Hold on to your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride! Whatever you think about Mykonos—how it's a paradise that's perfect for a summer getaway—put that at the back of your mind for a minute. Because now, it's time to talk about the Mykonos crime rate. While most European cities put up facades as the ultimate travel destinations in the world—and for the most part, they are!—many of them hide behind a rather murky reality. They're not necessarily crime-infested, per se, but they're not as safe as you think they are. Unfortunately, Mykonos is one such European city.
The General Crime Rate in Mykonos
As it stands now, the general crime rate in Mykonos is 71.43%. It's one of the highest in Europe, which is sort of surprising because Mykonos isn't exactly the biggest place on the continent. You'd expect huge cities like
London or
Paris to have such a higher crime rate, but theirs are much lower than that of Mykonos. Even more unfortunate is that the general crime rate reached such a percentage because the rate of crimes increasing in the past few years is at a high 64.29%. They both further prove that, just because a place is known to be a signature retreat for the wealthy elites, it's not necessarily the safest place out there.
Crime with The Highest Rates
With all of that said, what crimes dominate in Mykonos? You have to know because they're the ones to watch out for when you're here! And on the top of the list is corruption at 75.00%, which probably explains why the overall state of Greece isn't as well-off as its neighboring countries. The silver lining here is that it's not a violent crime so you won't get hurt by it. However, if you moved to Mykonos and actually
work here, this can really put your job in jeopardy. Most especially if you're at the receiving end of the corruption.
More Crimes You Need to Watch Out For
After corruption, there are two crimes that follow up. With a similar rating of 70.83, both car theft and vandalism are the second-highest-rated crimes in Mykonos. The former poses a concern for those who own or rent vehicles for
transportation in the city. They have to be very careful where they park their cars in the city. Meanwhile, the latter crime, though it won't affect you personally, does pose a concern for the entire city in general. Mykonos is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, so for vandals to destroy it so freely is a shame.
The Safety Rate of Walking Around Mykonos
Despite all of what has been mentioned, is Mykonos safe for tourists? Is it safe to walk around Mykonos? The answer is yes and no! It's safe to walk around the city during the day, while at night, it's the complete opposite. When the sun is still out, it's 64.29% safe to go outside, walk around, and explore more of the city. In fact, since many parts of Mykonos are cramped and small, you have no choice but to walk there. However, when night falls, the safety rate drastically drops to 25.00%. This means you really shouldn't go out at night!
Mykonos' Most Dangerous Areas
As Mykonos is more an island than anything else, it's difficult to say which parts of the city are more dangerous than the others. This is probably why, overall, the crime rate in the city is high. Even if some of the corners of the island see more crime than others, since the
different neighborhoods aren't too far off from each other, it makes it easier to judge Mykonos as a more dangerous city as a whole. All in all, it's better that you explore the island, as much as possible, with company. Even better if they're locals who know the island by heart!
Tips on Keeping Safe in Mykonos
So, is Mykonos safe for tourists? Depends on how you travel here. More than just exploring Mykonos with company, you also still have to stay vigilant. Wherever you go, just stay aware of your surroundings. Before you know it, you might have already become a victim of pickpocketing or you stumbled upon somewhere dangerous. As already mentioned, since car theft is commonly committed here, you should be careful where you park your car or any other vehicle on the island. Most especially since Mykonos rarely has wide streets and even fewer sidewalks. And finally, as much as possible, don't go out at night. Unless, of course, you're going to a crowded part of the city.
Mykonos is one of the most beautiful places in the world. No other city, island, or any other tourist destination comes close. But with that said, the level of crime here leaves a lot to be desired. In other words, the Mykonos crime rate shows that the island can do better!
If you want to stray away from the crimes in Mykonos, you might want to stay in a
luxury rental instead. They're rarely situated near the sketchier parts of the city.
