Santorini Health And Safety
Holidays on Santorini are generally hassle-free, but tourists should be mindful of a few health and safety issues. The tap water is not drinkable, and as with all travel, an insurance policy is essential.
Health
The major health concern here is the water; the lime content in the tap water is high and it is not considered drinkable. Bottled water is sold throughout the island, but the supermarkets tend to sell water at cheaper prices. The water is fine for washing and bathing, but water conservation is a priority here and visitors should bear that in mind when showering.
The long sunny days are one of the biggest attractions here, but they are also one of the biggest health risks. The sun is fierce, especially between midday and 15:00, so make sure you wear sun block, a hat and drink lots of water. If you are drinking alcohol at night, it is especially important to drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
Safety
There are not usually any problems on a holiday here, but you should be aware of the possibilities of pick-pockets or bag snatchers in some of the busy shopping and beach areas on the island.
Donkeys and mules are a popular method of transport, especially connecting Fira to the port below. The donkeys do have a tendency to go quite fast, so be sure to take care and hold on!
If you take part in some of the water sports on the island then make sure you are aware of all the safety regulations, and take care.
Travel insurance
Holidays in Santorini are usually trouble-free, but mishaps do happen and taking out a comprehensive travel insurance policy is an absolute must for a trip to Santorini. If you are planning to take part in water sport activities here, it is important that you take out a policy that will cover you for this. Should you be unfortunate, having insurance will help to minimise any stress and disappointment.
Similar guides available in Greece include
Crete health and safety
Kos health and safety
Mykonos health and safety
Paros health and safety
Samos health and safety
Thessaloniki health and safety