Safety in Rhodes - is Rhodes safe?

When traveling somewhere for the first time, sometimes the question arises: is my destination a safe place? So if you have never been to Rhodes before, you might ask, is Rhodes a safe place to travel to?


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The Greek island of Rhodes is considered a safe place for your vacation and holidays. It is actually considered one of the safest places in Greece to travel to. So it’s no surprise that visitors to Rhodes also feel safe here. The crime rate is very low, which makes the island safe to walk around at almost any time of the day or night. But there are still a few things you should look out for to avoid mishappenings.

To avoid pickpockets and thefts, it is best to:

  • Keep any valuables close to yourself, for example in your coat’s inside pockets or in your front trouser pockets.
  • Keep a tight hold on your handbag or other bags in tightly packed public transport.
  • Hold your handbags in a way you can have an eye on them all the time when in crowded places.
  • Avoid contact with beggars, including children who are deliberately targeting tourist visitors as they wander the streets of the Old Town. It is also a common practice to be talked into wearing an arm wrist bracelet, for which you will be asked to pay for afterwards.
  • Lock your car when you leave it behind on a parking lot, and avoid leaving behind any items of value in your parked car; Braking into cars is not really a thing in Rhodes, however common sense dictates that it can happen anywhere.
  • Avoid leaving valuables unattended at crowded beaches. Again, it is very rare that anything gets stolen on a Beach in Rhodes, but still.


To avoid being scammed when buying products or services, it is best to:

  • Always ask for the price list, catalog or price tag before you buy or order anything. All businesses in Rhodes are working with legal prices, however occasionally there have been reports of overpricing and profiteering attempts.
  • Always ask for a legal receipt. By Greek law, you have no obligation to pay unless you receive a legally issued receipt. In general, receipts are issued by cash register and are printed. This is the case for all restaurants, cafes and bars, and any goods and souvenirs bought. In rare occasions handwritten receipts can be issued.


If, for any reason, you feel like you need to call the police, please use the following phone numbers:


Is Rhodes safe for women?

Women can feel safe in Rhodes. They should of course always practice common sense and avoid areas they feel uncomfortable in at night. Also, most locals are not shy to offer assistance if for any reason you feel being in an uncomfortable situation. Again, it is a good tip to write down the above police numbers, in case you need assistance.


Is it safe to drive in Rhodes?

Driving in Rhodes is generally safe. However, there are a few things you need to be aware of.

  • Rhodes is a tourist island. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most highly visited islands in Greece. As such, there are many people driving who don't know the road network, and sometimes may drive slow or try to take an exit at the last second. Especially during high season months (June - August) roads are packed with visitors. Drive carefully and you should be OK.
  • In Rhodes you can rent cars and motorbikes. While motorbikes are fun, we suggest to be extra careful. Because the streets are highly occupied during summer, accidents may be more likely. Also, it is possible to rent ATV's. While those are really fun on the beach and in off road situations, and maybe in places where slow driving is mandatory (like within Rhodes town), we highly discourage you to use an ATV for longer distances on the highway; ATV's rented on the island are too slow and may hinder traffic, and offer limited maneuverability and hence limited safety.


If you are injured in an accident or require medical assistance for any reason while you are staying on the island of Rhodes, use the following phone numbers

For more information about driving in Rhodes, you may also like to read our article Hiring a car and driving in Rhodes Greece


To avoid getting injured in a case of earthquake:

The Dodecanese area, like many other areas in Greece, is prone to light and moderate earthquakes, that happen several times a year. This is considered a good thing actually, as it relieves pressure from tectonic plates, hence  also reducing risk of larger earthquakes.

Magnitudes normally are within the range of 3 - 5.5, with the most common ones not exceeding 5. Rarely they reach a magnitude of 6+. Also, most of them usually happen in the open sea area, far away enough from the islands to even being noticed, and if they do, tremors are already weakened by the distance.

The first thing here is to know that most buildings in Rhodes - and Greece in general - are earthquake resistant. The newer the building the stricter the specifications. But even the old buildings in the old town have successfully sustained quakes of the above strength. So please do not panic if one happens while you are in your hotel or any building, it is extremely unlikely that any building will collapse. We feel that this is very important to mention, since most injuries over the last decades during earthquakes in Rhodes were caused by unnecessary panic and happened to people trying to jump of balconies or running down the stairs.

If you experience an earthquake indoors:

  • Locate a place that you can go to. It should be a spot where nothing is likely to fall on you, like a doorframe, or under a strong desk / table.
  • Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe to exit - do not rush to the stairs while the earthquake is in progress.
  • Stay away from bookcases or furniture that can fall on you.
  • Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
  • If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.

If you experience an earthquake outdoors:

  • If you are outdoors, try to find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
  • Although earthquakes in Rhodes are usually not strong enough to notice while driving, If you are in a car and you do notice, slow down and drive to a clear place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

You can check a history of recent earthquakes: https://earthquaketrack.com/r/dodecanese-islands-greece/recent

(Earthquake Safety Tips partially by National Geographic)


More related articles on RhodesGuide.com


INPORTANT NOTICE
All information available on this page are for general informational purposes only. While we have done our best to keep information correct and up to date, the content is not intended to be, and cannot be, a substitute for official safety advice. If you are still unsure about your stay in Rhodes, please contact your country's embassy or your county's travel authorities.

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