Any more protest rallies in Athens/Pireaus?

Greece is generally a very safe country for travellers. Recently there has been a lot of protest rallies, however they usually don't take place in the tourist areas. In fact in the December riots I was in Athens and I didn't notice anything unusual, although I went through the center of the city, but obviously not through the area where the riots were happening. Right now farmers are staging a protest in Pireus harbour, but the boats seem to leave normally as it is a big harbour. Within a couple of days the protest will be over. So you don't have to worry, and just take normal precautions and you will be fine. In case there would be some rallies the police will direct you to other routes. On a general note be aware that the tourist season has not yet started, and in many islands tourist facilities will be limited. Better to go to bigger islands or visit places on the mainland, there are many options, which can be reached by bus (KTEL overland buses) or rented car (Delfi, Peloponnese etc) . Enjoy your trip - it is a fantastic country. Reply to this

Thanks, Inga. My niece is visiting Greece for the first time. I plan to bring her to Delphi and Meteora, 2 of my fav destinations in Greece. Last time I went to Greece, I didn't have much time for the islands.......so we'd do that this time. Rhodes is in our list. Thanks for the reassurances, and hi to you Mell. Reply to this

Hi again, today the farmers broke up their protest in Pireus. You are aware that Rhodes is an island with lot's of European charter tourism (though probably not in March when most hotels will be closed - that can be nice but also give you a ghost town feeling) and it is a long boat trip from Pireus?
There are not a lot of things to see, though the old town is fantastic, and Lindos is beautifully situated. But apart from it is mostly beaches and it will be too cold to swim. There are many islands closer to Pireus that are lovely too, some of the more well known are Paros and Naxos, there are better ferry connections. Again not a lot to see there as such. Andros is a hidden gem, not much visited but tourists and it is very close to Athens, strangely enough it has two very good museums as the rich ship owners living on the island has a keen interest in art and culture. Reply to this

It all depends on what you like to do. The weather may be nice, or not, but it is not the time of year we go swimming. Personally I think Pelponnese is a wonderful area which has so much to offer, and as you liked Delphi I think you will appreciate it. There is the Olympia archaeological site, the Mistras byzantine town, Naplion which is a pretty little town with a Venetian castle, the big Diros cave in the south, the little villages of Dimetsana and Kalavrita and much more. Very different landscape too, the inland with mountains and forests (though the west part has been hard hit by forest fires), the south called Mani is a dramatic landscape with tiny villages with old stone towers. The west has fantastic beaches if the weather is OK. You can also visit Zakynthos and Kefalonias islands from the port Kilini. Of course this is easies to do if you rent a car, but the distances aren't very long and there are frequent buses almost everywhere.

Another nice trip is to go to Delphi and then continue on to the northwest to the Ipeiros region. There is beautiful scenery and possibilities for trekking in the Zagorochoria region, the Dodonis archaelogical site is well known and the island of Corfu can be reached from Igoumenitsa.

If you stay in Athens a couple of days do take the bus (or rent a car) to go to Sounion, it is a magic place. Reply to this

Hey there Lili,

I saw also these protests and hooliganism that's happening in Greece. Hmm, you said that you'll come in athens by airplane and then you'll go to pireus to get a ferry, so i know the best way you can do that, most comfortable, relaxing and cheap. you can reserve a taxi from and a taxi will be waitin you at the airport/port/hotel/wherever you want. I use them for every trip i go. less money and more time, 2 birds on one shot! 😊 I am really glad i helped.

Dennis.

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