How Does Water Safety Work in Greece?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
Tap water is safe to drink in Athens and most of the mainland, but many islands have unpleasant or brackish tap water — check locally.
2What You Need to Know
Athens tap water meets EU drinking water standards and is safe to drink. Most of the Greek mainland and larger islands such as Crete and Rhodes also have safe tap water. However, smaller and drier islands — including Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and many Cyclades — have limited freshwater and the tap water can taste brackish or saline, making bottled water a practical choice. Bottled water is cheap and universally available throughout Greece.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Ask your hotel or accommodation host about local tap water quality on arrival — they will give you an honest answer.
- 2Carry a refillable bottle in Athens where tap water is perfectly safe and fountains in the city are drinkable.
- 3On smaller Cycladic islands, buy a large 1.5L bottle from a supermarket rather than relying on smaller convenience shop bottles, which are significantly more expensive.
How does this compare?
Water Safety rules in nearby and similar countries:
Tap water in Germany is completely safe to drink throughout the entire country and meets some of the highest quality standards in Europe.
Tap water throughout the UK is excellent quality and completely safe to drink straight from the tap.
Tap water is completely safe to drink throughout France and is free at all restaurants by law when requested as a carafe d'eau.
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Cover shoulders and knees when visiting Orthodox churches and monasteries; there is no strict national dress code elsewhere.
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