Is it safe to drink the tap water in Greece?

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hard_n_tender26

Of course, apart from some islands were tap water is not potable.

griogre

I would not recommend it unless you are a native. If you are not a native even "safe" water can make you feel bad, simply because you are not use to the microbes in it. Stick to purified water or soft drinks. Remember ice is usually made from the local water.

Marcus P. Cato

Overall, it is quite safe to drink tap water in Greece, but there are some things to remember.

a) in some places, tap water is very bad quality especially during the summer. A few places where you had best avoid tap water, in my experience, are Herakeion (Crete), Alexanroupolis, Siteia, Salamis, Ioannina, and most of the smaller islands. In these places, you may want to drink bottled water which costs about 2 Euro per 9 liters at any super-market. Some people also avoid ice and iced drinks (e.g. ice-coffee), but the quantity of water in these is so small that it shouldn't be a problem, unless you have a particularly sensitive gut.

b) With the exception of distilled water, any quantity of water contains lots of microlife (bacteria etc.) which is not harmful to your health, because your body is used to it. As a foreigner, you might need some time to adjust to the micro-fauna of water in Greece (or any other destination for that matter). In most cases, the worst symptom you are likely to notice is a strange after-taste, but younger children and the elderly may experience diarhoea for a short period.

CHRISTINE

Salipaul are you crazy?????The water in Corfu is NOT potable, you are really lucky for not getting sick...

Tap water is usually safe in the cities,Athens,Patra,Thessaloniki.. There are also some towns in Greece and some villages that it is potable..But not in any island!!!I suggest you, if you are not a native to drink bottled water.But you can cook anything with tap water-that is safe or you can brush your teeth or anything if the water it is boiled first...
If you need any help-anything, as a travel,I can help you

sjc_three

Personally, I'd recommend Ouzo as a good alternative!

cpinatsi

In Athens, yes. On the islands it is not infected or anything, but it may not be the best water, because it comes from drills, de-salting sea, etc., so you don't run any serious risk drinking it, but it's better to drink bottled water.

Tiara

You can drink tap water in most places in Greece, there are only a few islands that you can't which you can ask as soon as you get there. Like Crete- Heraklion, you can't drink tap water.

ele

Well it's generally safe but some islands take their water from wells so you may not like the taste or even it may cause diarrhea...It may be better for you if you get bottled water...

Lori

If you're from a different country you shouldn't drink tap water, your body isn't used to it and you can get sick

salipaul

I just came back from CORFU which is a greech island, was there with my kids, I did not risk drinking tap water. What I can say is : Check out where you can buy a 6 pack large bottles of water, I bought one bottle from the hotel it costed me 2 euro, later on I found a 6 pack for 1euro and 80cent.

gwenleonhard

I've vacationed in Greece. I drank bottled water but brushed my teeth with tap water. I was fine.

The_last_Amazona

Tap water is generally safe in Greece,just make sure you dont drink local water in small villages, it may be well water and is not tested.
To be on the safe side have bottled water w you (just in case you hit the runs the wrong time:)
Happy travel

Airpole

You can drink as much ouzo as you can handle but in regards to tap-water the golden rule is "do what the Romans do when in Rome". Ask the locals if the use it.
In most of the big towns the water is quite safe, but the islands is a different story.
You can either buy bottled water or boil the tap-water, if you have the facilities.

Bottles of a liter and half in cheap prices you can find in super or mini markets close to your accommodation,

Mpamia

I am Greek (athenian) and i can't drink tap water from villages/islands. so don't do it.!
they are different :p

mikrodimitris

it depens on the place.E.g in herakleio crete they dont drink tap water, but all around the capital area it s absolutely safe

SOULA K

Only in Athens and Thessaloniki to be safe and secure. In other cities you can drink it if you dont have other choice but certainly not in the islands.

Christine R

Of course Not.....Except from Athens , Thessaloniki, and Patra....Also there are some villages near the mountains,that you can drink, tap water...
And Please, do not drink tap water in Corfu...It is not potable,you will get sick
But you can use tap water to anything if you cook somathing or boil it in a boiler, or you can drink coffee! But I would suggest to drink bottled water
The small bottle prize : 0.50-0.60 cents
The big bottle prize : 0.80-1.20 â‚¬
Do not give more money for water, that would be like stealing you....

pleasant

I don't know

vanjicka27

dont even think about drinking tab water!greek nation is not drinking water from tab,only if you go in janina it is allowed!

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