Is Thessaloniki Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia.

Thessaloniki has been hit hardest by the economic crisis in Greece, because of the de-industrialization that had begun in the 1990s.

In Thessaloniki, almost everything is located centrally, there is a rudimentary city plan and there is always the sea and the hills to help you out when you‘re lost.

Take a walk in the city and you will see two thousand years of continuous history laid in front of you.

Thessaloniki is a much loved and much-sung city in the entire country of Greece.

Warnings & Dangers in Thessaloniki

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Thessaloniki is a mostly a safe city to travel to. Tourists are unlikely to experience any crime or violence though it might happen occasionally. The biggest concern is a petty crime on the streets, but if you apply the basic precaution measures, your trip should go smoothly.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Taxis and other means of transportation are, overall, very safe to use in Thessaloniki.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpockets do exist and operate, but it's not as common as you would expect. Pickpockets usually lurk around popular tourist attractions, but applying simple precaution measures should minimize this risk.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Other than the ever-present risk of drowning at sea, there are no other threats in Thessaloniki when it comes to natural disasters.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Thessaloniki is relatively safe when it comes to mugging but you should avoid the west area from the city center, and south of the Railway station, especially at night, as it has become a notorious area of the city.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Thessaloniki's recent history, they shouldn't be ruled out.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Since Greece is a top tourist destination, it is no wonder that people will try to scam you in Thessaloniki, especially during summer when the number of tourists increases. Watch out for street vendors trying to rip you off and overcharge for their service.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

It is mostly safe for women to travel to Thessaloniki. Just follow common sense and applying basic precaution measures (not walking around in the dark, in empty streets, not finding yourself alone with strange men) should ensure that your travel goes without any incidents.

So... How Safe Is Thessaloniki Really?

Even though like most cities in Greece, Thessaloniki is very safe, there are some dangers and bad neighborhoods to avoid.

Thessaloniki is very welcoming towards its tourists and risks that are listed here are unlikely to happen, and even more so to tourists, but they shouldn’t be ruled out due to the serious economic crisis Greece has been in.

Some of the bad neighborhoods that tourists shouldn’t roam around are the portion of the Center of Thessaloniki from Egnatia Street to Ano Poli (especially near Kamara and Aristotle University due to the crime level), and Western Thessaloniki suburbs like Menemeni, Evosmos, Dendropotamos.

The nearby Lahanokipoi is the area near the bus station which is probably the worst and most dangerous of all.

The area of Sykes is safe but has probably the worst transportation in Thessaloniki, and this goes for suburbs like Sindos – which is mainly an industrial area.

Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a serious issue in Thessaloniki, especially around tourist landmarks and in crowded places, so it would be best to either leave your money at your hotel or just carry it in a very safe place near your body so it couldn’t get snatched.

How Does Thessaloniki Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Visas for Greece are usually not required for any stays lasting less than 90 days, and EU residents can stay in the country for as long as they like. Your passport should be valid for at least six months past the date of your return from the country you are visiting. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Greek embassy for further information.

Currency

Euro is the official currency in Thessaloniki. You can exchange your money in exchange offices and banks all around the city, and use ATMs normally. There are, however, some restrictions when it comes to the amount of money you can withdraw per day. Greece is relatively cheap compared to other European tourist destinations, so you can count on spending between 60 and 80€ per day.

Weather

The weather in Thessaloniki is sunny and warm during summer, mild during autumn and spring, and cold during winter. It has all four seasons of the year, although they are milder. The best time to visit is during summer, from May to September.

Airports

Thessaloniki Airport is an international airport serving Thessaloniki. It is located some 13 km southeast of the city, in Thermi.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Thessaloniki, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Thessaloniki Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Greece - Safety by City