Areas To Avoid in Athens: Tips & Tricks for Staying Safe

Athens is more than just a jumping-off point for visiting the Greek Islands. Receiving around 6.4 million visitors a year, it’s a fascinating city where you can immerse yourself in the heart of Ancient Greece. Naturally, safety is a big concern when considering a holiday destination. If you’re wondering, ‘is Athens safe?’, we have just what you’re looking for. Our travel experts at Plum Guide have written this comprehensive guide to visiting the city, including handy tips on staying safe and areas to avoid. Before you book those tickets, read our guide for peace of mind.

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Generally speaking, Athens is safe to visit. Petty crime such as bag snatching or pickpocketing isn’t unheard of, but that’s to be expected in any major city or tourist destination. You don’t need to be on high alert and always look over your shoulder, but if you practise common sense, you’ll have no problems when you’re out exploring.

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Wondering if Athens is safe as a solo woman traveller? As with any other European capital, Athens is perfectly safe if you use common sense – just be street-smart and avoid bad areas, especially at night. When walking alone, avoid using your phone or listening to music with headphones. Part of travelling solo is about meeting people and making friends, but do so with caution – not everyone has pure intentions, so be careful when sharing information about where you’re staying, your itinerary, and other details.

If you’re visiting Athens in the summer, be mindful that the sun can be scorching hot, with temperatures rising above 30°C. Make sure to wear a hat, light clothing, and sun cream, and stay hydrated to avoid getting heat stroke. Do as the locals do and take things slow – there’s no need to rush around, especially during the middle of the day.

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Some crimes that can take place in Athens include:

• Petty theft: As a major tourist destination, Athens isn’t immune to petty theft like pickpocketing and bag snatching. These crimes often occur in packed tourist hotspots, ATMs, and on buses or the metro. When you’re eating out, make sure not to have your phone or wallet resting on the table, as they can be snatched up pretty fast. It’s easy to pay for things with a card in Athens, so there’s no real need to carry round stacks of cash, either.

• Scams: Scams are common in many capital cities, but they’re not something to worry about if you know what to look for. Some of the scams you’re likely to come across in Athens include strangers offering to help with your luggage while actually stealing your bags, people giving friendship bracelets and demanding you pay for them once they’re on, or the classic move of pretending to drop something and pickpocketing you as you give the item back. The best way to avoid scams happening to you is to use your best judgement and give a firm but polite no, and move on.

• Assault: While it’s not common, tourists have been victims of assault in the past. Most attacks happen after dark, so the best thing to do is avoid walking alone at night. While it’s generally safe if you’re with a group, there are still a handful of areas where even groups need to remain vigilant. Exercise caution when meeting someone new at a bar, no matter how charming they may seem. Drink spiking can happen, and is an easy way for criminals to rob and assault their victims.

Any large urban area has good and bad neighbourhoods. Before you book any accommodation, it’s useful to know which areas to avoid. Athens’ sketchier neighbourhoods include Omonia, Exarchia, Kolokotroni and Victoria Square.

Now you know which areas to avoid, here are some of the safest neighbourhoods in Athens. Each of them offers something different, from nightlife to art galleries and upscale shopping.

Want to stay in the heart of the city? Syntagma Square is the place to be. As well as being home to the Greek Parliament, the square is also the gateway to the National Garden, a lovely place to escape the hustle and bustle. Syntagma Square is an excellent base for sightseeing, as you’re within easy walking distance to major attractions, including the Acropolis of Athens, the Ancient Agora and the temple of Olympian Zeus. There are also great public transport connections if you plan on day trips. As the square is home to parliament, the level of security is very high, making it one of the safest areas to stay in the city.

For a taste of luxury, Kolonaki is one of the city’s more upscale neighbourhoods. Just a stone’s throw from Syntagma Square, you’ll have all of the high-end shops, bars and restaurants on your doorstep. One of the most renowned bars in the area is Minnie the Moocher, offering inventive cocktails and live jazz music. There’s plenty to keep you busy here, with a whole array of museums and attractions, including the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Benaki Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum and the History of Greek Costumes Museum. You’ll also find Lycabettus Hill, which is the highest point in Athens at 277 metres. Hike or take the cable car up for breathtaking views.

One of the most popular areas for tourists, Koukaki is a university and residential neighbourhood with a laid-back vibe. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to experience a quieter side of local life, while still having easy access to the city’s bars and eateries. It’s a creative and artsy district, home to museums, galleries and little boutique shops. Take a stroll down the pedestrianised, tree-lined Georgaki Olympiou Street where bars and cafes spill out onto the pavement and locals come to socialise. Feeling peckish? No visit to Koukaki is complete without making a pitstop at Guarantee, a family-owned sandwich bar open since 1988.

The vibrant neighbourhood of Psiri is the best option for those who enjoy nightlife. Centred around Iroon Square, Psiri is full of lively bars and tavernas – from live music performances to parties, there’s always something going on here. During the day, the area has a relaxed atmosphere and is a fantastic place to browse the many independent shops selling everything from perfume to leather goods. Art lovers should keep an eye out for interesting street art, and pop into the art galleries to pick up some unique gifts. Meanwhile, foodies should visit the Museum of Greek Gastronomy before picking up local delicacies at the Evripidou Street Market.

If this is your first time in Athens, you may want to stay in Plaka. Set at the base of the Acropolis, this area is the oldest part of the city, nicknamed the ‘Neighbourhood of the Gods’. It’s also extremely picturesque with its narrow streets lined with colourful bougainvillaea and Neoclassical buildings. On your walks through the neighbourhood, you’ll come across countless historical monuments like Byzantine churches and the Monument of Lysicrates. Most people who come to Plaka only visit the Parthenon and Acropolis Museum, but it’s also worth checking out less-visited attractions such as the Museum of Greek Folk Art and the art and antiques at the Frissiras and Kanellopoulos Museum.

• Keep your belongings safe: Always make sure your belongings are secure, especially in crowded areas. It’s better to leave valuables in a safe, but if you need to carry them with you, sling bags and money belts are more secure than handbags and shoulder bags.

• Use official transport: When getting out and about, only use official taxi companies and avoid unlicensed ones. The official taxis are equipped with metres, so make sure they’re turned on before you set off. The FreeNow app is a handy tool to have when you need to book a taxi.

• Stay alert in traffic: This may seem like a given, but it’s worth remembering, especially if this is your first time in Athens. The city has busy streets, so make sure you use the zebra crossings and follow traffic signals at all times.

• Choose reputable tour companies: When visiting Athens, you’ll want to join the many tours offering day trips to the Acropolis or foodie tours of the city. Make sure you choose a trustworthy company and read reviews online before making your decision.

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