Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Athens, Greece

1. Temple of Olympian Zeus Scam

Beware of overfriendly locals offering help or tours. The real guide may not be authorized and could overcharge.

Unauthorized Guides: Guides without licenses can charge excessively or provide misinformation.
Overcharging: Avoid paying more than the official price for services.
Misinformation: Inaccurate information could lead to visiting unauthorized or dangerous areas.

Keep your belongings secure while shopping in the bustling Monastiraki Flea Market. Watch out for distractions that may lead to pickpocketing.

Crowded Spaces: Pickpockets often target crowded areas where it's easier to blend in.
Distractions: Beware of anyone intentionally distracting you while someone else steals from you.
Secure Belongings: Carry essentials in a secure, hard-to-reach place or use a money belt.

Avoid restaurants in Plaka that only target tourists. Look for established, popular eateries with positive reviews.

Tourist Traps: Restaurants targeting tourists often charge high prices and offer poor quality food.
Poor Quality Food: Avoid restaurants with low-quality ingredients or dishes that don't match the menu description.
Positive Reviews: Look for recommendations and check online reviews before dining in a new restaurant.

Only use official taxis from the designated rank at Athens Airport. Be aware of inflated prices during peak hours and at night.

Official Taxis: Use only official taxis from the airport's designated ranks.
Peak Hours & Night-time: Be aware of inflated prices during peak hours and at night.
Meter Use: Always ensure the taxi meter is turned on and ask for a receipt.

Be cautious when purchasing souvenirs or electronic items in Monastiraki Market. They may be pirated or counterfeit.

Piracy and Counterfeiting: Avoid supporting illegal businesses by purchasing pirated goods.
Quality Issues: Counterfeit items may be of poor quality or malfunction, leading to disappointment and waste of money.
Legal Consequences: Possessing pirated goods could lead to legal issues upon returning home.

Avoid purchasing archaeological finds from street vendors. They are likely fake or stolen.

Illegal Trade: Supporting illegal trade encourages the exploitation of ancient sites.
Fake Artifacts: Purchasing fake artifacts supports dishonest vendors and does not contribute to archaeological research.
Legal Consequences: Transporting or possessing stolen artifacts could lead to legal issues upon returning home.

Research and book hotel rooms in advance to avoid overpaying for low-quality accommodations.

Advance Bookings: Book hotels in advance to secure a fair price.
Quality of Accommodation: Ensure the hotel offers comfortable and clean facilities as well as good customer service.
Location: Choose a centrally located hotel to reduce transportation costs and ensure easy access to attractions.

Use ATMs at banks or in secure locations. Cover the keypad with your other hand while entering your PIN.

Secure Locations: Choose ATMs located at banks or inside shopping centers for increased security.
Cover Keypad: Protect your PIN from potential keyloggers by covering the keypad with your hand.
Monitor Accounts: Regularly monitor your account transactions for any unusual activity.

Research and book tours in advance to ensure a fair price and secure an authentic experience.

Advance Bookings: Book tours in advance to secure a fair price.
Authentic Experience: Choose reputable tour providers for an authentic and educational experience.
Itinerary: Ensure the tour itinerary includes all promised attractions and activities.

Only exchange money at reputable exchange offices or banks. Check the bills for any irregularities.

Reputable Exchange Offices: Exchange money at established, well-reviewed exchange offices or banks.
Check Bills: Thoroughly inspect bills for any irregularities such as misspellings, strange textures, or watermarks.
Secure Storage: Store your exchanged money in a secure place to prevent loss or theft.

Use free Wi-Fi services at cafes, restaurants, or public hotspots instead of buying overpriced hotel Wi-Fi.

Free Wi-Fi Services: Utilize available free Wi-Fi options in cafes, restaurants, and public areas.
Cost Comparison: Compare the cost of hotel Wi-Fi with the cost of using free Wi-Fi services outside.
Data Usage: Consider your data usage needs and choose the most cost-effective option.

Only purchase SIM cards at official shops or reputable retailers to avoid being scammed.

Official Shops: Purchase SIM cards only from official shops or reputable retailers.
Data Packages: Choose a data package that best suits your travel needs and usage patterns.
Payment Methods: Pay with a secure method, such as credit card or prepaid vouchers, to avoid any issues.

Thoroughly inspect rental properties upon arrival and take photos. Document any damage or pre-existing issues.

Inspection Upon Arrival: Inspect the property thoroughly upon arrival to document its condition.
Photograph Damage: Take photos of any damage or pre-existing issues found during the inspection.
Report Issues: Notify the rental company about any issues found to avoid being falsely accused later.

Support legitimate street performers by giving a donation instead of purchasing a ticket. Avoid performances that request payment upfront.

Donations: Give a voluntary donation to support talented, legitimate performers.
No Payment Upfront: Avoid performances that request payment upfront as they may be fraudulent or low-quality.
Legitimacy Check: Research the local street performance scene to identify legitimate performers and avoid scams.

Thoroughly inspect the rental car upon pickup and return for any damages. Document all details in a written contract.

Inspection Upon Pickup: Thoroughly inspect the rental car upon pickup to avoid being charged for pre-existing damages.
Document Damages: Document any damages or issues found during the inspection in a written contract.
Return Inspection: Inspect the car thoroughly upon return to avoid being charged for damages that occurred during rental.