No advisory against travel
“Wildfires in Greece There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. For advice, visit the wildfires section on the Safety and security page.”
Updated 2026-07-14T15:55:49Z
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Is Zakynthos safe? 🇬🇷
Greece · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Zakynthos scores 83/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Zakynthos is one of Greece’s safest islands for visitors, with low violent crime and strong tourist‑police presence. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Zakynthos 🇬🇷
Greece · Assessed 29 July 2026
83
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~90% of countries
What drives this score
Crime83/100GoodHomicide 0.8 / 100k
Sentiment87/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability70Good
Health80Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Greece: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
85 / 100 (Mostly positive)
85
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
12k residents
92
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Greece0.8World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
95
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are extremely rare; isolated incidents have been reported only in Laganas nightlife after midnight
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded party districts (Laganas, Shipwreck Beach) and on public ferries; keep bags zipped and front‑facing
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03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
87/100
Reported feel85Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler posts describe feeling safe during daylight, but many note discomfort after dark in the party strip and concern over sudden wildfire evacuations.
Yes — Zakynthos is one of Greece’s safest islands for visitors, with low violent crime and strong tourist‑police presence.
Crime scores are low, homicide is negligible, and official advisories rate Greece at Level 1 (exercise normal precautions). The main risks are summer wildfires, heat stress and petty theft in party zones.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Greek police busted a drug‑trafficking ring operating out of Laganas nightclubs, seizing 12 kg of cocaine— tovima.com (Jun 2026)
- Jun 2026A British tourist was seriously assaulted in Laganas after a bar fight; the suspect was arrested— Sky News (Jun 2026)
- May 2026A Nepalese farm worker died of leptospirosis after swimming in a flooded field near Keri— eKathimerini.com (May 2026)
- Jun 2026Zakynthos Shipwreck Beach closed for the entire summer 2026 due to erosion and safety concerns— Pappas Post (Jun 2026)
Common scams
- Overpriced taxi rides and meter‑refusal in Laganas
- Fake wildlife‑tour tickets sold near Shipwreck Beach
- ATM skimming at airport kiosks and unlicensed cash‑exchange stalls
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Zakynthos is widely regarded as one of Greece’s safest tourist islands. The composite safety index of 82 / 100 and a homicide rate of just 0.8 per 100 k people place it far below the global average, and official travel advisories from Canada, the UK and the U.S. all sit at Level 1 – “exercise normal security precautions.” Violent crime against visitors is virtually nonexistent; the most serious incident reported in the past month was a bar‑related assault on a British tourist in Laganas (Sky News, Jun 2026). What travelers need to watch are the seasonal hazards that accompany the island’s popularity.
The biggest current safety concern is the summer wildfire season. Recent news (Euronews, Jun 2026; Pappas Post, Jun 2026) confirms that Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach will remain closed for the entire 2026 summer due to erosion and fire‑risk mitigation, and the island’s fire‑danger rating is high. While no active disaster alerts are in effect, the Greek authorities have issued warnings about rapid fire spread, especially in the pine‑forest interior and near cliff‑top roads. Heat stress is also notable, with daytime highs around 38 °C in July; staying hydrated and avoiding midday sun are essential.
Petty crime does exist, particularly pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in crowded nightlife zones such as Laganas and the popular beachfront promenades. The “moderate” pickpocket risk reflects a steady stream of reports from travel guides (isitsafetovisit.com, thingstodoinzante.com) about crowded bars, ferry queues and market stalls where opportunistic thieves operate. Taxi scams — meters left off or flat‑rate refusals — are the most frequently cited fraud, so insisting on a metered ride or using a reputable rideshare app is advisable. A handful of documented scams involve fake wildlife‑tour tickets near the beach and ATM skimming at unlicensed kiosks; using bank‑affiliated ATMs mitigates this risk.
Overall, visitors report feeling safe during daylight hours, especially in the capital Zakynthos Town and the quieter northern resorts. The consumer‑sentiment score of 85 / 100 reflects this generally positive perception, though many note discomfort after dark in the party districts and anxiety about sudden evacuation orders if a wildfire ignites nearby. By sticking to licensed transportation, avoiding isolated late‑night bar scenes, staying informed about fire‑risk alerts, and keeping valuables secure, travelers can enjoy Zakynthos’s crystal‑clear waters and dramatic cliffs with minimal safety concerns.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Zakynthos districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Zakynthos safety map.
Porto RaftiavoidIsolated fishing enclave with reported drug activity and limited emergency services.
LaganascautionBusy nightlife hub; petty theft and alcohol‑related incidents rise after dark, stay alert.
Marathonisi (Turtle Island)cautionPopular excursion spot; occasional scams targeting tourists, monitor belongings on boats.
Agios NikolaoscautionTourist‑heavy zone near main port; pickpocketing can occur during peak ferry arrivals.
Zakynthos TownsaferHigh police presence, well-lit streets, low violent crime; ideal for families and cultural tourists.
BohalisaferQuiet residential area with reliable transport links and minimal crime reports.
XigiasaferSecluded beach cove; low crime, but limited services require basic self‑reliance.
KardamilisaferScenic coastal village; very low crime and strong community policing.
07 · After Dark
Is Zakynthos safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are extremely rare; isolated incidents have been reported only in Laganas nightlife after midnight
After dark, be most careful around Porto Rafti, Laganas, Marathonisi (Turtle Island), Agios Nikolaos. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Zakynthos safety FAQ (2026)
Is Zakynthos safe right now (2026)?
Yes — Zakynthos is one of Greece’s safest islands for visitors, with low violent crime and strong tourist‑police presence. Crime scores are low, homicide is negligible, and official advisories rate Greece at Level 1 (exercise normal precautions). The main risks are summer wildfires, heat stress and petty theft in party zones. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Is Zakynthos safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Zakynthos report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Zakynthos should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Porto Rafti as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Zakynthos (2026)?
- Overpriced taxi rides and meter‑refusal in Laganas
- Fake wildlife‑tour tickets sold near Shipwreck Beach
- ATM skimming at airport kiosks and unlicensed cash‑exchange stalls
How does Zakynthos compare with other places in Greece (2026)?
Zakynthos ranks #3 of 9 Greece destinations we've assessed, scoring 83/100. See the Greece safety overview for the full list.
How is this zakynthos safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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