Greece Travel 2025: Essential Safety Tips and Updates for a Secure Mediterranean Vacation

Greece remains a Level 1 destination according to the U.S. Department of State's latest travel advisory from August 15, 2024, which recommends travelers exercise normal precautions when visiting the country. This favorable rating positions Greece as one of Europe's safer travel destinations for 2025.

However, travelers should be aware of several recent developments. In February 2025, the U.S. Mission in Greece issued a Natural Disaster Alert regarding a series of earthquakes near the Greek islands of Amorgos, Santorini, Anafi, and Ios. While no significant damage has been reported, seismologists continue to monitor the situation closely. The seismic activity is linked to undersea fault lines rather than volcanic unrest, and Santorini's famous caldera remains stable with no anticipated eruptions.

Since February 28, 2025, demonstrations related to the Tempi train accident have been occurring throughout Greece. Canadian travel authorities note that violent incidents have taken place during these protests, so visitors should expect sporadic disruptions and stay informed through local news sources.

Beginning January 1, 2025, Greece implemented an increased tourism tax affecting various types of accommodations, including hotels and short-term rentals like Airbnb. The tax varies based on the type of lodging and the time of year, so budget-conscious travelers should factor this into their planning.

For personal safety, the CDC recommends standard travel precautions: always wear seatbelts, use sidewalks and marked crosswalks, choose official taxis or public transportation, and avoid using cell phones while driving. Women travelers should exercise additional caution, as sexual assaults of foreigners have been reported, particularly on the islands.

Water safety also warrants attention. While many Greek beaches have excellent safety procedures, tidal changes and strong winds can create hazardous currents. Travelers should always obey warning flags, ask local authorities about dangerous marine species, and exercise caution during severe weather.

The current international situation may also affect travel plans. Due to recent military operations between India and Pakistan, some international carriers like Qatar Airways have temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan and closed Pakistani airspace. While this doesn't directly affect Greece, it could impact connecting flights for travelers using Middle Eastern hubs to reach Greece.

Despite these considerations, Greece maintains its status as a low-risk destination according to the Risk Map 2025, with well-developed tourism infrastructure, low crime rates, and a stable political climate in place to welcome the millions of visitors expected in 2025.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Greece remains a Level one destination according to the U
S Department of State's latest travel advisory from August fifteen,
twenty twenty four, which recommends travelers exercise normal precautions when
visiting the country. This favorable rating positions Greece as one
of Europe's safer travel destinations for twenty twenty five. However,

(00:21):
travelers should be aware of several recent developments. In February
twenty twenty five, the US Mission in Greece issued a
natural disaster alert regarding a series of earthquakes near the
Greek islands of Amorgas, Santorini, Anafi, and Aios. While no
significant damage has been reported, seismologists continue to monitor the

(00:41):
situation closely. The seismic activity is linked to undersea fault
lines rather than volcanic unrest, and Santorini's famous Caldera remains
stable with no anticipated eruptions. Since February twenty eighth, twenty
twenty five, demonstrations related to the Tempe train accident have
been occurring throughout Greece. Canadian travel authorities note that violent

(01:03):
incidents have taken place during these protests, so visitors should
expect sporadic disruptions and stay informed through local news sources.
Beginning January first, twenty twenty five, Greece implemented an increased
tourism tax, affecting various types of accommodations, including hotels and
short term rentals like Airbnb. The tax varies based on

(01:26):
the type of lodging and the time of year, so
budget conscious travelers should factor this into their planning. For
personal safety, the CDC recommends standard travel precautions. Always wear
seat belts, use sidewalks and marked crosswalks, choose official taxis
or public transportation, and avoid using cell phones while driving.

(01:47):
Women travelers should exercise additional caution as sexual assaults of
foreigners have been reported, particularly on the islands. Water safety
also warrants attention. While many Greek beaches have excellency safety procedures,
tidal changes in strong winds can create hazardous currents. Travelers
should always obey warning flags, ask local authorities about dangerous

(02:09):
marine species, and exercise caution during severe weather. The current
international situation may also affect travel plans. Due to recent
military operations between India and Pakistan. Some international carriers, like
Katar Airways, have temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan and closed
Pakistani airspace. While this doesn't directly affect Greece, it could

(02:32):
impact connecting flights for travelers using Middle Eastern hubs to
reach Greece. Despite these considerations, Greece maintains its status as
a low risk destination according to the Risk Map twenty
twenty five, with well developed tourism infrastructure, low crime rates,
and a stable political climate in place to welcome the

(02:53):
millions of visitors expected in twenty twenty five.