Why Are So Many Tourists Dying on the Greek Islands?

Many tourists have been dying or going missing on the Greek islands this summer due to the extreme heat. In this video I discuss the issue and offer some tips to stay safe when hiking and exploring.

"Watch It Glow" by Silent Partner

Gabriel is a traveler, outdoors enthusiast and travel writer who has been adventuring around the world since his first trip to Europe in the summer of 1990 when he was 18 years old. He is author of "Following My Thumb", "Gabe's Guide to Budget Travel" and several other books.

[RobertCretanhero]

I've lived on the wonderful island of Crete for eighteen years. I have never heard of a Cretan citizen wandering away and being found dead. No! Holidaymakers arrive for a sun filled vacation and misjudge the effects of heat exhaustion. Hiking through the rugged Cretan landscape in temperatures of 40C+ is an act of stupidity that has serious consequences for the individual and the local rescue services. Please don't overestimate your physical abilities and don't underestimate the effects of heat exhaustion. 😎🇬🇷

[Kostis-hc]

dudes, greek here, honestly i can say than in greece the sun kills. this week we expect heat of 44 degrees. tourists stay safe and in cool places... conditions here arent like uk, france and other places of europe... i believe you understand what im saying.. stay safe and no walks hiking in the very hot hours of the day
my love to all. R.I.P to all these that passed over.. this is so sad....

[helenstratigos]

Why not follow what the locals do and wait until evening to hike/stroll around? Why the urgency of these tourists to venture out into such insane heat?! Edited to add - My apologies - I didn't mean to cause any arguments! There are plenty of relaxing non-dangerous things to do when the sun is at its scorching hottest, like enjoying cold beverages and reading up on Greek history in the shade, having a siesta, taking in a museum or gallery, swimming in the sea... :)

[stellamarina]

It is sad that Dr Mosley's last lesson to us was to not go hiking in such heat. I think one of the problems is that us old folk cannot accept that our bodies are getting old and cannot do what they used to. Old bodies are not so good with internal water balance.

[thrivingnow]

When I was on the grecian island of Rhodes 3 years ago, I walked from my campground to Butterfly Valley along the road which was almost 3 miles one way. It was a warm day, and I started to feel a little overheated so I rested under the shade of a tree which luckily was close to my destination. When I arrived to the nice shaded valley, I rested by a cool creek until I cooled down. After a couple of hours, I trekked back down the road. I felt okay and wanted to walk all the way back, when a local driving by offered me a ride back when I almost said no, but I thought what if get overheated again so I accepted. I was not afraid of taking a ride from a local. He didn't speak English and was a very nice older man.

[marieta.s]

As a Greek watching tourists go out for a run or hike in the middle of the day, under the scorching sun and intense heat I think they are out of their freaking minds. First of all we avoid being out in the sun if we don’t have to. The country this year has been under intense heatwaves since June and many weather records have been broken. Tourists who don’t live in the Mediterranean are not used to conditions like these. I don’t care how fit you are, you will get dehydrated and heat exhaustion or even heat stroke if you are out doing activities anytime after 10:00 in the morning. Finally if you are stupid enough to get yourself in this situation don’t criticise to country in public for your stupidity. There is a lack of infrastructure especially in the Greek islands.

[johnbruce]

As a young man I worked as an archaeologist in Jordan, Syria and Oman during the Summer in temperatures +40C. We started at dawn and worked to mid-day and stopped. Rarely I worked throughout the day. I'm very used to extreme desert conditions. Now I'm nearly 70 years old. I still travel to Greece and was on another island when Dr.Moseley died. No way would I do what he attempted, a difficult 'off-piste' hike up a shadeless, rugged and thorn covered hillside in +40C. I used to wear a Arab keffiyeh but, sadly, that's now become misused as a radical political statement rather than a practical means of surviving extreme temperatures.

[Steve-xlen]

I remember the first time I went to Spain in the summer and noticed that they had awnings attached between buildings, to create shade for those walking below. Growing up in Australia I thought I could deal with the heat. But just taking a few steps out in the day, it was unbearable. You realise why locals dont come out til sunset.

[stianh]

When its that hot i barely go outside.

[pavlos]

I'm here at a Greek island and wanted to hike to some ancient ruins. It was in the evening hours and I still had a hard time reaching them. If I did that at noon I would have been in serious trouble. The temperature and the terrain is no joke.

[eleniasimop]

They don't understand that hiking is something they may do early in the morning or in the evening especially
if they are over fifty. During the hottest hours they have to stay under shade in a tavern, on a beach,
in a museum (there are a lot of options). After all, it's "siesta time"!
Also, most of them go hiking without having any water with them.

[Savvas]

The heat or the sun strength is just the same as in many other parts of the world, including US, but there is a trap in Greece. Greece is beautiful and has a nice climate at the same time, which means everyone who comes here wants instantly to hike around, but the nature in any country can turn to a very harsh environment. For any hike should be taken in consideration the weather, which means, (1) temperature, (2) wind speed, (3) time of the day and (4) the season. Another thing in Greece is the terrain, distances are relatively short but the ground is complex no matter if someone hikes in the streets of a small town or along a rocky beach or at the side of a hill. Be prepared and equipped, seasonal clothes (never sleeveless), water, shade (hats from natural straw or umbrellas with the bottom side to be black are good ideas), sun screen, proper shoes, detailed maps, do not hesitate to ask locals for help or info, mobile phones, and do not forget to use number 112 (for free, you can call from any phone even if it has call barred) for any dangerous situation you are in. All of these regardless if your hike is just about for half an hour and back.

[EamonnSheehy]

In Bulgaria now and its very hot, 36-40degrees. Busy in the morning and people disappear from noon onwards. Just too hot. Perfect way to do it is just sit back in the air-conditioning and eat ice cream, drink water. Relax and watch telly. Go hiking in the early morning and bring water. Keep in shade as best can.

[kouxoumou]

A big disadvantage of the Greek islands is the covering of the land with trees which is very small and especially in Amorgos. For whole kilometers you will not find trees over 50 cm tall. This certainly does not apply to all the Greek islands.

[Deadfoot-Dan]

It's hot everywhere, I heard Vegas was over 110 degrees F /43.3 C for 10 straight days, that is nuts. I saw a picture a guy posted of his window blinds melted and fell apart in Arizona.

[ResmithSR]

"A deer ate my sarong." I'm pretty sure that's the first and last time I'll ever hear those words in a statement in my entire life.😂😂😂

[ryanpatrickpreston]

Another good thing about sandals if you're walking a lot is that they make you less tired over time. Just be mindful of buying good product abroad if you must. I once purchased some cheap sneakers in Athens which were made in Albania. Although they appeared to be decently well made they literally fell to pieces and became utterly useless while I was on a mountain hike. Fortunately, I was relatively close to the bottom. It was pretty cartoonish.

[desertbluesplaylist]

Tourists but not locals. It's simple. You don't go out walking in the heat. Stay in the shade, eat salads & watermelon, don't drink alcohol...not rocket science...mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. It's hot in a lot of places not just Greece.

[natashascott]

Thank you for the walking in heat tips Gabriel. I’d like to go on walks but it’s been very hot here (South Western Ontario, Canada) and I avoid going on walks if it’s above 75° outside. Unfortunately, I’m prone to heat sickness.

[torotaxi]

I was in crete in early June and it was pretty damn hot. Best to stay by the beach for the sea breeze (in the shade) when it's hot. Or if you have air con, stay indoors when its super hot.