Does carrying a backpack make you a target in athens?

Advice

Hi, going to greece in a few weeks, i’m very paranoid about being pickpocketed, i’ve been in Milan and Zurich before and no problems there following typical city visit protocols and am generally aware of my surroundings, but it was during winter so i kept everything in my inner coat pockets. my boyfriend and i are planning to go to the acropolis and want to bring water bottles and a portable fan if we get warm and were thinking of a backpack and wedging our wallet (only a few dollars in cash + 2 cards, possibly passports if id is needed) in the bottom inside zipped pockets and keeping everything else on top. but i am wondering if a backpack is going to make us a target for theft? I’m sure we will look like tourists no matter what unfortunately but i don’t wanna make it worse than i need to. Getting my phone stolen also a big worry as i got it snatched at a music festival last year and it was such a hassle to replace in my hometown, let alone replace in another country. any tips and advice are appreciated, athens is our first stop on our greece trip and i don’t wanna start on a bad note! thank you!

Edit: also we are planning on taking the metro from the airport to our hotel (near the Monastiraki stop) will we be fine with each having a backpack and 1 carry on sized luggage or would getting a taxi be safer?

in GreeceTravelby Proud-Mess

75%

10d

Orange_Fig55

10d

I carried a backpack in Athens but it was an anti-theft Pacsafe brand bag. I never had issues but my bag was also super secure. My boyfriend just carried a small sling bag that wasn’t anti-theft and kept it in front of him in more crowded areas but nothing valuable was in there. A nice concerned local did tell us to carry our bags in front of us one time. You’ll always look like a target since tourists stand out no matter how hard you try to blend in. The only people I saw in Athens wearing backpacks were obviously tourists. Locals seemed more relax about the security of their purses.

We took the metro from the airport and it was fine, just keep your belongings close, try to grab a seat and be aware of your surroundings. Common sense and being aware in busy areas is the best thing you can do a lot of the time. Keeping your valuables in the bottom of your bag and in an interior zipper pocket always helps. Also keep your bag in front of you in busy areas like the metro or walking really packed streets and keep your hands in your pockets if you have a wallet or phone in there.

TheRealRabidBunny

Greek Resident (but not Greek)

10d

You’ll be fine but exercise common big city sense.

On the metro keep your bags with you and don’t engage with anyone. Anyone talking to you “where are you from” is usually up to no good.

Watch yourself in crowded places (the metro in particular).

In Athens in general it’s pick pockets you need to worry about (you’re highly unlikely to actually get mugged). There are so many tourists wandering around that are an easier target than you. All you need to do is use basic common sense and you’re already too much of a hassle.

netslaveone

10d

Athens is considered safe but in crowded places you should be careful. Basic stuff. Bring your backpack in front of you in public transportation. Better not have valuable things in it. Maybe use phone pouches, very popular here. No need to carry passports with you all the time or both of your cards. A small amount or cash, no more than 50 euros will be enough. You won't need more anyway, cards are accepted everywhere. You will see many with their backpacks waking around Athens and tourists with expensive cameras etc. Just use common sense.

Trudestiny

10d

I carry my normal lap top back pack all over athens as do most younger locals / tourists , it’s about vigilance not the bags .

Make sure others are not pressed up against you , if in crowed metro anywhere take it off your pack and hold it in front of you

Sea-Artichoke-9288

10d

Keep your phone and wallet in your pockets.

You can also take the bus to Syntagma from the airport, I have heard fewer stories of pickpocketing etc on the bus.

You're worrying about this too much.

hmm138

10d

Take the backpack for the water and stuff. It’s fine. Just keep the important stuff close on you.

When I’m in crowded places I always keep a hand on the zipper or pocket or wherever the important things are.

Keep some small cash and/or one card easily accessible, like in a front pocket. Use this to pay so you don’t have to fumble around in a wallet or coin purse and expose the rest of your valuables.

And most importantly be wary of people engaging you on the street/transportation. Women begging for money or food. Kids trying to give you flowers. Teenagers trying to sell you some trinket “they made themselves”. People asking where you’re from and striking up a conversation without context. Just don’t engage. It’s ok to be “rude” and either ignore them or give a strong No.

Dargor923

10d

Be mindful of your valuables especially in crowded places like public transit or popular tourists spots. In fact be mindful of your belongings in general. For example if you sit outside to have a meal don't leave your phone on the table and be mindful of where you leave your bag. Also, a lot of people tend to wear their backpacks on their chest in places like public transport.

Getting mugged is highly unlikely, but pickpockets are a credible threat. Monastiraki is pretty bad in that regard so be extra mindful and you'll be fine.

Neither_Elk7410

10d

Albanians and Africans are mainly selling the drugs and replica items on the street. They may try to convince you to go to a side street do not do it.

I’ve been to Greece multiple times. The reason why I mention specific nationality’s is because I’d prefer you not to be in shock when you arrive and see many many drug dealers and addicts all across the streets in Athens.

Athens was a bucket list for me then I visited it, and again and again. It hasn’t gotten any better since the first visit. It’s gotten much much worse.