Greece is a top destination that many solo female travelers have on their bucket list. With its iconic ancient ruins, beautiful islands, and lively culture, it’s easy to see the appeal. However, Greece is generally safe for solo female travellers, though it’s important to take precautions as you would anywhere.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about safely traveling alone in Greece as a woman.
You’ll learn tips from other solo female travelers, the safest places to visit, how to experience Greece’s famous nightlife, what to do, and more.
By the end, you’ll feel equipped to plan your own amazing solo trip to Greece!
How Safe is Greece For Solo Female Travellers?
Greece is considered a relatively safe country for tourists, including solo female travelers. Violent crime is rare, even in major cities like Athens. The most common issues are petty theft like pickpocketing and bag snatching.
However, solo women do face increased risks of harassment and catcalling in some areas, especially at nightclubs and bars popular with tourists.
As a precaution, dress modestly, avoid walking alone at night, and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
Stay aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts, and you likely won’t have any issues.
Plus, there are many ways to meet fellow travelers and explore Greece safely if you use common sense.
Overall, Greece is safe relative to other European and world destinations.
List 3 Safest Destinations in Greece For Solo Females
While Greece is generally safe, some areas are considered safer than others for solo female travelers. Here are three top recommendations:
Athens
As a bustling modern capital, Athens is very tourist-friendly and safer than most cities for solo women.
There’s plenty of nightlife in the touristy areas like Monastiraki, Plaka, and Psyri where you’ll be surrounded by people. The metro is also very convenient for getting around.
Just use caution in the quieter outskirts of the city, especially at nighttime. Avoid the Omonia area, which can be sketchy. Overall though, Athens is an easy place to start your Greece travels.
Santorini
The picturesque island of Santorini is one of the most popular destinations in Greece, which means you’ll be far from alone exploring its cliffs and blue-domed roofs.
Santorini attracts many couples and families who tend to stick to the upscale areas.
This makes Santorini feel very secure for solo female travelers. Stay in the main towns of Fira or Oia where there are lots of shops, restaurants, and fellow tourists.
Take the bus around the island instead of walking remote inland paths alone. Enjoy Santorini’s beauty without worrying much about safety.
Crete
As the largest of the Greek islands, Crete has a bit of everything from mountains to beaches. The main cities Heraklion and Chania both have lots of tourist infrastructure, so they are easy for solos. Avoid the more isolated southern coast.
Crete’s Samaria Gorge hike attracts many other travelers who you can buddy up with.
The popular resort towns Malia and Hersonissos also have a reputation as party destinations with many young people. So Crete makes it easy to be social and meet friendly faces as a solo female.
No matter which Greek island you visit, sticking close to the tourist hubs will help women stay secure.
Top Things For Solo Females to Do in Greece
There are endless amazing activities for solo female travelers in Greece. Here are some top things to do to make the most of your time while staying safe:
Visit the Acropolis and Ancient Sites
One of the main draws of Greece is exploring its ancient ruins! The Acropolis in Athens offers breathtaking views along with the Parthenon. With so many tourists around, you’ll be safe wandering these sites alone during the day.
Other notable ancient sites like the Oracle at Delphi, Knossos Palace in Crete, and the theaters of Epidavros are also heavily touristed. There’s no need to join an organized tour if you prefer to go solo.
Island Hop Through the Cyclades
One of the joys of Greece is hopping between the gorgeous Cycladic islands like Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros. This is very easy to do solo as a female using the ferry system. The fast catamarans are pretty cheap and efficient.
Focus on the most popular islands where you’ll be surrounded by fellow travelers. Avoid super remote islands where you could feel isolated. Stick to daylight hours for hiking and beach time.
The nightlife on islands likes Mykonos and Ios can get wild, so go with the buddy system if clubbing.
Hike Samaria Gorge in Crete
The 16 km Samaria Gorge hike is considered one of the top things to do in Crete. Many solo female travelers feel comfortable doing the hike alone since you’re surrounded by so many other hikers along the way. It can get crowded during summer!
Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water, and start early before the midday heat. The organized tours are also great if you prefer a guide. Getting stranded alone out there would be dangerous, so keep the trail times in mind.
Join Walking or Cooking Tours
One of the best ways to safely experience new places as a solo traveler is to join a group tour. Greece has so many great options like food tours, wine tasting, walking tours, and island cruises.
Not only will you meet fun people and learn about Greece, but you’ll have strength in numbers and a local guide to avoid getting lost. Tours are great for solo females wanting to dip into Athens’ nightlife or party islands more safely.
Photography Sessions
A dreamy photoshoot against Greece’s beautiful backdrops can make for an amazing solo experience.
There are now many local photographers catering to the Instagram generation. You can arrange a private or group session in advance.
This is a great way for solo female travelers to explore destinations like Santorini without worrying about safety. Plus you get professional photos out of it! Just vet the photographer thoroughly first.
Exploring the Greece Nightlife as a Solo Female
Greece is renowned for its vibrant nightlife scene that revolves around lively bars, nightclubs, bouzoukia music halls, and beach parties.
This is definitely a highlight of many people’s trips! However, solo women need to take some extra care when going out at night.
The bar scene is generally very social and easier to navigate alone if you stick to well-populated areas. Beach parties on islands also tend to be relaxed day drinking events.
On the other hand, clubs and bouzoukia venues can involve heavy drinking and rowdy groups of men, so it’s best not to go alone.
Here are some tips for exploring the Greece nightlife safely as a solo female:
Safety Tips for Nightlife:
- Always tell someone where you are going and set up a check-in system.
- Avoid deserted streets and isolation when walking home at night.
- Don’t accept drinks that you didn’t see being made in front of you.
- Stay sober enough that you’re aware of your surroundings.
- Bring enough cash for a taxi to get home if needed.
- Avoid provocative clothing which could attract unwanted attention.
- Be smart and listen to your intuition if a place feels unsafe for any reason.
Best Areas in Athens for Nightlife
- Monastiraki -Trendy bars and rooftop lounges around Plaka area. Avoid late at night.
- Gazi – Former gasworks district turned hip with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Stick to the liveliest squares.
- Kolonaki – Upscale neighborhood bars attract posh locals and less rowdy tourists.
Top Greek Islands for Nightlife
- Mykonos – Famous party island full of lively clubs, beach bars, and drunk tourists. Strength in numbers here.
- Corfu – Less intense nightlife than Mykonos but still upbeat bars and nightclubs. Old Town area is most lively.
- Rhodes – Eclectic mix of bars and clubs that attracts a younger backpacking crowd.
No matter where, using caution and common sense will let solo female travelers enjoy Greece’s nightlife safely. Traveling with a trusted friend is the safest option if you want to experience the clubs.
Solo Female Travelers Share Their Experience in Greece
To get an authentic perspective on solo female travel in Greece, there’s nothing better than hearing directly from women who’ve done it themselves. Here are some quotes and advice from solo female travelers in Greece:
Solo Female Travel Reviews:
“Locals were so friendly to me everywhere I went. Whether hiking solo or wandering the cities, I never felt threatened.” – Aly Solo Traveler
“Even with the economic struggles Greece faces, I was pleasantly surprised by how secure things felt there as a female traveling alone. Common sense precautions kept me safe.” Lana
“As long as you avoid the sketchier areas, Greece feels surprisingly safe for solo female travelers. Stick to the tourist trail or join tour groups, especially on the islands, and you’re unlikely to have any issues.” By Cassie
Greece Solo Travel Guide and Tips For Women
To wrap up this guide, here are some final tips for how to travel alone safely and comfortably as a female in Greece:
Best Time of Year to Visit
The summer months of June through August draw the biggest crowds of tourists to Greece. While popular, this is prime time for petty theft and overbooked transport between islands.
The shoulder seasons of May or September are ideal with smaller crowds, lower prices, and mild weather.
Getting Around Greece
- Fly between Athens, Thessaloniki, and the islands
- Use the reliable regional trains and Athens metro
- Take ferries between islands and book ahead in peak season
- Use Uber in cities as local taxis overcharge tourists
- Rent an ATV/scooter carefully as roads are hazardous
Where to Stay
- Downtown Athens hotels, like Herodion, near tourist sites
- Santorini cave hotels and villas for amazing views
- Hostels to meet other travelers, like Athens Backpackers
- Plaka neighborhood in Athens has lots of shops, restaurants, and pedestrian traffic
Making Friends
- Join a walking tour, yoga retreat, or island cruise
- Stay in female-only dorms in hostels when possible
- Use apps like Couchsurfing Hangouts and Meetup
- Chat up fellow travelers on ferries and tours
Final Tips
- Learn some basic Greek phrases
- Use a money belt or hidden pouch under clothes
- Leave pricey jewelry and electronics at home or in hotel
- Always trust your instincts – if a place feels unsafe, leave
- Check visa requirements based on your nationality
And that covers everything you need to know to safely visit Greece as a solo female traveler! With common sense and precautions, you can have an amazing time exploring Greece’s natural beauty, ancient sites, islands, cuisine and culture.
