The perceived safety of Greek cities has been brought into question by the 2025 Numbeo Crime Index, which gauges citizens’ feelings of insecurity.
The index, which scores crime perception on a 0-100 scale, placed both Athens and Thessaloniki in the less favorable half of the rankings.
How do Greek cities score in the safety list?
The capital, Athens, accumulated 55.3 points to take the 16th spot, while the northern hub, Thessaloniki, ranked 23rd with 52.5 points. Both scores fall into the index’s “Moderate Crime” perception bracket (40.01−60).
These figures reflect a local atmosphere of persistent, localized security issues, such as the recent explosion in downtown Athens outside a ministry-affiliated office building. These types of incidents are commonly carried out by anarchist and anti-state groups operating primarily in the city center.
Where Europe’s insecurity is most perceived
While Greece’s major cities were noted, the index highlights much stronger perceptions of crime in the UK and France:
United Kingdom: Four of the five most dangerous cities on the list are in the UK, led by the top-ranked city, Bradford, which was joined by London, Birmingham, and Coventry.
France: France dominated the overall list, claiming seven of the top ten spots, including Marseille (known for organized crime concerns), and Paris, which continues to struggle with perceptions of street crime in tourist hotspots.
It is essential to note that the Numbeo rankings are based solely on the perception of crime as reported by residents, rather than official crime statistics. A higher score reflects a stronger feeling of insecurity among the public.
