Health and Safety

Greece is generally a safe country in which to travel, and crime against visitors is a fairly rare occurence. Pickpockets are the biggest menace, especially in Athens, so be careful when touring the major attractions and use the basic precautions. Never carry wallets in back pockets, keep handbags close to the body and zipped shut, and keep a close eye on phones and cameras. Carry as few credit cards as possible, so you won't be without one in case of a theft, and avoid carrying your passport and other important documents around with you. If possible, stash them in a hotel safe. Other minor theft is rare in most other places.

Falls and stumbles are probably the major risk for injury, as pavements are often uneven and broken, curbs can be high, potholes are common, and streets are sometimes poorly lit. In towns in Santorini and elsewhere, many passages are a series of steep steps that are hard to navigate, even when stone sober and in bright daylight. So, mind your step, wear sturdy shoes, and carry a flashlight or use the one on your phone as necessary when walking at night.

Greece's strong summer sun and low humidity can lead to sunburn or sunstroke if you're not careful. A hat, a light-colored long-sleeve shirt, and long pants or a sarong are advised for spending a day at the beach or visiting archaeological sites. Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are necessities, and be sure to drink plenty of water. Most beaches present few dangers, but keep a lookout for the occasional jellyfish and, on rocky coves, sea urchins. Should you step on one, don't break off the embedded spines, which may lead to infection, but instead remove them with heated olive oil and a needle. Tap water is safe to drink in Athens and Thessaloniki, but many residents prefer bottled spring water. Avoid drinking tap water in rural areas and on islands.

In greener, wetter areas, mosquitoes may be a problem. In addition to wearing insect repellent, you can burn coils ("spee-rahl") or buy plug-in devices that burn medicated tabs ("pah-steel-ya"). Hotels usually provide these. Lemon eucalyptus sprays are a more natural way to keep insects away. The only poisonous snakes in Greece are the adder and the sand viper, which are brown or red, with dark zigzags. The adder has a V or X behind its head, and the sand viper sports a small horn on its nose. When hiking, wear high tops and hiking socks and don't put your feet or hands in crevices without looking first. If bitten, try to slow the spread of the venom until a doctor comes: Lie still with the affected limb lower than the rest of your body. Apply a tourniquet, releasing it every few minutes, and cut the wound a bit in case the venom can bleed out. Do NOT suck on the bite. Whereas snakes like to lie in the sun, the scorpion (rare) likes cool, wet places, in woodpiles and under stones. Apply Benadryl or Phenergan to minor stings, but if you have nausea or fever, see a doctor at once.

For minor ailments, go to a local pharmacy first, where the licensed staff can make recommendations for over-the-counter drugs. Pharmacies are open in the morning (8–2) and three evenings per week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 5–8), and each posts the name of the nearest pharmacy open off-hours and on weekends. Most state hospitals and rural clinics won't charge you for tending to minor ailments, even if you're not an EU citizen; at most, you'll pay a minimal fee. For a doctor or dentist, check with your hotel, embassy, or the tourist police.

Do not fly within 24 hours of scuba diving.

COVID-19

A new novel coronavirus brought travel to a virtual standstill in 2020. Although the illness is mild in most people, some experience severe and even life-threatening complications. Once travel started up again, albeit slowly and cautiously, travelers were asked to be particularly careful about hygiene and to avoid any unnecessary travel, especially if they are sick.

Older adults, especially those over 65, have a greater chance of having severe complications from COVID-19. The same is true for people with weaker immune systems or those living with some types of medical conditions, including diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, and liver disease.

Starting two weeks before a trip, anyone planning to travel should be on the lookout for some of the following symptoms: cough, fever, chills, trouble breathing, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of smell or taste. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should not travel.

To protect yourself during travel, do your best to avoid contact with people showing symptoms. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Limit your time in public places, especially enclosed ones, and when you are out and about, wear a cloth face mask that covers your nose and mouth. Indeed, a mask may be required in some places, such as on an airplane or in a confined space like a theater, where you share the space with a lot of people.

You may wish to bring extra supplies, such as disenfecting wipes, hand sanitizer (12-ounce bottles were allowed in carry-on luggage at this writing), and a first-aid kit with a thermometer.

For the time being, the Greek government is asking travelers to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) no later than 24 hours before entering the country to provide an address in Greece and other information that is stored in a database. Travelers will then recieve a QR code they must present upon entering the country. Forms and instructions are on the Visit Greece app and at travel.gov.gr.

Given how abruptly travel was curtailed in March 2020, it is wise to consider protecting yourself by purchasing a travel insurance policy that will reimburse you for any costs related to COVID-19 related cancellations. Not all travel insurance policies protect against pandemic-related cancellations, so always read the fine print.