For your next trip to Greece, you wonder if Athens is a dangerous city? Are there areas to avoid? What is the best neighborhood to live in or to visit athens ?
It is true that now, European capitals are less and less secure. This is why it is better to inquire before reserving your hotel in any neighborhood.
This is why I did a little study of the different districts of Athens. This guide and its map thus make it possible to avoid certain districts in order to choose one of the best districts of Athens to stay there.
Is Athens a dangerous city?
Athens is not a safe city. You can check it on the site eu.onlineathens.com where we talk about shootings, rapes or disappearance of children.
It can also be seen on the Numbeo ranking of the 154 most criminal cities in Europe. Indeed, in 2024 Athens is ranked 16th with an index of crime of 55.88 which has been increasing for 3 years. According to this ranking, Athens would be more dangerous than London, Madrid, Rome, Barcelona ou Paris !
However, we must take into account the subjective side of this type of classification based solely on the opinions and feelings of Internet users without any figures or official statistics.
In addition, the crime indices given for the entire city of Athens. But insecurity, as in all capitals, is only concentrated in certain places. In fact, except for a few dangerous neighborhoods, the city is no more dangerous than Lisbon ou Amsterdam.
Athens dangerous for tourists?
NO but tourists must remain careful. Contrary to Mexico or to Rio de Janeiro, in Athens there is no great risk in visiting the city. Indeed, tourists are not at risk of being kidnapped or killed.
However, they can be confronted with petty crime: theft of jewelry, bag snatching, pickpockets, cell phone theft, credit card scams.
Map of Athens neighborhoods
Athens is very large geographically and has 43 districts according to Wikipedia. I'm not going to go through them all. I'll just tell you below which are the dangerous neighborhoods and the best areas to stay in Athens.
To locate the neighborhoods I'm going to talk about, here is a map that can be enlarged to locate them. https://goo.gl/maps/fvNm3y3xb3iVVaC37
Dangerous neighborhoods Athens
As in all large cities, stations and subways are the landmarks of pickpockets and petty thugs who spot tourists. In addition, tourist sites and festive districts are also places where tourists are targeted (Psiri, Monastiraki, Syntagma, Glyfada, Thissio, Monastiraki…).
Without being neighborhoods where tourists risk their lives, there are still a few other neighborhoods strongly discouraged for tourists because of their insecurity.
Let's see in more detail where they are exactly with their Google Map position.
Agio Panteleimomas – Neighborhood to avoid in Athens
This is a neighborhood in central Athens that you absolutely should avoid. In fact, it is a territory out of control (tensions between migrants, police, political groups, settling of scores). See it location of this district in Athens
Omonia – Neighborhood to avoid in Athens at night
Omonia is one of the liveliest areas in central Athens. It is in this area that you can find the market, good traditional taverns, bars and many shops. See location of this neighborhood
It is therefore a tourist district that it is pleasant to discover during the day. On the other hand, in the evening and at night, it is the territory of drug addicts, prostitutes and petty criminals. See the following article from fr24news.com: " Manhunt after four men kidnapped 25-year-old pregnant woman and raped her during hours-long ordeal in Greece«
Colonus poorly frequented neighborhood
Colonus (Colone or Kolonos) is a district south of Sepolia. It is a working-class and poor neighborhood where drugs wreak havoc and generate crime. See location of this district in Athens
Exarcheia neighborhood out of control
This neighborhood is known for being the anarchist neighborhood of Athens. Indeed, after the economic crisis which followed the Subprime crisis, this district positioned itself “outside the system” and set up its own organization. See location of this district in Athens. Numerous tensions and police interventions make this neighborhood unattractive.
Best neighborhoods to stay when visiting Athens
Athens is full of cool neighborhoods to sleep in with all their character and interest. Impossible to present them all to you!
I am going to content myself with indicating the most chic district, the most touristy district and the nicest district.
Kolonáki the most exclusive district of Athens
For those who can afford it, this is the rich and very chic area of Athens. See location of this district in Athens.
Very elegant with its beautiful neoclassical and modernist buildings, there are luxury boutiques, big names in fashion and the best restaurants.
Pláka most picturesque district of Athens
Very close to the Acropolis, Plaka is the oldest and most picturesque district of Athens. See location of this district in Athens.
In addition to its postcard side, it is a district also ideally located for visiting Athens.
Monastiraki the most touristic district of Athens
For those who love entertainment, bars, restaurants, shopping and ancient sites, Monastiraki is the area for them! It is the most popular area for foreign tourists. See location of this district in Athens.
Where to stay in Athens?
The hotel I recommend below is located far from the dangerous areas of Athens, in the heart of the most beautiful area mentioned above.
La Monastiraki metro station is 300 meters away of this magnificent hotel which offers excellent value for money: Emporikon Athens Hotel
Its location is perfect for tourists as it is close to tourist sites, shops, restaurants and it has a shuttle service to the Airport!
