Does Greece have safe water?


Does Greece have safe water? A lot of people visiting the country wonder if they can drink tap water in Greece. The tap water is not potable throughout the country. Although it is perfectly safe to drink water from the tap in Athens and Thessaloniki it is better to ask in all the other places or even better buy bottled water which is fairly cheap.


Do locals drink tap water in Greece?

Commonly Asked Questions about Greek Travel In Athens and most places across mainland Greece, the tap water is perfectly safe to drink. In harbor towns and the Greek Islands, however, it is generally better to drink bottled water, which is readily available and very cheap.


What is the water problem in Greece?

The Greek islands have insufficient water supplies to meet demand, relying on the use of water tankers for maintaining water supply – at considerable cost. Greece also experiences major flood events on a regular basis.


Is it safe to drink water in Santorini?

Technically, Santorini's tap water is safe to drink. However, it's also brackish, and the water supply system itself isn't always reliable. Single-use water bottles are popular in Santorini, but terrible for the environment.


How do Greek islands get fresh water?

Traditionally, the Greeks used cisterns and wells for fresh water needs. Today, about 40 percent of Greece's fresh water comes from underground wells. The rest is produced by desalination plants, although they are expensive to operate and generally considered unsustainable.


Is it safe to drink the water in Athens?

Key Takeaways: Can you drink the water in Athens? The tap water in Athens is perfectly safe to drink since it aligns with standards dictated by the European Union.


How safe is Santorini Greece?

Is Santorini safe to visit in 2021? Yes, Santorini is a very safe destination. Of course, there are risks everywhere and Santorini has its share of freak accidents: falling rock, aggressive donkeys, crazy young guys on ski jets. And like everywhere the biggest risk in Santorini is vehicle accidents.


Can you drink the water in Greece?

You can safely drink tap water in many areas of Greece,” she says. “This includes the big cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki, most of the mainland and certain islands. On smaller islands, such as Santorini, tap water is not always drinkable, so you should drink bottled water.


Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Santorini?

Drinking water They in fact rely on having water delivered to them. Needless to say, bottled water is a popular product on Santorini! We recommend that you always use bottled water for drinking. Washing up and brushing your teeth can be safely done using tap water throughout the island.


What do you tip in Greece?

Generally, 10-15% is ok, not great, and 20-25% is a pretty nice tip. If you have exemplary service and want to tip more, you will certainly be appreciated. In Greece, that simply isn't the case. While some fine dining restaurants in Athens may add a 10% service charge, that is the exception, not the rule.


Should you have ice in Greece?

Water is safe everywhere in Greece with the possible exceptions mentioned by bob, so no problem in using it for cleaning your teeth, washing food etc. But in a few places it doesn't taste very good - it can be just a bit salty, so you wouldn't want to use it for ice cubes or coffee/tea/drinking.


Does Greece have good water quality?

Groundwater quality is relatively high. Good chemical status is achieved in 85% of groundwater bodies. Good quantitative status is achieved in 83% of groundwater bodies (European Commission, 2017). Greece relies almost equally on household and public expenditures to finance water-related expenditures.


Is ocean water in Greece clean?

The European Bathing Water Quality report for 2022 has placed Greece in the top three for the fourth consecutive year. The comprehensive report evaluates the cleanliness of bathing sites across Europe, providing insights into where swimmers can find the cleanest waters this summer.


What is the beach etiquette in Greece?

Bathing suits are for the beach only. Never leave the beach without covering up. Also, it is considered quite rude to go barefoot on the beach. And while there are some nude beaches in Greece they are few and far between.