According to a new study by Compare the Market, the Greek capital records almost eight times fewer incidents of theft than Paris
Bangkok, Paris and Prague are the most dangerous cities in the world for pickpockets and scammers, according to a new global study by Compare the Market (Australia). The results, however, bring good news for Greece: Athens is among the safest destinations in Europe, with few reports of theft or fraud in its most popular tourist spots.
The analysis by Compare the Market examined thousands of traveler reviews on TripAdvisor pages, as well as crime data from Numbeo, creating a safety index for more than 70 cities and attractions worldwide. Comparing the data, it emerged that Bangkok, Thailand, ranks first in pickpocketing and scam incidents (9.8 reports per 1,000 reviews), while Paris follows in second place, with high rates of theft around Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower.
Prague is in third place, while Rome (7th) and Barcelona (11th) remain consistently among the most “dangerous” European destinations for tourists, due to the overcrowding and high traffic in their historic centers.
Athens in 15th place – with a low risk index
Athens ranks 15th worldwide in terms of pickpocketing incidents, and 19th in a broader safety ranking. The data shows that the Greek capital has about eight times fewer theft reports compared to Paris, which places it among the safest major tourist destinations of 2025.
According to the research, the Acropolis and Plaka collect just 1.2 reports of pickpockets per 1,000 reviews, while the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Montmartre) in Paris records 6.8 and the Grand Palace in Bangkok almost 10 reports per 1,000 reviews.
Other tourist areas of Athens, such as Monastiraki and Thissio, also show similar low rates, which reinforces the overall safety image of the destination.
Asia and Europe consistently in the “target” of pickpockets
Asia dominates the list with six cities in the Top 10, including Shanghai, Shenzhen and Agra in India. However, European hotspots such as Paris, Rome, Prague and Barcelona remain the epicenter of incidents, mainly due to increased traffic and the presence of organized petty theft rings around the most famous attractions.
Paris, especially after the recent theft incident at the Louvre Museum, is at the center of the discussion on tourist security in Europe. This fact, as Compare the Market notes, highlights the importance of vigilance even in countries with developed security measures.
Security as a competitive advantage
Athens’ good performance in the ranking comes at a time when security is emerging as a key criterion for choosing a destination for international travelers. The low number of reported incidents reinforces the image of the city as a safe, friendly and reliable choice, something that can be exploited in communication by Greek tourism professionals.
As industry experts point out, the combined image of cleanliness, hospitality and policing in tourist spots such as the Acropolis and Plaka works positively in shaping the overall visitor experience. At the same time, the data shows that the Greek capital can stand its ground against destinations with much greater tourist traffic, such as Rome and Barcelona.
The 5 most-incidental sights worldwide
- Grand Palace – Bangkok (9.82 reports/1,000 reviews)
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Montmartre) – Paris (6.81)
- Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock – Prague (6.51)
- Nanjing Street – Shanghai (6.28)
- Taj Mahal – Agra (4.77)
The Acropolis and Plaka, which are in 13th place on the relevant list, confirm that Athens is one of the safest and calmest destinations for travelers in 2025 — an advantage that strengthens Greece’s international image as a host country for quality and safe tourism.
