Is Athens Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Athens, the capital of Greece, is generally safe for solo female travelers. The city has emergent crime rates that are no higher than an average European city. The public transportation is reliable and it's easy to travel around. Most of the locals are pleasant and helpful. However, like any other city, there are neighborhoods to avoid during night-time, pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur. Therefore, it is advisable to be cautious, especially in crowded places and take the usual precautions that you would in any other city.

Safety rating

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How safe is Athens?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Athens is moderately safe to traverse at night. Major tourist sites and populated areas like Plaka, Syntagma Square, and Monastiraki remain well-lit and busy into the evening hours, reducing the risk of encountering undesirable situations. However, areas such as Omonoia, Exarchia, and Metaxourgeio can be a bit riskier, being known for occasional petty crime. As a solo female traveler, it is always better to practice vigilance at night.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Athens generally is safe and reliable. The metro, buses and trams are used by thousands of locals and tourists daily without incident. You should be aware of pickpockets, particularly in crowded places or during peak hours. Also, it is best to avoid less crowded vehicles late at night. However, the chances of experiencing serious issues are quite low.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Street harassment in Athens is relatively low compared to other major cities worldwide. Greek people are generally respectful and warm to tourists, including solo female travelers. Nevertheless, like any city, occasional unwanted attention can occur, but it's usually limited to non-aggressive stares or comments. It's advisable to follow general safety precautions to avoid potential uncomfortable situations.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Athens has a relatively low risk of petty crimes such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching. Popular tourist sites and crowded locales are more likely places for these petty crimes, but exercising basic caution like keeping personal belongings close and being aware of the surroundings can minimize the risk. In general, the city is safe, and locals are friendly and helpful, but like all tourist destinations, it's key to stay vigilant.

Is Athens worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 59 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.3/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.4/5
Cora

Cora

Spain

Group travel

Athens is a beautiful place, a must visit in my opinion if you are even slightly interested in Ancient Culture or Western History. The museums are exceptional, I've felt very connected to humanity in this trip. I would recommend to stay in the central neighbourhoods, although they are more expensive and full of tourists, I only felt safe where we stayed because we were a very large group. This city is beautiful and people are amazingly nice, but the truth is that many places are completely abandoned and there is a lot of poverty, even children asking for money.

Posted: May 29, 2025Experienced: November, 2024
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Caroline

Caroline

Denmark

Couple travel

I felt really safe in Athens - no one was harassing or anything but maybe it’s because I was traveling with my partner. The food was amazing and tried so many authentic restaurants like Diporto. And took the boat to Egina and that was really nice too

Posted: May 16, 2025
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Dana

Dana

Germany

Solo travel

I loved Athens. I was there for 12 days and I stayed in Exarcheia. I felt very safe and people were also so friendly. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that almost everyone spoke English (of course saying a few words in Greek helps). There are lots of museums to explore and the city is very walkable. You can also take day trips to islands like Aegina and Agistri. Food was also delicious and affordable if you’re coming from Germany. I highly recommend the city.

Posted: April 27, 2025
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Solo travel

Athena’s was amazing, all the culture and monuments are so beautiful and the landscape too. The city really feels 100% safe and I will be happy to return. The museums also are incredible and the food is delicious!

Posted: April 17, 2025Experienced: April, 2025
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Group travel

Safety was moderate, we were in a group, but we came across off-putting people every once in a while and traffic was really chaotic and dangerous sometimes. Food is amazing, would recommend local taverns in central regions. The Acropolis is a must visit, so are the museums and galleries in the whole city. Everything is pretty cheap and the shop owners are always friendly. We stayed in a 4 star hotel in Alimos and it was excellent, very cozy and safe, with a great view of the sea. Transport is tricky in Athens, there's so many means of transport to choose from but so much traffic all the time.

Posted: April 15, 2025Experienced: February, 2025
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Grace

Grace

Italy

Solo travel

I stayed in the Safestay Hostel in Monastiraki and it was quite safe and inexpensive. It was also right by the metro station so it was easy to travel to other parts of the city. There are many people that will try to sell you things in the square but if you ignore them they will leave you alone.

Posted: April 1, 2025
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Is Athens safe for women?

Safety index

3.3 /5

Based on 62 local experiences

Crime index

2.8 /5

Based on 62 local experiences

Georgia

Georgia

Although I don’t live exactly in the center of Athens, I live in an area close to it, and I can say that Athens at night is quite dangerous. It’s best for us girls not to walk around alone at night. And if you’re out for a drink, always be careful with your glass!

Posted: June 1, 2025
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It really depends on the neighbourhood you’re in, especially in the center, where a lot of popular areas are crowded and there’s chances you’ll have your things stolen if you’re not careful. Generally if you’re cautious and guarded and know how to move carefully you’ll be fine. Areas that should be avoided, especially at night are Omonoia and Victoria (central areas). Metaxourgio area should also be probably avoided, it’s full of beggars and drug addicts, and walking alone through the area feels very uncomfortable and unsafe, although chances are nothing will actually happen. The suburbs (northern and southern, so basically Kifissia and Glyfada) are pretty safe, easy to reach either by bus or by train/metro, and although crowded, the atmosphere is completely different from the center of Athens. Transportation is safe (certain bus routes excluded : 608, 049, and probably a couple others). The two routes mentioned are pretty popular because they pass through central areas, but especially in later hours they are crowded with men, many of which might make you feel uncomfortable. Otherwise transportation is pretty safe, you can easily (most of the time) get wherever you want without trouble. Generally if you’re careful enough and know how to navigate a foreign city and do your research you’ll have no trouble.

Posted: May 30, 2025
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Safety in Greece