Posted on November 6, 2025
Athens is establishing itself as one of the top tourist destinations for 2025, thanks to exceptionally low crime rates, making it a safe option for travellers. The Greek capital’s commitment to public safety has set it apart from other global tourism hotspots such as Thailand, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, China and India. As more tourists seek peace of mind during their travels, Athens’ reputation for safety continues to enhance its appeal, making it a leader in the competitive global tourism market.
A recent global study by Compare the Market (Australia) ranked Bangkok, Paris and Prague as the world’s most dangerous cities for pickpockets and fraudsters, highlighting growing concerns among tourists visiting these popular destinations. In contrast, Athens, Greece, has emerged as one of the safest cities in Europe, with relatively few reports of theft or fraud in the more visited tourist areas. This new analysis provides valuable insights into the health of key global tourist destinations and confirms Athens’ competitive advantage when it comes to attracting international visitors in 2025.
The study examined thousands of traveler reviews from TripAdvisor, along with crime data from Numbeo, to create a safety index for more than 70 cities and major tourist attractions around the world. The results showed that Bangkok, Thailand, tops the list of pickpocketing and fraud incidents, with 9.8 reports per 1,000 reviews. The city’s busy streets, crowded with tourists, have long been a hotspot for petty theft and fraud, especially around popular attractions such as the Grand Palace and Khao San Road.
Paris comes in second place after Bangkok, as it ranks second in incidents of theft and fraud. The city is notorious for pickpockets, especially in high-traffic tourist areas such as Montmartre and the area around the Eiffel Tower. Despite its iconic status, Paris has always been a city where travelers must remain vigilant against street robberies. Recent events, including a highly publicized theft at the Louvre Museum, have raised concerns about visitor safety in the French capital. In particular, organized robbery gangs targeting unsuspecting tourists are a major problem in these areas.
Prague ranks third in terms of pickpocketing and fraud. Known for its beautiful architecture and historical charm, the Czech capital has become increasingly popular with tourists, leading to a rise in theft incidents. While Prague’s historic center has undeniably stunning views, the heavy influx of tourists combined with crowded streets creates fertile ground for pickpockets. Other major European cities such as Rome and Barcelona, which have long been hotspots for tourists, remain at the top of the list of cities with the most theft incidents. Rome ranks seventh, and Barcelona ranks 11th, primarily due to overcrowding in its historic areas and the prevalence of petty theft rings operating around the top tourist attractions.
In stark contrast, Athens has garnered attention for its relatively low levels of pickpocketing and fraudulent activity. The Greek capital ranks 15th in the world for pickpocketing incidents and 19th overall in the broader safety rankings. Data reveals that Athens sees almost eight times more theft reports than Paris, making it one of the safest major tourist destinations in Europe for 2025. This impressive safety record is partly due to the relatively low volume of reported thefts at the city’s most popular tourist sites, such as the Acropolis and Plaka. The research shows that the Acropolis and Plaka only had 1.2 incidents of pickpocketing per 1,000 reviews, a significant contrast to the 6.8 incidents reported in Montmartre in Paris and the nearly 10 incidents per 1,000 reviews recorded at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Other popular tourist areas in Athens, including Monastiraki and Thissio, show similarly low rates of pickpocketing and fraud, enhancing the city’s reputation as a safe destination for travelers. This data underscores Athens’ potential as a safer alternative to busier and more dangerous destinations such as Paris and Rome, where tourists often face a greater likelihood of falling victim to theft.
Asia is heavily represented on the list, with six cities in the top ten, including Shanghai, Shenzhen and Agra in India. These cities experience high levels of pickpocketing and fraud, which is often exacerbated by dense crowds and large numbers of international visitors. However, despite the dominance of Asian cities at the top of the rankings, European cities such as Paris, Rome and Barcelona remain hotspots for incidents related to pickpocketing and street fraud. The high levels of traffic in these cities, combined with the presence of well-organized small-scale theft rings, contribute significantly to their reaching the top of the global safety rankings.
Athens’ strong performance in the study comes at a time when security has become an increasingly important factor in tourists’ decisions about where to travel. As concerns about safety continue to influence travel trends, Athens’ low crime rates represent a major selling point for the Greek tourism industry. The city’s reputation for safety, combined with its rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality and historical landmarks, make it a very attractive destination for international visitors looking for a safe and memorable travel experience.
The data also suggests that the overall visitor experience in Athens benefits from the city’s focus on cleanliness, visible policing, and proactive measures to ensure tourist safety. Popular sites such as the Acropolis are well managed, and the presence of law enforcement at major tourist attractions creates a sense of security that many visitors appreciate. This combination of safety and cultural richness strengthens Athens’ position as a competitive and reliable destination, able to withstand more crowded cities such as Rome and Barcelona, which have faced increasing challenges related to tourism-related crime.
Athens stands out as a top tourist destination for 2025 due to exceptionally low crime rates, offering travelers a safe environment compared to destinations such as Thailand, France and Italy. This commitment to safety enhances its appeal as a must-visit site of the year.
As international tourism continues to rebound in 2025, Athens is poised to capitalize on its reputation as a safe and attractive destination. With the global tourism landscape becoming more competitive, safety has become a major factor that travelers prioritize when choosing their next holiday destination. Athens has a strong safety record and is well placed to attract tourists looking for a safe, culturally rich and hassle-free experience in one of Europe’s most popular cities.
