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Last updated on December 6th, 2024 at 04:34 pm
Tackling a large – sometimes even chaotic – city like Athens may sound like a daunting task but not to us because the Greek capital is our hometown and, in this list of the best travel tips for Athens, we’ll share all our insider knowledge with you.
If you’re into rich history, warm weather and chilled vibes, Athens will fascinate you. The Cradle of Western Civilisation, the ancient city of Athens has been around for millennia but it’s also one of the most vibrant European capitals, a modern city that caters to the needs of all sorts of travellers.
To ensure you have a seamless experience in that little corner of the world we know better than any other, we crafted this detailed guide with all the practical information and travel tips for Athens you need to know before you’re ready to let this unique historic city seduce you with its charms.
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Where Is Athens
Athens is the capital of Greece, our sunny home country in Southeastern Europe. It’s the largest city in Greece and one of the world’s oldest, spanning over 3400 years of history. The city of Athens is situated in the historical region of Attica in Central Greece.
Best Time To Visit Athens
With so many amazing things to do in Athens, you can’t go wrong with any season. Yet, here’s an overview of what Athens feels like throughout the year to help you decide when to plan your Athens city breaks.
Athens in Summer
If you’re wondering when to visit Athens, perhaps you should reverse the question to get a more straightforward answer. When is the worst time to visit Athens? The answer is simple: July and August.
You should avoid travelling to Athens during those summer months because Athens can and will get unbearably hot then. On top of that, around the 15th of August (one of the most important religious national holidays in Greece), most locals take their vacation time. Athens resembles a deserted city then, with some of its best bars and restaurants remaining closed for a couple of weeks or so.
Athens in Winter
The coldest months in Athens are usually December, January and February. However, with average temperatures ranging between 7°C and 15°C, winter might actually be a good time to visit Athens, as it rarely gets really cold. Most of the time, you’ll still be able to sit comfortably at open-air cafés and restaurants with outdoor heaters even in the coldest – by Athens standards – months.
Not to mention that winter months are ideal for your sightseeing escapades as archaeological sites are less busy in the winter.
Athens in Spring & Autumn
The best time to travel to Athens is from March to June and from September to November. Spring and autumn bring the mildest weather and sweetest evenings. If you had to choose between spring and autumn to visit Athens though, you should probably go for spring, just before the peak season, to make the most of the longer days.
How Many Days in Athens
Having lived (almost) our entire lives in Athens, we know it’s impossible to try and fit all the amazing things to do in Athens in just a couple of days. You could spend months in Athens and still never get bored.
On the other hand, Athens is very often overlooked. Travellers tend to plan multi-day trips to the Greek Islands or elsewhere in the country but spend only a few hours, one day or a weekend in Athens. And that’s a huge shame.
Trust us, we know the pains of planning a trip to any foreign country, let alone Greece, a destination with so many fantastic things to do and see. After all, that’s why we’ve published our ultimate guide to planning a trip to Greece.
But we thought we’d meet you halfway regarding how many days to spend in Athens by putting together this amazing 3 days in Athens itinerary, the perfect guide if you’re visiting Greece’s capital city for the first time. Yet, remember to add more days if you’d like to enjoy a day trip to Cape Sounion or one of the nearby islands.
How To Get From Athens Airport To The City Centre
Athens International Airport is the main entry point to the Greek capital. It’s located in Spata, about 30 kilometres from the city centre. There are transit and direct flights to Athens from all over the world, operated by both low-cost airlines and full-service carriers.
By Public Transportation
To get from Athens International Airport to the city centre or Piraeus Port, you can use the Athens Metro, more specifically Line 3 (Blue Line). One-way tickets cost 9 EUR per person. The journey time is 35 minutes from the airport to Syntagma Station and one hour to Piraeus Port. The metro runs every 30 minutes.
There are also 24-hour express buses from the airport to downtown Athens that cost 5.50 EUR per person. Line X95 runs between the airport and Syntagma Square, while Line X96 connects the airport to the port of Piraeus and Line X93 to the central KTEL Kifissos Bus Station. If you’re staying near a Line 2 (Red Line) Metro Station or the Athenian Riviera, the X97 Bus suits you best.
If you plan to stay three days in Athens, consider buying the 3-day tourist ticket for public transportation that includes a two-way metro or express bus ticket from and to Athens Airport.
By Taxi or Private Transfer
The cost of a taxi from Athens Airport to the city centre starts from 40 EUR and it increases depending on your destination or if you’re travelling during the night. However, it makes a lot more sense to book a private transfer from Athens International Airport to the city centre. Your English-speaking driver will wait for you upon arrival and you’ll save yourselves valuable time trying to figure out how to leave the airport.
Where To Stay in Athens
Athens is a large, often overwhelming city. However, choosing a central Athens hotel instead of a non-central one will save you a lot of time that would be otherwise wasted on commuting across the city.
That said, not all central hotels are good accommodation options for your trip to Athens. The reason is that some Athens neighbourhoods are sketchier than others and you might not want to stay in one of those.
So, where to stay in Athens to make the most of your time in the city while feeling safe at all times? The best neighbourhoods to stay in Athens are Plaka, Thisseio, Koukaki, Syntagma, Psirri and Monastiraki. All these areas are walkable, with many options to drink and eat and they are close to almost all the best things to do in Athens.
Another thing to keep in mind when booking your accommodation in Athens is to avoid Airbnb. The latter has destroyed the Greek capital’s housing market and has been making the lives of locals difficult over the last few years. To learn more, read our article about the negative impact of Airbnb.
Have a look at these remarkable deals on Booking.com and make sure you book your rooms way in advance as the best hotels in Athens fill up fast, especially during the high season.
How To Get Around Athens
By Car
Even if you plan to rent a car to embark on a Greek road trip before or after your trip to Athens, don’t even think about driving in the Greek capital. Driving in Athens is too stressful and an absolute waste of time due to traffic jams and the lack of available parking spaces. The best way to get around Athens is a combination of walking and using the public transport system.
By Public Transportation
The Athens public transport system comprises buses, trolleybuses, trams, the suburban railway and – the most useful and reliable of them all – Lines 1 (Green), 2 (Red) and 3 (Blue) of the Athens Metro system. You can use any of the above in any combination or direction for 90 minutes with a single ticket.
There are also bundles of two, five or ten tickets. You can buy your reloadable public transport tickets from vending machines located at all Athens Metro stations. Unfortunately, you can’t tap your contactless credit cards on the validating machines yet, so buying reloadable tickets is essential.
Besides the metro, Athens has a vast bus and trolleybus network that can get you almost everywhere, especially if your destination is outside the metro range. However, buses in Athens are notorious for being infrequent and overcrowded. Moreover, night buses are scarce. Only bus 040 (Piraeus-Syntagma) and trolleybus 11 run 24/7. All the rest stop before midnight.
At most bus stops, digital boards display information on which bus or trolleybus is coming next and when. The OASA Telematics App does the same. Therefore, it might be a good idea to download it if you plan to move around by bus or trolleybus a lot.
The boards and the app are insanely helpful, especially at weekends when Athens buses are even more infrequent than on weekdays. For instance, if you find that your bus will take a lifetime to reach you, you might want to order a taxi instead.
Last but not least, the modern tram in Athens has been running since 2004, replacing the old tram network that stopped operating in 1960. It connects Syntagma to Voula and Piraeus. However, the Athens tram is incredibly slow and irregular so we would only recommend it for a lazy ride to Glyfada or other beachside suburbs of Athens.
Click here to learn more about public transport ticket types.
By Taxi or Uber
Taxis in Athens are yellow and use a taxi metre by law. Although there are some designated areas for the city’s yellow taxis to line up, it’s common practice to hail a taxi anywhere you want. It’s also common for taxi drivers to not use the taxi metre sometimes, so be aware of scams.
If you ask us, we refrain from hailing random taxis in Athens and always use a taxi app instead. Right now, Uber is the most reliable. Keep in mind that Uber in Greece only connects you to licensed cab drivers. Furthermore, Bolt is not available in Greece yet.
What To Pack For Athens
When packing for your Athens trip, make sure you don’t forget a couple of necessary things, regardless of the season. These are your sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, good walking shoes, a plug adaptor and your thermal bottle.
If you’re visiting Athens in the autumn and winter, bring a waterproof jacket and, ideally, waterproof shoes, too. One of our top travel tips for Athens is to dress in layers, as temperatures can fluctuate during the day.
Where To Eat Vegetarian or Vegan Food in Athens
The short yet sweet answer is everywhere. Athens – and the whole of Greece for that matter – is culinary heaven for vegans and vegetarians alike. Several traditional Greek dishes use vegetables or legumes as their main ingredients.
This means that you can choose from a wide array of delicious meat-free Greek dishes at any restaurant in Athens, no matter if it’s a no-frills eatery, a street food place or a fine dining establishment.
That said, there are several vegan restaurants in Athens, too. There, apart from the traditional veggie dishes of Greek cuisine, you can also try plant-based versions of some Greek food staples, like moussakas, pastitsio or souvlaki. Some of the best vegan restaurants in Athens include Mama Tierra, Veganaki and Cookoomela Grill.
Devour Tours offers the best food experiences in the most remarkable cities in Europe and beyond. The best part is that Devour Tours can happily accommodate vegetarians on their delicious food tours, as long as you let them know your dietary requirements in advance.
For an unparalleled journey into the local cuisine of Athens, you can choose among two Devour food tours that visit some of the city’s great restaurants:
– Ultimate Athens Food Tour
– An Evening Out in Athens: Koukaki Neighbourhood Food & Wine Tour
What To Buy in Athens
When it comes to choosing what Greek souvenirs to bring back home after your trip to Athens, the sky’s the limit. From local products like olives, extra virgin olive oil, wine or ouzo to quirky statue replicas to musical instruments to beach towels, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Athens.
Safety in Athens
Is Athens safe to travel to? Compared to other major capital cities in the world, yes, Athens is a very safe city to visit. That said, you must use your common sense, avoid sketchy and dark neighbourhoods at night and always try to stick to the areas mentioned in the Where To Stay section above. Especially if you are a solo female traveller, a group of women or an LGBTQ couple.
One of the biggest safety issues in Athens is pickpocketing. Pickpockets in Athens love tourist areas. Therefore, try your best not to look like a tourist, especially in crowded places. Moreover, be extra careful when using public transport because that’s where pickpockets put on their grandest show. Here’s what to watch out for.
If you feel that there are three or more people – seemingly unknown to each other – way too close to you, squeezing you even, you’re probably dealing with a group of professional pickpockets. A couple of them will try to distract you while the third one’s hands will already be in your bags.
To avoid getting caught in a situation like this, always keep your belongings where you can see them. For instance, wear your backpack at the front of your body and don’t keep valuables in your pockets.
15 Travel Tips For Athens Only a Local Can Give You
1. Buy The Combo Ticket Before You Climb Up The Acropolis
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the Acropolis is the most important ancient site in Athens – if not Greece. One of the best travel tips for Athens is to consider getting the Acropolis and 6 archaeological sites combined ticket instead of buying separate tickets for the major ancient sites in Athens.
It’s valid for five days and grants you access to the Acropolis of Athens, the North Slope of the Acropolis, the South Slope of the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora of Athens, the Ancient Agora of Athens Museum, the Roman Agora of Athens, Hadrian’s Library, Kerameikos, the Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, the Lykeion Archaeological Site and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
2. Look For Ancient Ruins Hidden in Metro Stations
This is one of our favourite travel tips for Athens. Some metro stations in Athens are open-air museums where you can admire the remnants of ancient buildings without standing in any queues whatsoever. These ancient relics were brought to light during the Athens Metro works.
Syntagma, Akropoli and Evangelismos are among the metro stations that house ancient findings. At Monastiraki Station, you can have a look at the river bed of Eridanos, the ancient river that used to flow from Lycabettus Hill to Kerameikos via the Ancient Agora of Athens – before it was filled in and turned into a road.
3. Plan an Early Visit To The Acropolis
Make sure you are at the gate of the archaeological site of the Acropolis as early in the morning as possible, preferably at eight o’clock, when the site opens. Not only will you avoid the crowds – and the heat if visiting the Acropolis in the summer – this way, but also an early start is a great way to tackle a packed with wonders day.
4. Take in The Views From The Acropolis Museum
Aside from the Karyad statues and the numerous historical items featured in the Acropolis Museum, its terrace boasts excellent views of the Parthenon, the renowned temple of the Ancient Goddess Athena. On the terrace, you will also find the museum’s restaurant-café, ideal for relaxing after sightseeing.
5. Attend a Concert at The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
If you happen to be in Athens from May to October, don’t miss the chance to attend one of the concerts that take place at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, commonly known as Herodion. From Maria Kallas to Florence & the Machine, the ancient theatre has been hosting live performances since the 1960s. A concert in such an alluring ambience at the foot of the Acropolis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
6. Forget About Cash
In the last few years, every business in Greece has been obliged to receive payments by card. Therefore, there’s no need to bring cash or exchange money, as debit and credit cards are accepted everywhere, with the exception of street vendors and performers, of course. If your currency isn’t the Euro, consider ordering a Wise Card to benefit from hassle-free transactions when travelling abroad.
7. Pay Extra Attention When Crossing The Streets
Here’s one of those travel tips for Athens that make us less proud of our hometown. Unlike what happens in most countries in Europe, Greek drivers have absolutely no respect for pedestrians. Even when walking on the pavement, watch out for motorbikes that may have also chosen to use the pavement to avoid the traffic on the streets. Yes, it’s that bad.
Moreover, don’t ever assume drivers will immediately stop when they see you step your foot on pedestrian crossings, especially those without traffic lights. Therefore, always check if the road is clear, even if the traffic light is green for pedestrians.
8. You’ll Never Feel Hungry in Greece at Night
You’re probably used to having an early dinner, right? However, similar to Spanish people, Greek people are late eaters and also late drinkers. This means that there are several places serving food after midnight or even 24 hours in Athens.
If you plan to adjust to the Greek lifestyle during your trip and party until late, rest assured that there will always be a place still open to grab a sandwich or a tyropita (cheesepie) before going home. One of the best places for a quick bite that stays open at night is Everest on Syntagma Square.
9. Spot The Kiosks at Every Turn
Athenian life is intertwined with the kiosks scattered across the city’s pavements. Back in the day, kiosks used to be small, yellow and scarce. Neighbours often gathered around them, chatting the day – or night – away.
This type of kiosk is called a periptero in Greek and you can find cigarettes, newspapers, magazines, drinks, snacks and many other things there. Nowadays, the modernised kiosks are larger and fancier and you can even buy sandwiches and desserts there.
10. Drink Tap Water
Tap water in Athens is safe to drink. There is no need to buy water in plastic bottles. Just refill your reusable bottle and you’re good to go. Likewise, you can safely ask for tap water at restaurants and bars in Athens.
11. Don’t Throw Paper in The Toilet
That’s a sign you will often see in the toilets of many bars, cafés and restaurants and one that you shouldn’t ignore. In your hotel room, you may be allowed to flush toilet paper. However, it’s better to remember this rule in Athens in general as the city’s sewage system is quite old.
12. Take in The Best Views From Lycabettus Hill
One of our favourite spots to hang out on hot summer nights is Lycabettus Hill, the city’s highest point. You can get there by walking the uphill path, riding the funicular from Kolonaki or taking a taxi to the big parking area of Lykabettus Hill. Once there, you’ll find a canteen for refreshments and a lot of space to enjoy outstanding views of the city.
At the top of the hill, you can visit the whitewashed Church of St. George which boasts a fantastic but small terrace for the best panoramic view of Athens.
13. Explore The Street Art Scene of Athens
In the last decade, Athens got a facelift by adorning its soulless massive cement facades with street art masterpieces. The once-neglected neighbourhoods of Metaxourgeio, Gazi and Psirri became a canvas for renowned street artists such as INO, WD and others. This street art walking tour will take you to hidden streets and courtyards that were revived through street art.
14. Follow The Music Below The Acropolis
If there’s one street in Athens where you can stroll away from traffic jams, crazy motorbikes and the city’s hustle and bustle, that’s Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, hands down the prettiest street in Athens. Apart from its beauty though, we love Dionysiou Areopagitou Street for yet another reason. Our strolls along this gorgeous street were the best remedy for our mental health during the COVID lockdowns.
Walking up and down the pedestrianised Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, you’ll stumble upon several street musicians. You can listen to any kind of live music there, from popular Greek music to Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to hear a young woman with an ethereal voice playing the piano with the Acropolis in the background, the highlight of our myriad strolls along our favourite street in Athens.
15. Beaches Near Athens Are Not Ideal For Swimming
Not all Athens travel guides will tell you that, but, unfortunately, the beaches near Athens aren’t the best for swimming. However, they are ideal for walking, sunbathing, playing sports or just relaxing.
The best beaches for swimming are around Cape Sounion. There, you will find beautiful beaches with crystal-clear water. That said, instead of spending hours trapped in the traffic to get there, we recommend going to a nearby island such as Agistri.
We hope this ultimate Athens travel guide helps you plan the perfect trip to the Greek capital, our hometown. However, if you need more travel tips for Athens, we’re only one comment away!
WORDS: Maria & Katerina
IMAGES: Katerina
EDITING: Maria