Athens Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Athens is a captivating city that holds a prominent place in the history books as the birthplace of Western Civilisation. Not only does it have a rich past, but it continues to be centre of Greek culture. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a fantastic food scene as well as plenty of attractions to explore. Find out more in this Athens destination guide.

What is Athens Greece known for?

Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world with a history spanning over 5,000 years. The city was named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war. It became the leading city of Ancient Greece and its cultural achievements including the introduction of democracy laid the foundations of Western civilisation. Athens’ historical roots can still be seen in major landmarks like the Acropolis which dominates Athens’ skyline. The city hosted the 2004 Olympic Games and is an international travel hub connecting Europe with the rest of the world. Today, Athens is a vibrant mix of old and new, offering visitors a unique blend of culture, history and amazing food.

Why you should visit Athens Greece

There is so much to see and do in the capital of Greece! Athens has an abundance of amazing historical sites, which alone are reason enough to visit. The most impressive of which is the Acropolis, taking pride of place on a hill overlooking the city. Additionally Athens is full of great restaurants serving delicious Greek food. There are also plenty of cool neighbourhoods to explore, vibrant markets and scenic parks. Furthermore as a key international travel hub, Athens is the perfect stopover when travelling to the Greek Islands and other parts of Greece as well as to international destinations.

Athens Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Athens Greece

• City name in Greek – Αθήνα or Athína in romanised letters.
• Language – Greek. English is becoming more widely spoken in the country. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English.
• Currency – euro (EUR). This has been the official currency of Greece since 2001. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 3,167,000 (2012)
• Area – 39 km² (15 sq mi)
• Administrative region – Attica
• Regional unit – Attica
• Emergency number – 112
• Police number – 100, 171 (tourist police)

Utilities in Athens Greece

• Electricity – Greece uses Type C and also Type F power plugs. The country operates on a 230v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are common in Greece.
• Water – the tap water in Athens is safe to drink.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets are the most common type of toilet in Greece, although Turkish style squat toilets can be found in some places. Don’t flush your toilet paper – use the bins provided. Public toilets are uncommon in Greece. Furthermore the public toilets that are around often have the toilet seat missing and have a charge for use. The charge is usually around 50 cents.
• Telephone country code: +30

Where is Athens Greece?

Athens is in the Attica region of southeast Greece. It is an inland city of mainland Greece and is located on Attica peninsula.

The closest major Greek cities to Athens include Patras as well as Lamia on mainland Greece. Athens is 3 hours by train from Patras as well as from Lamia. Additionally many Greek islands can be accessed from Athens. The closest islands are Athens are Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Aegina is less than an hour from Athens by ferry, Poros is 1 hour from Athens by hydrofoil and Hydra is 1.5 hours from Athens by ferry. Other popular Greek islands close to Athens includes Mykonos which is 3 hours from Athens by fast ferry and also Naxos, which is 3-4 hours from Athens by fast ferry.

How to get to Athens Greece

Athens destination guide: Arriving by land

Athens Greece intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Athens Greece are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Shuttle Bus
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Athens from within Greece

If you are driving to Athens from within Greece, here are the travel times and distances:

• Patras – 2 hours 35 minutes (211km, 131miles) with tolls or 4 hours 43 minutes (217km, 135miles) without tolls
• Kalamata – 2 hours 48 minutes (239km, 149miles) with tolls or 5 hours 12 minutes (280km, 174miles) without tolls
• Volos – 3 hours 33 minutes (328km, 204miles) with tolls or 5 hours 14 minutes (332km, 304miles) without tolls
• Larissa – 3 hours 49 minutes (352km, 219miles) with tolls or 4 hours 57 minutes (312km, 194miles) without tolls
• Kalabaka – 4 hours 6 minutes (352km, 219miles) with tolls or 5 hours 13 minutes (344km, 214miles) without tolls
• Ioannina – 4 hours 21 minutes (411km, 255miles) with tolls or 6 hours 55 minutes (462km, 287miles) without tolls
• Igoumenitsa – 5 hours 3 minutes (470km, 292miles) with tolls or 8 hours (534km, 332miles) without tolls
• Thessaloniki – 5 hours 16 minutes (500km, 311miles) with tolls or 7 hours 46 minutes (489km, 188miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Athens Greece

Intercity trains service Athens Greece. These are operated by the private railway company Hellenic Train. There are two types of intercity which connect Athens and Thessaloniki to other parts of Greece:

• ETR Trains (ICityExpress) – high-speed trains
• Intercity Trains (IC)

Intercity buses to Athens Greece

A common way to get around Greece is by using intercity buses. These are budget friendly and the network is also extensive. KTEL is a popular intercity bus company in Greece. Popular bus destinations from Athens include:

• Patras Greece – travel time 3 hours. Tickets start from 18 euro one way.
• Kalambaka Greece – travel time 5 hours 15 minutes. Tickets 29 euro one way.
• Ioannina Greece – travel time 5 hours 30 minutes. Tickets start from 39 euro one way.

Athens destination guide: Arriving by air

There is an international airport in Athens called Athens International Airport (Airport code ATH). This airport is 21km (13 miles) away.

Other nearby airports include:

• Syros Island National Airport (Airport code JSY). This airport is 125km (78 miles) away.
• Skyros Island National Airport (Airport code SKU). This airport is 129km (80 miles) away.
• Skiathos International Airport (Airport code JSI). This airport is 135km (84 miles) away.

The national airline of Greece is Aegean Airlines S.A..

Athens destination guide: Arriving by boat

The Port of Piraeus is the main seaport of Athens. This is the largest port in Greece as well as one of the largest in Europe. Furthermore it is the largest passenger port in Europe. It is located on the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Both ferries to the Greek Island as well as international cruises use this port.

Athens destination guide: How to get around Athens Greece

Walking in Athens Greece

By far the easiest and also the cheapest way to get around Athens is to walk. Most of the main attractions in the city area are within easy walking distance.

Local buses in Athens Greece

Local buses service Athens.

Sightseeing buses in Athens Greece

There are a number of tourist buses and Hop On Hop Off sightseeing buses that operate in Athens Greece. Expect to pay around 20 euro for a ticket (price as at 2022).

Trams in Athens Greece

Athens Tram has 2 lines and 60 stops.

Local trains in Athens Greece

The Athens Suburban Railway (also known as Proastiakos Athens) provides links to Piraeus port and Athens International Airport as well as areas surrounding Athens such as Corinth, Kiato, Chalcis and Aigio. The network currently has 5 lines and 53 stations.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Athens Greece

Athens Metro currently has 3 lines and 66 stations. Additionally, a fourth line is currently under construction.

Vehicle hire in Athens Greece

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Greece. This includes:

• Bicycles – you can hire a bike from a bike hire shop such as Bike Me Up.
• Electric scooters
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Boats

Drivers in Greece drive on the right side of the road.

Taxis in Greece

Taxis are common in Greece. Fares are regulated and are usually metered. However outside of major cities taxis may not have meters. In this case the fare will be a fixed price. However in general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle. The base fare is 1.80 euro and the minimum fare is 4 euro (price as at 2023).
• Price per kilometre. This is 0.90 or 1.25 euro depending on the time of day and whether it’s inside city limits (price at 2023). The higher charge is levied from midnight to 5am and when outside city limits.
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic.

There may also be extra charges for heavy luggage and for larger groups.

Ensure the meter is turned on when you get into the vehicle.

It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers in Greece. At most, Greeks may round up the fare to the nearest dollar as a tip.

Ride-share services in Athens Greece

Uber, Lyft, Grab and also other rider-share services do not operate in Greece. The closest alternatives are Uber Taxi as well as FREE NOW (mytaxi), both of which use taxi services.

Athens destination guide: Is Athens worth visiting?

Athens is a city that is definitely worth visiting. No other city has influenced Western civilisation as we know it more than Athens, and you can get a real appreciation of the city’s cultural significance through its many carefully preserved historical sites. However, you don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy the city. Athens is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with delicious cuisine, vibrant neighbourhoods and panoramic vistas. It is easy to get to with flights connecting Athens to all corners of the globe. Additionally, Athens is the perfect launchpad for exploring the country, with ferries from Athens to the Greek islands as well as plenty of land transport options for exploring mainland Greece.

Athens destination guide: How long to spend in Athens Greece

Athens is a city steeped in history. The Acropolis towers over the city and is just one of many ancient structures to explore. The city has a unique blend of old and new with plenty of different neighbourhoods to explore. A quick stopover will allow you to cover some of the highlights of the city and if you have more time you will never run out of things to do. We spent 4 days in Athens and enjoyed uncovering the rich history of the area as well as the many activities on offer.

Athens destination guide: What to do in Athens Greece

Athens is a vibrant Greek city with many activities on offer. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Athens destination guide: Free things to do in Athens Greece

There are enough free activities in Athens Greece to keep you entertained for a weekend or even a leisurely week:

• Plaka neighbourhood
• Mount Lycabettus
• Philopappos Hill
• Anafiotika
• Monastiraki neighbourhood
• Areopagus Hill
• Athens National Garden
• Psiri neighbourhood
• Syntagma Square
• Central Market Athens
• Monument to the Unknown Soldier
• Changing of the Guard
• Gazi neighbourhood
• Academy of Athens
• Pnyx Hill
• Ermou Street
• Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens
• Adrianou Street

For more details, see our Athens travel guide on the 18 Best Free Things To Do in Athens Greece.

Athens destination guide: Paid activities in Athens Greece

A number of attractions in Athens Greece charge an entry fee:

• Acropolis (including the Parthenon, Old Temple of Athena, Odeon of Herod Atticus, Temple Of Athena Nike, Theater Of Dionysus, Stoa Of Eumenes, Propylaea and Erechtheion) – entry fee for adults is 20 euro (April-October), 10 euro (November-March) (as at 2023).
• Acropolis Museum – entry fee for adults is 15 euro (April-October), 10 euro (November-March) (as at 2023).
• National Archaeological Museum – entry fee for adults is 12 euro (April-October), 6 euro (November-March) (as at 2023).
• Panathenaic Stadium – entry fee for adults is 5 euro (as at 2023).
• Ancient Agora of Athens (including Temple of Hephaestus) – entry fee for adults is 10 euro (April-October), 5 euro (November-March) (as at 2023).
• Benaki Museum – entry fee for adults is 12 euro (as at 2023).
• Museum of Cycladic Art – entry fee for adults is 12 euro (as at 2023).
• Temple of Olympian Zeus – entry fee for adults is 8 euro (April-October), 4 euro (November-March) (as at 2023).
• Hellenic Motor Museum – entry fee for adults is 10 euro (as at 2023).
• Museum of Illusions Athens – entry fee for adults is 11 euro (as at 2023).
• War Museum – entry fee for adults is 6 euro (as at 2023).
• Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology – entry fee for adults is 5 euro (as at 2023).
• Kerameikos Cemetery – entry fee for adults is 8 euro (April-October), 4 euro (November-March) (as at 2023).
• The Jewish Museum of Greece – entry fee for adults is 10 euro (as at 2023).
• Museum Herakleidon – entry fee for adults is 5 euro (as at 2023).

Weather in Athens Greece

Athens enjoys a warm temperate climate and is known as the hottest capital city in Europe. Its climate is classified as Mediterranean and has mild rainy winters, with average temperature range between 6°C and 13°C in the coldest month of January. Summers last from June to September and are hot and sunny, with the average temperature range between 23°C and 33°C in the hottest month of August. The month with the most rainfall is December with 7.0 days of rain on average and the driest month is July with an average of 1.1 rainy days.

Best time to visit Athens Greece

The most popular time to visit Athens is in summer between June and August. However at this time prices are highest and the weather is stifling with average temperatures exceeding 30°C. To enjoy much more pleasant weather, less crowds and lower prices we believe the best time to visit Athens is either April-May or September-October.

Internet and mobile phones in Greece

Since June 15th, 2017, Roam Like at Home (RLAT) rules came into force for European Union countries. Due to these rules, people with European Union mobile numbers are no longer charged temporary mobile roaming fees if they travel within the European Union. Consequently if you have a European Union mobile number, you can use that number anywhere within the European Union and you will be charged for calls, texts and data in the same rates as if you were in your home country. There are limits to this in order to prevent abuse of these rules.

There are three major internet and phone companies in Greece – Wind, Cosmote as well as Vodafone.

5G has been in Greece since December 2020. 2G is expected to be switched off in Greece in December 2025 and 3G is expected to be switched off in December 2022.

Greece is ranked 28^th fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 94^th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 45mbps and upload is 8mbps (as at May 2023).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in a numbers of places throughout Greece. These include phone stores, from street vendors as well as at airports.

How much to budget for Athens Greece?

Is Athens expensive?

For a major European city, Athens is a very budget friendly option. If you’re after an affordable city break, Athens is a superb option. Not only is it cheap to get to, with affordable flights from a wide number of destinations, but once you arrive there are plenty of bargains to be had. Whilst some activities like visiting the Acropolis are not cheap, you can buy a combo ticket to visit multiple historical sites, which provides great value. Additionally, the city is very walkable and is also well-serviced by public transport.

Athens destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Athens Greece

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 100 euro per day for a couple will get you budget accommodation, self catering and bakery meals, walking or catching local transport to get around the city as well as free or cheap activities.
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 euro per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, walking or catching local transport to get around the city, dining at reasonably priced cafes and restaurants and also some paid activities.
• Luxury spend – 1000 euro per day for a couple will get you a premium experience, staying at high end hotels, travelling by private transport, doing a range paid activities as well as eating at high end restaurants.

Athens destination guide: Accommodation in Athens Greece

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Athens Greece. Airbnb operates in Greece and we were impressed with the range of options available in Athens.

Where to stay in Athens Greece

We recommend the following accommodation in Athens:

• Best Athens hostel – When in Athens Hostel is a clean and comfortable hostel close to the city centre. The staff are friendly and helpful. The beds are comfortable and there is a large modern kitchen. However this hostel can be quite noisy, particularly for rooms facing the street.
• Best Athens budget hotel – Twin Circle Athens has peaceful accommodation and a friendly host. The rooms are clean, cosy and nicely decorated. The beds are particularly comfortable and there is a lovely courtyard area. It is conveniently close to restaurants and transport, but the neighbourhood isn’t the nicest.
• Best Athens B&B – Neratzia Rooms is a charming bed and breakfast in a quiet neighbourhood close to the Acropolis. It has a modern and inviting interior and the staff are friendly and accommodating. Guests can enjoy delicious breakfasts and there is also a great cafe downstairs.
• Best Athens mid-range hotel – Ethereal Athens is a stunning apartment in the heart of Athens within walking distance of the major attractions. It is very comfortable and spotlessly clean. The interior design is lovely and there are views of the Acropolis. The staff are very nice and helpful.
• Best Athens luxury hotel – Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens offers modern and spacious facilities and impeccable service. It is in a secluded location on the outskirts of Athens, around 30 minutes drive from both the city centre as well as the airport. The interior of the hotel is luxuriously and elegantly decorated and the beds are super comfortable. Additionally, this hotel boasts fantastic water views. Furthermore the staff provide exceptional service and the breakfasts are excellent.
• Best Athens furnished apartments – Acro Urban Suites offers stylish accommodation in an ideal location for exploring the city. Located right next to the Acropolis, it boasts spectacular views from its rooftop patio. It’s in a quiet neighbourhood and the staff provides exceptional service. The rooms are modern, clean and equipped with great amenities and a supremely comfortable bed.

How much is accommodation in Athens Greece?

Athens is a popular summer destination and therefore prices will vary depending on the season.

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – 9-35 euro for a dorm
• Mid-range accommodation – 40-200 euro for a private room
• Luxury accommodation – 150-300 euro a night for a luxury hotel
• Rental property – 90-1200 euro a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home

Athens destination guide: Food in Athens Greece

How much does food cost in Athens Greece?

Our price guide for your food budget in Athens Greece is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 10-40 euro for a main dish
• Bakery food (bread/pastry/cakes) – 1-2.50 euro
• Glass of wine – 4-12 euro
• Coffee – 2-4.50 euro

Couvert charge for restaurants in Greece

Most restaurants will charge a couvert charge if you are dining in. This cover charge is usually around 1-3 euro, but may be higher in touristy areas. It is a fixed per person charge and covers things like table linen, tableware as well as bread.

Service charge for restaurants in Greece

Some restaurants also charge a service charge. This service charge is generally around 5-15%. The service charge is instead of a tip. If you see a service charge listed on the bill, there is no need to leave an additional tip.

Traditional Greek dishes found in Athens Greece

• Cheese Saganaki – fried cheese
• Moussaka – creamy meat and eggplant dish
• Dolmades – stuffed vine leaves
• Souvlaki & Gyros – fast food meat dishes. The difference between these two dishes is how the meat is cooked. Souvlaki are grilled pieces of meat whereas gyros are thinly sliced pieces of meat cooked on a rotisserie
• Baklava – sweet dessert made with phyllo pastry, nut and honey syrup
• Kolokythokeftedes – courgette fritters
• Greek salad (Choriatiki)
• Bougatsa – sweet pastry eaten for breakfast
• Spanakopita – spinach pie
• Tzatziki – yoghurt, cucumber and garlic dip
• Taramosalata – fish roe dip
• Loukoumades – Greek donuts
• Greek yoghurt
• Amygdalota – a cookie
• Ouzo – anise-flavoured alcohol
• Frappé – iced coffee

Cheap Eats in Athens Greece

• Souvlaki and also gyros are our go to cheap eats option in Greece. Expect to pay around 5-6 euro per serving (prices as at 2022).

Fine dining in Athens Greece

Athens is home to a number of Michelin Guide restaurants.

2 star Michelin restaurants in Athens Greece (2023):

• Delta

1 star Michelin restaurants in Athens Greece (2023):

• The Zillers
• Soil
• Spondi
• CTC
• Hervé
• Botrini’s
• Varoulko Seaside
• Pelagos

Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Athens Greece (2023):

• Nolan
• Oikeîo
• Cerdo Negro 1985
• Hytra

Michelin Plate restaurants in Athens Greece (2023):

• GB Roof Garden
• Athénée
• Aneton
• Okio
• SENSE
• Linou Soumpasis k sia
• Annie Fine Cooking
• Vezené
• Cookoovaya
• Merceri
• Aleria
• VERi TABLE
• Le Pavillion

Athens Greece culture

Greece national holidays

• New Year’s Day – 1 January
• Epiphany – 6 January
• Clean Monday – 1^st day of lent for Orthodox Christians, typically March or April
• Independence Day – 25 March
• Orthodox Good Friday – typically in April or May.
• Orthodox Easter Monday – the Monday after Easter Day, typically in April or May.
• Labour Day – 1 May
• The Ochi Day (Mera tu Ochi) – 28 October
• Christmas Day – 25 December
• St Stephen’s Day – 26 December

National symbols of Greece

• Greece flag – a sky blue and white flag with nine equal alternating stripes of five blue as well as four white. Additionally in the upper hoist-side corner there is a blue square bearing a white cross.
• Greece coat of arms – a white cross on the blue shield surrounded by two laurel branches.
• National flower – laurel
• National bird – little owl
• Greece national animal – dolphin

Greece pastimes

• National dish – moussaka
• Popular drinks – ouzo, Ellinikos Kaffés (Greek coffee), frappe, Greek wine
• National sport – football (soccer)
• Religion – 90% Greek Orthodox, 3% Other Christians, 2% Islam (as at 2017)

Famous people from Athens Greece

• Famous people born in Athens Greece – philosopher Socrates, philosopher Plato, statesman Solon, lawmaker Draco, businesswoman Arianna Huffington, musician Tommy Lee
• Sports stars from Athens Greece – basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, basketball player Thanasis Antetokounmpo, basketball player Kostas Antetokounmpo

Is Athens Greece Safe?

Greece travel guide: Safety in Greece

We travelled through Greece for two weeks and found the country to be extremely safe. Greece ranks 54^th safest country on the Global Peace Index (as at 2023). As with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets particularly at crowded tourist attractions. Make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in Greece

Other general safety considerations for travel in Greece:

• Drinking water – the tap water in Greece is safe to drink in most major cities in mainland Greece. However tap water quality varies throughout Greece, particularly on the islands. If in doubt, ask at your accommodation.
• Mosquitoes – the tiger mosquito has been found in Greece. This type of mosquito spreads diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikunguya. After being eradicated in 1974, malaria returned to Greece in 2011. It is generally limited to May to October and only in some agricultural areas.
• Altitude sickness – Greece has areas of high altitude and therefore the risk of altitude sickness. If you are planning to visit any high altitude areas in Greece, be sure to allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience any signs of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
• Road safety – Road accidents are a significant risk on Greece. Road conditions are an issue, particularly in rural areas as well as in inclement weather conditions.
• Water safety – If you visit any of the islands, coastal areas or lakes, take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Earthquakes – Greece experiences earthquake activity. If you experience an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and also anything that could fall. If you are inside get under a table, desk or solid furniture and hang onto it. Cover your head as well as torso to protect from falling objects. If you are outside, stay outside and go to an open area away from buildings.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and also long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

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