Is Greece a safe place to visit?

Question

Im due to go there (zakynthos) on friday for a weeks holiday with 4 of my friends and i was just wondering that although greece is prone to earthquakes is it still safe to travel to it? and if so wheres the best place to go and the best things to do?

Answer 1

fcorz its safe...c'mon ova!

Answer 2

Yes, as long as you don't ask too much. especially about our neighbors Macedonia

Answer 3

it was for me lov

Answer 4

The earthquake was not in Zakynthos, and although Greece is earthquake prone, the earthquakes are usually minor. As for other safety issues, if you get absolutely blotted from alcohol, there are very few places on earth that will be safe for you.

Many tourist girls get very drunk,  become very provocative, and end up getting raped by other tourists. I am NOT saying that they deserve it, no one does, but common sense is necessary wherever you go.

I do NOT have a chip about tourists. I get very upset when they get hurt, and if I can help ONE girl protect herself, it will be worth all the thumb downs on Yahoo.

Answer 5

Greece has earthquakes - yes, Zakynthos is on an earthquake line .....however buildings nowadays are built to withstand up to 8R - seeing as earthquakes in Greece are not normally over 6. (something) and most have their epicentres in the sea - you are safe. They last a few seconds (feels like minutes) scary at the time but soon forgotten.

Remember we do live here and you don't see Greeks packing up and moving to a less earthquake prone place - and there are much worse places to live in the world where earthquakes take place. In fact it's like saying 'I'll cancel my trip to UK because of bad weather or floods' same thing.

Answer 6

my parents recently visited greece, they went to athens and said it was amazing, idk if that helps :P

Answer 7

Greece's safety.  Hmmm, this is a double-edged sword.  Greeks will have you believe that all crime in their country is committed by foreigners, but the reality speaks of something more sinister.  

CRIME:

According to the Kathemerini paper (i believe), most of the crime, including rape, is done by Greeks themselves.  It's quite easy to blame the Albanian boogeyman for everything but it's just not true.  Look at who is in the Greek jails and you will find it's Greeks!!  That's not to say that some Albanians and others are not committing crime, but not to the extent that paranoid Greeks think.  Crimes committed by Greeks rarely get press in the Racist Greek media, but "God Forbid" if it's an Albanian it becomes EKTAKTO (Emergency News).

Earthquakes:  I have to disagree with Asemenia with her assertion that Greek buildings can stand up to a large earthquake.  This is totally false.  We had a small 6.5 earthquake in Patras recently which destroyed the small town of Kato Achaia, and this shows how poorly constructed Greek buildings really are.  A 6.5 in California barely is noticed, but in Greece a 6.5 is like an 8.0 due to shoddy construction.

Now, possibly, the newest buildings may be made to a stronger threshold, but remember once again that Greek contractors are not held to the same strict standards as countries such as the USA, UK etc.  So, who really knows if the contractor did the work properly.  Only during an Earthquake will you know.

Overall, I think you should come to Greece, enjoy yourself and don't worry about earthquakes.  Be more cautious for rude taxi drivers, and getting ripped off at tourist traps in Greece.

Greece is a beautiful place if the citizens of Greece will allow it to be.  The future will tell.....

Answer 8

Literally it's one of the safest in all of Europe ... in the world.

Greeks are very peaceful and extremely friendly.

Answer 9

Concerning the earthhquakes, I agree with asimenia.

Zakynthos has wonderful beaches: Navagio, Keri, Kalamaki and many more. You can also go to the Blue Caves, they're very beautiful.

Here's a link with lots of information and suggestions:

http://www.gozakynthos.gr/zakynthos.muse...

Answer 10

Zakynthos is one of the most sismogenic places in Greece and maybe the most.

But back in 1953 was a huge earthquake there,which almost destroyed the whole island.That had as a result,to rebuilt the whole island and make all the building very durable and robust.

Some years before happened a 7.1R and exept some breaks in some walls ,nothing really happened!I was there,It was really huge!

But exept the earthquakes Greece is the safest place in Europe(has the lowest crime rate) so you dont have to worry.

No offend,Serendipity is right about some Brit tourist(i don't say you are like these,but there are plenty of them,believe me),so don't take it personally,

Serendipity:they do it for vacation insurance;)

Have a nice time in Zakynthos

as far as concerned the Ralph answerer,let me inform you that he try his best to defame in every of his answers.

he don't even live here(look at his profile questions) to know the internal things better than Greece

1st ralph you should check in the  ministry of internal affairs the crimes(from killing to stealingmall) the number of the Greeks and the none-Greeks)

having lived in Zakynthos since 1999,I know much more than Ralph, for Turism,the crimes there,and the earthquakes.

Some people here have nothing better to do than spreading hatres...

Answer 11

Yes, no problem, don't worry. All of Greece has earthquakes every few years, but this is why all modern constructions are extra-super-resistant to earthquakes. Enjoy your holidays!