Safety in Athens

[meeshelle]

I will be traveling to Athens at the end of May with about 20 other people. I've seen in the news that there are protests and ever some riots in Athens, is it safe to travel there? Are there certain areas to stay away from?

I don't want to get mixed up in the angry crowds!

[Eagle]

meeshelle,

Welcome to the Boards!

Regarding "safety" in Athens, the marches and demonstrations seem to take place there on a regular basis. As far as I know, everything is quite stable at the moment, and marches have been mostly peaceful.

As far as "areas to stay away from", you might check a few Guidebooks for further information on that. I'll be in Athens in about a month (slightly before your trip), so will be able to provide further information then.

I have heard a few reports concerning "unscrupulous business practices" with Metro tickets. Travellers are being issued supposedly valid tickets, but are stopped by Inspectors and issued a fine towards the end of the trip on the Metro. Have a look at www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/6496/metro-fine-in-athens.html for all the details.

Cheers!

[meeshelle]

thanks Eagle!

I've been trying to find information online about the marches but it's hard Maybe they don't want to advertise this so people will still go and travel there. I will check out that link you posted, thanks!

[madamtrashheap]

meshelle, to add to Eagle's information on the protest marches in Athens, perhaps look at European news websites (bbc.co.uk/news is a good start) for details and updates on the current situation in Greece and areas the marches/protests are occuring. At the moment, they seem to be gathering and marching through the central parts of the city (Parliament, Syntagma Square, Omonia Square) but May Day (1st May) will be a big one this year, and strikes are likely to continue to occur too, so keep that in mind and have back up plans if possible. Striking workers often include transport, museums, banks and public sector areas.

I've been caught in several protest marches (as well as a peaceful sit-in) in Europe in the past 20 years, and (touchwood) have had no incidents other than being temporarily deafened by whistles in Rome and having to get cross with some protesters in Paris for going the wrong way in the Metro (well, it's just not done! I couldn't get through the exit!). If I don't speak the language, I usually ask someone what's happening and then have a whole other experience of the city, plus further my political education, so that's a bonus. I'm not advocating searching for marches, but don't panic if you happen to come across them in your travels. It's the revolutionary spirit in practise - when the people have something to say, they take it to the streets.

Travel safe and stay tuned for Eagle's on-the-spot updates. Also, just keep one eye on news reports as I think things are going to get worse before they improve (economically) after the status attributed to Greece by Standard and Poor today.