# What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know About the Latest Greece Travel Advisory
Planning a Greek getaway from Ottawa this spring or summer? Before you finalize those flight bookings to Athens or Santorini, there’s important information you should know about the updated travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada on March 24, 2026.
Canada maintains Greece at **Level 1 — Take Normal Security Precautions**, the lowest risk classification for international destinations. This means travel to Greece remains safe overall, but recent updates highlight specific health concerns and safety considerations that Ottawa travellers should incorporate into their pre-departure planning.
## What’s Changed in This Update
The most significant change involves a new health alert about visceral leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted through sandfly bites. While this condition remains relatively rare among tourists, its addition to the advisory underscores the importance of comprehensive travel health preparation before departing from Ottawa.
## Safety Considerations for Your Greek Holiday
Greece experiences regular demonstrations, particularly in Athens and Thessaloniki. These gatherings typically occur around historically significant dates, including Workers’ Day (May 1), the November 17 commemoration, and notably February 28, which marks the 2023 Tempi train crash anniversary. Demonstrations concentrate around Syntagma Square, Omonia Square, and the Exarchia neighbourhood in Athens.
While most protests remain peaceful, they can escalate unexpectedly and disrupt transportation networks. Labour strikes affecting ferries, public transit, and airports occur periodically, potentially impacting island-hopping itineraries popular with Canadian tourists.
## Protecting Your Health Before Departure
The leishmaniasis update reinforces why pre-travel health consultations matter. A travel health physician can assess your specific itinerary—whether you’re touring ancient ruins, island hopping, or exploring rural areas—and recommend appropriate preventive measures.
Standard vaccinations for Greece typically include routine boosters plus hepatitis A and B, depending on your activities and medical history. Your consultation should also address insect bite prevention strategies, safe food and water practices, and assembling a travel medical kit with prescription medications suitable for Greek conditions.
For Ottawa travellers with pre-existing health conditions, discussing medication supplies, travel insurance coverage, and accessing healthcare in Greece provides essential peace of mind. Many visitors underestimate how Mediterranean heat affects chronic conditions and medication storage.
## Prepare Properly for Your Greek Adventure
Don’t let an easily preventable health issue derail your dream vacation. Schedule your travel health consultation at least 4-6 weeks before departure, allowing time for multi-dose vaccines to provide full protection. Your appointment will address destination-specific risks that generic travel advice overlooks.
Travelling to Greece? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.