Greece › Santorini › Safety
Updated: March 21, 2021
By Santorini Dave
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Is Santorini safe to visit in 2021?
Yes, Santorini is a very safe destination. Of course, there are risks everywhere and Santorini has its share of freak accidents: falling rock, aggressive donkeys, crazy young guys on ski jets. And like everywhere the biggest risk in Santorini is vehicle accidents. Always wear a seat belt, don’t drink alcohol and drive, don’t tour wineries while driving, give local buses a wide berth while walking (there are many spots around the island where buses and pedestrians share the road), and don’t rent a motorbike, ATV, or scooter if you don’t regularly use or drive one at home. The jet ski tour to the volcano is one of the best things to do on Santorini but jet skis can be dangerous if you do stupid stuff.
An Extra Word About Motorbikes and Scooters
This is the number one way people (at least people I know) get injured while traveling. I’ve had friends, family, readers, and many many people I’ve met while traveling that were seriously injured riding a motorcycle or scooter when they’re not used to driving one. Actually, I’m not sure I can think of someone who went to the hospital while traveling where a motorbike or scooter wasn’t the cause. The roads in Santorini are narrow, have lots of loose gravel, and locals drive fast and carelessly. This is not the place to learn how to drive a motorbike.
Is Santorini safe at night?
Any place where there is alcohol, there is some risk. Usual precautions apply but Santorini has very few problems with fights, violence, drugs, or organized criminal activity. The biggest risk at night is walking home down the caldera after too many drinks. (I’m only half-joking.)
Is Santorini safe for single travelers and female travelers?
Once again, yes, Santorini has a safe vibe and little outright criminal activity. Single female travelers will be fine throughout the day in every corner of the island. At night common-sense precautions are still advised. If you want easy access to the nightlife in Fira while staying at a nearby hotel these are good choices: Cosmopolitan Hotel (luxury hotel on the caldera a 2 minute from clubs) and Petini’s Place (nice budget hotel a 1 minute walk from clubs). Both hotels are a short walk down busy pedestrian lanes from the main Fira clubs like 2 Brothers, Koo Club, Kira Thira Jazz Club, Tropical, and Enigma.
I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on 
Do you know any places for camping at any of these destinations in Greece? I am thinking of and wanting to travel there this September. And would be on a really tight cheap budget if I did. Any suggestions on resources? Thanks!!!
One of the nicest places to camp in the Greek islands is at Coralli Bungalows in Serifos. Right on the beach, nice pool and restaurant, fun vibe, walking distance to port. I really like this place.
💗💗💗💗 Love your response to that question about refugees. Thank you!!! 💗💗💗
Dave, Hi. I.wonder if you could help. We visit Hersonnisis every year from the UK. We’d love a 2 day one night stay in Santorini with a photo shoot.
Problem. My partner is on dialysis Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday mornings in Heraklion so we can’t book a regular tour.
My thoughts are this. He goes to dialysis Thursday morning, I meet him at the ferry port afterward and we take an afternoon sailing. Arrive Santorini, take a bus to Oia and stay overnight in a mid-range hotel, come back on the Friday afternoon sailing to Crete.
Is this possible do you think and can you advise on photographers, hotels?
Best wishes.
Sounds good. My thoughts: with limited time it would be better to stay in Fira where there are direct buses to and from the ferry port. Adding the additional bus to Oia adds more time. Ferries can be canceled due to high winds, so probably better to visit Saturday and Sunday. If your return ferry is canceled you’ll still have Monday to get back for dialysis on Tuesday. For photographers on Santorini I have a page on that so take a look.
Worrying about safety for upcoming trip to Santorini. Are the refugees from Syria a problem for travelers to Santorini?
First off, the refugees are not a risk to travelers – Greece, Turkey, or anywhere. They are families and people looking for a better life. They’re not criminals. Second, the number of refugees crossing into Greece has plummeted over the last two years. And Third, Santorini is a long way from Turkey and has never had any number of refugees (these people are not looking to go to one of the most expensive destinations in Europe).