Greece is one of the most visited places in the world, but not everyone recognizes its charm.
Solo traveler Emma Maskell has visited 25 countries and says there aren’t many places she won’t return to, but Athens tops the list.
While the Greek capital offers peaceful views and historical monuments, Emma just didn’t feel “safe” as a female traveler.
Speaking to MailOnline Travel, she said: “I will never go back to Athens.” I didn’t like it at all. I just didn’t feel safe.
“While I was walking in the street, I was on the phone with my mother and felt that I was getting unwanted attention from men on the street, a kind of identity change.”
Solo traveler Emma Maskell has visited 25 countries and says there aren’t many places she won’t return to, but Athens (above) tops the list
Emma told her TikTok followers about her trip to Athens (above) and revealed that she changed residences three times
Athens is rich in history and has some must-see attractions, but Emma Maskell said she “doesn’t feel safe” visiting alone.
The 25-year-old traveler continued: “I’ve seen people using drugs on the street, even in the middle of the day.”
Emma, from Reading, who tried to remain optimistic about the trip, changed residence three times during her stay in the city.
She told MailOnline: “I thought it might be the area but I tried to move to another area and it was the same there.”
During her stay, Emma explored various parts of Athens, including the popular tourist attraction Acropolis (left). She also tried food that “tastes better than it looks” (right)
Emma documented her “honest” experience in Athens in a video posted on her TikTok account @emtravels_.
She explains at the beginning of the clip that she “doesn’t like it here that much”, but she is “trying to change it” by visiting the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, the Acropolis and the flea market.
She also tries foods that she says “taste better than they look.”
Emma, who hopes to visit 30 countries before she turns 30, said that despite her experience in Athens, she would like to return to other parts of Greece, especially the Greek island of Paros.
Emma compared Paros, with its white sand beaches and traditional villages, to the Greek island of Skopelos, made famous by Mamma Mia.
Speaking to MailOnline about the hidden gem, she said: “[It’s] “Much less popular than islands like Santorini and Mykonos, but therefore feels much quieter, affordable and authentic.”
For women who want to explore the world on their own, the experienced solo traveler shared some important safety tips.
She always has the Find My Location setting turned on on her phone – and she shares that information with her parents and five of her closest friends.
Additionally, she said, “Once I knew what I was going to do, I always let them know.”
Another safety tip Emma shared was to open a Google Doc with her itinerary for her friends and family to view at any time.
She explained: “Sometimes it’s really hard to keep everyone updated at the same time, so it worked really well for me.”
Emma said she would soon return to other parts of Greece, particularly the Greek island of Paros (above), which she compared to the Greek island of Skopelos, made famous by Mamma Mia
Emma doesn’t let her experience in Athens stop her from traveling and hopes to visit 30 countries before she turns 30
Emma shared some travel safety tips for solo female travelers to keep in mind when traveling to different countries. She said it’s important to “keep your wits about you.”
Another obvious but often overlooked piece of advice from Emma was to never tell strangers you’re traveling the country alone.
She continued: ‘I don’t tell anyone that I’m somewhere alone. I always say no in the taxi. If they ask if it’s my first time here, I say no and if yes [taxi drivers] When asked if I’m here alone, I say, “No, my friends are already here.”
And as an added safety precaution, Emma said she booked female-only dorms in dorms, although she had never experienced any problems in mixed dorms.
During her solo travels, Emma said she always shares her whereabouts with her close friends and family and never tells strangers she’s traveling alone
As general advice for solo travelers, Emma encouraged everyone to take padlocks to keep their belongings safe in hostels.
She added: “I also take copies of my passport and ID photos in case I need a new one.”
Still, the traveler advised, “It’s not really about taking things with you, it’s about taking steps to be safer and stay informed.”
For more from Emma, check out her TikTok at www.tiktok.com/@emtravels_.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
