Is it currently safe to journey to Greece?
Getting the Lowdown on travel to Greece amidst earthquakes:
Cha-cha-cha-cha-quake - the eastern Mediterranean has been flexing its muscles, causing worries for travelers thinking about their next trip to sun-soaked Greece. But fear not, here's the scoop on staying safe and enjoying your holidays.
Recently, the region has been a hotbed of seismic action, with popular holiday islands such as Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini feeling the tremors. On June 3, 2025, an earthquake of magnitude 5.3 occurred about 14 kilometers south of the coast of Crete, causing no injuries or major damage. However, a more deadly magnitude 5.8 earthquake near the Turkish city of Marmaris on the same day was a different story - a girl perished from a panic attack, and dozens of people were injured after jumping out of windows in fright. Thankfully, major structural damage was averted but the epicenter was just a few kilometers from the Greek island of Rhodes[1][2].
Santorini experienced a series of earthquakes at the beginning of the year, with up to seven quakes per hour on some days. Magnitudes ranged from 4.0 to 4.9, making it the highest seismic activity in around sixty years, causing hundreds of tremors over a few weeks[3].
The science behind the shudder
The Aegean Sea is one of the most seismically active regions in Europe. The culprit? Several tectonic plates colliding, including the Eurasian, Anatolian, African, and Aegean plates[4]. This continuous clash of continental drifters means earthquakes are a regular occurrence, typically of low to medium intensity. Many go unnoticed by the naked human eye.
According to seismologists, the current surge in earthquakes isn’t exactly cause for alarm, as it’s a geologically usual event in the region. Yet, travelers should be aware and follow behavioral guidelines during an earthquake for their own safety[4].
Foreign Office takes notice
Expert advice comes from the German Foreign Office, which, as of June 4, 2025, notes the elevated seismic activity in Greece. Yet, no restrictions are imposed on traveling to tourist regions like Crete, Rhodes, or Santorini. The message is clear - arm yourself with local safety information and remain calm and reasonable during earthquakes[5].
Taking precautions
- Memorize local emergency numbers: Better safe than sorry, right? Keep emergency numbers handy in case of an emergency situation.
- Brush up on earthquake basics: Learn the ropes of what to do during an earthquake, such as seeking shelter under stable furniture or staying away from buildings outdoors[6].
- Listen to local authorities: Information from authorities and hotel staff is the real deal, so pay attention to it for your own safety[6].
All in all, Greece remains a top-notch travel destination, despite the recent tremors. Seismic activity might be part of the region's character but, with cautious behavior, you can still have an epic holiday in Crete, Rhodes or Santorini in 2025[7]. As long as you stay informed and keep your wits about you, your trip can continue without a hitch - or earthquake, for that matter.
[1] https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000cps3[2] https://www.athens-news.gr/en/turkey-santorini/two-magnitude-5-8-and-4-7-earthquakes-hit-turkey-and-crete[3] https://www.the-sun.com/travel/1515350/earthquakes-greece-2025-tourists-santorini/[4] http://www.geology.com/earthquakes/aegean-sea.shtml[5] https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/laenderinformationen/griechenland[6] https://www.inland.gr/en/holidays-tourism/safety-during-earthquakes[7] https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/jan/03/earthquakes-greece-tourism-santorini-crete-rhodes-travel-advice
Despite the recent earthquakes in Greece, particularly on islands like Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini, the region remains a popular travel destination. To ensure a safe holiday, it's advisable to memorize local emergency numbers, understand basic earthquake safety measures, and listen to instructions from local authorities.
