Don’t be afraid of strikes and demonstrations!
The “fear of strikes and demonstrations” makes many vacationers hesitate to travel to Greece. So you should definitely find out about possible strikes on the internet or in a travel agency before a trip! And it certainly makes sense, firstly, to have adequate travel insurance and, secondly, to have a good one To have a portion of serenity. So according to the Moto: What you can’t handle, enjoy!
Ότι δεν μπορείς να αποφύγεις, απόλαυσε το!
What can I do before the trip??
- Find out about strikes on the Internet or in a travel agency before the trip to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises!
- Take out suitable travel insurance
- Approach the trip as calmly as possible
If you can’t avoid Athens and your journey takes you via the capital, don’t worry!
Because if the metro or buses go on strike in Athens, you can safely take a radio taxi and vice versa. Things get a little more complicated if the flights or ferries don’t work, which can also happen in bad weather. However, you will be easily rebooked onto the next ferry/flight, usually at no additional cost. I often go on strike. However, the travel insurance always graciously reimbursed me for the (between us: not that bad) “forced overnight stay” with all the trimmings. (Collect receipts!) By the way, the express buses to the port X96 and to the center X95 never go on strike!
What can I do?
- I had a radio taxi give me a business card at the hotel. (can be ordered by phone and are absolutely trustworthy!)
- If possible, have your flight or boat ticket rebooked by the operating company on the same day
- inform my travel insurance
- Collect all receipts for additional costs (hotel, taxi, food, etc.).
Stopover in Athens
The demonstrations look much more dangerous on television than they actually are. The street battles that are often filmed always take place around Syntagma Square and the Federal Palace and usually have nothing to do with the actual strike, but are instigated by anarchists, the opposing party, and sometimes even by plainclothes police themselves in order to ban strikes to force. If you avoid the three metro stations Omonia, Panepistimio (University) and Syntagma, which are now closed during demonstrations anyway, you won’t notice any of the unrest in the other streets. The police presence is obvious in the city center. In Ermou, the most famous shopping street from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki, you can go shopping in peace even on the days of a demonstration. Even in Plaka and Monastiraki you don’t notice any of the unrest and you can easily stroll or eat there!
What can I do?
- Avoid Omonia and Syntagma Square, Get off in Monastiraki and walk (everything is very close!)
I often hear: “Poh Athens! what should I do in Athens??” Especially in Athens, an extra day can definitely be made entertaining; just think of the new Acropolis Museum. Absolutely worth seeing!!! Just as worthwhile is a walk to the Acropolis and the breathtaking panorama over this city of millions from the sea to the mountains of Ymmitou. A ride on the tourist train is great with children, but just as fun for adults! Really, I tried it! A stroll through the world-famous Plaka, the old town below the Acropolis or the flea market in Monastiraki and then a small ouzo and meze in Thisseon with a view of the magnificent excavations! The same goes for the ride on the double-decker bus, where you can get on and off at any of the city’s sights with one and the same ticket and can also listen to the German-speaking tour with headphones in your ear! So you don’t have to walk your feet into your stomach…
What can I do?
- Shopping spree through Plaka and Monastiraki
- Walk to Akropolis
- Visit to the new Acropolis Museum
- Ride on the tourist train
- Ride on the double-decker bus
- small ouzo with meze in Thisseon
Before you know it, the day is over! There are still a few things that come to mind! Lycabetos, the other museums etc. I think I will devote a separate article to this topic when I get the chance…
The luck of getting stuck in Ikaria…
But if you’re lucky enough to be stuck in Ikaria due to a strike or storm, then you can just enjoy it! The beach, an exciting hike and the small, cozy taverns are so tempting that sometimes you’re even tempted to secretly wish that the strike would be extended…
PS: You can also find many helpful tips in the article “Riots: is Greece dangerous for holidaymakers?”
