Is it safe to travel in Greece during the riots about government spending cuts?

10/8/2011 9:27:29 AM

The problem in Greece is not the “riots”, it is more like everywhere where poverty is rising the risk of getting your things stolen. In hotels this is not a risk usually, but don’t go out at 3 in the morning, expecting safety there. You are alone with the Pakistanis, Afgans, heroin addicts (and we’ve got a lot of them too…).

In the daytime Athens is safe. As for violence, it is directed towards police, and from police directed towards everyone who happens to be around. So don’t be around demonstrations, unless you want to take photos for your news agency … 🙂

6/29/2011 7:25:32 PM

We were in Athens last week. The local sentiment was that of peaceful resentment. We were instructed to stray away from any sort of congregation. Though, we did hear that tourist areas are immune to this (we are after all bringing in much-needed foreign funds)…

11/27/2016 9:43:04 PM

I suggest you don’t cancel your trip.

I have been working in Athens during a period of unrest.

I can’t predict what will happen, but usually many people demonstrate peacefully, then a small group of a hundred people starts facing the police for an hour, then a few people start throwing rocks/tear gas, and run a bit. Actual violence is very local, like one kilometer of a given avenue, during an hour. (I know this because I was inside the rock-throwing group taking pictures).

It is a very localized risk, so just stay away and you should be fine. Athens’ traffic is probably a bigger danger, statistically.

My advice if you are worried would be: If you ever happen to see or hear unrest, just walk the other way and take a taxi to your hotel.

Of course, be prepared to delayed trains/buses/ferries due to strikes.

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About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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