What the info says
Athens ranks fifteenth worldwide for pickpocketing incidents, and in a broad security rating for 2025, which means the way it compares to many world vacationer cities. In accordance with the crowd-sourced crime index for mid-2025, Athens has a rating of ~55.3 (on a 0-100 scale the place greater = extra crime), inserting it within the “reasonable crime” notion bracket.
In that research, the favored vacationer zone across the Acropolis and the Plaka space had solely about 1.2 stories of pickpocketing per 1,000 evaluations – in contrast with, e.g. 6.8 per 1,000 in Montmartre (Paris) of their dataset.
Journey-advice sources describe Athens as having a “LOW” general threat for guests, however warning in opposition to theft in crowded vacationer areas and in opposition to utilizing public transport.
So briefly: sure, you’re safer in Athens than many headline-tourist cities, however security shouldn’t be assured, and the true threat is generally petty theft reasonably than violent crime.
What to be aware of
Pickpockets in crowded areas are the principle problem for guests.
• Hotspots embrace Monastiraki, Syntagma, the Acropolis metro and busy trams.
• They work subtly, so hold baggage zipped and in entrance of you.
Occasional distraction theft
• Not scooter snatching, simply somebody inflicting a quick distraction to carry a cellphone or pockets. This will also be individuals promoting roses or related.
• It will probably occur in markets and on the metro.
• Maintain valuables safe and keep away from leaving baggage open when taking photographs.
Taxis overcharging
• Generally a taxi will refuse to make use of the meter or will say it’s damaged. They might additionally say the EFTPOS machine isn’t working. That is unlawful, and you may both level this out to them or go to the following automobile. Higher but, ebook a non-public switch!
• All the time insist on a metered fare or agree on a hard and fast value prematurely.
Automotive break-ins
• By no means depart valuables in vehicles (wherever on the planet)
Busy public transport
• Pickpockets goal the airport and Piraeus metro traces throughout peak vacationer durations.
• Maintain baggage in entrance and hold telephones out of again pockets.
Protests and demonstrations
• Widespread round Syntagma and often peaceable.
• For those who see riot police assembling, merely reroute.
What you don’t have to panic about
- Widespread violent crime in opposition to vacationers: that is uncommon. Most vacationers won’t ever even discover something past the odd nuisance. The info exhibits fewer points than many huge European cities.
- Avoiding Athens completely: The statistics present that it isn’t among the many “high 10 worst cities in Europe” for vacationer crime — fairly the alternative.
- Having to remain locked up: With commonplace, wise precautions, you’ll be superb. You don’t need to deal with each outing like a high-risk operation.
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