Is Athens safe? An honest guide for visitors
Short answer
Athens is a safe city for most visitors, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The realistic risks are pickpocketing on the metro and in crowded sights, a few well-known bar and taverna scams, traffic, and summer heat. Demonstrations are common but usually confined to the area around Syntagma and Exarchia and easy to avoid.
The real risks
Pickpocketing
Most common on metro line 1 (Piraeus–Monastiraki–Omonia), metro line 3 to and from the airport, Monastiraki Square, the Sunday flea market and the Acropolis entrance queues. Keep phones and wallets in a front pocket or zipped bag, especially when boarding crowded trains.
The 'friendly stranger' bar scam
Someone strikes up a conversation around Syntagma or the centre and suggests a bar, where drinks with hostesses arrive with a bill of hundreds of euros. Decline invitations from people you have just met and choose your own bar.
Restaurant touts and bill padding
Touts in Plaka and at Monastiraki wave menus at you; fish is sold per kilo. Check prices, see the fish weighed, and ask for a receipt.
Traffic
Drivers do not always stop at zebra crossings and motorbikes use any gap. Cross with the lights and look both ways even on one-way streets.
Heat
July and August regularly pass 35°C, and heatwaves above 40°C can close the Acropolis in the middle of the day. Visit sites early, carry water and rest in the afternoon.
Demonstrations
Marches are frequent, mostly peaceful, and usually around Syntagma and Panepistimiou Street. Walk away if police use tear gas, and check the news before crossing the centre.
Areas and times to take care
Most of the centre visitors use, including Plaka, Koukaki, Makrygianni, Thissio, Kolonaki and Pangrati, is busy and comfortable day and night. Take more care late at night around Omonia Square, the streets between Omonia and Metaxourgeio, and parts of Athinas and Sofokleous streets, where there is visible drug use and petty crime. Exarchia is a lively student and café area that is fine by day; avoid it on nights of protests or clashes with police, which are announced in advance in the local news.
Getting around safely
The metro is the safest and fastest way around; just watch your belongings in crowds. Yellow taxis are cheap (most central rides cost €5–10) and booking through the FreeNow or Uber apps, which dispatch licensed taxis, avoids fare disputes. From the airport there is a fixed taxi fare of about €40 by day and €55 at night, including luggage. Night buses run on main routes; on Friday and Saturday nights metro lines 1, 2 and 3 have extended late-night service (check the current timetable).
Solo and women travellers
Solo women generally find Athens easy to travel in, and nightlife areas such as Psyrri, Koukaki and Gazi are busy until late. Expect some comments or staring but rarely more. Use app-booked taxis late at night, keep an eye on your drink in crowded bars, and avoid the streets around Omonia after midnight if you are on your own.
Health, water and heat
Tap water in Athens is safe to drink. The main health risk is heat and sun from June to September: carry water on the Acropolis and Filopappou, where there is little shade, and use high-factor sunscreen. Pharmacies (green cross) are everywhere and pharmacists give good advice; EU visitors should bring the EHIC/GHIC card.
Official travel advice
Check your government's advice before you travel — it is updated when things change.
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Common questions
Is Athens safe for tourists?
Yes. Violent crime against visitors is rare. The main risks are pickpocketing on the metro and in crowded sights, the bar scam around Syntagma, traffic and summer heat.
Which areas should I be careful in at night?
Take more care around Omonia Square and towards Metaxourgeio late at night, and avoid Exarchia on nights of protests. Plaka, Koukaki, Thissio, Kolonaki and Pangrati are comfortable after dark.
Can I drink the tap water in Athens?
Yes, tap water in Athens is safe to drink. Carry a refillable bottle, especially in summer.