Go, but pay attention.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Greece
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
The Clip Joint
A friendly stranger invites a single male traveler to a specific bar for a drink. This is a setup for an overpriced or fraudulent bar tab.
Fake Police Identity Theft
A stranger asks for directions, then accomplices posing as police demand your wallet and passport for inspection. They steal cash while you are distracted by the fake verification process.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Demonstration Arrests
Demonstrations and riots occur frequently in Athens. Being present near these events carries the risk of being arrested by police.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and Cyprus, but not to EU member state Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schenge
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Greece. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. There have been several attacks involving explosives and automatic weapons against Greek institutions, shopping malls, banks, media offices, diplomatic premises and the police. Recent attacks include: on 1 July 2026, three improvised incendiary device attacks against the residential properties of Greek political figures killed one person, with four others being injured
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Greece, and civil unions between same-sex couples have been legal since 2015. The age of consent in Greece is 15, this applies to partners of both the same sex and opposite sex. Transgender people are able to change their legal gender. Anti-discrimination and hate speech laws apply to gender identity. Public attitudes towards same-sex couples vary throughout the country. Couples showing affection in public may be frowned on, especially in rural areas. Attitudes are generally more welcoming in Athens and on many Greek islands. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Crime and theft: Violent crime and theft rates are low; public disorder is rare, and public drunkenness is generally frowned upon.
- •The places where the visitor is most likely to encounter crime and theft are overcrowded and popular with tourists.
- •Scams: The most commonly reported major scam against travellers is the Greek version of the old clip joint routine.
Staying healthy
- •Health care: The government's austerity program in the 2010s led to a "meltdown" of Greece's previously admired health care system, as the budgets of state-run hospitals have been cut by up to 50%.
- •A network of helicopter ambulances serves the islands, transporting patients who need immediate attention to the nearest island or city with a major hospital.
- •The country's pharmacies and medications are of top quality, and pharmacists are highly trained experts in their field.
- •Healthcare provision is different to Anglosphere nations in that many specialists are in the community.
- •Sexually transmitted infections: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) exist in Greece as elsewhere, and travellers who may engage in sexual activity while visiting Greece should remember that even if one is on vacation an…
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
- Greece Unveils Restoration Plan for Fire - Ravaged Western Attica , Vows Erosion Works by September 152026-08-07
- Canada issues wildfire travel warnings for Spain , Greece2026-08-07
- Canada updates travel advisories for France , Spain , and Greece | Daily Hive2026-08-06
- European wildfires continue , with record land burned and nuclear plants on verge of shutdown2026-08-06
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Travelers in Greece face few threats from violent crime, but must navigate significant hazards related to infrastructure and environment. Road safety is a primary concern, as traffic rules are frequently ignored and rural roads are dangerous. Pedestrians should not expect vehicles to yield at crosswalks. The sun and heat present real risks, including dehydration and heatstroke, necessitating constant hydration and caution during peak afternoon hours. Tourist traps, particularly in popular destinations like Mykonos and Santorini, involve predatory pricing at restaurants without listed menus. While the country is generally safe, travelers should exercise common sense, respect local heritage, and remain vigilant when driving or swimming, especially when currents are pulling away from the shore.
“While driving, traffic rules are more like traffic suggestions. So keep your eyes open and trust only yourself. Greeks have a tendency to be good bad drivers.
— r/travel
“Before buying stuff at a restaurant, be very careful of the prices on the list. If there are no prices, chances are you're in a tourist trap and about to be bled dry.
— r/travel
“If there is wind blowing on the opposite side of the beach, blowing towards the open waters, don't go too far away from the beach. The waves will drift you away from the safety of the shallows.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 100 or 112 / ambulance: 166 or 112 / fire: 199 or 112
Tipping
Traditionally tipping in restaurants is not customary in Greece. Rounding of the bill used to work both ways, up or down to the nearest note amount. A tip was considered insulting, and the best way to show appreciation was to come back. In touristy areas this has almost completely vanished, but off the beaten track it is still alive.
SIM / Data
There are no Internet roaming charges for EU citizens, so you can surf the Internet in Greece as normal with your local sim card. For Non-EU citizens, you can either buy a Greek sim card or use a virtual sim cards where you can buy the GB you want as credit at home and then surf the internet anywhere in Greece until the credit is used up. This is easier than buying a Greek sim card.
Cash vs. Card
The euro replaced the drachma in January 2002. In the Greek language, however, its name is pronounced something like EFF-ro. Euro cents are called sent in Cyprus but not in Greece, where they are called lepta (singular lepto).
Zoom in
2 Greece cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09