Is Athens Greece Dangerous At Night? Walking From Viktoria to Omonia 

I've lived in Athens since I was born and I can tell you that areas like Viktoria's square is one of the neighborhoods that Greeks do never visit , unless they work there. Most of people who live there are immigrants, because rents are low. The area is not safe and the crime rate is high. That's why tourist found cheap airbnbs and hotels there. But I can assure you that Athens is a safe city. If you avoid some of the dangerous areas, you can stay out until midnight and you'll have no problem at all.

See, the thing is, you went there at 10:30, that's not considered late in Greece, that's when 15 year olds go out for a stroll with their friends during summer. In Greece saying late usually means later than 00:00.

I m Greek and i hate going to the centre of Athens, because i feel sick of this situation. It's very sad trying to find a fellow Greek in your own city. Also, it's very dangerous there, especcially for children or young women. This has to change immediately.

This part of Athens is magnificent for a thriller movie....

As a Greek who lived in both biggest cities, I found the route you have chosen, the most challenging one but rather the discomfort it makes me feel, I never found it that "dangerous". I never felt worried for my life but I was looking around to be true... I will categorize this route as the squeakiest of all Greece.

I work there and I honestly tell you, avoid those streets at least at night. It's not safe.

I studied and lived in Athens from 2001 to 2005. I visited again in 2019 and everything appeared to be familiar but at the same time widely different. There were areas in which I knew and loved that quite literally appeared as if it they’re from a parallel universe. It felt like I was in another country where Greek was not the dominant language. I’m from Cyprus, we also speak Greek but in a much heavier accent, so listening to proper Greek is like beautiful music to my ears, yet there were areas in which I could walk for several minutes, pass by dozens, even hundred-plus people and didn’t listen to a single Greek word. In Athens! I have nothing against people as individuals but watching entire neighbourhoods becoming ghettos is terrible and depressing for me. It’s one thing for immigrants to blend withing the locals, it’s another to drive the locals away and gain control of an area. And where there’s poverty, there’s always crime. Thankfully, the majority of the Athens I remember, is still there.

This is so sad.....these places were beautiful and safe. Now....i have been living in Greece for more than20 years and the changes here in the city arevery sad to see

Another European city turned into a cesspool due to uncontrolled migration. I walked through there last year at night around this month and I felt sick that these places have become deplorable ghettos. You definitely don't feel you're walking around in a Greek city, let alone a European one. Every corner had young men from the subcontinent, the middle east, and Africa in small groups walking around with smartphones in their hands. It genuinely makes you wonder on what basis were they permitted to enter the country if, in fact, they are even there legally. When you hear what locals earn working there, you immediately put two and two together, and you see how wages can remain so low for so long. Good luck to the people of Greece. They are gonna need it.

Not from Athens but I've walked these streets at night. My heart beat faster when I crossed these places because at night they are full of surprises. But again, half past ten is too early for these areas. After midnight these areas are forbidden for normal people. You can meet gangs, drug addicts and very weird people doing weird stuff. These areas used to be good, but now they are full of immigrants from Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Im Greek and i suggest you not to walk on those streets and many others alone at night, i was with my girlfriend one night at agiou meletiou street and they literally tried to slay us with a machete without even saying anything, luckily for me they were on some heavy drugs and i could fight back until we were able to run away. stay safe

I live in Athens for 30 years. Generally, I am definitely trying to avoid some areas close to Victoria, omonoia and metaxorgio. With that being said, personally, i've never witnessed any issue or criminal activity (except drugs and prostitutes) there. I believe it is absolutely safe if you stay in a hotel in omonoia, just use the main roads and avoid the smaller ones and you will be fine.

You didn't visit the dangerous streets at Omonia. You should try walking the streets behind the city hall, streets like Sokratous, Menandrou etc. That's where the dangerous part of Omonia is.

I’m Greek visit often and have lived and grown up in Los Angeles. I feel safer walking in the worst area in Greece vs any area of Los Angeles.

Omonia to Metaxourgio is genuinely terrifying to walk down as 2 foreign women (what we did last month). I definitely felt quite unsafe there.

Living in this area for more than 30 years and having my children still living there i have to mention that it has changed a lot since i first moved there in 1988. The Greek habitants left for the suburbs at the same time migration started.First migrants that came where Pols, then the Russians, Romanians,Bulgarians. In the beginning of the 2000's the neighbourhood was loaded with immigrants from Afghanistan, Somalia Syria etc and changed the whole image of the neighbourhood. It has a different cultural image, multinational and very abandoned from the most house owners that just rent and do not care or cannot afford to recreate their own property. Knowing how it was and how it became i have to say that my heart is broken.it has nothing to do with the nationality of the inhabitants, but of the cultural quality they have, not of their fault.For them Athens is a paradise, comparing the life they lived in their own countries....But yes, their is no reason to feel a threat.My grandchildren live their and they do not feel any danger....Not that there is no crime at all, no, but athens is a city that never sleeps.....it is ok...

The building you show at 12:35 is a community shelter for homeless people. The bars on the windows are for their own safety as some of them might have some kind of mental health issues going through these difficulties.They exist to prevent them from hurting themselves and not for burglars or anything.

In the villages far from the city you see children playing at the playground up to 2am and being at the taverns when in the city of Athens you have to be really careful. Thats how you know an area is dangerous at night (by not seeing any children around)

Been living in Patissia for four years back in College. I kept venturing out at night, close to Omonoia and Victoria with no real consequence. Yes, it's dark and scary, but experiences vary.

As a greek who visited athens, i can comfirn that the 50% of the news are about the nights of athens.

Don't go looking for snakes, you might find them... Keep also in mind the guys who told you the area is safe were not Greeks but middle eastern immigrants. Thanks for sharing the video though.

I've lived in Kypseli district (where a significant amount of African/Greek-African community lives) for a bit more than a year. I've walked back and forth towards Victoria Square about a million times every possible hour, 24/7 and guess what... I never felt threatened! Don't take me wrong, Omonoia and Victoria are indeed quite problematic areas; Messy, full of intoxicated people around, petty crime in a higher scale than rest of neighborhoods, refugees/immigrants who live in poor conditions. Does heavy crime such as armed robbery, murder or rape ever occur? Yes, just like everywhere else! Hence, their reputation is nowhere close to where reality stands. There are areas in cities of Belgium, France or Sweden for instance - among plenty of others throughout Europe - that make Omonoia and Victoria Square look like a proper playground... We Greeks, travel abroad less comparing to our fellow co-europeans and most of us, don't really know what a ghetto looks like and on top of this, there's a natural tendency to overdramatize things...

Legendary Xouthou alley at 15:50 ! Still waiting for Scorseze to show up with a crew! I work nearby (3rd Septembriou) since the last century,and never felt unsafe. The main issue is the crisis,the center is deserted now and has lost the vibrancy and nerve it had. It feels more boring than dangerous as far as i am concerned. Also, expected you to go straight back to omonoia following aristotelous or 3rd Septembriou,but you naughty boy preferred to go through Fylys to show us the "houses" ,aaaaaahahahaha! Bless you dude!

i stayed in omonia for a few days (in march) and it wasn't that bad. even though there are a lot of immigrants & homeless people, there are police officers nearby, which honestly made me feel safe. overall, athens is a great city to visit & it's generally safe imo.

I've lived around this area for all my life (25 years old) and I have been robbed just once. It's definitely a rough place and it's far from devoid of danger, but people really overestimate how dangerous it really is. The biggest problem in my opinion is the drug addicts, both as a public health issue and because of their unpredictable behaviour. Apart from that, the situation isn't tragic. It's just that many see a brown person and automatically think "crime"

I would walk whenever and anywhere in Athens no matter what.Its a super safe city.I've been once in houston texas and wouldn't walk across the street to the gas station to get ciggarettes because was afraid of getting robbed

I am from athens greece and while i have to admit going to the center of athens might not be as dangerous as going to the center of some other large cities i would be lying if i didnt say that i felt uneasy everytime i found my self alone at omonia (omonia is a place in the center of athens) even while the sun is up.And thats not even the worst part.. the worst part of the center of athens is the amount of mental strength you are required to have to even walk there... what i mean is the scenery of the place reminds you of a tragity novel.. beggers scatered left and right with very visible wounds all over their bodies police officers which u feel scared to talk too about any issues since... well... the police.. in greece is... kinda of like that of americas..large lifeless buildings with windows u cant even see through junkies lying on the ground outside of abandoned buildings after taking their dose..also about half of the people in the center dont speak greek since they r mostly tourists and finally most places there smell.. ter..ri..BLE..Its truly sad to witness a city and a country with such a magnificent past do this to itself.

Watching from Greece.hi everybody. Interesting video.

as a resident of greece i can tell in few words :yes but actually now depends in which part of athens you are walking

Just let a single woman do the same and harassment will be the least you will see...

A few seconds since I clicked on your video and I already pray for your wellbeing.

I am from Cyprus and now living in the States for the last decade, but I spent 7 years in Athens as a student. It used to be very safe, I could wait for my friend even half hour at Stadiou street to go out. Now is totally different. I have an apartment very close to Victoria Square and my parents and I used to stay when we were in Athens. Last time I stayed at the apartment was in June 2014. I was returning home in a cab and suddenly I saw an African with his white girlfriend, fully on drugs pointing at me and yelling " Fuck you and fuck your country ". The cab driver got off and he was holding the door for me to get inside. I got locked into the apartment and I couldn't get any sleep. I called my husband in the states and told me to go to a hotel next morning. That's what I did and since then I haven't stayed at the apartment ever again.

Its definitely better than a couple of years ago , tho 22:00 or 23:00 are still quite early. Things might get "darker" after midnight. Next time try do the same routes but 1 or 2 am +.. also bring some friends with you just in case lol

I am from Greece. You walked the central road with police patrols and lights named "Aharnon" BUT ..If you walk the small vertical streets you have to carry a gun to save your life..

I see they did Improve the lighting around the square. I stayed in a hotel in 2014 on that street you entered Omonoia square from. It was terribly dark, very creepy

11:33 You 've asked a "Greek" if Greece is safe.. He whom you asked is not a greek citizen !!!!

I could say that anywhere where are a lot of people walking its pretty safe (also the bars on the windows are basically so people on the street cant break them by throwing stuff but i believe that happens very rarely) also the pretty dangerous part i believe is from 12-3 and about 5am

We just returned from there Sunday and were out walking at night all around that area and never considered it dangerous at all. Far safer than our Portland, Oregon home.

Hi from Athens..Hope you had a nice time here..!!! 🙏🏻💚😁 Sir do you know what kind of building you had at your right at 10:13 minute..??? Maybe you know..

Crime due to uncontrolled immigration has been constantly increasing in recent years, especially in the centre. I am Albanian and I have been living in Athens since the 90s.

I am Greek and live in Athens since i was born. I still remember the old Athens back in the 80's and 90's. Especially Omonoia square which i used to visit a lot!!!! You should see pictures from then. How beautiful was the whole area!!! Now it has nothing to do with that beauty!!!!! The whole centre of Athens has become a ghetto of illegal immigrants.

Lovely and informative video sir. Now feels relaxed after watching the video. Loads of love and respect 🙏

I had the opportunity to live a few days in Athens and specifically in Kypseli. From the first day I used the Victoria electric train station in the afternoon and return in the evening. I felt uncomfortable but no one bothered me. I am a disabled person and use an electric wheelchair. The following days I returned late at night to the house where I was staying, after midnight. In general, I felt uneasy about my safety and was constantly on guard (Since I can't protect myself), I was also constantly running with the wheelchair, even in the middle of the day. I would like the idea of living in Athens permanently or even for a few years if necessary, I would definitely prefer a "better" area. Greetings from Greece.

The bars on the windows in high floors are placed to avoid any accidents with kids falling down.

try following the same route at 03.00 AM

In Thessaloniki sadly there's a similar situation but not in that rate. Aristoteles sq, train station and Monastiri Str. are some of these high alert areas.

One thing for sure is that cops being present doesn't mean they are actively guarding the area. Most of them are busy scrolling on their phones or cat calling or similar

You were walking for almost 20 minutes in central Athens and you didn't even meet a single Greek citizen...

I was there yesterday. The place gave me a dark, sad feeling.

The most dangerous place in Athens is Menidi. I work as a driver during night shifts there to deliver packages and always feel uneasy when I get off the van to unload. It is as if someone is constantly watching me

My uni is in Viktoria. For many years on the exact same street where the entrance is there were tens of junkies using and selling drugs in broad daylight every day

22:30 is very early my friend. Try this area after 1:00-2:00 am. You will take a big risk

you see i was a drug addict going in this places and im clean lots of years now,i went to my village at country of greece and i see those streets by your video reminding me the nightmare i passed on those streets i dont even want to pass from there anymore,it hurts to see the suffering of people dying in streets and police draging you to the gail for your dose.the most drug addicts i mean 95% will do no harm to you ,they will use drugs yes or some they will ask you if you have a euro or so with a polite way mostly.then places like the end you where going at times of the day police goes to those places and addicts running away and if they cops search them find something they taking them to the police station so the road goes empty from addicts at times but they go to other places then and for the hour the place is clean and this cyrcle goes on and on,leaving one place go to another untill cops go there too ,go to another.its only two or three places that selling drugs and its 90% immigrants ,if you go to menandrou or vathis you must be carefull at night especially menandrou but mostly its one two roads that selling drugs and then some small places here and there that is not the problem.but menandrou is danger for addicts not so for normal people but you should avoid it passing at nights,most propably will tell you if you want to buy something cause they thinking that if you are there you are searching for drugs,if you say no or dont even speak they wont harm you.but you never know,some immigrants might try to steal something from you and a less dangerous greek people,im not racist but you see addicts immigrants are more dangerous than addicts greeks cause addicts from greece still someone from the family taking care of them giving them some money mostly but i dont say there will be no greeks to steal you,i say its less propable...in general this is occasional,you must be very unlucky to happen to you,so in general its safe even passing from those places alone 99%you dont have any problem,just dont speak if they ask for drugs and go to your way but for me avoid those roads you see drug addicts and selling drugs,just to be sure...

It looks way better now than i did years ago. Man, it used to be real scary back then, I wouldn't be caught dead trying to do what you did here.

I grew up in Acharne Menidi and moved to Kypseli to be closer to work. Its is not safe as other areas but if you know how to conduct your self there is nothing to wory about.

city centre in Athens is relatively safer compared to other cities in the USA like Detroit etc, some infamous neighborhoods in London. Bottom line ,you can calmly walk around as a visitor.

I agree with the video!I recently stayed near Omonia. Having checked into my hotel at midnight. I went out to get some food and found a cafe with an outside terrace where i drank beer til 4 am. The guy there was very friendly and all the other customers completely ignored me. I didn’t feel unsafe at all. In fact I was able to walk around with my phone using google maps all the time. I found they mostly just ignored me and I almost felt invisible. If anyone there wants to sell you something they just make eye contact for 2 seconds and that’s it. I found all the taxis use the meter (which they call metro). No one tried to scam me or overcharge me. Mind you a small bottle of beer costs 4,50 to 6 euros so is not cheap. I would never walk around London with my phone out these days. I found Athens to be very hospitable and completely safe, even at night and I was walking around some of the so called ‘dodgy’ areas. There was lot of graffiti but apart from that I was not even approached by anyone in the street. Not once. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit especially the Acropolis and around Plaka and Psiri. It’s worth going to Athens just to see the Acropolis!

You did good job but the most dangerous streets of Omonia are not the main ones but those in the back...

I am from Athens. We have the ugliest city in Europe. I mean, we did it. Too many immigrants. We are not going to the center because of the prevailing situation. The suburbs in Athens are all safe. The center after 00:00 I wouldn't say it is. I feel sad for the tourists who think that Greece is Athens ... My country has become a big mess ... hope this changes soon! ❤

I have just come back from Athens . I stayed at a hotel close to Omonia Square , There were mainly immigrants and strange looking people around and after dark a few people were using drugs on the side streets but I wasnt afraid at any time, everybody seems to mind his own business. Othervise positive experience from the city. It has good vibes and it is clean everywhere now.

I've walked in LA and NY at night and i didn't have any issues. It was relatively safe there also.

Μπουρδελότσαρκα τρελέ μου

As a Greek i feel sickened by this. It looks like a capital from a third world country. Sad. I pray one day the centre of Athens will clear.

I haven't stepped a foot to Athens since I was little even though I was born in Athens ill say Omonia it's way better than it used to before it was so runned down when I used to live there I see they have restored the water fountain at the centre too .

Well, 11 pm isn't that late. Go there 1-5am. I believe it's gonna be a lot different around those times.

As a greek who lives in Athens the answer is "it depends". Like all major cities in the world, Athens has some bad neighbourhoods....some are reeaaaly bad and dangerous. Most of these are inhabited by (suprise suprise) immigrants, mostly illegals. Other very bad and dangerous places even by day are areas with gipsies, even the police will mostly stay away from there. The majority of Athens is safe though. Avoid areas like omonoia square, metaksourgio, viktoria square, and basically all areas along pattision avenue. Gypsies are in the suburbs like zefiri, menidi, metamorfosi, liosia.

When you visit Greece there's no reason to stay downtown. It's overpriced and there are such better places to choose. Try to find something on the north suburbs like Marousi, Pefki or Nea Ionia and from there you can take the train and go downtown whenever you want. Stay with the locals in a little nice and friendly neighborhood and you will have a much better experience.

Baghdad looks beautiful in the night.

We have 2 centers/squares next to each other Syntagma and Omonoia .Syntagma its ok and safe day and night and the police is there because of the parlament.Omonoia after yes it is dangerous specially in the night maybe you face a danger as a big city you can face any type of people .But Athens has many areas around that are safe and good with countless entertainment and beverage options and at amazing prices .If you vist syntagma Akropoli area and monastiraki you are satisfied .Nice video and subject by the way .

in Athens there are more than 8 major centers except the center of Athens, where only Omonoia is bad 1.Glyfada, 2.Faliron, 3. Voulagmeni, 4.Nea Smyrni, 5.Kalithea, 6.Marousi, 7.Kifissia, 8.Imitos, 9.Ilioupoli 10. Piraeus that's the places with not foreigners .

I just come back from the hotel which is located a few metres from 3rd September street. I grow up in a small East European city at 90s, but so many drug addicted people in one place I never saw in my life! They tooks drugs everywhere! They follow you and you can't predict their behaviour! I recommend to use only taxi in this area. Especially for women, is not safe.

What's your overall opinion of Greece, my friend?

When in Athens, this area reminds kind of Times Square, NYC back in the 70s/80s. It's kinda creepy when it's dark

I was born in Athens. But I don't live in Athens anymore. Athens is a very scary city. Who likes Athens ?? I'm not gonna go there again. Ever in my life. Greece has so many Amazing cities. Beautiful cities. But Athens ??? No thank you

You could go from Victoria to Omonoia through Patission, 3 Septembriou, or Aristotelous streets. You chose the worst Street, Acharnon, it's not representative of the whole area.

I live at the west side of Athens and often go around on foot or with my car. As a man who has worked at a family house-moving company, I can say that, any place near the center of Athens is a bit dangerous and claustrophobic. The more you go near the center, the more dangerous it becomes. Moving around with the car, let alone the truck, needs time and patience, walking those places need you to know the "street smarts". There were many occasions, which I went to Monastiraki square and waited for my friends and nearly got stolen many times (I got stolen and beat up there once). Anything that is far from the center feels much safer, in my opinion.

Miracle! that you were not robbed..

Very nice video

The capital of Greece without Greeks.

Bro actually survived☠️💀💀☠️

Good luck buddy

It used to be dangerous two decades ago, after 2012-2013 it started being relatively safe again

English Thank you very much for this unbiased perspective. I've been living in the area for 4 years and have had nothing to worry about. some people might be confuse fear with racism

man you should do a walkthrough to Sofia (BG) some time!

If you have to go from Victoria to Omonia you have to go via Patission it is the less dangerous area

Man, in Greece we hear about a rape or a murder once per couple of months or more, in other European cities u hear about stuff like that maybe even daily. Greece is safe in general, just don`t step on anyone`s toes and ur ok.

10:30 is to early,go there after 1:00 am

Love from Greece :)

It's really troubling seeing my city like that. In your video almost 90% of the people are foreign migrants. In the past we were saying jokingly that in the future there gonna be more foreigners than Greeks but in the case of the center of Athens it has become a sad reality.

Nevertheless, one better avoid these areas especially in the night. If you stay in one of those budget hotels over there better use a taxi.

11:29 -excuse me, do you speak English? -Yes -Is this area safe at night? -Yes, now give me your money! The problem is that there is no Greeks at that area, it’s a small Pakistan in Greece.

As a Greek 21 year old woman , I am really afraid to go out in Athens center, alone .

The medal bars on the windows in one building is a guest house for homeless and the personell has put them gor safety reasons, for example in case someone wants to commit suicide as we are talking about people with difficulties in life and sometimes with psychiatric disorders.A greek street worker in Athens centre.🎉

I didn't see any Greek in these areas are you sure that you go at Athens? 😂😂

This video here taken at 10:30 at night is not considered late. Also this particular area can be dangerous at any time. Sadly, due to migrants who frequent these areas makes it fraught with danger, but usually after midnight when the young kids stop playing outside and go home.

I used to live in the 90s at Atlanta GA. Athens is heaven even at night time. Back in the states you could get in trouble 24/7

My first time in Athens I was on my way to my hotel and Police stop me, I say I am from London and they tell me to be careful in this neighbourhood. I had to avoid walking through their alleyways, where they sell meat and vegetables, I wasn’t in danger but it was uncomfortable. It’s a strange feeling to be around Omonia

Although I have been robbed twice by street punks (Omonia, Gizi etc), even at knifepoint, I still roam around the center of Athens. Life continues, and so do I.

I'm a woman who lives in Victoria the last 20 years ...many things have changed during this time but, generally speaking ,is a place safe to walk until late at night ...I've done this many times and come back home around 12 o' clock ...but it's not the same everywhere.. I'd recommend to walk through the main big streets, avoid the narrow streets, avoid to wear jewelry... I would say that it is not dangerous... it is rather annoying to see some things as people doing drugs (they are moving from place to place they're not stable) or women selling themselves for money ( as I saw in this video near Omonia Square).

I'm from Valencia, Spain and I can assure you Omonoia reminds me a lot to my neighborhood. The only difference is mine has a big hospital, in a principal avenue. But the streets and the buildings, quite similar O_o