7 Tips to Stay Safe When Traveling in Greece in 2022
Greece is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with millions of people visiting each year. It is a beautiful country, with a lot of history and culture, as well as things to do and neighboring islands to visit, but unfortunately, is not devoid of crime or danger, which is something a tourist, should be aware of.
If you have been thinking about traveling to Greece, then you should arm yourself with a few tips on how to keep safe whilst traveling. Below you can find a few tips on how to keep safe while traveling in Greece in 2022, so happy traveling, and keep safe!
Always Carry a Cellphone
One of the most important things that you should do if you want to stay safe whilst traveling around Greece, or any part of the world really, is to carry a cellphone with you. Not only is this advice so that you can call someone or the police, or medical services, in case of an emergency, but it’s also important in case you get lost. With that being said, don’t carry it out in the open too much, since petty crime still exists.
Look Out for Scams
Another thing that you are going to want to do to stay safe whilst traveling in Greece would be to look out for scams, and there are many. For example, there is one scam called the café scam, which involves children approaching the table if their wallet or phone is on the edge. One child will distract you with a sign or a map and cover your belongings, while another will take it off the table.
Transportation Scams
Another popular scam that you should look out for is transportation scams. Official taxis in Greece have flat rates as to what they charge, however, many people impersonate taxi drivers and will charge you ridiculous amounts for the ride they have given. Another scam is when a taxi driver will switch out the notes you have given them with notes of a lower denomination and insist you paid less than you did. What you need to do is to always use reliable transportation services, regardless of the means of travel. If you want to travel by ferry, for example, make sure to book your tickets at a safe booking platform such as Let’s Ferry. Doing a little research won’t do any harm; it will help you find the best transportation services available.
Travel Light
One of the best ways to stay safe when traveling in Greece, and any city or country around the world, is to travel light when you leave the hotel. Tourists are often common targets for petty criminals looking to make a quick buck, and if you are carrying around a lot of valuable items, you will be targeted. As such, you should only take what you need for the day when leaving the hotel room; not only will this make travel easier, you will be less of a target.
Look Both Ways
Did you know that the rate of fatal traffic accidents in Greece is higher than that of most countries in Europe? As such, you should make a point of always looking both ways before crossing the road, as silly as that sounds, it might just save your life. This is true even if you are driving, and more importantly, livestock is known to wander about the roads, so driving fast is not an option when traveling around Greece.
Carry a Map
Another incredibly easy safety tip to follow when traveling around Greece would be to always carry a map. Not only does this ensure that you don’t get lost, but it also ensures that you don’t wander into the wrong parts of cities or towns. More importantly, as a tourist, you are a vulnerable target, and asking the wrong group of people for directions might be the last time you see some of your belongings.
Learn Some of the Language
Of all the safety tips mentioned on this list, one of the best to follow would be to learn some of the language. One reason why you might want to do this is that it will allow you to read street signs that much easier. It will also allow you to ask for directions and understand them a bit better. More than this, it will allow you to read if there are any dangers you need to be aware of, and will also help you when ordering food.