How To Avoid Pickpockets In Athens Greece

Tips on how to avoid pickpockets in Athens Greece. Includes everything you need to know to stay safe and enjoy your Greek vacation!

How to stay safe from pickpockets in Athens Greece 

Athens in Greece is a popular travel destination, but also a busy city where pickpockets operate in crowded areas.  

Pickpockets in Athens often target visitors, who are bound to have more valuable items, or carry more cash than locals. Before you know it, your money, card, passport or mobile phone is gone! 

I’m Vanessa from Athens and have lived here for over 4 decades. I’ve only been pick-pocketed in Athens once in my life, and that was inside a bus over 20 years ago. Realizing my monthly salary was gone was a terrible feeling. Going to the police station afterwards wasn’t a lot of fun either.

I remember wondering how on earth they had managed to take my money and driver’s license from my handbag without me noticing. But in all fairness, I wasn’t really aware of my surroundings on that day. Plus, like most people, I didn’t really believe it could happen to me.

Since then, I’ve never been pick-pocketed in Greece. However, I keep reading stories of visitors who had this nasty experience, which ruined their Greek vacation.  

So I wrote this guide with tips to avoid pickpockets in Athens Greece. I’ve included common scams in Athens, and whether Athens is a safe city. 

1. Hide away your most valuable items

My number one tip to protect yourself from pickpockets in Athens is to hide away your most valuable items at all times. These include your passport, driver’s license, credit / debit cards and any large sums of cash that you don’t need frequent access to.

You can use an inexpensive money belt / travel waist pouch to store all those. Money belts are designed to go under your clothes, and are literally invisible.

There are also specially designed clothes with hidden pockets. Some of them tend to be on the pricey side, but it could be a good investment, especially if you are a frequent traveler. There’s even women’s underwear with in-built pockets!

Of course, pickpockets are aware that many people use money belts, hidden pockets, or similar ways to hide their passports and credit cards. Yet, it’s not so easy even for a skilled pickpocket to locate, let alone open a travel waist pouch that is well hidden under your clothes. 

Money belt vs hotel safe

I know some people prefer to leave their passports in their hotel safe, along with any jewelry or similar items. If you decide to do that, make sure you carry a copy of your passport with you. By law, in Greece you are required to carry ID at all times.  

You can also divide your cash and credit cards between different places – in your money belt, hotel safe, and maybe another location, e.g. a pocket in one of your clothes that you leave in your hotel room. This way, if one bunch is stolen, you will still have access to funds.

2. Keep your personal belongings secure

Apart from the items you won’t use too often, there will be other valuables that you will need to access more frequently. These could include your mobile phone, camera, one credit card, and a small amount of cash.

I use a small, inexpensive, no-name handbag where I keep items that I want to be able to reach easily. A cross-body fanny pack would also work. Both of these are light, relatively unobtrusive, and easy to keep secure, i.e. either in front of me or under my hand at all times. 

An anti-theft handbag with a slash-proof strap is also another clever solution. I’ve never used one myself, but many women swear by it.

On the other hand, most men I know keep their mobile phone and wallet in a zipped pocket in their trousers. Avoid placing your wallet in your back pocket, especially when you are in crowded areas.

When you go sightseeing, you can keep any everyday items that you want for the day in a small foldable backpack. These could be things that are inexpensive and easy to replace, like sunscreen, a bottle of water, a scarf, light jacket, case for your sunglasses etc.

Keep your backpack on your front

If you are planning to place any valuables in your backpack, please keep it in front of your body. I have actually witnessed a pickpocket opening someone’s backpack on Athinas street, close to the Varvakios food market and Psiri. 

Without really thinking, I shouted at him and he quickly ran off – fortunately I saw him in time. The other person hadn’t had the time to even process what had happened! 

A foldable backpack can also come in handy when you are going to the beach, or to bring any Greek souvenirs back home. 

In this case, all I had in my backpack was water, snacks and a scarf – so no problem!

 

Keep your handbag on your lap when sitting at a cafe

A common mistake that many women make, is to hang their handbag diagonally on the chair where they are sitting, or even on the table.

Instead, please keep your handbag securely in your lap, or around your shoulder, and make sure you keep an eye on it.  

Be very mindful of your phone or camera

When using your phone or camera in public, keep a firm grip on it, especially in open spaces, or near doors and exits. Thieves can snatch your phone and quickly escape – though this is not super common in Athens, it’s not unheard of.

When you sit down at a restaurant, cafe or similar establishment, never leave your mobile phone on the table, especially when sitting outdoors.

A common trick is women or children who come to beg for money and then run away with your phone. Others will place a map or paper on the table and pretend to ask a question, and they will then pick up the map along with your phone. 

After you’ve taken any photos of your meal, always put your phone back in your handbag. And, if your photos with your vacation memories are important to you, I would also suggest backing them up every day or two.

Do not leave your items unattended on the beach

Athens is surrounded by the coast, and many visitors spend a day on the beautiful beaches close to Athens.

If you are spending time on an organized beach, ask if they have lockers for your valuables. Otherwise, it’s best to go swimming in turns, or to keep your mobile phone and card in a waterproof case you can take with you when you go swimming. 

All in all, if you have any valuables with you, do not leave your bag unattended when going for a swim. This would be fine on quiet beaches on many of the islands or resorts, but most of the Athens beaches get really busy in summer.

Even better, take no valuables to the beach! Take some cash and a book, and forget about mobile phones for a few hours. I know, easier said than done!

Shinias beach close to Athens

3. Stay aware of your surroundings

Regardless of how well you have hidden or secured your belongings, please use common sense. Always be conscious of your surroundings.

I am not suggesting that everyone is out there to get you – quite the contrary. I strongly believe that Greece is a really welcoming country and there are so many wonderful, friendly people here who are keen on helping you out.

However, it’s always best to be aware of people around you, especially in crowded places like tourist attractions, markets, and public transportation.

Be mindful of anyone coming too close or trying to distract you, as they might be a member of a group of pickpockets.

How to stay safe from pickpockets in the Athens metro 

The Athens metro system is a fast, efficient and inexpensive way to get around Athens. However, it’s also a popular workplace for pickpockets. Be extra cautious, especially when on the Athens airport metro.

Pickpockets almost always work in groups. Often, one or two of them will distract you, while another one will take your valuables from your pocket, purse, handbag or backpack.

The pickpocket will usually pass your stolen item to an accomplice. Then they will all leave in different directions, making it impossible to identify them, let alone find your stolen items.

Common scam: A group of people blocking your exit from the metro

Sometimes, a group of people will block your exit from the metro, and you’ll be distracted because you won’t want to miss your stop. As you will be trying to exit the metro, they will quickly open your bag and snatch whatever they can.

This has actually happened to me many years ago, but thankfully a fellow passenger noticed and started yelling at them. The pickpockets ran and disappeared in zero time – I believe it was five of them.

I stood there looking at my wide open bag in disbelief that this had happened. I’m still very grateful to that fellow passenger, thanks so much 🙂

If you are unsure about using the airport metro, you can always get a taxi or a transfer. I warmly recommend Welcome Pickups who I’ve used myself, and always hear excellent comments from other travelers.

One more thing: If someone comes to help you at the metro ticket vending machine, it’s actually likely that they want to help you. I’ve seen it a few times, and done it a few times myself. The menus at the vending machines aren’t great and you will find them confusing when using them for the first time.

Still, it’s sometimes best to be cautious when random people volunteer to help you out of the blue. I’m very bad at following this advice myself, but I’m told it’s very good advice.

4. Keep copies of important documents

Before you travel to Greece, make photocopies of your passport, ID, driver’s license and credit cards. Keep the copies in a folder at your hotel, in a separate location from the originals. Also, take photos of your documents, keep them on your phone and email them to yourself or store them on the Cloud.

While I hope you never have to use any of these copies, they will come in handy if your papers go missing. Your Embassy will be able to identify you and renew your documents much faster. Plus, you can use a photocopy of your passport in cases when you don’t want to carry the original.

How to spot a pickpocket in Athens

I’d love to be able to give some suggestions on how to identify pickpockets in Athens, but unfortunately it’s impossible. Pickpockets can be men or women, well-dressed or scruffy, old or young, they can even be small children. 

Remember, however, that pickpockets in Athens almost always work in teams, and in places that attract tourists. Stay aware of your surroundings, and be vigilant of anyone trying to attract your attention or distract you.

Common distractions and scams in Athens

Here are some examples of distractions and scams that are common in Athens. While some of those people will be totally legitimate, some of them can also be pickpockets trying to distract you. Then their accomplice will grab some of your items.

Just keep your eyes open, and use your best judgment.

• Someone bumping into you on the street
• A person stopping you on the street to ask for information, or to offer information that you didn’t ask for
• A group of people blocking your entrance / exit from the metro
• Young people pretending to be members of a philanthropic organizations, who will ask for a donation 
• Someone placing a map over your mobile phone which you have left on the table where you are sitting, then leaving with the map and also your phone 
• A person who ties a bracelet on your wrist without you consenting, and then demands payment for it
• Someone, usually a mother with a child, trying to sell you flowers, which they originally claim to be a gift
• People begging for money on the street – though, sadly, some of those people are begging indeed.

In my experience, street artists and buskers in Athens are genuine – and some of them are exceptional. I can’t vouch for each one of them, but I’ve never heard of a pick-pocketing incident involving street performers.

You will usually find them on Ermou, the main shopping street in Athens, plus Dionysiou Areopagitou street. 

Is Athens safe? My personal opinion!

Is Athens a safe city? In my opinion as an Athenian, yes, Athens is an overall safe city. 

Personally, I don’t remember ever feeling unsafe when walking around the city during daytime. This includes anywhere in the city of Athens and the suburbs. And as mentioned earlier, I’ve only been pick-pocketed once in my life in Athens, which is really not terrible.

I honestly think that the biggest danger in the Greek capital is actually tripping on an uneven pavement, of which Athens has plenty. Or even crossing the street. And I won’t even mention driving in Athens, hah! 

What is Omonia like? Is Omonia dangerous?

In recent years, I’ve often been asked if certain areas of Athens, like Omonia, Exarchia and Metaxourgio, are safe. My opinion is that yes, these areas are safe to wander around if you have a reason to. 

I personally have no problems going there to meet friends, do some shopping, go to a theater or just go to take photos. I don’t find any of them dangerous at any time of the day or night. 

YET, these areas are not necessarily pleasant. I know many Athenians who find them sketchy, and others who avoid them altogether. If I’m to be honest, I don’t find them aesthetically pleasing myself.

I won’t lie, I HAVE felt uneasy a few times when walking on my own after dark around Omonia and Metaxourgio. But that was the way I felt myself, rather than the area itself being dangerous. After all, pickpockets may operate anywhere in Athens.  

Apart from a lot of street art and graffiti, you will come across a mix of new and torn-down buildings. You may also see beggars, homeless people, and, sadly, even drug addicts around Omonia.

Often, while one street will be perfectly fine, a street one block away might look gritty or even feel dangerous. Just like in any other big city in the world.

In the end, it all depends on what you are used to, and what matters to you when choosing an area to stay or wander around.

Should I stay in Omonia Athens?

Overall, if I had to suggest an area for a visitor to stay, I wouldn’t necessarily see the point in staying in Omonia or Metaxourgio. There are nicer areas in Athens, such as Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma, Koukaki or Kolonaki.  

And while these areas are more touristy, and usually more expensive to stay, they are also prettier and closer to the ancient sites in Athens – which is why more people choose to stay there.

Still, wherever you decide to stay, always be aware of your surroundings, and follow my tips to avoid being pickpocketed in Athens.

More travel tips for Greece

I hope you’ve found this guide useful! Here are some more travel tips for Greece:

• How to stay cool in the summer in Athens
• What can go wrong during your Greek vacation
• Can you drink tap water in Greece
• Why can’t you flush toilet paper in Greece
• Strikes in Greece

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Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens and I love my far-from-perfect but very charming city. Follow me on my social media: 

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