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. And with that in mind, there are a number of safety considerations to be aware of to ensure Zante is safe to travel to - for you and everyone else. After all, this is Zante, and the rules out here are different to back home.

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 mate’s safety by ensuring they are not causing any trouble.

It’s especially important to avoid trouble with the locals. You have to remember that this is their island and you are just a visitor. If you are causing issues, being disrespectful, then it could end in a fight. Bar security and club bouncers aren’t really like they are in the UK and they won't take kindly to foreigners causing trouble. They will likely not just throw you out but also throw in a few blows for good measure. So staying safe here is easy. Be respectful to the locals and they will be respectful to you.

Know Your Limits

We don’t know what it is about drinking abroad, but they just seem to go down easier in the Sun. Unfortunately your limits don’t change just because you're in another climate. You won't be surprised to learn that what little safety issues Zante does have are most often due to extremely drunk people messing around. While it’s important to keep an eye on your mates, no-one knows your limits like you do and it’s important to look after yourself too - 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, perhaps the risk of a big bill can. In Zante, medical centres operate private ambulances up and down the Zante strip. They wait for people to pass out or be sick, get them into the ambulance and back to the local medical centre to be put on a drip - all at a rather expensive cost to either your insurance or to you personally if your insurance doesn’t cover it.

This brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘it costs nothing to be nice’. And it is true; it really doesn’t cost anything to be nice to people. The Greek people are extremely friendly and will go the extra mile for you if you are nice to them.

Stick Together

Again, just to stress, Zante is extremely safe. However, we would always recommend - just like at home - that you stick together with your friends when you are out and walking back to your hotel. Just like the UK, Zante is not a perfect place with no crime. Attacks and muggings on people walking home on their own in the early hours can happen. This can easily be stopped by sticking together. Don’t leave anyone behind.

Keep Yourself Out Of Trouble

This is predominantly one for the groups of guys. We know you are all there to compete to show who’s the biggest and who’s the coolest, 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 when you are in Zante our honest advice would be to walk away. If you are involved in any fights, you can expect the bar security to put the fire out pretty fast - which will end badly for you. 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 must-avoid places. But while there are certainly some bars to avoid in Zante, most are very safe and everything will be fine if you stick together.

At Uncharted, we pride ourselves on the safety of our nights out. We have procedures in place to prevent drink spiking and all our staff are highly trained by a management team with years and years of experience. All our Zante events and our boat party have a spotless track record when it comes to safety and, as a UK based company, you can be sure all payments are secure and any issues will be dealt with by someone who speaks your language.

This Isn’t the UK

There are a number of other safety concerns in Zante away from the night-life, including lots of issues you simply wouldn’t have in the UK.

The most obvious issue is the weather. Now we know the sun is a big part of why you come to Zante, but treat it with respect. Zante is hot, and we mean hot, especially in the summer months. Perfect weather for bikinis and swimwear - but not without sun cream. Even better, stick to the shade when you can, especially in the middle of the day. If the locals do it you can be sure it’s the right thing to do!

Next up is the water. Is the water safe to drink in Zante? No, it isn’t. You might think, “hey, no so what? Who's drinking water anyway?”, but you will need to rehydrate, whether through the heat or the booze - and tap water is a risky way to do it. No one wants to spend their holiday on the toilet. Buy bottled water.

Quad bike hire in Zante is extremely popular, but not always safe. Even though drivers will need a full UK licence, that is no guarantee that people will take it seriously. If you hire a quad bike, drive safely. And even if you don’t, keep an eye out for other drivers.

Finally, don’t fall over. Good advice at the best of times, but particularly important to stay safe in Zante as there are sometimes accidents due to falling off a bar while dancing, diving in the shallow end, and even balcony falls. These risks are much higher in Zante than in the UK - so try and keep upright as best you can, no matter what your mates are daring you to do.