick verdict: Athens, the islands, and mainland routes

Athens is a big European capital with the usual pickpocket problem in crowded metro stations and tourist streets, but violent crime against visitors is rare. The islands feel notably calmer, and most reported incidents there involve scooter or quad crashes, drink-related injuries in nightlife towns, or lost belongings on beaches.

Mainland routes through the Peloponnese, Meteora and northern Greece are generally low-stress drives on well-marked roads. You will want to allow extra time in the summer months when ferries, buses and air traffic occasionally face short strikes, and to keep an eye on wildfire alerts if you are travelling inland.

Petty crime, protests and seasonal disruption

Pickpocketing is the most common issue reported by visitors, particularly on the Athens metro lines into Syntagma and Monastiraki, around Omonia, and at busy sights such as the Acropolis entrance and Plaka. Bags left on restaurant chairs or on the sand at beach bars are also a frequent target.

Protests and strikes do happen, usually announced in advance and concentrated around Syntagma Square in central Athens. They are generally peaceful, but it is sensible to avoid the edges of any demonstration and to check whether your ferry, flight or museum visit is affected that day.

Wildfires are a real summer concern, especially from June through September in Attica, Evia, the Peloponnese and some of the larger islands. Firefighters manage most outbreaks quickly, but road closures and evacuation orders can change plans at short notice.

Athens neighbourhoods: where visitors usually stay

Plaka, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Thission and Syntagma are the areas most visitors choose, and they are comfortable to walk around day and night. Keep the usual awareness in crowded pedestrian streets and on the metro, and carry only what you need for the day.

Parts of Omonia and Exarcheia are fine during the day and home to some of the best food and bars in the city, but they feel rougher after dark. If you are staying there, take a licensed taxi back late at night rather than walking through quiet side streets, and avoid wandering into the area immediately around Omonia square alone at 2am.

• Use a cross-body bag with the zipper facing you on the metro.
• Keep your phone off the table at busy tavernas in Monastiraki.
• Prefer the Beat or FreeNow apps for taxis rather than flagging down on the street.
• Carry a photo of your passport and leave the original in the hotel safe.

Island travel: scooters, ferries and nightlife

Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Crete and Rhodes are all comfortable for first-time visitors, and each has its own rhythm. Santorini and Mykonos are busier and more expensive, Naxos and Crete are easier for families, and Rhodes gives you a mix of old town, beach and day trips.

Scooter and ATV rentals are the single biggest cause of serious injuries for visitors to the islands. Roads are narrow, gravel is common on bends, and many travellers ride without the right licence or helmet. If you have never ridden before, a small rental car is almost always the safer choice.

Ferry schedules are reliable in good weather, but high winds on the Cyclades can cancel departures for a day at a time, especially in July and August. Build at least one buffer day into your return to Athens so that a delayed ferry does not cost you your flight home.

Families and solo travellers

Greece is an easy destination for families. Restaurants welcome children late into the evening, beaches are generally calm, and even small villages tend to have pharmacies and clinics nearby. Bring sun protection suitable for strong Mediterranean sun and plan indoor activities for the hottest midday hours.

Solo travellers, including solo women, report feeling comfortable across the country. The main things to plan around are the same as elsewhere in Europe: stick to busier streets late at night, watch your drink in nightlife areas, and let someone know your rough plan if you are hiking on less-populated trails in places like Crete or the Zagori.

What to monitor before you travel

Check the wildfire and civil-protection updates for the specific islands or regions you are visiting, particularly if you are going in peak summer. Look at ferry operator websites the day before for strike notices, and keep an eye on announcements for any planned air-traffic-controller action that could affect your flights.

• Bookmark your ferry operator and check it the night before departure.
• Follow the Hellenic civil protection alerts for wildfires in your area.
• Keep your airline app installed with notifications on.
• Note the nearest hospital or health centre for your island stay.
• Save the emergency number 112, which works across the EU.

For broader context on the region, you can compare with our notes on Italy and neighbouring Greece entries, and check the latest official advice before booking.