How Safe is Zante?
“Is Zante safe?” is perhaps the most common question we get asked at Uncharted. Happily, on the whole, Zante is a very safe place with few safety issues summer after summer. But let’s be honest — you are coming to Zante to throw your inhibitions to the wind and have an unreal time with your mates. We know how it is, especially if it’s your first holiday. With that in mind, there are a number of safety considerations to be aware of to help keep Zante safe to travel to — for you and everyone else.
Don’t Be That Person
We all have that one mate who gets a few drinks down them and turns into a walking liability. Our suggestion is to look out for your mates and make sure they are not causing trouble.
It’s especially important to avoid trouble with locals. This is their island and you are a visitor. If you are causing issues or being disrespectful, it can quickly end badly.
So staying safe here is simple: be respectful to the locals and they will usually be respectful to you.
Know Your Limits
We don’t know what it is about drinking abroad, but it always seems to go down easier in the sun. Unfortunately, your limits don’t change just because you’re in another climate.
Most safety issues in Zante tend to involve extremely drunk people messing around. While it’s important to keep an eye on your mates, no one knows your limits like you do — if you think you’ve had too much, you probably have, and it’s time to take a break.
If we can’t convince you, maybe the risk of a big bill can. In Zante, medical centres operate private ambulances up and down the Zante strip. They regularly pick up people who pass out or are sick and take them back to the medical centre to be put on a drip — often at a significant cost.
It also really does cost nothing to be nice. The Greek people are incredibly friendly and will often go the extra mile for you if you are polite and respectful.
Stick Together
Again, just to stress, Zante is extremely safe. However, just like at home, we would always recommend sticking together with your friends when you are out and when walking back to your hotel.
Like anywhere, Zante is not a perfect place with zero crime. Attacks and muggings on people walking home alone in the early hours can happen.
The easiest way to reduce that risk is simple: stick together and don’t leave anyone behind.
Keep Yourself Out Of Trouble
This is mainly one for groups of lads. We know everyone is there to have a laugh and show who’s the biggest character, but it’s not the wisest idea to be causing trouble in a new environment.
Remember, this is not your local boozer. If you do find yourself in a confrontation in Zante, our honest advice is to walk away.
It really isn’t worth spoiling your holiday over. Black eyes don’t look cool, no matter what you’ve heard.
Do Your Research In Advance
Like any party destination, there are some must-see places and some places you may want to avoid. While there are certainly some bars to avoid in Zante, most are very safe and everything will usually be fine if you stick together.
At Uncharted, we pride ourselves on the safety of our nights out. We have procedures in place to help prevent drink spiking and all our staff are highly trained by a management team with years of experience.
All our Zante events and our boat party have a strong track record when it comes to safety and, as a UK-based company, you can be sure payments are secure and any issues can be dealt with clearly.
This Isn’t the UK
There are a number of other safety concerns in Zante away from the nightlife, including things you simply wouldn’t usually deal with in the UK.
The most obvious one is the weather. The sun is a huge part of why people come to Zante, but treat it with respect. Zante is hot — especially in summer — so wear sun cream and try to use the shade, especially in the middle of the day.
Next is the water. Tap water in Zante is not recommended for drinking, so make sure you buy bottled water and keep hydrated, especially if you are drinking alcohol or spending long days in the sun.
Quad bike hire in Zante is extremely popular, but not always safe. If you hire one, drive carefully — and even if you don’t, keep an eye out for other drivers who may not.
Finally, don’t do anything daft. Falls from bars, diving into shallow water and balcony accidents can and do happen. These risks are much higher when alcohol is involved, so try to stay sensible no matter what your mates are daring you to do.
