Poverty, drugs and theft in Athens – “You can’t walk around the center at night.” Tourists do not feel safe in the Greek capital. The main problems and areas in which… it is dangerous.
Europe is undoubtedly the safest continent on the planet, but that doesn’t mean it’s free of dangers. In fact, some European cities can be quite dangerous, and the safety of locals and travelers is often at risk. Crime, delinquency, corruption, quality of life and law enforcement are some of the factors that make up the mosaic of people’s sense of security.
“Believe it or not, behind the beautiful pictures, majestic cobbled streets and romantic glow of historical monuments, some European cities have earned a reputation for having a dark side. While it can be easy to get carried away by the romantic charm of cities like Paris or Athens, it’s worth exploring which areas of these cities are more dangerous than others”says the study Way To Stay.
“Dangers come in many forms: terrorist attacks, fraud, natural disasters and criminal activity. No matter how safe a place is, traveling always involves some risk. There are not many places in the world that are completely crime-free, but some cities have much higher levels of violent crime higher”the researchers add.
Poverty, drugs and theft in Athens
In Rome, the famous Italian capital, only 38% of residents feel safe on the streets at night. Even as a tourist attraction, Rome was named Europe’s most dangerous city last year. According to a European report cited by Visit World, Rome topped the list of the most dangerous cities in Europe. Second place was taken by the Greek capital Athens, where only 40% of the population feel safe. In third place was the city of Marseille in France with a safety index of only 43%.
This is what the central areas of Athens look like now
When tourists hear the word “Athens”, they think of the 12 gods of Olympus, mythology, as well as the great philosophers of antiquity who inscribed their names in golden letters for eternity, and humanity owes them much in science, art and culture. At the same time, it is the birthplace of democracy, but now, especially after the era of memoranda and extreme poverty that struck the population, some places have become disadvantaged.
Beware – pickpockets
The crime situation has noticeably worsened after the massive influx of illegal migrants in 2015-2023. “But the main thing to watch out for is pickpockets and petty fraud in taxis and on restaurant bills. Athens is still a great city to visit, but it’s best to be careful,” the article notes.
In the center of Athens, stable groups of Afghans and Pakistanis have formed, which are engaged in thefts and robberies of lonely passers-by. Even in broad daylight on the central streets of the capital, a group of young people can join you from behind and on the sides and pick out your pockets or bags.
Unfortunately, Greece also has a relatively high level of drug consumption.
Drug addicts, especially in the stage of drug withdrawal, become especially aggressive and can attack passers-by, demanding money for a dose. Moreover, due to inadequate perception, they can even attack several people. Considering that in this state drug addicts perceive pain poorly, they can be especially dangerous and difficult to protect against.
Don’t walk alone
“Athens is known for its nightlife, but if you decide to go out at night, try not to walk alone. While serious crimes such as armed attacks and murders are rare in the Greek capital, you should be on guard: in busy tourist areas petty thieves, such as pickpockets and bag snatchers, range from the elderly to small children, and drug dealers, anarchist groups and various scammers are common in several areas, especially in the center, so always pack a few people and avoid unfavorable areas at night and at dawn”, – the article says.
Which areas of Athens should be considered dangerous?
Map of the most crime-ridden areas of Athens from the Athens Police
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0QYTKxt8JM
The most dangerous areas of the capital of Greece are Omonia and the surrounding areas away from the center, as well as to the right and left of the square. In short, the wider area of Omonia is a hotbed of lawlessness that thrives in the very center of the city, forcing its residents to avoid this central point, especially after the evening hours when criminal gangs become more visible and overt!
These are Metaxourgio, Psiri, the railway station area and all areas along Acharnon Street. These areas have the greatest concentration of legal and underground brothels and drug sales points. Many legal and illegal migrants live in them, essentially forming a kind of ghetto in which shots and cries asking for help can be heard even during the day.
The Exarchia region can also be classified as dangerous. But in recent years, due to unrest by anarchists and the active presence of large police forces in the area, the criminal situation in the area has improved somewhat. However, it did not become safe. At any moment, the anarchists and their allied hooligans may start riots, and you may find yourself caught in the crossfire of the police and the anarchists.
The northwestern regions of the Athens agglomerate – Menidi (Acharne), Ano Lucia – are also considered dangerous areas. These areas are home to a large number of Roma, who are difficult to classify as law-abiding citizens in Greece. Besides thefts, robberies and fraudrepresentatives of this people are actively involved in drug trafficking.
Most of the houses in Menidi resemble fortresses and for good reason – it is one of the most dangerous areas of Athens. Menidi is entrenched in the minds of most as a ghetto dominated by gypsy gangs. There are consistent robberies of houses and cars in the area. There you also have to worry about stray gunfire being exchanged between the gangs, endangering the lives of area residents as well as passersby!
Police reports constantly mention shootouts between feuding families. A shooting in the air during holidays or parties – this is a common occurrence. Unfortunately, bullets falling down do not always hit the ground. In recent years from them two children diedwho were hit in the head by these bullets.
The area of the Peace and Friendship Stadium is also considered far from the safest place in the capital of Greece. Mainly due to the Karaiskaki stadium, where showdowns constantly take place between fan clubs of different teams, as well as the Dilaveri embankment area, where the favorite clubs and restaurants of local crime are located. Bandits who are drunk or have taken a dose of potion often stage shootouts and showdowns in the park adjacent to this area.
Aspropyrgos is another dangerous area of Athens, which is a hotbed of crime and a hangout for gangs. The area is considered an industrial zone, where there are many enterprises, warehouses and the main factor is the presence of 2 gypsy camps in the surrounding area. Crime reports are constantly coming from this area.
The area was also chosen by gangs who “work” in the territory of Athens and the surrounding area (Attica), considering it safe for themselves, since the police do not want to patrol this area and engage in local disputes, which ultimately brought it notoriety.
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