Greece remains one of the world’s favored travel destinations in 2025 and is currently considered safe for travelers, with the U.S. State Department advising normal precautions for both tourists and business visitors as of their latest guidance from August 2024. There is no requirement for a tourist visa for stays under 90 days, making travel to Greece relatively straightforward for most international visitors according to the U.S. Department of State.
Listeners planning a trip in 2025 should be aware of recently introduced changes, particularly an increase in the tourism accommodation tax that took effect on January 1, 2025. This tax applies to hotels and short-term rentals such as Airbnb, with the rates varying depending on the type and class of accommodation and the season. Travelers are advised to check these additional costs and factor them into their budget for the trip as reported by Insurte.
For those headed to the Greek islands, particularly Amorgos, Santorini, Anafi, and Ios, the U.S. Mission in Greece issued a natural disaster alert in February 2025 due to a series of earthquakes in the region. While the situation is being closely monitored, travelers should stay informed about local seismic activity and follow any advice from local authorities.
General safety advice for Greece includes the risk of sporadic disruptions to public transport and road closures, as posted by the Government of Canada. Violent incidents, though rare, have occurred, and sexual assaults on foreigners have been reported—more often in popular island destinations. Standard personal safety precautions apply: avoid accepting rides from strangers, remain vigilant, and be especially cautious in nightlife areas.
Greece’s beaches are popular and usually safe, but swimming and water activities carry risks due to hazardous currents, strong winds, and dangerous marine life such as jellyfish and sea urchins. Visitors should always obey warning flags, follow local advice, and avoid the water during severe weather. For those boating, understanding and respecting local navigation rules, not exceeding boat capacity, and carrying emergency communication equipment are essential.
Medical facilities in urban centers like Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Ioannina, and Patras are generally good, but services can be limited on smaller islands or in rural areas. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers both medical evacuation and hospital stays, especially if planning to travel away from major cities or to remote regions.
When driving, always wear a seatbelt, use official taxis or public transport, and if renting a car, ensure you have the correct documentation such as an International Driving Permit. Road safety awareness is important, as traffic patterns and enforcement may differ from those at home.
In summary, Greece welcomes travelers in 2025, offering its rich history and stunning landscapes alongside robust safety and travel infrastructure. However, listeners should stay updated on local conditions, recent seismic activity, and new tourism taxes, and always practice common sense safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Listeners planning a trip in 2025 should be aware of recently introduced changes, particularly an increase in the tourism accommodation tax that took effect on January 1, 2025. This tax applies to hotels and short-term rentals such as Airbnb, with the rates varying depending on the type and class of accommodation and the season. Travelers are advised to check these additional costs and factor them into their budget for the trip as reported by Insurte.
For those headed to the Greek islands, particularly Amorgos, Santorini, Anafi, and Ios, the U.S. Mission in Greece issued a natural disaster alert in February 2025 due to a series of earthquakes in the region. While the situation is being closely monitored, travelers should stay informed about local seismic activity and follow any advice from local authorities.
General safety advice for Greece includes the risk of sporadic disruptions to public transport and road closures, as posted by the Government of Canada. Violent incidents, though rare, have occurred, and sexual assaults on foreigners have been reported—more often in popular island destinations. Standard personal safety precautions apply: avoid accepting rides from strangers, remain vigilant, and be especially cautious in nightlife areas.
Greece’s beaches are popular and usually safe, but swimming and water activities carry risks due to hazardous currents, strong winds, and dangerous marine life such as jellyfish and sea urchins. Visitors should always obey warning flags, follow local advice, and avoid the water during severe weather. For those boating, understanding and respecting local navigation rules, not exceeding boat capacity, and carrying emergency communication equipment are essential.
Medical facilities in urban centers like Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Ioannina, and Patras are generally good, but services can be limited on smaller islands or in rural areas. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers both medical evacuation and hospital stays, especially if planning to travel away from major cities or to remote regions.
When driving, always wear a seatbelt, use official taxis or public transport, and if renting a car, ensure you have the correct documentation such as an International Driving Permit. Road safety awareness is important, as traffic patterns and enforcement may differ from those at home.
In summary, Greece welcomes travelers in 2025, offering its rich history and stunning landscapes alongside robust safety and travel infrastructure. However, listeners should stay updated on local conditions, recent seismic activity, and new tourism taxes, and always practice common sense safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Greece remains one of the world's favored travel destinations in
twenty twenty five and is currently considered safe for travelers,
with the U. S. State Department advising normal precautions for
both tourists and business visitors. As of their latest guidance
from August twenty twenty four, there is no requirement for
a tourist visa for stays under ninety days, making travel
(00:23):
to Greece relatively straightforward for most international visitors. According to
the U. S Department of State, Listeners planning a trip
in twenty twenty five should be aware of recently introduced changes,
particularly an increase in the tourism accommodation tax that took
effect on January first, twenty twenty five. This tax applies
(00:44):
to hotels and short term rentals such as Airbnb, with
the rates varying depending on the type and class of
accommodation and the season. Travelers are advised to check these
additional costs and factor them into their budget for the trip.
As reported by INSERTI, for those headed to the Greek islands,
particularly Amorgos, Santorini, Anafi and iOS, the US Mission in
(01:07):
Greece issued a natural disaster alert in February twenty twenty
five due to a series of earthquakes in the region.
While the situation is being closely monitored, travelers should stay
informed about local seismic activity and follow any advice from
local authorities. General safety advice for Greece includes the risk
(01:27):
of sporadic disruptions to public transport and road closures, as
posted by the Government of Canada. Violent incidents, though rare,
have occurred, and sexual assaults on foreigners have been reported
more often in popular island destinations. Standard personal safety precautions apply.
Avoid accepting rides from strangers, remain vigilant, and be especially
(01:49):
cautious in night life areas. Greece's beaches are popular and
usually safe, but swimming in water activities carry risks due
to hazardous currents, strong windsans, and dangerous marine life such
as jellyfish and sea urchins. Visitors should always obey warning flags,
follow local advice, and avoid the water during severe weather.
(02:11):
For those boating, understanding and respecting local navigation rules, not
exceeding boat capacity and carrying emergency communication equipment are essential.
Medical facilities in urban centers like Athens, Thessaloniki, Heroclion Ioanina
and Patrus are generally good, but services can be limited
on smaller islands or in rural areas. It is highly
(02:33):
recommended to have travel insurance that covers both medical evacuation
and hospital stays, especially if planning to travel away from
major cities or to remote regions. When driving, always wear
a seat belt, use official taxis or public transport, and
if renting a car, ensure you have the correct documentation
such as an international driving permit. Road safety awareness is
(02:56):
important as traffic patterns and enforcement may differ from those
at home. In summary, Greece welcomes travelers in twenty twenty five,
offering its rich history and stunning landscapes, alongside robust safety
and travel infrastructure. However, listeners should stay updated on local conditions,
recent seismic activity, and new tourism taxes, and always practice
(03:18):
common sense safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable
journey
Greece remains one of the world's favored travel destinations in
twenty twenty five and is currently considered safe for travelers,
with the U. S. State Department advising normal precautions for
both tourists and business visitors. As of their latest guidance
from August twenty twenty four, there is no requirement for
a tourist visa for stays under ninety days, making travel
(00:23):
to Greece relatively straightforward for most international visitors. According to
the U. S Department of State, Listeners planning a trip
in twenty twenty five should be aware of recently introduced changes,
particularly an increase in the tourism accommodation tax that took
effect on January first, twenty twenty five. This tax applies
(00:44):
to hotels and short term rentals such as Airbnb, with
the rates varying depending on the type and class of
accommodation and the season. Travelers are advised to check these
additional costs and factor them into their budget for the trip.
As reported by INSERTI, for those headed to the Greek islands,
particularly Amorgos, Santorini, Anafi and iOS, the US Mission in
(01:07):
Greece issued a natural disaster alert in February twenty twenty
five due to a series of earthquakes in the region.
While the situation is being closely monitored, travelers should stay
informed about local seismic activity and follow any advice from
local authorities. General safety advice for Greece includes the risk
(01:27):
of sporadic disruptions to public transport and road closures, as
posted by the Government of Canada. Violent incidents, though rare,
have occurred, and sexual assaults on foreigners have been reported
more often in popular island destinations. Standard personal safety precautions apply.
Avoid accepting rides from strangers, remain vigilant, and be especially
(01:49):
cautious in night life areas. Greece's beaches are popular and
usually safe, but swimming in water activities carry risks due
to hazardous currents, strong windsans, and dangerous marine life such
as jellyfish and sea urchins. Visitors should always obey warning flags,
follow local advice, and avoid the water during severe weather.
(02:11):
For those boating, understanding and respecting local navigation rules, not
exceeding boat capacity and carrying emergency communication equipment are essential.
Medical facilities in urban centers like Athens, Thessaloniki, Heroclion Ioanina
and Patrus are generally good, but services can be limited
on smaller islands or in rural areas. It is highly
(02:33):
recommended to have travel insurance that covers both medical evacuation
and hospital stays, especially if planning to travel away from
major cities or to remote regions. When driving, always wear
a seat belt, use official taxis or public transport, and
if renting a car, ensure you have the correct documentation
such as an international driving permit. Road safety awareness is
(02:56):
important as traffic patterns and enforcement may differ from those
at home. In summary, Greece welcomes travelers in twenty twenty five,
offering its rich history and stunning landscapes, alongside robust safety
and travel infrastructure. However, listeners should stay updated on local conditions,
recent seismic activity, and new tourism taxes, and always practice
(03:18):
common sense safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable
journey
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