Safety is quite a fundamental issue when it comes to both holidays and everything else. After all, you don’t just sit by the pool 24/7 – you enter restaurants, you visit markets, stroll around and return to the hotel room. So how safe is Rhodes? What should you look out for?
Is it safe in Rhodes?
Rhodes is, generally, quite safe. You still have to be mindful of the occasional pickpockets and taxi drivers trying to scam you but that’s merely the bare minimum that we have to accept as tourists. Rhodes is also a decently safe spot for solo female travellers – at least as safe as it can get, so still, be mindful. Just like anywhere else, though, you’ll have to exercise basic caution, so keep your eye on your handbags and wallets. As long as you listen to your common sense, you should be absolutely fine in Rhodes. The locals tend to be friendly, welcoming and eager to help if anything’s amiss.
Insurance on Rhodes
It’s advisable to obtain an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) before departing for Rhodes. This mainly covers emergencies – we hope you won’t need it but, especially if you want to move much around the island or go diving, better safe than sorry. If you’re from the UK and you’d like to learn more about GHIC, you can find more here.
Beware of the sun
Rhodes is the Island of the Sun, where it’s said to shine for 300 days a year. Though climate change takes its toll and it may become more and more unpredictable over the coming years, Rhodes is generally insanely dry and insanely hot in summer. Remember to pack a strong sunscreen and apply it every few hours. You can also find plenty in most shops. Hats are also advisable. We hope we don’t have to remind you to also hydrate like crazy when in such hot areas. We wouldn’t want to see you faint out there.
Driving on Rhodesian roads
Though roads are actually quite decent on Rhodes and the authorities even went out of their way to provide many bilingual signs, driving locally takes some getting used to. Overtaking is very, very common and it’s a good practice to pull over to the side of the road when you see that someone’s trying to overtake you. Greek drivers don’t always use indicators either.
In addition, you may encounter a lot of scooters and motorbikes which don’t always play by the rules. As such, if you’re used to nice and orderly driving, this may be a tiny bit bedlamic for you. Finally, if you’re travelling through the countryside beware of the goats and other animals grazing around the roads. This is their land and they’ll go out of their way to remind you of that by proudly and boldly hopping onto the road.
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