travel info athens

Next 5 days

Climatic Data

Source: National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr

© Th. Gravanis

© Stian Rekdal

© Y. Skoulas

A journey through time

Points of Interest

• TRANSPORTATION

National Archaeological Museum

Acropolis Museum

Byzantine and Christian Museum

National Gallery - Alexandros Soutsos Museum

Museum of Cycladic Art

Panathenaic Stadium

Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, Athens

Benaki Museum of Islamic Art

Syntagma Square

Athens for shopping centre

National Garden

Biking in Athens

Pedion tou Areos

Nightlife in Athens

Bus Station Kifisou

Bus Station Liosion

Athens Railway Station

Unique Experiences

Historical Walkings in the city centre

Latest events.

Art Athina 2024

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Poor Things. The Costumes

The Parthenon and Byron

Dance Performances

AthenaStreet Car-Free

SNFCC Green Weekend 2024

Athens International Film Festival

41st Athens Marathon. The Authentic

Tips for your next trip.

A delicious visit to Athens' museums

Beautiful atriums and courtyards, balconies with breathtaking views and green gardens have been shaped as part of museum premises in Athens promise to offer you relaxing spots before or after your culture-oriented visits.

Athens Riviera

You don't need to get on a ferry to escape the bustle of the Greek capital: take a short bus ride and you'll find superb local beaches along the sheltered Saronic Gulf...

Museum cafés in Athens

LGBTQ+ Journeying to Athens

Filming in athens.

SUMMER HOLIDAY (1963)

Four London bus mechanics strike up a deal with London transport. They do up a double-decker London bus, drive it around Europe as a hotel and if they make it, they will in turn own and be in charge of a whole fleet. While on the road in France, they pick up three ladies whose car breaks down and offer to take them to their next singing job in Athens!

DIRECTOR: PETER YATES FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

THE BOY ON A DOLPHIN (1957)

A sponge diver ( Sofia Loren) on Hydra island discovers a sunken ship filled with artifacts, including a priceless ancient gold statue of a boy on a dolphin. She and her boyfriend enlist the help of an American archaeologist, but her boyfriend can't afford the asking price and ends up turning to an art collector for help.

DIRECTOR: JEAN NEGULESCO FILMING LOCATION: HYDRA, ATHENS, RHODES, KORINTHOS, POROS, KALABAKA, DELOS, DELPHI, SANTORINI

IN THE COOL OF THE DAY (1963)

An English book publisher, who is taunted and tormented by a grudging, embittered, anti-social wife, falls hopelessly in love with a fragile American girl, who has been sheltered and protected to the point of absurdity by her adoring husband. The couple soon run off to Greece together to pursue their romance.

DIRECTOR: ROBERT STEVENS FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, DELPHI

FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI (1977)

Even when he is supposed to be on holidays, Benji the dog is never far away from adventure. While traveling to Greece with his owners, Benji has a run-in with a secret agent (Ed Nelson), who hides something on him that a lot of unsavoury characters seem to want. Once in the foreign land, Benji becomes separated from his owners, and has to navigate his way through Athens with everyone chasing after him. All Benji wants is to be reunited with housekeeper Mary (Patsy Garrett) and the kids.

DIRECTOR: JOE CAMP FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

AMERICA AMERICA (1962)

Somewhere around 1900, a young Greek man lives a miserable life in a small village in Turkey as a member of the Greek minority. When the oppression by the Turks increases, his father provides him with the family treasures and sends him to Constantinople. There, he is supposed to make money and get the family to join him. But his own dream is going to America...

DIRECTOR: ELIA KAZAN FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

ATLAS (1961)

An evil king Praximedes is convinced to settle his dispute with his political rival by staging a battle to the death between their respective champions, and convinces superhero Atlas to fight for him. But Atlas eventually realises the king's true nature and turns against him...

DIRECTOR: ROGER CORMAN FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

BACKFIRE (1964)

A gold smuggler hires our hero to transport a stolen fortune to a new hideout. The smuggler sends him moll to accompany (and spy on) the hero. The two set out for Beirut to get instructions as to where the gold is located. They travel throughout exotic southeast Europe and the Middle-East seeking further instructions, never realizing that they have had the gold with them all along...

DIRECTOR: JEAN BECKER FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

GIRL ON THE BRIDGE (1999)

Adèle (Vanessa Paradis ) a waif who is unlucky in love decides to take her own life by jumping from a Paris bridge, when she gets a strange proposition from Gabor (Daniel Auteuil), a professional knife thrower. Together, their luck is unstoppable, and they have an almost psychic bond. But fidelity is not easy, even for those that are perfectly mached.

DIRECTOR: PATRICE LECONTE FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY (2014)

A con artist ( Viggo Mortensen)and his wife (Kirsten Dunst) find themselves in deep trouble in Greece after the former murders a detective. To escape from Greece, they must trust a stranger (Oscar Isaac) who is inherently untrustworthy.

DIRECTOR: HOSSEIN AMINI FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, CHANIA, HERAKLION

IN THE FADE (2017)

Katja's life falls apart in the blink of an eye when two neo-Nazis kill her husband and 6-year-old son in a bomb attack. Her quest for justice soon pushes her to the edge as the two suspects stand trial for murder. The movie has won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film while Diane Cruger won the award of Best actress at Cannes Festival.

DIRECTOR: FATIH AKIN FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

IT HAPPENED IN ATHENS (1962)

During the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, a poor shepherd decides to complete in them, while a glamorous actress promises to marry one of the winners of one of the games.

DIRECTOR: ANDREW MARTON FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

JUPITER'S THIGH (1980)

A honeymoon turns into a breathless country chase for a police inspector and a researcher of ancient Greek civilization.

DIRECTOR: PHILIPPE DE BROCA FILMING LOCATION: KALABAKA, PARGA, CORFU, ATHENS

MALE HUNT (1964)

A Frenchman is getting ready to marry the woman of his dreams. He begins to have second thoughts though when his best friend, a sworn bachelor, tells him that women only use marriage to exploit men. Under that influence, he leaves for Greece on his own.

DIRECTOR: EDOUARD MOLINARO FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, RHODES

MY LIFE IN RUINS (2009)

A Greek-American tour guide (Nia Vardalos) leads and assorted group of misfit tourists around Greece. In a hysterical clash of personalities and cultures, everything seems to go wrong.Until one day, a very special tourist (Richard Dreyfuss) shows her how to have fun and take a good look at the last person she'd ever expect to find love with: her quiet and sexy Greek bus driver (Alexis Georgoulis).

DIRECTOR: DONALD PETRIE FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, OLYMPIA, DELPHI

NEVER ON SUNDAY (1960)

A look at the life of Ilya, (Mercouri) a carefree Greek prostitute, who lives in the port of Piraeus and meets an American scholar Holmes (Dassin), an American tourist and classical scholar who adores all things Greek. The two try to change each others' perception and way of living for the better. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Original Song (Manos Hadjidakis for "Never on Sunday").

DIRECTOR: JULES DASSIN FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, PIRAEUS

NEW YORK STORIES (1989)

Τhree stories happening in New York. The first, by Scorsese, is about a painter who creates his works helped by high volume music and an attractive assistant; second, by Coppola, is about a rich and bold 12 years old who helps her separated parents to reconciliate; third, by Allen, is a witty piece of comedy about the impossibility of getting rid of the son's role. The one of Coppola includes a concert on top of the Acropolis Hill.

DIRECTOR: WOODY ALLEN, FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, MARTIN SCORSESE FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

A WOMAN AT HER WINDOW (1976)

The wealthy Austrian-born wife of a penniless Italian diplomat and playboy in 1936's Greece, amuses herself pursuing a shallow loveless affair with a nobleman. Her life is changed when she rescues a political activist she finds hiding beneath her window and falls in love with him...

DIRECTOR: PIERRE GRANIER- DEFERRE FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

RAISE THE TITANIC (1980)

The American military is developing an experimental defence system that requires an extremely rare mineral in order to work. It is known that around the turn of the century a miner exported some of the mineral. Hopes are dashed they learn that he transported the mineral on the Titanic. But perhaps the Titanic can be salvaged...

DIRECTOR: JERRY JAMESON FILMING LOCATION: HYDRA, ATHENS

RUBY CAIRO (1992)

A young widow discovers that her late husband had stashed a fortune in secret bank accounts across Europe, and sets off to follow a trail of clues encoded in a set of baseball cards.

DIRECTOR: GRAEME CLIFFORD FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

SIGNS & WONDERS (2000)

Alec (Stellan Skarsgard), an American living in Athens, leaves his wife (Charlotte Rampling) for another woman, Katherine (Deborah Kara Unger), but then tries to return to her over his guilt, but she's more interested in a Greek political activist (Dimitris Katalifos). He is under the influence of signs and premonitions with blue being his color, and yellow being the color of Katherine.

DIRECTOR: JONATHAN NOSSITER FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

TEMPEST (1982)

A middle- aged architect is going through a difficult mi-life crisis. He abandons his wife, leaves New York, and moves to Greece with his teenage daughter. He meets a singer, they become lovers and they move to a Greek island. One day, a twist of fate brings his wife and her new lover to the island due to a shipwreck.

DIRECTOR: PAUL MAZURSKY FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, PIRAEUS

THE 300 SPARTANS (1962)

In 480 BC Spartan king Leonidas led an extremely small army of Greek Soldiers (300 of them his personal body guards from Sparta) to hold off an invading Persian army more that 20 times as large. The actial heroism of those who stood (and ultimately died) with Leonidas helped shape the course of Western Civilization.

DIRECTOR: RUDOLPH MATE FILMING LOCATION: KORINTHOS, ATHENS

THE ANGRY HILLS (1959)

In 1941, an American journalist (Robert Mitchum) reporting from Greece is given a secret list og German collaborators to transport to British Intelligence headquarters. He is helped by Greek resistance fighters as he is pursued across the country by the Nazis...

DIRECTOR: ROBERT ALDRICH FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

THE BURGLARS (1971)

A band of crooks, led by a professional jewel thief, break into a mansion on the outskirts of Athens to steal a priceless collection of emeralds. The robbery is a success, but the gang miss their escape transport out of the country. Meanwhile, their leader is pursued by a crooked police chief, who will stop at nothing to lay his hands on the stolen jewels...

DIRECTOR: HENRI VERNEUIL FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, PIRAEUS, CORFU

THE GREEK TYCOON (1978)

She was the most famous woman in the world. He was a peasant, a pirate, a shark. The Greek Tycoon is the story of their fiery romance. Liz Cassidy, the unhappy widow of an assassinated American president, is pursued by womanising millionaire businessman Theo Tomasis, who proves to be very persistent. Starring Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Quinn, Edward Albert and James Franciscus.

DIRECTOR: J. LEE THOMPSON FILMING LOCATION: CORFU, ATHENS, MYKONOS

THE ISLAND OF LOVE (1963)

When their gangster- financed B- movie flops, two conmen flee to Greece to escape the mobster who's after them. Once there, they work up another scam to open a resort and one of them falls for the gangster's niece.

DIRECTOR: MORTON DA COSTA FILMING LOCATION: HYDRA, SPETSES, ATHENS

THE LITTLE GIRL DRUMMER (2018)

Brilliant young actress Charlie strikes up an acquaintance with an intriguing stranger while on holiday in Greece, but it rapidly becomes apparent that his intentions are far from romantic.

DIRECTOR: PARK CHAN- WOOK FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, NAXOS

THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT (1977)

A beautiful French woman falls in love with a dashing American pilot. She expects him to marry her, but instaed he abandons her. She later becomes a successful actress and manoeuvres to ahve him hired as the private pilot of her wealthy Greek lover, only to rekindle their passion.

DIRECTOR: CHARLES JARROTT

THE ROAD TO CORINTH (1967)

During the Cold War in Greece, NATO radar and missile systems experience mysterious Robert Ford and his wife, Shanny (Jean Seberg), takes over the investigation despite the opposition of the head of the secret service, Mr. Sharps (Michel Bouquet). The latter orders the intelligence agent Dex (Maurice Ronet), a friend of Robert and Shanny, to monitor Shanny's whereabouts. The film is also known as "Who's Got The Black Box?"

DIRECTOR: CLAUDE CHABROL FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS

THE STEPS (1966)

An artist returns to Santorini, where she spent her childhood, to face the ghosts of her past and her present. Starring Irini Papa, Umberto Orsini and Takis Emmanuel.

DIRECTOR: LEONARD HIRSCHIELD FILMING LOCATION: SANTORINI, ATHENS

THE TRIP TO GREECE (2020)

When Odysseus left Troy it took him ten years to get back to his home in Ithaca. Steve and Rob have only six days on their own personal odyssey in THE TRIP TO GREECE. On the way they argue about tragedy and comedy, astronomy and biology, myth, history, democracy and the meaning of life!

DIRECTOR: MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM FILMING LOCATION: LESVOS, HALKIDIKI, ATHENS, HYDRA, ITHACA

CHALTE CHALTE (2003)

This romantic Bollywood movie starring Shah Rukh Khan was extensively shot in the beautiful destination of Greece. Its famous romantic number, 'tauba tumhare yeh ishare,' was shot around Athens University, Lycabetos Hill, the Olympic Stadium and concludes on the picturesque island of Mykonos.

DIRECTOR: AZIZ MIRZA FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, MYKONOS

TINTIN ET LE MYSTERE DE LA TOISON D'OR (1961)

The famous Belgian reporter Tintin, along with his dog Snowy (Milou) and Captain Haddock, sail to Greece in an old rust bucket called the Golden Fleece. Soon enough though, the ship's hidden secret gets them all in big trouble.

DIRECTOR: JEAN JACQUES VIERNE FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, KALABAKA

THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING PANTS 2 (2005)

For the first time since their friendship began, four young girls are separated for a summer. One of them, Lena, visits her grandparents in Greece and meet Kostas, with whom she falls in love...

DIRECTOR: KEN KWAPIS FILMING LOCATION: SANTORINI

27 MISSING KISSES (2000)

A young woman's passion has a remarkable effect on a Russian village in this comedy-drama with fantasy elements. Sybill (Nino Kuchanidze) is a teenager who is sent to a small town in the country to spend the summer with her aunt. Despite her tender age, Sybill is ripe and sexually aware, and while the initial object of her attention is Alexander (Eugenji Sidichin), a widower in his early 40s, she instead pairs up with Mickey (Shalva Iashvili), Alexander's teenage son.

DIRECTOR: NANA DZHORDZHAZDE FILMING LOCATION: ATHENS, KALAVRYTA

40 CARATS (1973)

A forty-year-old conservative divorcee Manhattan realtor finds herself attracted (while on holidays in Greece) to a twenty-two year old New Yorker and they spend the night together. She then turns to New York and she is stunned to learn that he is her daughter's boyfriend. He then pursue her, and is uncertain of what to do...

DIRECTOR: MILTON KATSELAS

FANTASIES (1981)

Set on Mykonos Island, the story is about a sister (Bo Derek) and brother (Peter Hooten), who return home after years abroad. Falling under the island's erotic spell, the girl and boy discover that their love goes beyond filial. The incestuous nature of the story evaporates when it is discovered that the two aren't actually related after all.

DIRECTOR: JOHN DEREK

Other destinations

Elefsina 

Are you planning to travel to Athens? We can help! Introducing Athens includes up to date information on the best touristic attractions , where to stay or the best areas to eat out .

Athens Travel Guide

• General Information
• Top Attractions
• Getting to Athens
• Public Transport
• How to Save
• Where to eat
• Where to Stay
• 2-day itinerary

Athens is the capital of Greece and the country’s cultural, political, and economical hub. Birthplace of renowned artists and philosophers throughout antiquity , ancient Greek democracy had a deep influence on the design of other political institutions around the world.

There is no place quite like Athens to dive into Ancient Greece and learn about magnificent temples and imposing buildings that have remained standing for centuries.

Tourism in Athens

Athens was founded over 5,000 years ago and certain of its inhabitants have influenced the development of western culture.

The city’s numerous historic monuments make it a fascinating place to visit for tourists from all over the world . The Parthenon , the Acropolis , and the Ancient Agora are some of the most famous examples of ancient Greek buildings.

Although not all landmarks are beautifully preserved, the sum of them is surprisingly harmonious, a peculiar feature of classic architecture. Visitors will be left breathless and amazed.    

Athens has a lot to offer (not only impressive monuments), including an appetizing and varied Mediterranean cuisine . Colorful vegetables, juicy meat, and tasty cheese are only three elements of a long list of varied delicacies prepared in the purest Greek style. 

A holiday in Athens is never complete without a day trip to some of its nearby towns and villages .

How to organize your trip?

Before planning your travel, why not learn about the history of Athens and then check out the entry requirements for Greece? Once you know the basic information , then check out the most-visited tourist attractions and museums before booking your hotel and flights .

Book your hotel in advance

If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, we suggest visiting our search engine , where you’ll find all types of hotels, hostels, and apartments with the best rates guaranteed . You can get up to a 75% discount and pay once you get to your destination.

• Accommodation in Athens - find the best deals

top activities

On our  guided tour of the Acropolis of Athens , we'll explore this  iconic Greek temple complex  - a must if you visit the capital of Greece!

City Tour + Acropolis & the Museum Tour Athens & visit the Acropolis and its museum , one of the most important museums of the capital of Greece. Ideal for first-time visitors!

Ticket to the Acropolis of Athens With this ticket to the Acropolis in Athens you'll be able to visit one of the most emblematic places of Ancient Greece . Visit the landmarks of ancient Athens!

Delphi Day Trip Embark on a day trip to Delphi & discover what was once believed to be the center of the world , now one of the most popular destinations in Greece.

Hydra, Poros and Aegina Full-Day Cruise Discover three beautiful Greek islands on a full-day cruise of Hydra, Poros and Aegina and enjoy a peaceful day far from the hustle and bustle of Athens.

Enjoy the very best of Greek cuisine  on this food tour of Athens. You'll sample some of the most traditional and delicious dishes!

Corinth Canal, Mycenae & Epidaurus Day Trip Explore Classical Greece on a trip to the Corinth Canal, Epidaurus and Mycenae. Delve into Greek history and culture by discovering the  Argolis peninsula .

On this guided tour of the Acropolis and the Agora , we'll discover the foundations of one of the most influential civilizations in history !

On this tour of ancient Athens and the Acropolis , we'll travel back in time to explore the Greek capital. We'll the Parthenon , Agora , Monastiraki , and Plaka .

2-Day Delphi and Meteora Trip Set off on a unique 2-day tour from Athens to two of the most stunning parts of Greece : Delphi and Meteora, both must-sees.

Agistri, Moni and Aegina Cruise Traveling to Athens  and don’t know what islands to visit? On this day trip to Agistri, Moni and Aegina , swim in crystalline waters and see stunning landscapes.

Meteora 1 or 2 Day Trip Visit the  Meteora Monasteries , spectacular buildings that are perched on sandstone rock formations, on this 1 or 2-day   excursion from Athens !

Acropolis Museum Athens Ticket If you want to discover  Ancient Greek  culture , with this  ticket to the  Acropolis Museum , you'll admire numerous ancient artefacts from Ancient Greece.

Tourist Bus to Cape Sounion On the tourist bus to Cape Sunion you'll travel to one of the most important places of Greek mythology and you'll have an audio guide in English .

On this excursion to Mykonos from Athens, we'll take a ferry to and from the island , one of the most beautiful in Greece. An unforgettable day at sea!

7 Day Greek Island Tour: Santorini, Paros & Naxos Explore three of the most beautiful places in Greece on this 7 day Greek island tour from Athens . Visit Santorini, Paros and Naxos at your own pace.

Agistri, Metopi & Perdika Island Cruise Cruise with us around the stunning islands of Agistri, Metopi, and Perdika . Each has its unique charm, and you'll be able to swim in the crystal-clear waters.

Athens Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Explore the capital of Greece with style on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus . Learn about the history and culture of Athens as you admire its landmarks

Discover the landmarks in Athens lit up on this night walking tour around Monastiraki Square, one of the most lively and vibrant areas in the city.

Free Walking Tour of Athens Live and breathe the five thousand-year history of Athens, the foundation of European culture itself, in search of the traces of Plato, Archimedes and Zeus.

Museum of Cycladic Art Ticket The Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens is home to numerous Greek and Cypriot archaeological pieces. Delve in and find out more with this ticket.

Acropolis of Athens & 6 Archaeological Sites Ticket By booking this Acropolis ticket , you'll have access to 6 archaeological sites  in the surrounding area, such as Hadrian's Library and the Olympian .

Acropolis Entrance Ticket & Audio Guide Want to delve into classical Greece ? Then put on your headphones to explore the Acropolis as it once stood with this audio guide ticket .

Athens City and Acropolis Guided Tour Join a 3.5-hour guided tour of Athens in which you’ll discover the city’s main attractions and visit the impressive Acropolis with an expert guide.

Electric Bike Tour of Athens Explore Athens on an electric bike ! With this guided cycling tour, we'll experience the rich history and culture of this fascinating place.

Half-Day Trip to Cape Sounion Enjoy a unique afternoon by booking a half-day trip to Cape Sounion, home to the majestic Temple of Poseidon , practically entirely surrounded by the sea.

Athens Urban Art Walking Tour Are you a lover of urban art? Discover the other side of Athens on this tour of the Psyri neighbourhood, where graffiti takes centre stage.

3-Day Classical Greece Tour Discover Classic Greece by visiting Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia & Delphos on this 3-day tour. You'll also see ancient cities like Corinth & Arachova!

Athens Tuk Tuk Tour Explore Athens in a fast & unique way with this tuk tuk tour ! Plus, as a private tour, you'll be able to customize the stops according to your interests.

Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology Learn about the contributions Ancient Greek made to science and their advanced technology with this ticket to the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology .

Ticket to the Acropolis + Museum With this combo ticket, you'll be able to visit the world-famous Acropolis in Athens and enjoy the wonderful art housed in its museum.

Classical Greece Tour: 4 Days Delve into the past and discover Ancient Greece on a 4-day trip to Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphos and Meteora with an English-speaking guide.

Greek Cooking Class Learn about Greek cuisine, learn to prepare the delicious dishes and then indulge in the mouth-watering delicacies. An unmissable cooking class in Athens!

Athens Museum Pass The  Athens Museum Pass  offers access to the best museums in the Greek capital , saving you time and money. Make the most of your trip to the ancient city!

Athens Riviera Sunset Cruise On this sunset cruise along the Athens Riviera , you'll admire one of the lesser-known Greek coastlines as it's being tinged with orange and gold.

Athens Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket Make the most of your time in Athens to enjoy a unique, family-friendly activity with the Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket. Get ready to have a great time!

Acropolis & Museum Ticket + Audioguide Visit two of  Athens's most renowned sights  by reserving your  ticket and audioguide for the Acropolis and its accompanying museum.

Dinner in the Sky in Athens Enjoy  spectacular views over the ancient city of Athens while you delight your taste bus with a gourmet meal served 40 metres in the sky.

Athens Segway Tour Discover the Acropolis, Mars Hill, the Panathenaic Stadium and the ancient Agora on a segway and enjoy a very comfy tour of Athens.

iVenture Card Athens With the iVenture Card Athens, you'll have access to more than 30 attractions in the Greek capital, with important discounts in shops and restaurants.

Sunset Electric Bike Tour in Athens Embark on an enchanting sunset electric bike tour of Athens , pedaling past iconic landmarks with the mesmerizing sunset as your backdrop.

Authentic Athens Guided Tour Tour the Greek capital in search of its monuments and lesser-known corners with this alternative tour of Athens - a different way of discovering the greek life.

3-Day Santorini Trip If you had to choose one Greek island to visit, it's got to be Santorini ! This island offers incredible views, crystal water beaches and picturesque villages.

5-Day Mykonos & Santorini Package Mykonos and Santorini are two  of Greece's most famous islands thanks to their beaches and lively nightlife. Explore them on this 5-day trip!

Ancient Corinth Day Trip Join us for a day trip to Ancient Corinth from Athens where we'll travel back in time to discover one of the most important Greco-Roman cities in history!

Athens Riviera Electric Scooter Tour Explore the Athens Riviera in a fast, fun, and comfortable way on this electric scooter tour. You'll be mesmerized by the panoramic views of the Attica coast!

Athens National Archaeological Museum Ticket With this ticket to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens , you can visit one of the biggest exhibitions about Ancient Greece in the world .

Mykonos and Santorini: 4 Days On this four day tour we'll visit two of the most famous Greek islands, Mykonos and Santorini. Two unmissable, unforgettable destinations!

Why is our Athens travel guide better?

Introducing Athens has been written by experienced travelers who wish to help you plan your holidays to this enticing city in the best possible way, saving money and learning about everyday tips to make your trip memorable.

The information provided in this guide was updated in November 2022 . If you find a mistake or would like to make a suggestion , please do not hesitate to   contact us .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more

16 of the best things to do in Athens

Dec 7, 2023 • 8 min read

Experience the best of Athens with our guide to the top things to do in the Greek capital © Christopher Moswitzer / Shutterstock

As the birthplace of modern Western civilization, sprawling Athens has enough neoclassical buildings to keep you busy for a week.

Go beyond the Parthenon , though, and you'll discover a more youthful side to the city with new art galleries, languid cafe culture and outdoor cinemas. The Athens of today offers way more than relics of antiquity and quick routes to the Greek Islands — though we wouldn’t cross those off the to-do list just yet.

Here are Athens' best experiences.

1. Ascend the steps of the Acropolis to the Parthenon

The greatest symbol of the glory of Ancient Greece, the Acropolis rises spectacularly in the center of Athens. In the reign of Pericles, in the 5th century BCE, the hilltop was deemed a religious sanctuary. 

Just as pilgrims of millennia past made their way to worship here, you can ascend the marble steps on the west side to find yourself dwarfed by the towering columns of the magnificent Parthenon.

Detour: Complete your experience by seeing a concert or play at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus .

2. Gaze over the city from Filopappou Hill at sunset 

The mythical battleground of Theseus and the Amazons is one of Athens' best parks, studded with small ruins connected by beautiful stone paths that are themselves a minor architectural marvel. Make time in your schedule to come here around sundown one evening to watch the lights on the Acropolis switch on and glow gold against the blue sky.

Detour:  To the north, the Hill of the Pnyx offers equally compelling views and is almost always empty.

3. Shop at Monastiraki Flea Market

On Saturdays, central Athens throngs with shoppers looking for a bargain at the huge Monastiraki Flea Market , which takes place between the Monastiraki and Thisseio neighborhoods. 

Here, traders open up their secondhand stores to flog a jumble of flea-market finds, vintage clothing and oddities ranging from vintage magazines punctuated with bold Greek lettering to mid-century furniture and strange bric-a-brac. Look hard enough, and you’ll find some buried treasure (and if not, some insight into how modern Greeks have furnished their homes for the past 60 years).

4. See the birthplace of democracy in ancient Agora 

Follow in the footsteps of Socrates and his various political and philosophical cohorts at the Agora , the heart of ancient Athens' civic life and the birthplace of democracy. In the stately Stoa of Attalos (an architectural paradigm for shopping arcades that you'll recognize across modern Athens), the Agora Museum displays unusual finds from ancient daily life. 

The Temple of Hephaistos is exquisite and very well preserved; see how many of the Labors of Hercules you can identify on the frieze.

5. Journey through history at the National Archaeological Museum

Athens' preeminent museum houses the world’s largest and finest collection of Greek antiquities. Priceless items date from the Neolithic Era (6800 BCE) to the Cycladic, Mycenaean and Classical periods. 

It's gratifying to discover iconic sculptures of Western art history here, like the bronze figure of a bearded god and the disputed hammered gold death mask of Agamemnon, as you stroll through the galleries. Other surprises await, including frescoes from Santorini upstairs. 

6. See a show at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center 

A contemporary Athenian wonder, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center , designed by Renzo Piano, is home to both the Greek National Opera and the main branch of the National Library .

Seeing a performance here will be a highlight of your trip, but there are plenty of free things to see and do as well, including meandering through the stunningly beautiful Stavros Niarchos Park . Designed to showcase Mediterranean flora, the gently sloping gardens are the perfect spot to relax and take in the views and cooling sea breezes.

7. Walk among ruins at the Temple of Olympian Zeus 

Greece's largest temple was seven centuries in the making. Or rather, what used to be Greece's largest temple – today, only a handful of its colossal columns remain, as the rest were picked apart and reused in other buildings. The temple was dedicated to Zeus and, unofficially, to the Roman emperor Hadrian, who actually finished the construction job and erected a statue of himself. 

Planning tip:  While you're here, note Hadrian's Arch, congratulating him on his achievement. And explorers can seek out a sanctuary to Pan on the far side of this site.

8. Learn the story of Greece at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture 

If you have time for only one museum, make it this one. This impeccable private collection shows the spectrum of Greece from ancient times right up through the mid-20th century. It occupies a stunning neoclassical mansion, with fine art and mundane folk objects – both equally beautiful – displayed chronologically. 

As a kind of counterpoint to the pure classicism celebrated elsewhere in the city's archaeological sites, the Benaki collection tells the story of how Greece has absorbed foreign influences and ideas to create its uniquely syncretic culture.

9. Enter ancient Athens at Kerameikos

The city's ancient necropolis is home to the Street of Tombs, where classical VIPs were interred. Many of the finest grave markers are replicas; the originals are on display at the small, absorbing on-site museum. 

The area was also the ceremonial entrance into ancient Athens, and while the gates no longer stand and the arriving road is now a paved city street, it's still an interesting place to pause and imagine the activity that would've taken place here.

10. Join in with the local coffee culture

Athenians don't wait until the weekend to head out to catch up with friends; they spend their days under the shade of orange trees nursing coffees and conversing for hours.

By day, the leafy central neighborhoods of Pangrati and Exarhia are packed with locals spilling out from kafeneia  (Greek cafes) and into the streets, philosophizing (a favorite activity of any Greek), playing backgammon on marble table tops and sipping slowly on a cuppa.

11. Admire treasures in the Acropolis Museum 

Natural light cascades through the spacious galleries of the modern Acropolis Museum , illuminating the priceless treasures that have been removed from the hill and installed here for safekeeping. 

The pinnacle of the museum is the top-floor glass atrium, where the 161m-long frieze from around the top of the Parthenon (minus the portion still held in the British Museum ) is installed at eye level, so visitors can see all the details of this masterpiece in marble, and get a truer sense of its grand scale.

12. Check out the art scene

Athens is getting increasingly well-known for its art scene. From not-for-profit galleries like CheapArt Athens to well-established commercial galleries like The Breeder  and the  Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation , and the National Museum of Contemporary Art , which opened in 2020, the city's creative side is thriving.

Add to that a flurry of international artists who have moved to the city and set up spaces like  Kypseli Print Studio  – a print screening studio that hosts workshops for people of all abilities – and  Haus N , a creative hub for new installations and works by young Greek artists, and it's easy to see the landscape changing for the better.

13. Watch the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square

In the very heart of Athens stands the rose-toned Hellenic Parliament building on Syntagma Square . Try and catch its ceremonious changing of the guard. Two guards are always in residence here, dressed in traditional Evzones costume, a tasseled fez hat, thick kilt and stockinged legs with pom-pom shoes.

In summer, the customary get-up gets so hot that these guards have to be dabbed at with tissues, as they are unable to move from their positions protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It’s only on the hour that they can finally break free to move in perfectly choreographed synchronicity, kicking their legs high as they march to change guards.

14. Hit the beaches of the Apollo Coast

Escaping the heat of the city is easy in Athens: just head to the beach. In the sweltering summer months, take the A1 tram to the Palaio Faliro neighborhood for a palm tree-lined promenade and a soft, sandy beach.

Further along the Apollo Coast are the more upmarket southern suburbs of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, with no shortage of luxury beach clubs should you want a full day off from sightseeing. Out of season, Vouliagmeni has a burgeoning surf scene.

Planning tip:  If you are willing to travel a little further for some beach time, head to Aegina on a  day trip .

15. Snap a shot on the winner's pedestal at the Panathenaic Stadium

With its rows of white Pentelic marble seats built into a ravine next to Ardettos Hill, this ancient-turned-modern stadium is a draw both for lovers of classical architecture and sports fans who can imagine the roar of the crowds from millennia past. A ticket gets you an audio tour, admission to a tiny exhibit on the modern Olympics (mainly eye-candy games posters) and the opportunity to take your photo on a winners' pedestal.

The stadium – built in the 4th century BCE and restored for the first modern Olympic games in 1896 – was first used as a venue for the Panathenaic athletic contests. It's said that at Hadrian's inauguration in CE 120, a thousand wild animals were sacrificed in the arena. Later, the seats were rebuilt in marble by Herodes Atticus.

16. Visit the miraculous Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris

At the foot of Filopappou Hill, this 16th-century church may not be the oldest in Athens, but it is certainly one of the loveliest, with a heavy timber roof, marble floors and the permanent scent of incense. A great 1732 fresco of St Dimitrios, astride his horse in a pose copied from ancient images of Alexander the Great, adorns the interior.

The churchyard, with its wooden gate and bells, conjures Japan – a touch by modernist architect Dimitris Pikionis, who also applied his precise style to the restoration of the back exterior wall, a delightful piece of stonework. In 1648, the church was the site of a reported miracle. The Turks, ensconced on the Acropolis, prepared to fire a cannon on worshippers gathered in the church, but the gunner was killed by lightning, saving the congregation, hence its name, Loumbardiaris ("of the cannon").

This article was first published Mar 10, 2020 and updated Dec 7, 2023.

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Athens, Greece, According to Travel Experts Like Rick Steves

The ancient Greek city delivers one memorable vacation.

Cavan Images/Getty Images

There’s not much that hasn’t been written about the perks of visiting Athens, Greece. The ancient city has long been a popular travel destination, thanks to its bountiful historical sites, distinct architecture, and oh-so fantastic food. But just because it’s all been said doesn’t mean it isn’t worth repeating. So, we’ll say it one more time: Athens is, without question, one of the world’s greatest travel destinations, especially for those famed attractions. And we’re not the only ones who share this sentiment. 

“The Acropolis, one of the most important ancient sites in the Western world, is crowned by an architectural masterpiece: the mighty Parthenon,” Rick Steves told Travel + Leisure . “I visit in the cool of the early evening, when the crowds are gone and the setting sun turns the marble golden.”

But Athens' appeal goes far beyond its history lessons. “Athens has a vibe. The restaurants and bars feel intimate, and visitors can either indulge in the city's vibrant nightlife scene or simply go for a stroll at night — the city is second to none during the evening,” Alys Colayera, the lead travel expert for Greece at Black Tomato, shared with T+L. Colayera also called out the city's shopping scene, noting, "The boutique shops have tons of local artisans selling high-quality Greek crafts, jewelry, and clothing.”

Ready to start plotting your own Athens adventure? Here’s how to plan the perfect trip. 

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Don't miss Greece's most recognizable landmark — the Acropolis. Get there early to experience it with fewer crowds.
• Spend a night at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, T+L readers' favorite hotel in 2023 World's Best Awards.
• Head to Syntagma Square to watch the official changing of the guard every hour on the hour.
• Grab a souvenir or a snack in the famed Plaka neighborhood.
• Order a coffee at Minu, arguably the coolest cafe in Greece, and then sit in its garden or take it to go to explore the antique shops nearby.

Courtesy of The Four Seasons

Best Hotels and Resorts 

Four seasons astir palace hotel athens.

The Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens — a T+L reader favorite in 2023 — holds a prime location along the Athens Riviera, providing ocean views while remaining just a short drive from all the city's major attractions. It also sits on 75 private acres, making it an ideal spot for those looking for a bit of solitude. 

Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens

“My all-time favorite [hotel] is the Grande Bretagne , a landmark right in the heart of the city that celebrates 150 years of history this year,” said Christos Stergiou , a T+L A-List Advisor and founder of TrueTrips . “From its rooftop restaurant to its elegant lobby and rooms, it epitomizes class and culture.” Plus, it doesn’t hurt that this property is consistently a top choice in T+L’s World’s Best Awards, coming in second for our readers’ favorite hotels in Athens in 2023. When only the best accommodations will do, this property ticks all the boxes.

Gatsby Athens

For a truly central stay in the city, there's no better place than the Gatsy Athens . Located right outside the Plaka neighborhood, the property makes for a fantastic home base for those looking to walk just about everywhere in the city. Inside, guests will find a playful space filled with art deco touches and a fantastic food and beverage program. Just don’t miss the guest-only rooftop, which provides spectacular views of the city. 

Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure

Best Things to Do 

Visit the acropolis..

As Steves alluded to, no trip to Athens is complete without a visit to the Acropolis . And it’s a sentiment Colayera agrees with. “The Acropolis is the epitome of ancient Greek architecture and a symbol of Athens. It houses several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon,” said Colayera. The best time to go is early morning or late evening, when the crowds are thinner, though you should always expect other tourists hanging around. Want to make the most of your visit? Colayera also suggested checking out the Acropolis Museum, home to a collection of artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations of the Acropolis. “The exhibits offer insights into the daily life, rituals, and artistry of the people who lived in Athens during different periods,” Colayera added. 

See Hadrian’s Library.

Another fantastic historic landmark to visit while in Athens is Hadrian's Library. The building, built in 132 A.D., was used as an entertainment space, lecture hall, and, yes, an actual library. Today, just a few columns and sections remain, but visitors are welcome to walk through and imagine what used to be. Tickets are only $3 or can be purchased as a combination with the Acropolis. 

Watch the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square.

Looking for a fun free activity in the city? Visitors to Athens can watch the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament building at Syntagma Square every hour on the hour. And every Sunday at 11 a.m., the official event takes place in full regalia. Just plan to arrive a little early to snag a front-row seat. 

Visit the National Museum of Contemporary Art.

For something a little more new school, head to the National Museum of Contemporary Art . The museum’s mission is to preserve contemporary works by Greek and international artists across disciplines. It includes both permanent and rotating collections, so check its website before going to know what to expect. 

Ken Welsh/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Best Shopping 

It’s hard to ignore the Plaka neighborhood of Athens. It is, after all, at the base of the Acropolis. But really, there’s no need to ignore it, especially if you want to go home with a memorable souvenir or two. Explore the area by simply allowing yourself to wander its streets, popping into any shop that catches your eye and perhaps grabbing a frappe along the way on a hot day, too. 

Find yourself in one of the city’s most colorful neighborhoods with a visit to Psirri. Located about a 15-minute walk from Plaka, Psirri offers travelers the chance to admire some of the best street art in the world ( book a tour with Kalliopi for the ultimate insider experience), peruse unique stores, step into a few third-wave coffee shops, and eat plenty of local Greek cuisine. 

Anthologist

For those seeking an all-around shop, where you can pick up everything from high-end goods to more affordable trinkets curated from around the globe, look no further than Anthologist . The store, owned by travel tastemaker Andria Mitsakos, is a visual paradise, filled with goodies you’ll want to stuff in your suitcase. 

RUBEN RAMOS/Getty Images

Best Restaurants 

Begin a day in Athens by mixing fantastic food with shopping at Minu , a third-wave coffee shop and boutique. The space is gorgeous — find a back corner to settle into, go all the way up to its loft area, or sit outside on the patio when the weather is right. Order a coffee and a bite to eat (menu items include smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and more).

Enjoy another delicious alfresco meal in Athens at Soil , a sustainably focused, Michelin-starred restaurant. The ingredients here are grown in the chef’s private garden, providing flavors you can’t taste anywhere else. Book a table (preferably outside) and don’t even worry about ordering, as you can opt for the seasonal tasting menu and enjoy every bite. 

Don’t leave Athens without digging into some tasty Greek desserts. When I was a child, my Greek grandmother would make loukoumades , so it’s a personal favorite, and in Athens, you can get a taste of the same at Lukumades . Smothered in honey and cinnamon, the dough balls are small enough to pop in your mouth one after another — and you won't be able to stop at just one.

Starcevic/Getty Images

Best Time To Visit

There's no bad time to visit Athens, but according to Steves, the spring shoulder season is particularly lovely. “I was last in Athens in April 2022, and it was a great time to visit. The weather was cool and pleasant, and the city wasn’t crowded,” he said. “It just felt good.” Indeed, both the spring shoulder season (April to mid-June) and the fall (September through October) offer visitors the chance to explore the city in milder weather. Summer is the peak period, and with it comes sweltering temperatures . So, if you don’t tolerate heat (or crowds) well, try to book your stay outside of July and August.  

How to Get There

By Air: Travelers from around the world can make their way to Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). It’s serviced by every major airline, including Delta and American, which offers direct flights from the U.S. 

By Sea: Athens is an ultra-popular port for cruises, including MSC Cruises , Crystal Cruises , Seabourn , Royal Caribbean , and more.  

How to Get Around

By Rental Car: Rental cars are readily available in the city, at the airport, and at the ferry terminal. Just make sure to book an automatic as early as possible if you can’t drive a manual, as they tend to be in short supply.  

By Taxi: Both yellow cabs and Ubers are plentiful around Athens. Simply open the app or hail the next one you see. Prices are about €1 per kilometer .

By Metro: Athens has a robust metro system to get you around the city with ease. There's also a metro line directly to and from the airport. Pick up a rechargeable Ath.ena ticket , which starts at €1.20. 

By Foot: Athens is a walkable city. If you enjoy slowly taking in the sights and popping in and out of shops and cafes, this is the way to go. You never know what you may find along the way.

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Planning a Trip to Athens: The Ultimate Travel Checklist

• Last Updated on: Jan 25, 2024
• Read Time 18 mins
• Published: Mar 20, 2020

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You’ve already heard and read about the wonders of Athens, the archaeological sites, the Parthenon, the sandy beaches, the nearby islands, and the picturesque city center. Now it’s time to visit this intriguing destination yourself. But where do you start? How do you prepare for a relaxing vacation with no unpleasant surprises? This travel checklist will cover all the things you need to consider before you start planning your trip to Athens, Greece, and answer all your questions to help you ensure that your holiday will be no less than flawless. In addition, at the end of the article, you’ll find a quick guide for first-time visitors to Athens that will go through all the things that should be on your bucket list and all the attractions you should not miss when you get there. So, keep reading, make sure to tick all the boxes off your travel checklist, and prepare for the most unforgettable vacation.

Travel Checklist for Athens, Greece

This 10-point travel checklist should be your starting point and your most trustworthy travel planning partner if you want a seamless vacation. After all, what better way to prepare for a trip to Athens than to get all the information you need directly from the locals? Without further ado, here’s all you need to know about your upcoming Athens trip.

1. Get your passport ready and check the visa requirements

Greece is one of the only two countries in the Balkans that is a part of the Schengen Zone which means that if your passport was issued in a country that also belongs to the Schengen Zone, you will not need a visa to get to Athens.

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong S.A.R, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao S.A.R, Macedonia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela

Keep in mind, however, that some of these countries have some special requirements you have to meet before being allowed to travel within the Schengen Zone without a visa. It’s always best to check with your local authorities beforehand.

Also, note that the 90-day period starts counting from when you land in any Schengen country. Lastly, it’s always best to travel with a passport that expires no less than 6 months from the date of your trip.

If you have any questions regarding your passport or visa status after arriving in Athens, we recommend checking with your country’s embassy or consulate. You can find an extensive list of foreign embassies and consulates in Athens here .

2. Book your flights early

We always say it, but there is no way to stress this enough: if you want to get a cheap flight to Athens, you’ll have to book your tickets early!

Tip : Aviasales searches travel and airline sites to help you find cheap flights at the best prices . Search for tickets with 728 airlines and leading ticket offices and get the best prices on flights.

Especially if you’re traveling from faraway places like North America or Australia, booking your ticket well in advance will not only guarantee that you get a good deal but also that there will be enough time for you to schedule all your activities in time and book any tours, ferry or train tickets you will be needing.

You can book any tours or tickets here .

Greece is primarily a summertime tourist destination. Thus, many more flights are operating during the summer months to choose from.

Sometimes, flying to Athens and then getting on a ferry or another flight toward the islands is quite cheap. Plus, you might get the chance to spend a day in Athens – or more!

In our experience, you can get the best deals by searching and comparing flights on Aviasales , a cutting-edge flight search platform with frequent offers and real-time updates.

3. Plan your Athens itinerary

Regardless of how much time you plan to spend in Athens, you should always be one step ahead and have an organized schedule.

A well-crafted itinerary always makes for an enjoyable trip. The first thing you’ll need to ask yourself before starting to plan every step of the trip is what kind of vacation you are looking for.

Save Money : If you are planning to visit some must-see archaeological sites in Athens, plus the Acropolis Museum it is much cheaper to buy the Athens Pass than to buy single tickets.

Athens Pass Tourist Card: A Single Ticket for All the Must-See Attractions in Athens

Athens combines nature, culture, urban walks, gastronomy, and nightlife in an exciting blend that will make this decision difficult.

We have some good and some bad news for you. The bad news is that fitting everything into your Athens itinerary will be impossible. But here’s the good news: whatever you choose to do on your vacation, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re planning to stay in Athens for more than a week:

You’ll have plenty of time for the most famous attractions and explore the city’s best neighborhoods at your own pace. So why not take it a few steps further?

We highly recommend taking a day trip away from Athens to discover one or more of the country’s famous sites like the unique Meteora , the enigmatic site of Delphi , or Ancient Olympia .

You can find a few more ideas about great day trips from Athens right below.

Best Day Trips From Athens To: Ancient Sites – Islands – Towns

If you’re planning to stay in athens for less than a week:.

Of course, you should prioritize visiting the must-see attractions , but you’ll also have the chance to explore some lesser-known spots.

Start by discovering the hidden gems of Athens , make sure to dive into the vibrant nightlife, and don’t forget to get a taste of authentic Greek cuisine. Last but not least spend some hours exploring Anafiotika, the hidden island under the Acropolis .

Now, if sandy beaches are what you are after, consider taking a short cruise to the Saronic Gulf islands.

The Ideal Day Trip From Athens to Saronic Gulf Islands

If you’re planning to stay in athens only for a few days:.

If you’re planning a weekend in Athens , the top attractions like the Parthenon and Acropolis Museum should be at the top of your list.

You’ll also have time to explore a few of the city’s most famous neighborhoods like the picturesque Plaka and the famous Monastiraki .

We highly recommend booking a guided tour to these places to save time and make the most out of your visit to Athens.

Finally, if you’re only visiting for a day, have a look at this guide to planning the perfect one-day itinerary for your trip. And don’t worry if you don’t make it to all of the stops; you can always come back!

4. Book your activities in advance

Apart from day trips and island cruises, there is a wide array of options for activities in Athens you can choose from.

From urban sightseeing walks that will take you through the most famous attractions, nightlife walking tours, and charming rooftop sunset tours to street food tours and watersports activities, there is not much you cannot do in Athens.

Keep in mind that if you are traveling during the tourist season of Greece (April to September), you have to book any activities in advance to secure a spot.

Try having a look here for more exciting ideas and tours with guaranteed lowest prices in Athens.

5. Book your accommodation

If you are a frequent reader, you already know that we mention this a lot, but this simple tip is perhaps the most important piece of advice you must follow.

Book your hotel right after you book your flights!

Athens is indeed home to many hotels, but that doesn’t mean that all of them offer high-quality amenities at reasonable prices or are located in privileged spots in the city.

Discover the Best Hotels in Athens: A Guide to the Best Areas to Stay

If you want to get a good deal for your stay in Athens and be sure your money is well spent, you must book in advance.

One of the hotels we usually recommend to our readers is the Attalos Hotel .

This hotel is located in a perfect location within a 15-minute walk of all important sights, restaurants, and interesting neighborhoods.

Check some photos and reviews on Booking.com

We recommend using booking.com , one of the largest booking platforms worldwide to make sure you get access to exclusive offers. Plus, you can get free cancellation for bookings made even months before your arrival.

6. Pack your bags

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but we’ve all had trips ruined by forgetting some of our most essential things. Make a packing list and be sure to include the following:

• Beach attire and accessories . Downtown Athens is just a breath away from a few spectacular beaches . Ensure you have your swimsuit and anything else you might need at the beach.
• Sunscreen . Even if you don’t plan to go to the beach, the summer weather in Athens can be cruel. You don’t want to get sunburnt while walking up the Acropolis or strolling down the sunny streets in the city center.
• Medication . Even though there are pharmacies everywhere in the city center, buying almost anything requires having a doctor’s prescription and you will have a hard time buying even common medicine. ( Pro tip : if you’re planning to travel by ferry, make sure to pack some seasickness pills for windy days).
• A smartphone . You’ll even be able to purchase a SIM card in Athens and have a local number with just your ID. Having a smartphone with a local number will also allow you to use taxi apps in Athens.
• Appropriate clothing . Make sure to pack a pair of sneakers for all those long walks up and down the hills of Athens and a spring jacket even if you’re traveling in the middle of the summer. Nights in Athens can be chilly, especially in places near the seaside like the Athens Riviera .

7. Have some cash ready

The monetary unit of Greece is the Euro. Most major credit cards are accepted throughout Greece but we recommend that you try to make some exchange and have cash with you before getting to downtown Athens.

A few (though rare) restaurants, cafes, and kiosks still do not accept credit cards. Also, remember that you won’t be able to use a credit card with street vendors or taxis.

If you don’t want to carry cash with you on your flight, you can exchange any currency at the Athens International Airport by withdrawing money from the ATMs or at the currency exchange booths.

8. Prepare for your arrival

It’s time to get prepared for all the practical stuff. The main concern you will have as soon as you arrive in Athens will be how to get to the city center and locate your hotel.

If you plan to land at Athens International Airport , you will have three different transportation options: the metro, the bus, or a taxi.

The metro station is located right outside the airport and is a terminal stop (blue line). Boarding the metro will take you to Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Kerameikos in downtown Athens , as well as the port of Piraeus.

In addition, four bus routes (X93, X95, X96, X97) head in different directions throughout Athens and all the way to Piraeus port .

The metro ticket costs €9 and the bus ticket to Athens or the port of Piraeus costs €5.30 .

If you want to save time, we recommend getting a taxi. There is a fixed price for rides from the airport to the city center at €40 in the daytime (05.00 – 00.00) and €55 at night (00.00 – 05.00).

That is all the information you need to get from the airport of Athens to the city center . For more information on how to get around Athens after you have reached downtown, have a look here .

9. Learn a few common words in Greek

Communicating in English while in Athens -and especially at all the tourist hotspots- will not be a problem. However, learning a few words in Greek will be a fun way to make your way around, and it will surely put a smile on people’s faces. Here are a few words you need to know to make a great first impression:

• Hi – Yah
• Yes – Né
• No – Okhi
• Thank You – Efkharistó
• Please or Welcome – Parakaló
• Do You Speak English – Miláte Angliká?
• I don’t speak Greek – Den miláo eliniká
• Excuse Me – Signómi
• Good Morning – Kaliméra
• Good Evening – Kalispéra
• Goodnight – Kalinikta (only say this when you are bidding someone goodbye)

A Quick Guide for First-Time Visitors to Athens

We’re not done yet! If you need a travel checklist for Athens, it’s safe to assume that you are a first-time visitor.

So, after ticking off all of the boxes above, we’ll give you a little bit of information on our beloved city so that you get to know it better before arriving.

When Is the Best Time To Travel To Athens?

The most convenient period to travel to Athens is during spring and autumn because of the pleasing weather with temperatures that are not as hot as the summer months but still warm enough to enjoy your stay.

Also, there are fewer visitors during these periods, meaning that all the famous sites and museums will be less crowded and the hotels cheaper and easier to book.

Wintertime is also quite an interesting time to visit Athens if you want to experience the city without all the flashy touristy stuff, like a true local. You can get a feel of what visiting Athens in the winter could be like by going through this guide .

Summertime is the peak tourist season and when the city is at its busiest.

If you can handle the tourist crowds and the hot weather, visiting Athens in the summer will be an unforgettable experience, especially if you plan to go on a day trip to an island or enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife.

If you want to read more about when is the best time to visit Athens, please read this detailed article .

Tradition and Culture of Athens

Greece is a country full of culture, customs, and traditions that date back thousands of years.

And while it’s true that Greek culture is best experienced in small places in the countryside, you’ll find that Athens will make for a trip completely different from anything else you have experienced in Europe – or the world!

If you’re lucky enough to visit on Christmas or Easter, you’ll get the chance to witness unique festive celebrations and get in touch with local culture.

Christmas in Athens: Weather – Tips – Where to Go and What to Do

Also, don’t miss out on joining any local event. A Greek wedding or christening feast would be the best example, but simply hanging out with the locals at a tiny taverna or a traditional kafenion will be enough for you to get in touch with Athenian culture .

Hospitality in Athens

Greek hospitality is definitely not a myth, even in the big city of Athens! Just spark a conversation with any local, and you’ll soon discover that Greeks are big on hospitality.

People are friendly and will be more than happy to give you instructions on the street or help you out with anything you need.

The uniqueness of Greek hospitality is also reflected in the hotel’s services and staff and the local gastronomy scene.

What You Should Not Miss When You Visit Athens

You shouldn’t miss the lovely walk around the Acropolis (built for the Olympic games and finished in 2002), starting from the site of the Arch of Hadrien and the Temple of the Olympian Zeus , passing by the amazing theatre of Herodes Atticus, and descending to Thissio , where you can enjoy a drink or a coffee in one of the nice cafés with view on the Acropolis.

A guided tour of the ancient sites of Athens is strongly recommended

Make sure to reserve an entire morning to visit the majestic Acropolis , some of the best museums in Athens, and the lovely little theatre of Dionysus on the southeast slope of the Acropolis.

Check out this skip-the-line ticket for all the sites in Athens.

Combined Ticket for the Acropolis & the Archaeological Sites in Athens

Places to go when in athens.

Start by walking around the city center between the small streets of Plaka and pass by the flea market in Monastiraki.

Please your senses with colors and odors at the Athens Central Market on Athinas Avenue, home to local fruit and vegetable vendors and little shops selling nuts, herbs, honey, and dried fruits.

Read our detailed article about the Athens central market and learn how to get there, the opening hours of the Varvakeios, and many more.

A Hidden Foodie Oasis: Visit the Athens Central Market

You can also take a walk in the district of Psiri where you can find a lot of artisanal shops, a few modern shops with home furniture, as well as several restaurants and tavernas, trendy bars, and wine places.

Of course, you must visit Lycabettus Hill and enjoy the wonderful view from there. Lycabettus Hill is a vantage point that gives a great view of the city of Athens below.

On a clear day, you can see as far as Mount Parnitha in the north, Piraeus in the west, and the Saronic Gulf in the south.

Lycabettus Hill, which means “Hill of Wolves,” is the place to be on “Clean Monday,” which is the first day of Lenten according to the Greek Orthodox Church. Athenians gather here to fly kites on this day, and the sky is full of colors.

Cabs go half the distance and then you have to walk to the top.

Another option is to take the funicular and you’ll cover the distance in two minutes. The cable cars are available every half hour from 9 am till midnight.

Syntagma Square is another place you can’t miss. Look at the imposing neoclassical building of the Greek Parliament (the old king’s palace) and take a few photos of the Evzones (Greek guards wearing the traditional fustanella skirt, hat, and shoes) who guard it.

Syntagma Square in Athens: The Central Meeting Point of the City

Finally, for a bit of freshness and nature, go for a walk in the National Garden or the charming Gardens of Zappeion.

And that’s just the beginning. Check out our guide on the top things to do in Athens here , and tailor your itinerary to suit your tastes and preferences.

That’s all the essential information you will need to start planning your trip to Athens.

We hope that you find our travel checklist for your upcoming trip to Athens useful and that you’ll be able to enjoy this marvelous city absolutely stress-free.

Follow our tips, and we are certain that your vacation will be one that you will never forget.

Athens Uncovered: Must-Visit Places for Every Traveler

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Remember that Athens By Locals is here to guide you with planning the perfect trip to Athens and help you every step along the way. If you didn’t found what you’re looking for, or need any recommendations about your trip to Athens, feel free to  contact us  and we will do our best to help you. Please be as more detailed as possible regarding your subject so as to help you better.

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Athens   Travel Guide

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18 Best Things to Do in Athens, Greece

Athens offers an endless number of experiences and attractions, from its ancient monuments and museums to medieval churches and high-end boutiques. You could easily spend several weeks wandering the city and exploring its best-preserved artifacts and

• All Things To Do

Acropolis Acropolis

While there are many more acropoleis (the plural of "acropolis") in Greece, it's this one in central Athens that garners the most attention. In fact, it's routinely referred to simply as " The Acropolis." The site is an elevated, flat-topped rock with an assortment of monuments and ruins built throughout the 5th century BC , including the Parthenon , the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion .

Travelers say the hike to the Acropolis is just as memorable as the sites it holds. If you're going to try it, many suggest beginning your trek in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak temperatures and crowds. For the best photos and views, arrive shortly before sunset. Visitors with mobility issues will have access to an elevator; however, some travelers noticed others struggling to move wheelchairs around the property, which lacks ramps and has gravel pathways, so allow extra time when using a wheelchair.

Acropolis Museum Acropolis Museum

U.S. News Insider Tip : Once you're inside the Acropolis Museum, look for the famous caryatids – a collection of marble statues that were replaced by copies on the Erechtheion for the purpose of their preservation. – Holly D. Johnson

As its name suggests, the Acropolis Museum – which resides in central Athens' Makrigianni district just below the ancient site itself – houses various archaeological findings from the Acropolis. Key exhibits include a relief of Athena Nike, several carved statues from Erechtheion , the head of a statue of Alexander the Great and a gallery with various Parthenon artifacts.

Parthenon Parthenon

U.S. News Insider Tip : If you're visiting during the scorching summer months, get up early and head to the base of the Acropolis before 8 a.m. Summer temperatures average in the high 80s and 90s, and the long lines can leave you standing in the heat for hours.  – Holly D. Johnson

An impressive example of ancient Greek architecture, the Parthenon is a cultural landmark like no other.

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Plaka Plaka free

The beautiful, historical neighborhood of Plaka, located under the Acropolis , is largely residential. Still, its assortment of restaurants and cafes keep it swarming with tourists each summer. You can also shop, especially if you're looking to bring home some gold or silver jewelry. 

Motor vehicles are not permitted on this neighborhood's winding streets, so make sure you have a street map (or access to maps on your phone) and a comfortable pair of shoes. Visitors say the Plaka offers a charming atmosphere and plenty of great shops for both souvenirs and one-of-a-kind finds. If you'd rather sip a drink once the sun goes down, travelers suggest visiting one (or several) of the area's vibrant clubs or bars. 

National Archaeological Museum National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum contains some of the most revered artifacts of Greece, dating back to 5000 B.C., and is considered one of the world's best museums for ancient Greek art. For many recent travelers, this museum was the highlight of their trip.

Prior visitors said this museum is well laid out and offers informative and interesting displays. A few reviewers reported feeling overwhelmed by all of the artifacts on display, and recommended mapping out which exhibits you'd like to see ahead of time to maximize your visit. For many, seeing Agamemnon's gold death mask was a must. Several travelers recommend breaking up your visit with a stop at the on-site cafe. 

Temple of Hephaestus Temple of Hephaestus

One of central Athens' best preserved ruins is the Temple of Hephaestus. Nestled within Ancient Agora , this site was built between 460 and 420 B.C. and once served as a Christian church. Eventually, the building was transformed into an archaeological museum before undergoing excavations in 1930 and later opening to tourists.

According to prior travelers, the Temple of Hephaestus is "impressive" and "definitely worth a visit." In fact, some felt this ruin deserved more accolades than the Parthenon , despite its smaller size. Like most sights found in Ancient Agora and the Acropolis , the Temple of Hephaestus can only be viewed from the outside, so time your visit early in the morning to take in everything while temperatures are cooler. Also, consider visiting Ancient Agora first if you plan on seeing its attractions and those at the Acropolis within the same day. The Temple of Hephaestus and other Ancient Agora ruins are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 to 8 p.m., although hours vary by season

Ancient Agora Ancient Agora

The agoras of the ancient Greek city-states were open areas for people to assemble for everything from political gatherings to public debates. Ancient Agora is the most popular of its kind, thanks in part to its historical significance. Socrates used to lecture here, and it was also here that Saint Paul sought out converts for the then-fledgling religion known as Christianity.

Recent travelers, especially history buffs, loved visiting Ancient Agora. Though some wished the site offered more written information about its ruins, many felt the locale had a better atmosphere (and fewer crowds) than the adjacent Acropolis . Just be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes or allot extra time for moving around if you use a wheelchair since Ancient Agora's pathways are covered in gravel. Others raved about the views of the Acropolis that can be seen here, but warned that this site is a magnet for pickpockets.

Erechtheion Erechtheion

Located just north of the Parthenon high above the city within the Acropolis complex, the Erechtheion was constructed between 421 and 406 B.C. as a place for Athenians to worship Erechtheus, the mythical king of Athens, and various Greek gods. Though smaller than the Parthenon, this structure features a frieze made of Eleusinian gray stone, multiple sculptures (known as caryatids) and other unique details, making it one of the Acropolis' most eye-catching buildings.

This sight's attention to detail makes it one of Athens' most popular ruins to visit. Sightseers love the caryatids found on the south side of the building, adding that these copies – five of the six original statues are on display in the Acropolis Museum , while the sixth resides in London's British Museum – are so accurate that it's hard to tell they're replicas. Another plus: the stunning city vistas.

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Benaki Museum Benaki Museum

According to some recent travelers, this is the best museum in Athens. The Benaki Museum focuses on Greek art, from prehistory to the modern age. Its campus features several contemporary and historic buildings that house everything from Islamic art to art studios affiliated with Yannis Pappas and Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, two well-known Greek artists. Facilities like restrooms, restaurants, gift shops and a library are available as well.

Art enthusiasts love visiting this museum's collections and seeing a range of Greek cultural exhibits and historical artifacts all in one place. Note that Thursdays offer free admission after 6 p.m. for permanent exhibits, so this is a good time to visit if you have a Thursday evening in Athens with time to spare. Free admissions are also offered at the Yannis Pappas Studio and the MENTIS workshop, where visitors can see how costumes, military uniforms and more were made for centuries. The only negative, for some, is the museum's abundance of exhibits, which tend to be repetitive at times and are tough to squeeze into one visit.

Anafiotika Anafiotika

Anafiotika is another trendy neighborhood in Athens that is nestled just beside the Plaka , and it is known for its car-free winding streets and alleys as well as its adorable homes and churches. The area is small, yet not difficult to find due to its location just next to the Acropolis . You can easily spend several hours here enjoying coffee or a cocktail, or shopping at one of the local boutiques.

Visitors who have been to Anafiotika say it's one of their favorite parts of the city, and that it's beautiful and even romantic for some. Consider getting up early to capture some stunning photos of Anafiotika with the Acropolis towering in the background and few other travelers to interfere with your shots.

Herod Atticus Odeon Herod Atticus Odeon

Situated on the south slope of the Acropolis , the Herod Atticus Odeon was named after Tiberius Claudius Herod Atticus, a wealthy Athenian who sponsored the building of this ancient outdoor auditorium between A.D. 160 and 174. Historically, the venue hosted a variety of music festivals, but today, the locale serves as the site for many theater, music and art festivals, including the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, an annual arts showcase.

Though some previous visitors said this attraction isn't as impressive as others found in the Acropolis complex, many highly recommended attending one of the venue's summer performances. If you do attend a show here, plan on wearing comfortable walking shoes , since steps at the Herod Atticus Odeon are steep. You can also visit during nonevent days, so long as you purchase an Acropolis ticket, which is generally cheaper than event tickets at 20 to 30 euros (around $22 to $32.50) per person.

Monastiraki Monastiraki free

U.S. News Insider Tip : Monastiraki is an exceptional place to enjoy an incredible meal or shop for souvenirs at a great price. You'll also find lower pricing for vacation rentals and hotels in Monastiraki than you will in the Plaka . – Holly D. Johnson

Monastiraki is a popular neighborhood within the ancient city of Athens similar to the Plaka, yet it's intensely grittier and a better representation of the local vibe than more touristy areas of town. Monastiraki is the place you'll find locals selling their wares on the street, with graffiti and street art covering nearly every building in sight. Delicious eats and drinks are found in this areas of Athens, and at a good price. For example, you can find the best of Greek cuisine here, from moussaka to souvlaki and gyros. The central gathering area in Monastiraki is Monastiraki Square, which is a lively and buzzing city square filled with small shops, food stands and locals enjoying the weather. This square is also a great place to begin walking Ermou Street, which is one of the city's biggest shopping streets when it comes to clothing, jewelry and souvenirs to take home. 

Museum of Cycladic Art Museum of Cycladic Art

Founded in 1986 as a place to display Aegean and Cypriot artifacts owned by Nikolaos and Aikaterini (Dolly) Goulandris, two Athenians interested in preserving Greek culture, the Museum of Cycladic Art features various sculptures, jewelry, pottery and weapons. Permanent collections are housed in the Main Building, while temporary exhibits are showcased at the adjacent Stathatos Mansion.

History buffs and art lovers rave about the high-quality exhibits offered inside this small museum. What's more, all of the displays include English translations, making it easy for Americans to learn about each item. This attraction is also popular with families, thanks in part to its complimentary admissions for children 17 and younger, as well as its kid-friendly activities. Additionally, the museum offers complimentary Wi-Fi access, a gift shop and a cafe, which serves tasty homemade pastries, brunch and light meals and snacks.

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Panathenaic Stadium Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium held the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, and it was built on the site of a former stadium used for the Panathenaic games that dates back to 566 B.C. The unique marble stadium is in great condition and draws in tourists from around the world. What's more, it still hosts a range of sporting events and competitions to this day. 

Visitors to the stadium love its historical significance, but this seems especially true among those who love the Olympics or watch the games every few years. Many also agree the entry fee is reasonable for all you can see and learn in a few hours. Note, however, that you can get decent photos and a look at the stadium from outside the gates without actually paying to go inside.

Athens Bus Tours Athens Bus Tours

Like other major cities in Europe, Athens has its share of bus tours. Options include hop-on, hop-off bus tours with open air seating on an upper deck and inside seating below, but you can also book bus tours that last a half day or full day. While a range of companies offer their own unique bus tours and sightseeing options, some of the most popular providers include City Sightseeing , Key Tours and Sights of Athens .

Reviews for Athens bus tours vary by company, but many travelers agree that bus tours in general offer an affordable and convenient way to see the city. Note that many hop-on, hop-off bus tours cost less than 20 euros (about $21) per ticket, yet they give you the chance to see all around Athens without having to walk on foot, and you can get off and on as you please. Some hop-on, hop-off bus tours even offer free Wi-Fi on board. Cruise travelers in particular find the bus tours an efficient way to see the city’s top sights in a short amount of time. Booking a bus tour can also be an efficient way to see archaeological sites outside of Athens, such as Delphi.

Athens National Garden Athens National Garden free

The National Garden of Athens is a beautiful natural garden that sits south of the Benaki Museum and east of the Acropolis . The garden is brimming with flowers, trees, trellises, several lakes and natural vegetation, and it also offers something the city center of Athens often lacks – some natural shade and protection to keep you out of the sun and heat.

The garden is free to visit and open from sunrise to sunset, and you can enter and exit from each side depending on the direction you're headed (there are seven entrances in total). You'll also find public restrooms, a conservatory, a children’s library and a small cafe on-site, although past visitors have said the cafe is overpriced. 

Athens Food Tours Athens Food Tours

People from all over the world love Greek cuisine, and it's easy to see why. From local favorites like saganaki (fried and melted cheese) to fresh Greek salads, gyros and baklava (a dessert made with pastry and honey), there's no shortage of delicious foods to try throughout the country.

Whether you're a foodie or not, you may want to consider booking a Greek food tour to try out all the local favorites with the help of an expert guide. Companies that offer four tours in Athens vary widely, but popular options include Food Around Athens , Greekality , Truevoyagers and Athens Walking Tours . Most tours do require walking and a certain level of physical fitness since you're going from place to place to try new food and drink, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and be ready to get your steps in.

Temple of Olympian Zeus Temple of Olympian Zeus

Located near the Acropolis and the Benaki Museum , the Temple of Olympian Zeus is a tall and impressive marble structure that dates back to the 6th century B.C. The site has a long and storied history, as it was dedicated to Zeus, the patriarch of all Greek gods and the ruler of Mount Olympus. While only 15 of the original 104 columns of the temple are still standing, this landmark is one of the most common associated with Athens and worth a look and a few photos.

Visitors to the Temple of Olympian Zeus seem to agree the site is worth a stop even if there's not a lot to see. That said, ongoing restoration work and scaffolding could damper the experience, along with the potential for heat and crowds during a good part of the year. Several reviewers recommended reading up on the site prior to your visit as there isn’t much information on display here.

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2024 Athens Travel Guide: Explore Greece's Capital Like a Local

Key Takeaways :

• Athens is a fabulous year-round destination and following this Athens travel guide will reveal why.
• Central Athens is the best place to stay when visiting the Greek capital.
• The Acropolis of Athens, the Ancient Agora, and the Temple of Zeus are some of the most significant archaeological sites of the city.
• A walk around the historical center will allow you to admire the landmarks and architecture of Athens .

The enchanting view of sunny Athens, Greece,  from the top of the Acropolis . The sparkling waters of the city's extraordinary beaches.

The luscious taste of traditional Greek and Athens flavors . The buoyant nightlife and the overpowering sense of freedom its diversity gives you.

All that and many more are why an Athens travel guide will become the most significant tool during a trip to Greece,  even for the most experienced travelers .

There is no doubt that you won't help but fall in love with Athens, the largest city in Greece, from the moment you step foot in it, whether you're visiting Greece in winter or summer. The Greek islands can wait; visit Athens, and you won't regret straying from the path of other travelers!

If exploring Athens seems like a daunting task, it's because it is: there is much stuff to see, taste, do, and experience and even the locals get overwhelmed from time to time.

But, lucky for you, we have accumulated the ultimate Athens travel guide for you to experience the historic city to the fullest; as born and bred Athenians in love with their home city, it is our responsibility to make you see Athens from rose-colored glasses, even if you are first-time visitors.  

So if you want Athens travel tips, keep on reading!

When to travel to Athens

Greece is mainly advertised as a summer destination. The reasons why make a strong case: its delightfully warm climate, sandy beaches, and hundreds of breathtaking Greek islands are more than enough to deem Greece the ultimate summer haven people dream of visiting.

However, although no one can deny the beauty of the Greek islands and the mainland under the bright sunlight, it is common ground that during the high-season period between late June and late August, Greece -and some of the Greek islands in particular- attract too much attention and get overwhelmingly crowded, which may affect your overall experience.

If you're an extroverted, social individual that draws energy from the crowds, don't think twice when booking your summer holidays. However, if you prefer a more offbeat scene, you're probably better off opting for late spring or early autumn for your holidays.

In spring and autumn

Anywhere between late April and the beginning of June or the whole month of September in Athens will allow you to experience the blissful Greek summer unobstructed by the hustle and bustle of the tourist waves flooding the country; the best of both worlds!

On the other hand, this Athens travel guide will reveal to you a well-kept secret: Greece can also serve as an exquisite winter destination. Greece in January is superb, not to mention that Christmas in Greece is out of this world!

Apart from the numerous Greek islands, the country's mainland hides regions of incomparable beauty. What's more, Athens is a gorgeous all-year-round destination that will give you plenty of tour options and activity alternatives.  

Therefore, it is guaranteed that the diversity of the Greek land and Athens, in particular, offers a unique landscape that can wow even the most experienced of travelers. 

Where to stay in Athens

Spoiler alert: Athens is a big city; remember: it even hosted the largest temple of the ancient world. As a result, although it is easy to navigate, as, with any trip and destination, accommodation is a crucial issue in determining whether you'll experience your host city most advantageously.

Of course, choosing to reside in central Athens is the most brilliant move you can make; you'll be within walking distance of the most important landmarks, such as the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum , and probably right next to a means of public transportation from where you'll be able to explore the rest of the city.

If you're more of a practical person, here are our top Athens travel guide hotel recommendations for downtown Athens, Greece, depending on the district you choose to be based on and the amount of luxury you want. It also includes some of the best romantic hotels in Athens , the best luxury hotel in Athens , and beach hotels in Athens , so make sure to take notes!

Please note that all rooms have electrical outlets in Greece, which may not be compatible with your devices. For that reason, it'd be wise to bring an adaptor with you to be on the safe side:

For 5-star hotels

In Syntagma

Electra Metropolis

Athens Capital Center

In Acropolis and Plaka

Electra Palace Athens

Athens Was Hotel

AVA Hotel & Suites

Divani Palace Acropolis

COCO-Mat Athens BC Hotel

For 4-star hotels

Elia Ermou 

Electra Hotel

Blend Hotel

Perianth Hotel

Athens Ikon

Athens Gate Hotel

Niche Hotel Athens

Herodion Hotel

For 3-star hotels

Niki Athens Hotel

Attalos Hotel

Acropolis View Hotel

Acropolis Hill Hotel

Philippos Hotel

Acropolis Select  

Of course, you can always check our Greek hotels  page, where we showcase the best hotels all over Athens and the rest of the country. Even more than this Athens travel guide mentions.  

Where to go 

Now that is a loaded question. There are such a plethora of places in Athens that deserve your time and attention that no matter how many days you may have at your disposal, you're guaranteed to fill them to the brim, as in Athens, you can find some of the best deals regarding sightseeing adventures.

Covering all possible fields, from history, nature, the most Instagram-friendly spots in Athens, and the top walking routes in Athens , to the cultural, gastronomical, architectural, and entertainment treasures the Greek capital offers in abundance, everyone is bound to find what they're looking for and then some!  

In an effort to avoid overwhelming you with my boundless rambling, in this Athens travel guide, we've broken down the places in Athens, Greece, you should unquestionably visit in the categories below. Organized much?

Top Athens Attractions

A bit about athens' history in ancient greece.

First and foremost, as you've probably already guessed, comes the rich heritage of Athens that goes back to ancient Greece, evident in every corner of the city. Athens’ history begins in the Neolithic and Mycenaean times.

The ancient city was built in the middle of the basin, around the hills of Pnyka hill, Areopagus (Mars Hill), and Philopappou Hill. You can read more about it in our Athens travel guide .

The Parthenon , the imposing temple dedicated to the goddess Athena that decorates the top of the Acropolis, became the symbol of Athenian democracy in ancient Greece and created a new model in Athens architecture.

Then, on the hill of Pnyx, Apostle Paul proclaimed in 53 AD the new religion, Christianity, in front of the members of the Supreme Court.

The first small Christian community was created under the guidance of Bishop Dionysius Areopagite , the later patron saint of our city. Finally, Athens became the capital of Greece in 1834, replacing Nafplio.

As you can see, through the years, Athens, Greece, has undergone many drastic changes that have led it to be what it is right now, offering its visitors an abundance of major landmarks in Greece from different eras.

You can read our ultimate guide to the top things to do in Athens if you need a more thorough guide around the impressive historical landmarks of the city. However, for your convenience, here is a shortlist of the most significant archaeological sites in Athens.

Our only rule of thumb for every one of them is to arrive early enough to avoid large crowds and unbearable heat.

Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis of Athens, often also referred to as the 'sacred rock,' is probably Athens's most widespread archeological monument of ancient Greece and one of the city's major sites.

No Athens travel guide would be complete without it. Thousands of travelers and locals climb its steep hill every year to get a glimpse of Greece's glorious past.

Since the Acropolis' establishment in the 5th century BC in honor of goddess Athena, Athens' patron and the daughter of Olympian Zeus, it has remained the most emblematic element of the capital.

Acropolis' Monuments

Perched at the top of the Acropolis of Athens, you will find the Parthenon and the Erechtheion, where the infamous battle between Poseidon and Athena allegedly took place.

At the same time, on your way to the top of the Acropolis, you will come across some of Athens' most noteworthy monuments and archaeological sites, such as the Propylaia, the Theatre of Herodes Atticus, and the Theater of Dionysus, the oldest theater in the city.

If you visit Athens' famous Acropolis hill, don't forget to combine it with a visit to the striking Acropolis Museum, which is within walking distance for a comprehensive immersion into the ancient Greek world .

Ancient Cemetery of Kerameikos

A breath of fresh air amidst the urban jungle of Athens, the Ancient Cemetery of Kerameikos is ideal for long walks and, therefore, another of Athens' major sites you don't want to miss during your visit to Athens. It served as Athens' cemetery from the 12th century BC to the Roman Times.

If you visit the Kerameikos Cemetery in Athens, don't forget to also pay a visit to the Kerameikos Museum, where the findings from the excavations of the archeological site are on display, including stelae, sculptures, vases, and figurines found on the site.

Philopappos Hill

Philopappos Hill is located southwest of Acropolis Hill, offering a mesmerizing, undisturbed view of the imposing Parthenon from one side and the whole of Athens from the other.

The hill took its current name after Philopappos, a Syrian benefactor of Athens, who was a close friend to many philosophers such as Plutarch, who described him in his writings as an 'extremely generous person.'

His death caused great sorrow to the citizens of Athens, who built a mausoleum as a dedication to honor his memory. The mausoleum survives to this day, perched on the top of the hill.

Philopappos hill is admittedly one of the best places in Athens, Greece, for long leisurely walks, especially during spring and early summer. If you take one of the hill's many pathways, you will enjoy a wide variety of flora and a rare serenity.

Who knows, maybe you'll even get to meet the famous Muses that, according to legend, used to have this hill of Athens as their home! 

Ancient Agora 

The Ancient Agora of Athens was the heart of the ancient city: a large, open area that constituted the seat of justice, the political, economic, administrative, social, religious, and cultural center of Athens. Please beware that the Ancient and Roman agoras are sometimes mistakenly thought to be the same thing when, in fact, there are two separate archeological sites of great importance.

Ancient Agora's buildings

Excavations in Athens have brought to light many important buildings, such as the council chamber (Bouleuterion), public administration buildings (Royal Stoa and South Stoa), judges' offices, the mint, and the city's official archives (Mitroon).

Additionally, the Ancient Agora used to host the national library and the conservatory that covered the cultural requirement of the citizens.

The famous 'Stoa of Attalos' is also located within the Ancient Agora. Built by the king of Pergamon, Attalos, as a gift to the Athenians for allowing him to study there, the Stoa of Attalos became the main commercial building of Athens' Ancient Agora; it was rebuilt between 1953 and 1956 and has been used as a museum ever since.

See? Now you can tell the Ancient and Roman Agoras apart!

The Temple of Hephaestus and Athena

Another fantastic monument of the Ancient Agora in Athens we couldn't exclude in this Athens travel guide is the Temple of Hephaestus and Athena, which is also the best-preserved temple of Athens. It follows the Doric style of architecture and is located on the northwest side of the market, at the top of Agoraios Kolonos hill.

It was built with the famous Pentelic marble by the architect of the Parthenon, Iktinos, during the second half of the 5th century BC and has many sculptures in its decoration.

On the east facade are the Heracles tribes, and on the north and south sides are the tribes of Theseus. According to historical Pausanias, the temple housed bronze statues of Hephaestus and Athena.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus was the largest temple of Greece during the Hellenistic and Roman years, with its construction having begun in 515 BC and ending in 132 AD by Hadrian. This Roman emperor became a citizen and benefactor.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is made of Pentelic marble and follows a Corinthian architectural style. Its length exceeds 100 meters, and its width is 40. As for its famous columns, they used to be 104. In total, they were 17 meters high and 2.6 meters in diameter, each weighing 364 tons!

From 500 AD, the largest temple of antiquity gradually collapsed. The pillars of the Temple of Olympian Zeus began to fall. Until the beginning of the 19th century, only 16 were standing up, but one terrible storm in 1852 threw another one, which still stands today in the middle of the ancient ruins. 

The Arch of Hadrian

Right across the street, within walking distance from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Arch of Hadrian was erected in ancient Athens in 132 AD by the Athenians in honor of Emperor Hadrian for his various contributions, which served as a limit between the old and the new city.

The monument, 18 meters high by 13 meters wide, featured two inscriptions on the arch, facing opposite directions, naming both Theseus and Hadrian as founders of Athens. 

First time visitors to the Temple of Olympian Zeus shouldn't overlook Hadrian's arch. They are so close to one another it would really be a pity.

Please keep in mind that Hadrian's arch and Hadrian's Library are two separate historical monuments, with Hadrian's Library being located in Monastiraki square.

Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium is where the modern revival of the Olympic Games -aka the modern Olympics- took place there in 1896. Moreover, it remains where the Olympic Flame is being delivered during all Olympic games worldwide.

It is located at the site of an ancient Greek Stadium and demonstrates the key features of one: a rectangular shape with an entrance from one narrow side and a place for spectators on the slopes of the other three sides.

Despite its glamor during ancient times, it was abandoned with the predominance of the Christian religion and the banning of idolatrous events and barbarous spectacles of Roman times.

The excessive expense for the stadium's refurbishment was mainly taken over by a national benefactor, George Averoff, for whom Athens built a marble statue that today can be found to the right of the Stadium's main entrance.

Archaeological investigations since 1836 have revealed traces of the ancient stage, and the reconstruction of the Pentelic marble stadium is distinguished by its fidelity to a large extent to the monument of Herodes in ancient Athens.

Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is not the only impressive temple in Athens. Approximately 2 hours outside Athen's heart, you can visit Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon , a true architectural masterpiece and one of the best places in Greece to enjoy a sunset from was built around 444-440 BC.

For three centuries, the sanctuary was considered sacred, and a grandiose four-yearly festival was organized there with officials sailing the sea around it in a sacred ship. 

The vertical columns of the ruined temple, the magical landscape, and the relaxing atmosphere you can bask in at the southernmost tip of Athens, Greece, offer a romantic setting of unmatched beauty, making Sounio the perfect spot to visit in the company of your significant other.

Roman Agora

The Roman Agora is located close to the Ancient Agora, only a few hundred meters to the east. It is a rectangular courtyard full of shops and storerooms that served as the city's marketplace in ancient Athens.

Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Roman Agoran, in contrast with the Ancient Agora, consisted of a large, open-air courtyard surrounded by colonnades on all four sides.

There were a series of shops on the eastern side, and on the southern side was a fountain. The main entrance was on the west, called 'Gate of Athena Archegetis,' and a second entrance was on the east.

Tower of the Winds

Just a few meters away from the east enclosure of the Roman Agora, you can find the Tower of the Winds, a 12-meter high octagonal building, the name of which comes from the personifications of the eight winds that are sculptured on the friezes of the building's eight sides.  

Inside the construction, there is a brilliantly designed water clock. On the outside, there is a sundial and a weather vane.

Museums of Athens

It comes as no surprise that Athens has some of the most captivating museums in the world due to its abounding heritage and impressive ancient ruins that date all the way back to ancient Athens. The Acropolis alone has filled several museums around the world.

Realizing you probably don't have time to visit each and every single one of them, here we have a shortlist of our top picks that we would strongly suggest everyone visit before leaving Athens. This is not the place to save money:

The Acropolis Museum

Yes, the obvious choice tops this list. Positioned just 280 meters away from the Parthenon, with almost 4,000 exhibits masterfully composing the permanent exhibition, the Acropolis Museum is a must-see attraction you should make time for.

Not to toot our own horn, but it is no coincidence that Acropolis Museum was ranked 11th in TripAdvisor's 25 best museums globally and has been awarded many times for its architecture!

The brilliance of the modern Acropolis museum is clear both from the outside and from the inside, as its building portrays the architectural and mathematical concepts of the classical era in ancient  Athens, consisting of four levels that accommodate the permanent and temporary exhibitions, a restaurant, a gift shop, a multimedia center, and open spaces where you can relax and enjoy the view of the glorious Acropolis.

The exhibits

The Acropolis museum exhibits include findings from the slopes of the Acropolis hill, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike, along with votive offerings to Gods, worship objects, and everyday art. 

National Archaeological Museum

Believed to be one of the most excellent museums in the world alongside the Acropolis Museum due to its ample collection of artifacts from Greek antiquity, the National Archaeological Museum lies in the alternative neighborhood of Exarcheia, hosted in an imposing neoclassical building painted in vibrant yellow and red colors.

Apart from its aesthetic, the National Archaeological Museum impresses its visitors with its findings.

The National Archaeological Museum covers a broad spectrum of Greek, displaying pieces from the Neolithic era, Cycladic art, Mycenaean period, Egyptian art, post-Byzantine era, and jewels from the Hellenistic period history, leaving a lasting impression on the visitors of the National Archaeological Museum.

On National Archaeological Museum's premises, you can also find one of the top Athens attractions : a 118-year-old library with 20,000 volumes, many of which are extremely rare works on art, science, and philosophy.

Unwind from your educational experience in one of the National Archaeological Museum cafés, one located outside on the edge of the square and one situated in the heart of the museum, before paying a visit to the National Archaeological Museum gift shop for various memorabilia- what a treat!

The Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens

The fascinating Museum of Cycladic Art is hosted in an exquisite neoclassical building and displays an impressive Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art collection.

Its stated mission is the study of Aegean civilization, research on prehistoric, classical, and modern Greek art, as well as its dissemination and promotion.

Its remarkable collections contain approximately 3.000 objects of Cycladic, Ancient Greek, and Cypriot art. More than 500 are presented online, together with a brief introduction of the significant periods of Aegean and Cypriot archeology, essential topics, and a list of available resources.

The Benaki Museum

Another museum you can't leave off your itinerary during your trip to Athens is the famous Benaki Museum.

Founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis in memory of his father Emmanuel Benakis, the museum aims, as its website suggests, to 'preserve and make accessible as widely as possible its diverse collections; to support research onto history, archaeology and the study of material culture, architecture, photography, visual and performing arts, and literature.'

Hosted in the mansion of the Benaki family in the center of Athens, the museum exhibits Greek works of art from prehistorical to modern times while it entertains periodic exhibitions and sustains an avant-garde restoration and conservation workshop.

Over the years, the Benaki Museum has been awarded and enriched by several generous donors.  

As a result, it now includes the seaside 'Kouloura Mansion' in the southern district of Palaio Faliro that hosts Athens' Toy Museum, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art in the neighborhood of Kerameikos, the 'Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas Gallery' in downtown Athens, the 'Benaki Museum Pireos Street Annex' on -you guessed it- Pireos Street and the 'Penelope Delta House' in Kifissia, which houses the Historical Archive Collection.

Athens Public Transportation

In order to enjoy Athens, you first need to get to it. You don't need an Athens travel guide to tell you that. Thankfully, being the capital of Greece, Athens is pretty easy to reach regardless of where you come from and the means of private or public transportation you opt for. In any case, make sure to have travel insurance; better to be safe than sorry!

Unless you're driving to Greece  with your vehicle or a car rental , there are only two possible ways to access Athens: airplane or ferry.

In both cases, figuring your way around shouldn't be too hard since there are many signs, information stations, and willing locals to provide you with the instructions you need.

If you want to be prepared beforehand, you can follow our Athens international airport survival guide , our Piraeus port comprehensive guide , or our Rafina port survival guide , which will thoroughly educate you on how to get to your desired destination most easily and more suitably for you. 

Athens International Airport

You can reach Athens' center from Athens International Airport by boarding the X95 bus, a 24-hour express bus that terminates right next to the central Syntagma Square -on Othonos street- which doubles as the point of departure.

Still, taking the railway - both the underground (Metro) and the suburban line- is the most common and convenient way to access the center of the city. The only difference between the two means of public transportation is their terminal destination, with the suburban railway terminating outside of Athens.

Therefore, if you opt for the suburban rail, get off the train at 'Doukissis Plakentias' station and hop on the Metro for the rest of the journey to Syntagma.

Of course, grabbing a cab from Athens International Airport to Athens' city center is the easiest yet most expensive way to reach your destination.

The ride will come up to around 38€ during the daytime (05:00 – 24:00) and 54€ during the late-night and early morning hours - keep in mind that the taxi fare is double from midnight to 05.00 am.

Piraeus Port

There are many ways of reaching central Athens and its top attractions from the port of Piraeus and back. However, the user-friendly Athens Metro system is arguably one of the easiest!

All you have to do is exit Piraeus Port, take the short walk to Metro line 1 (the green one), and before you know it, you'll be walking the streets of Athens' heart.

During the summer months, because of the traffic the Greek islands have, the express tourist bus X80 runs directly from the center of Athens to the cruise terminal at Piraeus port, so depending on preference, your location, and the season you'll be visiting, you can take advantage of that as well.

Please remember that you can buy your public transport tickets at the ticket booths and ticket machines found at every station. Alternatively, download the TFA mTickets App to purchase and save tickets right to your phone.

Public Transport

When it comes to navigating the city of Athens, you have several alternatives you can choose from, including buses, the Metro (Athens subway), the ISAP (railway), and the tram.

As a quick rule of thumb, the Metro is the fastest, most modern, and most efficient one, without its competence affecting its price, as the tickets for all public transport costs the same.

Taxis 

However, if you want to waste no time figuring your way around Athens and your budget is not restricted, taking a taxi is often the way to go.

Taxi cars in Greece are yellow with a 'TAXI' sign on top; they can be found all around the city, and you can stop them by raising your hand.

When hiring a taxi, make sure the taxi meter is on, as taxi drivers are infamous for trying to overcharge their clients.

To be in the know, keep in mind that the taxi meter starts at €1.29, the minimum rate is €3.44, the rate per kilometer within the city limits is €0.74, and the rate per kilometer outside the city limits is €1.29.

To ride safely and comfortably, we highly suggest downloading the Beat app. It works exactly like Uber, with the only difference being that the rides are being delivered by professional taxi drivers who practice their profession outside the app as well.  

In any case, before reaching Athens, we highly suggest you get travel insurance to travel safely and without a worry in your mind!

Eating in central Athens 

Suppose you're familiar with Greeking.me's blog, then you know that we are die-hard foodies that take Greek gastronomy and its mind-blowing creations very seriously.

Greek cuisine is an integral part of Greek culture and an element of the country all visitors should look to try for the sake of getting acquainted with an authentic, well-rounded aspect of Greece.

From delicious and nutritious breakfast to homemade local dishes, street food, and a cult-classic cup of traditional Greek coffee, here are the absolute must-try flavors you should taste and the best places in the city to find them.

Be mindful, though; no travel insurance will cover an overly full belly!

Tip: Don't forget to check out our Athens night food tour and wine tasting tour ! We are sure you will love it.

Breakfast & Brunch

For experienced travelers and devoted lovers of brunch, you'll be happy to know that there will be no need to ditch your favorite Sunday tradition during your time in Athens. On the contrary, you'll be presented with the favorable circumstance of trying Greek brunch dishes that put a local spin on beloved classics.

A shining example is the yummy 'Kayanas' recipe, a staple you'll stumble upon on most Athenian brunch menus. 'Kayanas' is essentially scrambled eggs cooked in olive oil with fresh tomatoes, red onions, and feta cheese but can be found in many variations.

Yes, it is precisely as good as it sounds, even better actually, and if you try it, I guarantee all other types of scrambled eggs will taste bland to you.

For delectable Kayanas and other Greek brunch delicacies, you can read about the top  places for Brunch in Athens ; book a table, grab your sunglasses, and enjoy amazing brunch food in a local yard with the sun shining on you, warming your heart and body.

The Greek coffee culture

What's more, you can accompany your scrumptious food with a cup of traditional Greek Coffee, the proof that the wise saying 'less is more' applies to most things in life.

If you're a fan of a half caramel, half vanilla latte, decaf espresso heated only to 100° with nonfat milk and caramel drizzle on top, then maybe Greek coffee is not right up your street.

However, suppose you're a lover of coffee, the delicious drink responsible for the functionality of the most considerable portion of the earth's population.

In that case, I'm sure you'll appreciate the aromatic brew that has been essential in the locals' cupboards for hundreds of years, becoming part of the cultural heritage of Greece.

If you want to sip on an invigorating cup of proper Greek coffee, opt for one of the extraordinary coffee shops in Athens that will introduce you to the coffee culture of Athens and change the way you view and consume coffee for the rest of your life.

Traditional taverns 

The general rule you should live by in Athens is simple: the more homemade local dishes you try, the merrier.

You can savor the tasty  food in Greece across the wide selection of Athens' taverns that serve long-established recipes integrated into the local culture and celebrate the riches of the Greek land.

Featuring recipes passed down through the generations; the local dishes will delight your senses regardless of your dietary plan. 

Located in the hip neighborhood of Psirri, Enastron rembles the exact image that comes to everyone's minds when hearing the phrase 'traditional Greek tavern.'

From lush homey main courses to delectable appetizers, all in generous helpings, Enastron promises to meet and exceed your culinary expectations regardless of how high they are -you're in a Mediterranean country, after all! 

Koudounaki travel guide Athens

In the same neighborhood, but this time tucked away in a small alley that gets overlooked by people who aren't in the know, Koudounaki is a family-run tavern in Athens, where two sisters put a spin on customary dishes and serve heavenly homemade offerings you've never tasted before. 

To Steki Tou Ilia

Closer to the Acropolis, in the scenic and historic district of Thissio, To Steki Tou Ilia takes its guests on a journey back to a simpler and perhaps more beautiful time. While its menu is limited and resembles what a Greek mom would cook for her children, its simplicity is what wins people over. 

Ella Greek Cooking

For a modern spin on cult-classic Greek recipes and a great meal, head over to Ella Cooking at the beginning of Mitropoleos Street, a few meters away from Syntagma Square in Athens.

Merging traditional flavors and fresh, local products with contemporary techniques and up-to-date combinations, Ella holds a special place in the locals' hearts while offering unique homemade dishes one wouldn't experience anywhere else. 

Last but not least, Dia Tafta is another traditional tavern in Athens that combines toothsome offerings with a great atmosphere. Located in the broader region of Monastiraki bordering Psirri, the name of the tavern translates to 'the conclusion/ the gist of things.'

For the owners of this local tavern, the gist of life is 'good food, good drinks, and good company', and we couldn't agree more! 

Fine Dining

Although cozy traditional taverns are the trademark of Greece, Athens doesn't lack prestigious eateries that move Greek cuisine forward in leaps and bounds.

As a matter of fact, it is rather difficult for us to pick our favorites given the extent of Athens' selection in fine dining establishments, but as always, we'll do our best.

Before we go ahead, however, it is essential to note that fine-dining options are bound to be a lot less affordable than taverns. However, the steep prices match the quality and the experience these establishments offer.

So, although it might not be an everyday occurrence depending on your budget, it is worth celebrating a special occasion or indulging one time as a gift to yourself and your loved ones.

Speaking of indulgence, Vezene, a Greek-inspired bistro located in the heart of Athens, has managed to modernize and elevate local flavors to adapt to modern-day fine dining using high-quality, fresh local ingredients.

Vezene serves regional dishes with a contemporary spin in their taste, decorated following a trendy aesthetic that matches the restaurant's profile. The chef, butcher, and owner of the restaurant, Ari Vezené, is passionate about running his restaurant sustainably and ethically and has adopted a whole animal butchery practice. 

Another Athenian restaurant that celebrates Greek cuisine by adding a touch of sophistication to it is Vassilenas. Having opened its doors for the first time in 1920 in Piraeus as a small and simple tavern, there is no doubt that the chef has it figured out to a tee when it comes to food.

Now located in the middle of Athens, Vassilenas maintains its humble profile even though it has become one of its most acclaimed destinations for fine dining. 

Hytra is another delectable addition to Athens' fine-dining industry, having developed its gastronomic integrity based on the rich legacy of Greek gastronomy and enhancing it with a contemporary spin that involves modern upscale techniques and presentation.

With two separate menus, the 'Hytra' and the 'Hytra Apla,' the restaurant addresses two different price points with equal quality and taste. 

Offering upscale gourmet dishes to those who are looking to indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience, Spondi, located in the hip neighborhood of Pangrati, provides a whole other world of gourmet flavors- one you're allowed to enter only if you're willing to pay an extravagant price that however matches the extravagant offerings.

Having received multiple awards and worldwide recognition, as it is a 2-Michelin-Star restaurant and a proud member of Grande Table du Monde, there is no doubt that Spondi will be a treat for all of your senses. 

Street Food

As a cheat meal or a hangover cure after a wild night out, we like to think that street food feeds the body and the soul in Greece. 

In our experience, very few people deny the appeal of street food, especially Greek street food. Not to mention it is an excellent and tasty way to save money during your trip to Greece.

In the case of the beloved souvlaki, however, even the most difficult of eaters and the most devoted fans of healthy eating have come around to celebrate the king of Greek street food.

The reason is simple: souvlaki is the "cleanest" fast food one can have, and you can enjoy it without guilt, while it is one of the best deals for food regarding value for money.

It consists of small pieces of meat -or vegetables if there is a vegetarian option available- enclosed within pita bread, tomatoes, onion, french fries, and tzatziki, which can sometimes be swapped for some type of sauce. The meat is usually pork or chicken, while beef and lamb may also be used.

Souvlaki is a fundamental component of Athens's cuisine; it is delicious, nutritious, and cheap, so why wouldn't it be?

Therefore, it is no surprise that the city is awash with souvlaki shops that offer their take on the beloved street food that is a part of locals' and travelers' everyday lives.

Get local insight into the best places to eat souvlaki in Athens to prepare yourself for the explosion of taste you will experience during your stay in the Greek capital. 

For the locals, indulgent days include a breakfast consisting of a traditional pastry -usually made with 'phyllo' dough- that can be purchased from the neighborhood's bakery.

Ariston, a family-run bakery that was established in 1910 and famous for its 'shortcrust pastry cheese pies, Harry's Kitchen, a tiny shop that is a recent addition to Athens' culinary scene and offers unique homemade pie combinations meant to please even the pickiest of eater.

The shop wows its guests with the quality of its ingredients and its creativity, and it is one of the best bakeries you can find in downtown Athens that promise to change the way you look at breakfast forever!

Whether it is ' tyropita ' -cheese pie- 'bougatsa' -custard pie- or any other filling, such as chocolate, sausage, or even minced meat, I can't imagine trying any of Athens bakeries' offerings or local delicacies and regretting your choice!

Food Markets

Given that Greece is known worldwide for the quality of its local produce, it is only expected that one can find the fresh and delicious products that the Greek land has been generously providing its locals with for thousands of years in its capital city.

That's where Athens' Central Market and the farmer’s market tradition in Greece , especially Athens, come out to play.

Athens' Central Market -or Varvakios as the locals call it- is located right in the city's heart, right by the neighborhoods of Monastiraki and Psirri, serving as the beating heart of Athenian gastronomy since its establishment in 1884.

A medley of colors, aromas, and flavors, the impressive, wide-ranging market has everything you're searching for and probably much more.

From high-quality meat to fresh fish, locally-grown vegetables, and a limitless supply of spices, most of which you've never heard of before, the central market of Athens can do no wrong.

Similarly to Athens' Central Market but on a much smaller scale, the locals source the raw materials they need for their everyday cooking in their neighborhoods' farmer's markets -or ' laiki agora ' in Greek- a dearly beloved institution that takes place weekly in all Athenian neighborhoods and has been established since the ancient times.

You can find the days and Athenian neighborhoods the farmers' market takes place weekly here .

If you're lucky, you might even come across, among the many stalls, one selling meat skewers; don't even think twice, buy a couple, and thank us later; it will be a great meal no matter when and where you choose to eat it.  

Don't fail to explore the food markets of Athens during your stay in the city; make sure to have small euro notes and change with you and your eyes peeled for the most outstanding local products in town; your whole outlook on gastronomy is bound to change after getting up close and personal with the raw materials of Greece.

Athens' Nightlife 

Vibrant, lively, exuberant, buoyant; whichever word you want to use to describe it, one thing is for sure; Athens' nightlife is an integral part of the locals' life and probably nothing you've ever experienced before; what can we say? Greeks like to have a good time!

Thankfully, Greeks also like to have options, which translates to Athens' nightlife scene, making it a mixed bag of entertainment. As a result, there are four main categories in the nightlife destinations depending on your taste and age.

Of course, if you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, you can also check out our gay Greece travel guide!

The beloved nightlife staple most cities have an abundance of, the bars of Athens are different from the ones around the world.

They are, in fact, one of Athens' top attractions. You can relax and mingle with the locals while tasting incredible alcoholic concoctions that put a modern Greek spin on classic cocktails.

The city center is swamped by bars, so finding one that fits your needs won't be hard; from jazz to rock and everything in between, the diverse side of Athens shows its face once again, providing both the locals and the travelers with endless options to choose from.

As bar enthusiasts ourselves, we have put together not one, not two, but three blog posts regarding the bars of Athens. 

I don't know if you've heard this before, but Greeks like to dance -a lot. Admittedly, the club is one of the most popular destinations for people who want to unwind and one of the best places to dance in Athens , so it is no surprise that most central Athenian neighborhoods have at least one club that people frequent until the early morning hours.

Although there are a few exceptions, as a rule of thumb, the clubs of central Athens open their doors at around midnight with the tunes of R-n-B music blasting from the speakers and close at around 7 pm with Greek pop music helplessly trying to sober the clients up.

It is a vibrant, colorful, and intense scene that is not designed for the faint-hearted and is the total antithesis of what a home buddy would enjoy. If, however, socializing is your hobby and dancing feels like second nature, the club scene of Athens will electrify you!

One of our favorite nightlife destinations and one we would highly suggest to any visitor looking for genuine local entertainment are 'rebetadika.' 'Rebetadika' are traditional local taverns that, along with delectable dishes of folk cuisine, offer live music of the famous Greek genre of 'rebetiko,' -hence the name.

The genre of rebetika can be described as the popular urban songs of the Greek public, especially those coming from an economically challenged background, from the late 19th century to the 1950s.

It's important to note that In 2017, rebetiko was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List . Therefore its cultural importance to modern Greek heritage has been officially verified.

Furthermore, being quintessentially Greek to their core, 'rebetadika' is the perfect opportunity to combine traditional Greek flavors with traditional Greek sounds in an affable environment, surrounded by locals who will delight in sharing their life stories with valuable tips for your stay with you.

Suppose you're looking for an authentic Greek evening out and are determined to keep your musical mind open. In that case, there is a wide variety of 'rebetadika' in downtown Athens, especially in the fashionable district of Psirri.

'Stoa Athanaton' has been the obvious choice for the locals since its establishment around 30 years ago and continues to be considered one of the best 'rebetadika' in town. 

From 1963 until now, 'Palia Markiza' has been a constant value in Athens's rebetiko and folk scene. The venue resembles a typical old-time Greek setting.

At the same time, the live band performs every Friday, Saturday night, and Sunday at noon, lifting people's spirits with favorite folk and rebetika songs and a menu full of traditional goodies.

Just remember that the tunes of rebetiko will probably sound foreign to you, to say the least. But don't be put off by that; bask in the sheer Greekness of the night, and you'll have a jolly good time!

Live music stages 

Always up for a good party, Greeks love to spend their nights listening to live music at music stages around the city, where the most famous Greek singers and musicians show their artistry in front of an excited crowd.

You can find anything from the famous 'bouzoukia,' meaning music stages that feature Greek pop and modern folk music and typically have a raised stage where the guests dance along with the singers, to rock and alternative rock gigs frequented by die-hard fans.

Exploring the live music scene of Athens and enjoying one of the most paramount elements of local culture is key to understanding the Greek way of life.

If we've piqued your interest, which we hope we did because it is worth it, no ifs, ands, or buts about it- you can read about the best places to listen to live music in Athens and plan your nights in central Athens accordingly.

If nothing from the aforementioned floats your boat, have a read of the five things to do in Athens at night , and maybe you'll find something that suits you better; you do you! 

Athens' Culture

Athens' abundance of cultural stimuli is genuinely remarkable and can satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding of travelers from all around the world.

From prestigious art galleries to cultural centers, the world of sophistication that unfolds before the visitor's eyes leave a lasting impression that people can't shake off. And why would anyone want to shake off any Athenian experience? Believe us when we say that one cannot help but fall in love with Athens, no matter what. 

Prestigious, fascinating, and original galleries are what Athens excels in. From contemporary paintings to unique jewelry and originally-crafted sculptures, art is plentiful in the capital city.

To make things a whole lot easier for you, you can read an all-embracing list of the best Art Galleries in Athens that will help you prioritize your stops during your Athens visit.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Suppose you want to take a long walk amidst luscious greenery while also getting the opportunity to get a hefty dose of Greek culture. In that case, the guide to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is perfect for you.

One of the locals' favorite destinations in Athens, the SNFCC hosts the National Library and the Greek National Opera, as well as an ever-green rooftop park and ground-level sweeping esplanade, where you can enjoy a long stroll, sip on your favorite beverage, read a book, watch a play and have a ball!

Open-air cinemas

Last but not least, if you're a fan of cinema and Greek culture, combine the two with a visit to one of the open-air cinemas in Athens; a unique summer experience that will ruin any other cinema experience you've ever had, or you'll have in the future.

Watching your favorite movie under Athens' summer night sky with a Greek delicacy in hand is pretty hard to beat, don't you think?  

Athens Architecture

Being as old as it is, Athens' architecture is intriguing, to say the least, and covers a broad spectrum of styles that have dominated the city over different periods.

From antiquity until today, Athens has been decorated with buildings that reflect the city's aesthetic through the ages; it is worth mentioning that today, there are more than 10,500 buildings registered dating from 1830 to World War II, still standing, representing various typologies and aesthetics schools.

It is what we would call the unofficial architectural heritage of Athens, and it is so diverse that there is no wonder why it captures the interest of most of its visitors.

From  the awe-inspiring Athenian Trilogy  to  the Benizelos Mansion , the  Neoclassical Architecture in Athens  is probably the most prominent style you will come across, and admittedly the prettiest one.

Neoclassical is the architectural and artistic movement that bloomed around the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and elsewhere to revive the classical forms of Greek antiquity and the subsequent Roman Empire.

In Greece, this type of architecture was prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the most famous examples still standing today, such as the numerous neoclassic mansions in Plaka, our Parliament building, which was previously the Royal Palace, the old Parliament House, which is now the National Historical Museum, and the Zappeion Mansion in Athens. 

Athens' Squares

En par with the charming neighborhoods of Athens, many Athens squares seem to stand out to the public, becoming popular meeting points and trendy hangout spots for Athens' residents.

Despite being up-to-the-minute, Athens' squares are drenched in history, making it necessary for us to linger on two of the most central and characteristic ones located around the city's heart.

Syntagma Square

If you've ever been to central Athens, it is impossible to have missed the emblematic  Syntagma Square , located right at its heart, housing the grandiose building of the Greek Parliament.

While it is the second-largest square in Greece, following the Spianada Sq. on Corfu island, its compelling history makes it unique.

After the War of Independence and the establishment of the new Greek State, the newly appointed King of Greece, Otto, declared Athens as the new capital of Greece. King Otto's rule, however, was deemed unfair by the Greeks.

Eventually, the people of Athens questioned his authority, and on September 3rd of, 1843, they occupied the square, demanding the formation of an official constitution for the country.

The civilians succeeded, and Otto gave in. Hence the name of Athens square became Syntagma Square, which in English translates to 'Constitution Square.'

The monuments of Syntagma Square

At the center of the square lies a marble fountain in front of the monumental staircase leading to the  Tomb of the Unknown Soldier  monument, one of the square's top attractions.

This cenotaph is being guarded constantly by the elite force of the Greek army, the Evzones.

The most important buildings surrounding Syntagma Square in Athens are Grande Bretagne - the first international hotel of the city - and the former Ministry of Transport, famous for being where the liberation of Greece from the Nazi forces in 1944 was announced. 

Monastiraki Square

Of course, no guide of Athens can leave out the colorful and historic  Monastiraki Square  that has been pulsing with life for hundreds of years.

Funnily enough, Monastiraki translates to 'little monastery,' with the name being a token left behind from the times when the square was part of a -you guessed it- monastery.

Located at the end of Ermou str., the most commercial street in Athens, and the beginning of Pandrosou, Adrianou, and Ifestou str., apart from the lively Monastiraki Square Flea Market, which offers the perfect opportunity for souvenir-shopping, Monastiraki Square is also known for its significant monuments and archaeological sites.

With Hadrian's Library, Pantanassa Church, and Tsisdarakis Mosque, which now hosts the Folk Art Museum, all located only a few meters from each other, it is apparent that one can witness the entire history of Athens, Greece, when standing at its center.

Don't skip the chance to taste Athens' best kebab souvlaki in  Thanasis  on Mitropoleos str., located near Hadrian's library, or sip on a cup of traditional Greek coffee on the charming Avissinias Square, the small square in the middle of the flea market; Monastiraki Square is a historical fairy tale waiting to be told! 

Shopping in the city center of Athens 

No one is going to blame you, it's a materialistic world out there, and everyone knows it.

Therefore, apart from the natural beauty that is lavishly available in central Athens and the historical and cultural attractions, its rich retail market is bound to catch your attention, and for a good reason: shopping in Athens, Greece, is a unique experience, especially if you know where to look for the most original local boutiques.

Since we take shopping rather seriously, not as seriously as food, but it comes a close second, we have composed  the ultimate guide to shopping in Athens ! 

Alternatively, suppose you're a conscious buyer, and ethical shopping is your thing, or you simply enjoy scavenging for treasures. In that case, you can explore the  flea markets and thrift shops in Athens , where a whole world of previously loved pieces are waiting for their new owners.

Top Beaches Near Athens

It's safe to say that its many golden beaches are high up in the ranking on Athens' pros list. Although the Greek islands are the ones that get the most praise for their idyllic beaches and crystal-clear waters, and visitors often forget that Athens, Greece is indeed a beautiful seaside city.

Only a few kilometers away from the city center, one can enjoy some quality beach time and indulge in the swimming and sunbathing they've dreamed of. 

Once you have your exotic cocktail in hand and a beautiful tan on your body, you'll never doubt the versatility of Athens ever again! 

Travel to Athens with kids

Visiting Athens may either be the ultimate romantic getaway, or it could just as well be the perfect family trip to share with your loved ones.

With plenty of opportunities for your children to engage in local activities that will keep them entertained and happy throughout the trip,  visiting Athens with kids  shouldn't intimidate you, and this Athens travel guide will let you know why.

Athens' vast history alone offers the most extraordinary stimuli to your kids' imagination, occupying them for hours on end. Combine that with the rich and intricate tales of Greek Mythology you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself, and you'll have a winning combination no child will be able to resist.

Greek Mythology is one of the integral elements you'll also come across during your visit to the archaeological sites of Athens, such as the Acropolis, saving the day when your kids get bored and fussy.

Visiting the Acropolis with kids

Visiting the Acropolis with kids  in particular, despite the hike up the hill and the flood of information you'll have to overcome, can prove to be one of the most joyful family moments on your holidays in Athens.

You can also combine your visit to the emblematic archeological site of the Acropolis with a vibrant narration of Percy Jackson's accomplishments through a fun guided tour, as the Parthenon in Athens is one of the  7 places in Greece to live a Percy Jackson adventure !

Now you can retrace the steps of the beloved fictional character that kids from all around the world - all the way to the middle east- worship and keep your little ones occupied and happy!

In any case, when visiting the Acropolis of Athens, make sure to have a couple of things in mind: due to the scorching weather, especially during the summer months, don't forget to bring your hats, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen, while also dressing comfortably and lightly, as the average temperature in Athens is rather high.

What's more, albeit you should pack light, we highly suggest you carry water and snacks with you, as hungry and thirsty kids are not the greatest of sports.

Please bring a baby sling if you're traveling with a toddler or a baby, as the Acropolis of Athens isn't one of the most famous examples of stroller-friendly premises. 

Last but not least, don't forget your camera! You'll want to capture those family moments that you will treasure when your kids are too cool to join the family exploits even if they include riddles from Olympian Zeus himself!

The best Athens Neighborhoods

Walking around the city and exploring its different neighborhoods is the most efficient way of getting to know the region, the most incredible way to marvel at Athens's top attractions, and get an insight into the locals' everyday life. A way of life a little different from the rest of the western world.

Of course, we can't omit to mention our favorite neighborhoods in the city from this all-inclusive guide, so here you go - you can click on each location's link to visit our detailed guide.

Hint : there is one neighborhood you won't be able to tell apart from the ones you see in the Greek islands. It is one of the most famous examples of Cycladic beauty, located in the middle of Athens!

Parks and Hills of Athens

Although the presence of concrete Athens is unmistakable, as expected from a capital city, right in the heart of Athens lie some nature retreats, where you can escape the hustle and bustle and recharge your batteries.

Whether you want to enjoy a luscious picnic, get introduced to Athens' flora and fauna, or just want to take a leisurely walk in search of some peace of mind, Athens will not disappoint you!

Find out about the  parks in Athens you should visit  and escape the concrete jungle where dreams are made in minutes! Of course, if you thought we'd leave that here and not tell you about the places where we like to go when we need a break from the hectic city life of Athens, you thought wrong, and we are very offended!

Here are our top picks regarding the luscious greenery of Athens:

The National Garden

Visiting the lush National Garden in Athens, one of the most famous examples of an oasis in the heart of a cement city, with its tree-lined alleys, six ponds, and pets and birds, grants a great escape from the hectic city pace and the perfect opportunity for relaxation and recreation.

The Athens National Garden, known for many years as the 'Royal Garden,' open every day from sunrise to sunset, was and remains one of the favorite walks of the Athenians.

However, many visitors to Athens are unaware of the garden's value in botany and archeology. Regardless, the garden has been designated by the International Commission on Historic Gardens and Landscapes as a rare example of 19th-century landscape architecture and Europe's cultural monument.

The history of this garden in Athens goes back to ancient Greece when it was a private garden - a gift of Dimitrios Falireas to his teacher, philosopher, and herbalist, Theophrastus.

The National Garden, stretching across 154,000m², began to take its present form during the reign of Otto, being the work of Queen Amalia, known for her love for the land and her effort to create beautiful green spaces in Athens.

From 1839, plants began to be imported mainly from abroad to Athens because queen Amalia wanted the garden to have an "exotic" vibe.

The National Garden was initially only open to the public only a few days a year when the royal couple was not in Greece. After Otto's eviction, George I took care of the Garden and established a small zoo in Athens within its premises.

In 1927, its wooden fence was replaced by the iron railings and marble pillars that we see today. The 'Royal Garden' was renamed 'National Garden' in 1974.

The garden has seven entrances around Athens, with the main one on Amalias Avenue. Walking through the intricate alleyways, which are 7 km long and 3-5 meters wide, the visitor gets lost in the vegetation that consists of 500 species of plants -some so rare you won't come across anywhere else in the western world or even the middle east.

In addition to the famous ponds, the National Garden in Athens has pergolas with benches, a playground, a small collection of birds (ducks, geese, ducks, hens, hens goats), as well as many decorative elements such as statues of leading Greeks figures that famous Greek artists have crafted.

Within the National Garden, one can also come across Athens Children's Library, founded in 1984, Athens Botanical Museum, and a greenhouse.

So plan a leisurely walk across the luscious Athenian gardens, and you won't regret it; whether it is relaxation, reading, physical exercise, or even sunbathing you're after, the National Garden in Athens will become your favorite spot in the city!

Lycabettus Hill; A Breathtaking View From the Highest Point of Athens

A treat to the romantics among us,  Lycabettus Hill  is one of the most dreamy places in Athens that no one -yes, even you cynics out there- should miss.

With a height of 277 meters (745 ft), Lycabettus is the tallest hill in Athens, offering a panoramic view of roughly the entire capital city, including its most prestigious archaeological sites, such as the Acropolis, which stretches for miles in a wide mesa surrounded by high mountains and the sea.

In antiquity, even though Lycabettus Hill was larger and higher, its lack of natural springs sealed its fate as inferior to the neighboring hill of the Acropolis, resulting in its remaining unoccupied.

However, Lycabettus' mystifying entice created a world of myths around its creation. According to the most popular one, the hill of Lycabettus was formed after the goddess Athena dropped a rock she was carrying.

During medieval times, a small church was built on the top of the hill on the grounds of an ancient shrine, which the visitors of the hill can still admire. Today, perched on the top of the hill, you can also find a luxurious bar/restaurant where you can enjoy local delicacies and a striking view of Athens that extends all the way to Piraeus port, which will leave you speechless.

Accessing the Lycabettus Hill

Accessing Lycabettus Hill is relatively easy: you can either drive up to a point and continue on foot, or you can opt for a cable car that is available at the end of Plutarch Street, which is probably the best favorite way, as the ascend is both fun and quick.

Lycabettus Hill will tick all of your boxes if you are a lover of nature and spine-tingling views. We promise that you will feel just like Olympian Zeus overlooking the Greek capital! 

Beyond Athens

Sounio and the temple of poseidon.

Within a 1,5 hour drive along the delightful coastline of Athens' Riviera lies another impressive archaeological site of Athens that, apart from its historical interest that goes back to ancient Greece, also possesses an unrivaled beauty resulting from the triumphant combination of the ancient columns against the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

The Doric Temple of Poseidon stands perched on top of a cliff overlooking the crystal-clear waters and giving Sounio's visitors a sight to behold.

Giving off an island life ambiance despite being 70 km from Athens' city center, everyone should take their sunglasses, camera, and high spirits and visit the southernmost point of Athens that is easily accessible while being utterly breathtaking.

Sounio's many inviting beaches are perfect for a quick swim, apart from enjoying the archaeological ruins.

Plan a  day trip to Sounio  to catch its magnificent and much-talked-about sunset in the afternoon. Moreover, enjoy an atmospheric dinner in one of its seaside taverns; a wonderful time is guaranteed whatever you choose to do. 

Islands Near Athens, Greece

A little more than an hour away from Athens -or 40 minutes if you opt for the speed boat- you will find the  island of Aegina , one of the best examples of the Saronic islands, which compensates for its small size with its vast history that dates back to ancient Greece and good looks.

The city of Aegina is dominated by buildings that follow 19th-century architecture, giving the island a vintage vibe everyone loves.

Embrace the island's heritage by paying a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Kolonna or taking a trip to the historic Temple of Aphaea, a temple that holds a strong resemblance to the Acropolis of Athens.

Enjoy the island's stunning beaches by swimming in Agia Marina, the blue flag-awarded beach on the island. Take a scenic stroll throughout the length of the picturesque port and gobble down fresh fish and seafood in the welcoming seaside tavernas. We promise it will be a day you'll never forget!

Ten minutes away from the island of Aegina and around 1,5 hours away from the port of Piraeus, Agistri is another gem of the Saronic Gulf, wonderfully picturesque and significantly smaller than its neighboring islands.

Its lush landscape, dominated by dense pine forests and crystal clear waters, has placed the small island very near and dear to the Athenians' hearts, who visit the island at every opportunity.

During antiquity, the island was known as Cecryphaleia, with many of its ancient settlements now lying underwater, mainly in the western part of the island.

Among the top attractions of the island is the Folk Art Museum at Megalochori, a small museum that will transport you back in time and introduce you to the past everyday life of Agistri islanders.

Don't hesitate to plan a quick trip to Agistri to experience for yourself the laid-back life of a Greek island without having to spend too many hours on a boat!  

Last but not least, the island of Spetses is undoubtedly the most picturesque of the Saronic islands and probably of most Greek islands, looking like it has come straight out of a fairytale. Spetses combines revolution and tradition sprinkled with superb cuisine and spirited nightlife.

It is classy and sassy, and makes you fall in love with it right from the get-go.

One of its additional perks? Cars are not allowed on the island, meaning that it is always quiet and peaceful, following a slowed-down pace most of us beg for. No one can deny that it offers one of the best deals for summer vacation! 

If you  explore the Greek islands near Athens  or even a bit longer, and you'll soon realize that their proximity to the city doesn't take away from their beauty; on the contrary, it adds to it the element of convenience and ease, precisely what people look for during their holidays!

Day Trips From Athens, Greece

If you want to broaden your horizons without getting too far away from Athens and its striking Acropolis, there are several options for a day trip from Athens, filled with guided tours you should consider.

From Athens to Delphi

The site of Delphi was the most famous and notable oracle in ancient Greece. Praised worldwide, visitors from across the globe used to come seeking the prophecies of God Apollo. Traditionally, the only person allowed to enter the sacred chamber of Apollo's temple was his high priestess, Pythia.

Sitting on a golden tripod covered with the skin of Python, Pythia inhaled the fumes coming out from the chasm and chewed laurel leaves while giving out prophecies that were believed to come straight from the god's mouth.

Take the approximately 2-hour drive from Athens to marvel at the archaeological site of Delphi and immerse yourself in ancient Greek spiritualism. Since your trip to this transcendental destination will be entertaining and educational, check out the  things you’ll learn on a day trip to Delphi . The captivating stories you will hear and the striking landscapes you'll get to enjoy will make your day trip an utter success!

From Athens to Nafplio

At the shores of the Argolic Gulf, located in the striking peninsula of the  Peloponnese  and only a couple of hours away from Athens, Greece you can find one of the most whimsical and romantic cities of Athens, Nafplio. The city of Nafplio, much like every corner of Greece, has a far-reaching past that is evident in its architecture.

Fun fact:  Nafplio was the first capital of the modern Greek State, before Athens, and the place where the murder of Ioannis Kapodistrias, a Greek statesman who served as the Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire and was one of the most distinguished politicians and diplomats of Europe, took place Its charm, however, doesn't derive only from its heritage.

The city of Nafplio harmoniously combines its history with a flawless urban aesthetic, incredible beaches, and an intense cultural agenda that keeps its visitors on their toes. Here's a  guide to Nafplio  to make your day trip a smooth sail!

From Athens to Ancient Corinth

With an impressive history that dates back almost 8000 years, it stands to reason that the region of Corinth has played an integral part in ancient Greece and the development of not only modern Greece but the whole western world as well.

From hosting one of the most significant sports festivals during antiquity to becoming a founding city of Christianity, Corinth has changed the world as we know it.

Located 80 km. southwest of Athens, Corinth is the only county bordering the region of Attica and is, therefore, perfect for a short excursion or a day trip from Athens.

Due to the magnificent waters of its sea and its small, scenic villages, such as Vrachati, Kiato, Derveni, among others, it also offers an ideal setting for your summer vacations and a great alternative to the Greek island.

But, of course, when talking about Corinth, one cannot leave out the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, where the famous Temple of Apollo - not the largest temple, but certainly one of the most popular ones- the mythical Fountain of Glaucus, the street of Lechaio, the Asklepieion, the ruins of the theater, and the conservatory, as well as the remains of a series of fountains adorning the city, are waiting to be explored.

Just 3km from Ancient Corinth, Acrocorinth, the oldest castle in the Peloponnese, is built 575 meters above the ground, providing visitors with a mind-blowing view of the prefecture.

Don't wait any longer: plan your trip to Corinth and stop to snap Instagram-worthy pictures of the impressive Corinth Canal on your way to the city.  A comprehensive guide to Corinth  will ensure your life will be made a lot easier during your short time there; enjoy!

From Athens to Meteora

Often described as 'the place between heaven and earth,' Meteora is one of the most awe-inspiring regions of Greece and the western world despite being far away from the sea. Located in the region of Thessaly, Meteora is a place that calls for isolation, seclusion, and spiritual wondering.

The region is famous for its steep rock formations that hold no resemblance to any landscape around the world, on the tops of which some of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world are still perched.

The geological miracle of Meteora is located in the northern part of the region of Trikala, nearby the modern city of Kalambaka. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; a visit to the otherworldy land will help you realize why in a matter of minutes!

From Athens to Mycenae

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site,  Mycenae , occupies the hillsides of the Peloponnese close to the modern town of Argos.

It is the city that named a whole civilization after itself, something which is indicative not only of its great importance to the then-known Greek world during the ancient times but also of its old age; it is known that the excavations that have taken place on the region of Mycenae have unveiled monuments so old that even ancient Greeks considered them ruins of antiquity.

Erected in a naturally guarded and reinforced location, you can't help but notice the Acropolis of Mycenae standing tall upon your arrival to the historic region.

Immerse yourself in the history and natural beauty of the area and get to know the birthplace of Agamemnon; it is no coincidence that Mycenae served as one of the most significant sources of inspiration for Homer!

From Athens to Epidaurus

Νοt to toot our own trumpet, but Greece is full of places that have earned a spot in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, and the Theater of Epidaurus is one of them.

Located in the beloved region of the Peloponnese within a couple of hours from Athens, the short drive to Epidaurus will reward you with a luscious natural landscape and an archaeological site that exceeds the expectations of even the most demanding of travelers.

The open theater of Epidaurus is said to be the best-preserved in all of Greece, maintaining its glamor up to this day and making the whole region a must-visit destination for Athens' visitors, who can even enjoy a modern play on its ground if they plan their visit to coincide with the annual Athens and Epidaurus Festival that takes place during the summertime.

The theater is famous for its unmatched acoustics, attributed to the architecture and the materials used for its construction in ancient Greece.

As a result, you can hear a pin drop at the exact same volume no matter where you sit, elevating your theater experience to another level. There is no doubt about it:  Epidaurus , and all lovers of theater and culture should hurry to it!

From Athens to Nemea

Known for its superb wine production that has its locals engaged with the -almost sacred- process of winemaking in Greece since the days of yore, Nemea lies on the border with the prefecture of Argolis and is surrounded by countless vineyards.

Apart from the many indigenous wine varieties you must try, there are archaeological monuments that are also worth your time. Some include the Temple of Jupiter, the baths, and the Nemea Stadium.

Most people, however, are familiar with Nemea -even if it's just its name, they're familiar with- from the famous tale of  Greek Mythology  regarding the labors of Hercules, and in particular, the killing of the Nemean lion, one of the most popular tales of ancient Greece.

If you're an admirer of history, wine, and all things nice, we highly suggest you visit this brilliant part of Greece conveniently close to Athens. Check out the  top things to do in Nemea  and make the most out of your day trip! 

Athens' Itineraries

If you want a complete and specific day-by-day guide on how to spend your days in Athens without being restricted to the famous Acropolis, we have everything under control as I have designed the ultimate guidebooks for your stay in the historic capital that include the best deals in guided tours you can during your trip to Athens.

More Reasons to Visit Athens

If you're that much of a doubting Thomas and need even more reasons to visit Athens than what is already stated in our Athens travel guide, we're happy to report that we still have multiple fail-safe get-out-of-jail-free cards for you.

Visit Athens for special occasions

Moreover, If you're a bride or a groom-to-be, you can get inspired by some of the best ideas for your bachelor and bachelorette getaway in Athens, Greece to help you live up to the last days of your life as a single!

Finally, suppose you want to visit Athens on a business trip and look for the best team-building activities in Athens, Greece such as a street art tour or cooking classes. In that case, you're in it to win with suggestions that will impress your colleagues;  Athens' street art and local cuisine are as impressive as our Acropolis and the culture that has inspired the Western world!

Final Thoughts

And voila, there you have it: the ultimate  Athens travel guide  that will make you feel cooler than the other side of the pillow and help you get around the city during your trip with ease, competence, and confidence, even if you're not some of the most experienced travelers.

Athens is truly one of the most incredible destinations around the world -and has been since the golden ages of  ancient Greece . With an average temperature of 28°C and archeological sites such as the Acropolis and Hadrian's Library, it is hard to beat.

Although the  Greek islands  get most of the hype, Athens, the capital city, with its ancient charm, urban aesthetic, and travel deals, is just as gorgeous and fascinating while also being diverse, vibrant, and fabulously welcoming; perfect for your summer trip!

No matter if you arrive at Athens International Airport, Piraeus Port, or Rafina Port, the city of Athens is exactly where you need to be.

Visit Athens, Greece, by booking one of our Greece vacation packages , and you'll get to find out the beauties of the largest city in the country for yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is athens safe for tourists.

Athens has been described as an attractive destination even for female solo travelers. The crime rates are low, so you'll always feel safe at home. The majority of trips go smoothly. However, pickpocketing is something you should be mindful of,  especially in subway stations or busy tourist destinations.

Is it worth visiting Athens, Greece?

Athens is one of Greece's gems, and spending time there is a blessing. Despite being overlooked by many tourists in their haste to visit the Greek island, the wealth of culture and history the Greek capital offer is incomparable.

For that reason, we would highly suggest you design your itinerary to include at least a couple of days in Athens to get the full Greek experience.

How many days do you need in Athens, Greece?

Ideally, four days in Athens are usually enough to visit most of its attractions and get an authentic feel of it. It's possible for you to travel back to the beautiful capital of Greece after your tour of the Greek islands, but for those interested in a more immersive experience, a four-day stay would be the best option.

At the same time, if you're dead set on not spending time in a big city, you could fit the highlights in a couple of -busy- days. 

Is Athens good for a city break?

With all the sights to visit, Athens offers everything you could possibly desire. Ancient Greece's remnants are everywhere, from the Acropolis Museum to the Ancient Agora, and we can confidently say that Athens is the ultimate city break. 

Is it worth just going to Athens?

Athens is certainly a popular destination for tourists in Greece. The ancient city has plenty of treasures, and the modern attractions make visiting Athens worthwhile at any time. So yes, it is well worth just going to Athens. Its rich culture, vast history, local delicacies, and amazing coast will make sure you don't regret your choice. 

How do you get around in Athens, Greece?

The best way to get around during your visit to Athens is by foot and Metro; the most important sites of the city are easily accessible. You can also opt for rentals or, even better, book a transportation service that will take you comfortably and easily anywhere you want to go. 

• Athens accommodation
• The Acropolis of Athens
• Athens Airport
• Athens beaches
• Athens entertainment
• The mutiny against Athens from Cylon
• Athens Museums
• Athens Nightlife
• Athens restaurants
• Athens Flea Market
• Ancient Agora
• Conservatory of Herodes Atticus
• Lycabettus Hill
• Main squares of Athens
• Main streets of Athens
• Monastiraki
• The Byzantine church of Pantanassa
• Temple of Hephaestous
• Theatre of Dionysus
• The Royal Palace of Greece in Athens
• The National Garden
• Panathenaic Stadium
• Pedion Areos
• Athens tourist information
• Getting to Athens
• Piraeus Map
• Marina Zeas
• Mikrolimano
• Port of Zea Pasalimani Piraeus
• Acropolis Museum
• Transport in Athens
• Stoa of Attalus Athens
• Monument of the uknown soldier
• Greek cuisine in Athens

Athens day trips

• Athens architecture
• Parking in Athens
• Christmas in Athens
• Vouliagmeni Athens
• Athens 2004 Olympics

Guide to the city of Athens Greece

Athens, the  capital of Greece has a strong personality that combines modern and ancient Greece in a unique and unrepeatable mix.  Glorious and timeless, Athens – the cradle of Western civilization – beckons travellers from every corner of the globe with its rich historical legacy and vibrant culture.

This dazzling city, where ancient ruins meet a thriving metropolis, promises a travel experience like no other. From the iconic Acropolis that majestically overlooks the city to the bustling tavernas offering mouth-watering Greek delicacies, Athens weaves a captivating tapestry of history, cuisine, art, and nightlife that is certain to ensnare the senses and evoke awe and admiration.

The iconic temples of the Acropolis, first of all the Parthenon, considered the highest expression of classical Greek architecture, the mythical ancient stadium where the modern Olympic Games began, the agora where Socrates taught philosophy and some of the most important museums of ancient art in the world are the wonders that everyone expects to find in Athens.

Although proud of its glorious past, the Greek capital looks ahead and pulsates with energy. It is a modern city, where you can visit contemporary art galleries, photograph creative street art

Athens belongs to the top travel destinations and covers all the basic conditions to be a pole of attraction for tourists from all over the world in recent years. Sights, hidden secrets, alternative options and activities to get to know Athens from every side

It is the history of its culture. Athens is the inventor of democracy, political freedom, rhetoric, tragedy and comedy, the classical art that combines measure with natural truth and the end of dialectical philosophy.

These conquests were regarded as a valuable ancestral heritage by the cities that succeeded Athens in the hegemony of the world, such as Pella, Alexandria and Rome.

Throughout its centuries-long history, Athens received influences but also transmitted knowledge and culture. Twice in the history of modern Europe, in the 10th and 18th centuries, nostalgia for Athenian rhythms in architecture and the visual arts had contributed to the classical and neoclassical renaissance.

Athens accepted refugees from Asia Minor, Egypt and the Balkans.  Cities like Rome, Florence, Paris, London, Munich, Berlin, Leningrad, Washington, Philadelphia are adorned with monumental buildings whose architectural rhythms have their origins in Athens Greece.

And all this diverse socially, economically, culturally, and even linguistically, fermented together and formed the material of the modern capital.

According to legend, when the city of Athens was being established, Athena and Poseidon both vied for the honour of becoming its patron deity. They presented their gifts to the people of Athens, and Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, creating a spring of saltwater. Athena, on the other hand, offered the olive tree, which was seen as a symbol of peace, prosperity, and civilization. The Athenians chose Athena’s gift, and she became the city’s patron god.

The first king of Athens was Cecrops. Cecrops was a legendary figure who is believed to have ruled over Athens and played a crucial role in its early history. He is often depicted as a half-human, half-serpent being.

Cecrops is credited with several important contributions to the city of Athens. He is said to have introduced laws, established a system of government, and introduced marriage. According to legend, he also divided the Athenians into four tribes, named after his sons—Autochthon, Aerope, Pandion, and Neleus—and appointed local chieftains to lead each tribe.

After his victory over the Minotaur, Theseus returned to Athens, where he played a pivotal role in uniting the various tribes of Attica (the region around Athens) and establishing Athens as a political and cultural center. Theseus is credited with creating a more unified government system, bringing the tribes under a single rule, and instituting a fairer justice system.

According to some versions of the myth, Theseus became the king of Athens and ruled for many years. He is often portrayed as a wise and just ruler who contributed to the growth and prosperity of the city.

More recently this has been supplemented by the discoveries of archaeology, which reveal the details of daily life in Athens, as well as the accomplishments of Athenian architects and artists.

The techniques of literary criticism, anthropology, and sociology have also helped form a more balanced and complete picture of Athenian civilization. In the 5th century BC. the city of Athens is growing rapidly. The city of the Goddess Athena, under the leadership of the famous Rhetor Pericles, will be able to experience the greatest glory that a city would ever know! Pericles will be the one who will highlight it and through his policy Athens will enter the so-called “Golden Age”.

The Parliament, Arios Pagos (highest court), Theater, arts, concepts that will not only affect the whole of Greece but will shape the whole world in what it is today.

The most important of all, of course, and what shows that the culture of Athens has reached its zenith, is the birth of Democracy! Huge works will be created during that period which are expected to radically change the image of the city and the history not only of Greece but of the whole world.

Many leading Greeks will live in the same period, Sophocles (496 – 406 BC), , Euripides (480 – 406 BC), Thucydides (460 – 395 BC). X.), the leading Greek historian, Aristophanes (450 – 380 BC), perhaps the greatest comedian poet of Ancient Athens and many many others.

What to see and do in Athens

Unravelling history, the acropolis.

No trip to Athens would be complete without a visit to the Acropolis, the ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city. Here, you will find architectural wonders such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike. These temples, dedicated to various deities of the Greek pantheon, are testament to the architectural prowess of ancient Athenians and their deep reverence for the gods.

The Ancient Agora

After exploring the Acropolis, journey down to the Ancient Agora, the heart of public life in Athens during ancient times. Once a bustling marketplace, this historic site now showcases ruins of various political and public buildings, including the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos, which houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora.

The National Archaeological Museum

Enrich your understanding of ancient Greece at the National Archaeological Museum, home to one of the world’s most impressive collections of Greek artifacts. Highlights include the Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera Mechanism, and the stunning frescoes from Santorini.

Places to visit in Athens

There are many places to visit in Athens that sometimes you can spend the whole day just strolling around. A place like that, is Monastiraki and its famous  flea market  with all kind of old and new stuff, a place that first was used by the rag and bone men of Athens as their main market place. Just across Ermou street from Monastiraki is the area of Psiri with numerous restaurants, bars , cafes and taverns with Greek live music both Monastiraki and Psiri is something like the Camden market in London. But do not forget the beaches of Athens.

From the Lycabettus hill you can have an amazing panoramic view of Athens. The coastal road from Faliro to Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and further until Sounion is full of sandy beaches, yacht marinas, hotels, sport clubs, a worth seeing Riviera of Athens. From the port of Athens, Piraeus you can visit the beautiful Greek islands of the Aegean world famous for their nature, history and tourist attractions like Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Santorini, Mykonos and many others.

The brand new pedestrian streets around the Acropolis, the numerous museums, highlighting the New Acropolis Museum,the art exhibitions, the cultural complexes and the festivals, the lively gastronomic landscape, the lively downtown neighborhoods, make the center of Athens the strongest attraction for visitors to the city.

Increasingly hip in recent years the area of Gazi has become an all year round hot spot. Especially in the summer, the main road and the square of the metro station resemble an island. Restaurants and bars set tables outside, everyone is on the street, in a perpetual motion.

Metaxourgio, which follows closely with more alternative and art profiles, the timeless village of art and entertainment in Psyrri area in Monastiraki, which along with the night spots now gives reasons for all-day walks.Athens with its unique cultural potentials and its constantly evolving accommodation, food and night landscape has become a popular year round destination for both tourists and Greeks from the provinces. Piraeus the port of Athens, beyond the main port of the country has hidden secrets both in terms of eateries, cafes, attractions and entertainment.

Athens neighborhoods

Athens is not only the center, it is every area in the capital with which its inhabitants have connected their memories and have left there a small piece of their heart. From Pagrati and Kato Patisia, to Paleo Faliro and Peristeri are some of the most beloved neighborhoods in the city of Athens.

Nea Smyrni has simple, green areas, parks where you can enjoy hours, a square – a trademark, and it is a breath away from the sea, but also quite close to the city center. The Guardian was not wrong to rank it among the top neighborhoods in Europe.

Holargos is green neighborhood that combines nature and an urban element in its own unique way, Cholargos has the countryside, it has peace, but also a buzz, while its proximity to Hymettos makes it a very… nature-loving choice.

Chalandri where you enjoy walking, squares that are buzzing with life morning and night, dozens of options for food, drink and spree, but also plenty of greenery in streams and groves, a feast for the eyes.

Kypseli is included in the 50 coolest neighborhoods on the planet and is experiencing a second youth, with its renewed municipal Agora, the multicultural pedestrian street of Fokionos Negri and the special bars and eateries that line its squares. . Glyfada and Voula, the Athenian Riviera as they call it, is defined by these two cosmopolitan coastal areas that offer both mountain and sea, dozens of hip shops, beautiful squares and marinas.

Pagrati and Metz are central but also on the outskirts, it has some of the best bars in the city and plenty of squares full of people. It is always alive, always charming and now one of the sought-after districts of Athens, in the company of its “little brother” Mets.

Kifissia is the queen of the Northern Suburbs. Green, with beautiful parks, centuries-old plane trees, Cyrillic places for coffee and food, but also traditional taverns with decades of history, and an interesting market.

Petralona, the old Athens at its best, neighborhoods from those that are missing, cafes, summer cinemas, squares full of life and the feeling that you are in the setting of an old Greek movie.

Piraeus is whole city next to Athens, so close and yet so far. Piraeus is evolving year by year, while it has some of the most beautiful neighborhoods we have seen – such as Kastella, for example, but also more nostalgic ones, such as Kaminia and Drapetsona.

Old and New Faliro where you walk next to the sea, under the palm trees that give its porch the humorous Falifornia. Old (and New) Faliro has rides, it has Marinas, it has the SNFCC, it has everything.

Koukaki is neighborhood with everything, close but also far from the Acropolis, Koukaki maintains the glamor of old Athens and is a square for every moment of the day. For drinks with friends, for walks, for everything.

Bohemian and eclectic, Exarchia is the ultimate youth square. They have a strong street art but also an artistic element in general and are buzzing with life thanks to the dozens of record stores, alternative bookstores, cocktail bars with selected music and the bars where the domestic music scene finds a place to express itself.

Athens has a plentiful supply of music bars, rock and jazz venues and discos to choose from. Head for one of the many rembetika clubs to hear this traditional Greek music (a kind of Greek-style American blues with the added twist of a bouzouki!).

One of the best known clubs is Rembetiki Stoa Athanaton in Sofokleous near the meat market a little way to the north of the Monastiraki flea market.

This is the place to go for quality rembetika which purists will enjoy more than the tourist orientated Greek music and folk dancing to be found in the bars and restaurants of the Plaka district.

Entertainment

As the sun dips below the horizon, Athens transforms into a city of lights and lively energy. The nightlife in Athens is as diverse as it is vibrant, with options ranging from sophisticated wine bars and jazz lounges to pulsating nightclubs playing a mix of international and Greek music. For a more local experience, try catching a Rebetika performance, often called the Greek blues.

Summer in Athens could be summed up in a few words, then these would be concerts, fountains, squares, dancing, summers, terraces and countless walks in every part of it. Wine bars, which is a phenomenon with huge and very high-quality growth in Athens. Fun parks and night clubs

Eating out in Athens

There are many eateries in Athens that you always turn to when you want to eat deliciously, simply and economically. Taverns, cafes and family kitchens that look like an extension of a home kitchen, serving seasonal foods, pulses and oils, fish in the pan, appetizers and unique specialties and when the time for the bill comes, you know that you won’t pay much.

The quality-price ratio plays an important role, the way some restaurants approach their cuisine, either by having a fixed small menu or by choosing economical raw materials with flair and imagination, contributes to keeping the costs low and not discounting the taste.

Take your friends, don’t eat even a couple of days before and visit the biggest and most delicious culinary event in Greece at Zappeion. 10 of the best restaurants in the country, top chefs, iconic dishes and a full program of music and entertainment await you!

Summer cinemas

Most of them  lined up sometimes between apartment buildings and sometimes on cool rooftops.

An image that puts you in a romantic mood and sometimes you feel that it transports you to another era, against the background of French film noirs or the latest releases.

Summer cinemas make Athenian nights special and carefree. There are many options, some all time classics loved by the cinephile public, while some “hidden gems” are waiting for you to discover them in Athens

In the summer, visitors who stay more than 3 days, often plan a beach or even a visit to the Argosaronic islands as part of their stay. The summer cinema also seems unique to visitors. They like it, as it is something they usually don’t have in their country, at least not as organized as in Greece.

Athens has a great appeal for city breakers, both in sightseeing contexts such as the Grand Promenade walk in the archaeological park route from Monastiraki to Dionysiou Areopagitou and Columns of Olympian Zeus, as well as simply getting to know the neighborhoods of the city. Now many visitors choose more alternative ways of touring, such as the guided tour with scooters or bicycles. In general, fitness and well being options are constantly gaining ground

National parks, ancient monuments and a vast coastline that lacks nothing:, the outskirts of Athens hide many interesting surprises for excursions of historical, culinary and nature-loving interest, usually only an hour’s radius from the city center.

Every resident and visitor owes themselves a visit to the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio (if only for its prime position on the Saronic Gulf and the beautiful coastal route that leads there).

On the southeastern coast, a few kilometers from Sounio, Lavrio still emits the “smell” of its mining past (from the impressive industrial facilities of the French Company of the 19th-20th centuries in the picturesque town to the ancient “laundries” on its slopes Souni National Park).

The sanctuary of Artemis in Vravrona, the Amphiaraion of Oropos, Ramnounda and the scattered archaeological sites in Marathon are an attraction for archeology lovers and for those who want to add another dimension to day trips for diving on the east coast of Athens.

The area of ​​Marathon, in fact, offers in itself a complete excursion package that combines nature with the coastal pine forest and the wetland of the Schinias Marathon National Park, as well as fun and sports at summer beach bars of the area.

The paths and monasteries of mount Hymettus as well as the fir-covered slopes of Parnitha, offer lightning excursions and leisurely hikes, while at the foot of Parnitha the Tatoi Estate is a particularly popular family destination on weekends.

The west of Attica is characterized by intense industrialization. However, Eleusis, with its important ancient heritage, is firmly on the agenda in late summer thanks to Aeschylia, the local festival, while the beaches on the west coast boast perhaps the most idyllic coastline in Attica.

The country taverns of the prefecture also give the Athenians reasons to go on a culinary trip, for Greek style grilled taverns in Hasia, Kalyvia, Stamata and Vari and for seafood in Rafina, Nae Makri and in the area of ​​Sounion. Wine lovers note that in the Mesogeia area, the center of Attica’s vineyard, there are wineries to visit.

Historical centre of Athens

In the Historical center of Athens coexist and intertwine, for more than 170 years, the public administration and the emblematic buildings-symbols of the Greek state, the New and Old Parliament, the Academy at the University, City Hall, etc., the central market of the city, the crafts that traditionally concentrated in the northern part of Piraeus and in the area of ​​Psirri, residence, entertainment, culture and, of course, real estate speculation.

These components are constantly shifting, changing, evolving and re-defining, forming overlapping layers in a constantly active urban geography. Important buildings appear and disappear, leaving their traces in the urban fabric and in place names such as Varvakeio Lyceum, Bukuras Theater, Chiler’s Municipal Theater, the National Mint, etc., development centers emerge, recede and return.

Athenas Street, although it was designed as an axis of symmetry, from the beginning, played the role of an internal border that intersects this dynamic whole into two distinct and socially asymmetric subsets, in the context of the wider, real and mainly symbolic, spatial and social division of the East/West Basin -corresponding to the separation of dominant social strata, but also administration and production.

The dynamic of the changes in land uses, which starts already from the phase of the successive revisions of the first plans of Athens, with the location of the Palaces as a focal point, highlights the Historical center as a central stake in the social struggle for the control of the City Center, which in any case has always been par excellence a field of manifestation of social and class confrontations

The atmospheric pedestrian streets around the Acropolis, the big exhibitions, the rich potential of the museums, highlighting the New  Acropolis Museum , the cultural complexes and the festivals, the lively, even in times of crisis, gastronomic landscape, the lively downtown neighborhoods, make the center of Athens the strongest attraction for visitors to the city. Increasingly hip in recent years, Gazi has become an all year round hot spot. Especially in summer, the main road and the square of the metro station resemble an island.

Restaurants and bars set tables outside, everyone is on the street, in a perpetual motion. Metaxourgio, which follows closely with more alternative and art profiles, the timeless “village of art and entertainment” in Psyrri, which along with the night spots now gives reasons for all-day walks, the idiosyncratic and forever young Exarchia, the Syggrou Avenue with the dynamic cultural package of the House of Letters and Arts, the museums and cultural centers of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, and the ever-changing Piraeus Avenue are some of the neighborhoods of the wider city center that keep our interest constant.

Walk around Athens

On a sunny day walk up the sacred rock of   Acropolis and visit Parthenon the world famous landmark of Athens. Τhe Acropolis of Athens is the main attraction of the capital of Greece. On the rock that dominates the centre of the capital, the ancient Greek culture was expressed in the most ideal way and some of its top monuments were built, such as the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the temple of Nike, the Erechtheion and others. Visit  Plaka  the oldest and most attractive neighbourhood of the Greek Capital, stroll around the narrow streets and enjoy the neoclassical mansions, climb up the steps to Anafiotica and explore a hidden small village in the heart of Athens!! Plaka used to be called by the Greeks the neighbourhood of the gods, today Plaka is one of the main attractions for the tourists, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops all can be find here. Anafiotica is a must see area just over Plaka and under Acropolis to the east .

Anafiotika  is like a small island within Athens, builders from the small island of Anafi build their traditional white washed houses in the tiny winding streets and steps of this area when they were building the royal Palace. Today the Palace is the Greek Parliament and rights on its front is the Parliament square or Plateia Syntagmatos in Greek , the most central place of Athens.

The  Panathenaic stadium where the first Olympic games took place located a few minutes walk through the National Gardens or through Zapeion. Athens has many neoclassical buildings like the Athens Academy, the National Library, The Historical museum, the Archaeological museum and many others mainly at the streets of Panepistimiou, Stadiou, Athinas, Patission (28 October street), around Omonia square and in the area of Plaka where located the first university of Athens and many neoclassical houses

Omonia Square has been characterised as the “navel of Athens” as it is a key point of the city. This is where the main streets of Athens start, such as Panepistimiou, Stadiou, Athinas, Pireos, Agiou Konstantinou and Third of Septemvriou street, which is why it is a place where everyone passes every day. A few meters from the square located the City Hall, in Kotzia Square and immediately after the Varvakeios Agora, the busiest in the city. In the area of ​​Omonia located also the National Theater, on Agiou Konstantinou Street.

The pedestrianised Dionysiou Areopagitou street is one of the most beautiful walking routes in the city, overlooking the Parthenon on one side and the magnificent mansions on the other. Here is the New Museum of the Acropolis, next to the metro station Acropolis (which is also interesting, as it has on all levels casts from the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon).

With the unification of the archaeological sites, the shaped road is connecting the archaeological sites of the Olympion, the Theater of Dionysus, the Theater of Herodes Atticus, the Acropolis and the Areios Pagos.

Athens Historical Center

Increasingly hip in recent years, Gazi has now evolved into an all year round hot spot. Especially in the summer, the main street and the square of the metro station resemble an island. Restaurants and bars put tables outside, the whole world is on the street, in a constant movement. Metaxourgeio, which follows closely with a more alternative and art profile.

The timeless art and entertainment village in Psirri, which, alongside the night spots, now also provides occasions for all-day walks, the idiosyncratic and forever young Exarchia, the Syngrou Avenue with the dynamic cultural package of the House of Letters and Arts, the museums and cultural centers of Queen Sofias Avenue, and the ever-changing Piraeus Avenue are some of the neighborhoods of the wider city center that keep our interest undiminished with constant transformations

North Athens

Characteristic landmarks are the geographical boundaries of the region: Psychiko (where many diplomatic missions of foreign countries are based) and Kifissia.

This former country suburb with its old mansions, in addition to being a privileged place of residence, is a destination for designer’s shopping, for gastronomic outings and for family educational trips to the environment-dedicated Goulandris Museum of Natural History – Gaia Center.

For your night routes, Nea Erythraia is the hot spot of the northern suburbs, Chalandri has become the joy of clubbing, while Psychiko and Melissia have recently been experiencing great mobility.

West Athens

The metro lines that connect Aegaleo and Peristeri in just a few minutes with the center of Athens, also introduced to foreigners the clothing and footwear stock centers of Peristeri and of course the cafe-bars of the mainstream square that unfolds in Burnazi, while inside in the general atmosphere of the development of bars, Aimiliou Veaki Street has recently seen a spectacular rise.

Among the hubs that entered the map so that we now pull the handbrake for shopping is of course the axis of Kifissos with large shopping centers.

Athens riviera

The first stop on the beach going down from the center, Faliro with the unused (currently) Olympic sea front and centerpiece of the renovated Marina of Flisvos, is suitable for the sun for cyclists and summer cinema and awaits the implementation of the major regeneration projects of theFaliron bay, with the project for the New Lyric Theater and the National Library, by Renzo Piano, on the site of the old hippodrome, already under way.

In all weathers, Glyfada is a classic destination in the area for shopping in its malls as well as for drinks or food, while Vouliagmeni with its luxury resorts is identified with the upper class version of the Athens Riviera.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Altitude of Athens?

Athens slopes down to sea level, so the altitude in many spots is approximately zero. The altitude of the Acropolis is about 490 feet or approximately 150 meters above sea level. However, Athens is surrounded by mountains and also has a number of hills, including the rock of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and Philopappus Hill. The Acropolis is not perfectly even, so different measurements will vary.

What Are the GPS Coordinates for the Parthenon ?

In the old days, this question would be “what are the latitude and longitude of the Parthenon”? In either case, here is one answer: 37°58′27″N, 23°43′39″E.

How long will a flight take to Athens?

Obviously, this depends on where you start and if your route requires connections, which generally add a minimum of two to three hours to the flight time, including both the flight time “wasted” during the descent and take-offs and the actual time dashing through the terminal.

What time is it in Athens ?

The time difference depends on your location, and can also vary because of the start and end of Daylight Savings Time as different nations start and end DST on different dates. The link to the World Clock provided helps you calculate the difference between your location and Athens, Greece. All of Greece is in the same time zone, the Eastern European Zone or EET, so you don’t have to worry about multiple time zones affecting the difference.

Is Athens Safe?

Athens is widely considered to be among the safest of world capitals. That being said, it never hurts to exercise reasonable precautions especially if you are wandering through the city on foot late at night. There are some instances of purse snatchings and pickpockets; the purse thefts are usually when someone is sitting on a bench or at a cafe with a bag slung over a chair or placed down at the side.

How Big is Athens?

Athens is a huge, sprawling city with many interconnecting streets. Its area is about 165 square miles or 428 square kilometers.

What’s the Population of Athens?

About 5 million people live in the “greater Athens area”, which contains most of the visible sprawl from the heart of the city to the outskirts. Increasing problems with undocumented immigrants make the number a particularly loose estimate. Well-to-do Athenians often have second or old “family” homes elsewhere in Greece and may or may not be counted in census figures for Athens itself. Greece’s overall population is estimated to be about 11 million, and so almost half the population of Greece lives in the Athens area. Recent census figures are still pending.

A city with a history lost over the centuries, Athens preserves modern and archaeological treasures of global scope in museums and cultural sites that characterize its special identity.

Almost all of them you’ve at least heard of, and most of them you’ve probably visited at some point as a visitor to Athens.

 The Acropolis Museum remains a top choice . But the museum of Cycladic Art is also quite interesting, as is the National Archaeological Museum. Many visitors are surprised by the number, quality and low cost of concerts and festivals held in Athens and choose them.

The typical dishes of Athens are not as spicy as it might be thought and the spices normally used are not so different from those found on our tables every day. A detail that will surely push you to savor Athenian cuisine is the use of olive oil, which offers dishes a particularly strong flavor, helping to enrich them with taste.

Among the typical Athenian dishes, Keftedes stands out, delicious fried meatballs that are prepared in different places in the area (some based on fish, others based on tomatoes, chickpeas or cheese). Still, particularly palatable is the Melitzanosalata, which is an eggplant salad usually accompanied by bread.

The majority of tourists chooses restaurants of traditional Greek cuisine, while in almost all agendas there is at least one “souvlaki” option.Those who belong to the premium audience often also choose the recommended molecular cuisine restaurant or other restaurants that express modern trends.

How to get to Athens

The plane is the quickest, cheapest, most used and most logical way to get to Athens. The airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, located about 33 kilometers from the center of the Greek capital. You can get to Athens centre from the airport, by taxi, the Metro or the express buses.

Unless you are taking a cruise in the area, the best options to reach Athens by sea are to depart from the Italian ports of Ancona, Venice, Bari or Brindisi. The port of arrival is normally the port of Patras in Peloponnese,200 kilometers west of Athens. You can get to athens from Patras by bus or train.

It is mostly recomended only for younger and adventurous travelers since it can take over 48 hours from Paris. Athens is connected by train to the north and western Europe through the railways that passes through the Balkans, in fact it still exists the old Orient express route from Paris (Gare de Lyon). From Germany the train runs through Austria from Munich and enetrs the Balkans from Slovenia The railway tracks run through the eastern part of Greece. Greece is connected by train to Turkey, Bulgaria and Albania.

Moving around Athens

By car or bike

Driving in Athens should be treated with great respect; The unusually high traffic density and the seemingly chaotic driving behavior require the driver to be able to concentrate and react.. On a motorized two-wheeler it is probably easier to get through rush hour traffic and to weave past columns to the left and right. You can rent scooters everywhere, you should prefer the scooters with large wheels, as they have a higher driving stability, which can be decisive in dusty Mediterranean countries. But nobody should be frightened: There are relatively few accidents and these are often mild due to the low average speed.

By Electric scooter

Electric scooters are ideal for visiting the historical centre of Athens you can find them mainly around the Acropolis, Syntagma square and Plaka. Electric Scooters work as follows: users who want to use them download the application of the companies from the internet, enter their mobile phone number and after doing so, receive a code which they scan on the skate which in turn unlocks and is now ready for use.

The taxi prices in Athens and Greece in general, are very low, even many Greeks prefer to ride a taxi instead of another public transport. Anyway you should be aware of several scams by some drivers who promest to give you a cheap flat rate and they are usually meant differently. You should only drive on a taxi with the taximeter on unless you know your way around. You can hire up a taxi almost everywhere by picking up your hand like in most of the cities around the world, (you can notice that the taxi is free for hire by the taximeter that is lit on). From ports, airports and train stations you shoud wait your turn on the quay at the taxi stand. If you thing that you have been charged over the limit you should ask for an invoice.

By Tram and trolley bus

The tram is might slower than the metro, but it has the advantage of going to to places where the metro has not yet stations. Most importent is the best way to reach the most beaches of the south suburbs like Phaliro, Alimos, Kalamaki Glyfada and Voula.In fact you can see a lot of Athens in a very relaxed way.There are several tram lines and stops in Athens and Piraeus.Some of the oldest tram lines are the one from the main train station of Athens that takes you up to Omoneia square and Syntagma and the line of Patision street that takes you to several suburbs of east Athens.

Regular buses run mostly every 20 minutes and go almost everywhere. They are ideal for urban areas.In Athens there are almost over 440 bus routes in the city alone. Of course, there are also intercity buses that serve the Attica region, Peloponnese and the rest of Greece (KTEL). The main stations are in Kifissou avenue and Liosion Avenue.

LINE 2 Red Line : It extends in a length of 17.5 km from Anthoupolis to Elliniko. It serves 20 stations. It is connected to LINE 1 at Attiki and Omonia stations, to LINE 3 at Syntagma station, and to the Suburban Railway and OSE at Larissa station.

LINE 3 Blue Line:  It serves 27 stations and an additional 4, which it shares with the suburban rail. It is connected to LINE 1 at Monastiraki station and to LINE 2 at Syntagma station. The final extension to Piraeus included the stations of Maniatika, Piraeus and Municipal Theater (Dimotiko Theatro) and was completed on 10/10/2022. Passengers from the port of Piraeus can go straight to the airport of Athens  within 1 hr and 5 minutes.

Facts about Athens

Area: 476 km² Population: nearly 5,000,000 inhabitants ATMs: Yes Internet cafes: Yes Highest peak: Lycabettus, 277m Airport: Yes Price Level: Depends on where you are Metro: Yes Trolley: Yes Tram: yes Tourist bus: line 400 Buses: Urban OASA, Suburban KTEL International code: 0030 Area code: 210 Ambulance, First Aid: 199 Port Police: 4511311 (Piraeus) Font: 100 Complaints (new GNTO service): 1572 Tourist police: 171 (urgent) 9239224 Hospitals, Clinics, Pharmacies: 1434 Trains: 145 (domestic), 147 (international) Tourist information: 3310561 SOS Doctors: 1016 Athens Airport: 3530000 Taxis: 4115200 (Ermis) 5152899 (Ikaros) Firefighters: 199

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Athens Tourism

Athens contributes very much to the tourism industry of the entire Greece, being home to a long list of archaeological sites, archaic monuments, and old towns. The most popular months for tourism in Athens are June to August. However, in April, May, September and October, the weather is pleasant and the crowds of tourists are limited, which makes visits to archaeological sites, museums and other places a lot easier. Accommodations are cheaper to book, too.

Similarly to other Mediterranean and Balkan cities, the Greek capital remains quite traditional to a notable extent, in opposition to many other cities of the EU (mainly in the northern and central countries). The best places to see are within the city center's limits. In fact, Athens tourism is mostly concentrated in the city center, although many interesting places to visit are located in the suburbs. Most lodging options are situated in central locations, too. Indicatively, plentiful hotels are hosted in Syntagma Square, Omonoia, Monastiraki, Thissio and Acropolis.

Overall, tourism in Athens mostly focuses on archaeology and culture. There are numerous sights to enjoy in the fantastic and never-sleeping city. The best ambulation would include walking around the center and losing yourself in the small streets of the lovely neighborhood of Plaka . You will eventually pass by the flea market of Monastiraki and the market on Athinas Street, where your eyes and nose will fill with images and smells of meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, honey, and coffee. Right next to the market, you will encounter Psiri , the neighborhood of taverns, restaurants, live music, fashionable bars, and fun until the break of dawn.

The city is one of the most unique places to visit in Greece, boasting a wide list of archaeological monuments that you shouldn't miss, like the little church on top of Lycabettus Hill , where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. Another highlight of the city is the lovely walk path built for the Olympic Games, which starts from the archaeological site at the Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of the Olympian Zeus , passes by the Theater of Herodes Atticus , continues to Thissio neighborhood and ends in Gazi .

We would advise you to stop at Thiseio to enjoy a coffee frappe at one of the numerous cafeterias that can be found there, all with a view of the Acropolis . Keep an entire morning for the visit of the majestic site of the Acropolis, its museum and surroundings, and the little theatre of Dionysos, on its southeast side. Most of the churches sprinkled in the city are worth the visit. The city's main square, Syntagma Square, will probably be seen numerous times since it is where most of the buses leave and arrive.

Do not forget to take a minute to admire the wonderful neoclassical building of the Hellenic Parliament and the Evzones, its guards, wearing the traditional outfit. At the end of the day a walk in the National Gardens or the smaller but lovely gardens of the Zappeion Megaron .

Greek hospitality is still apparent in the big city, as you will discover after meeting the locals. Follow the Greek way of life by relaxing in a kafeneion (traditional cafe) or a taverna (traditional restaurant), where you will take your time to enjoy food and drinks and blend in with the Greeks and their festive mood.

Lastly, regarding transportation , buses, metros, trolleys, and taxis are all ways to visit Athens' points of interest.

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Home > Athens Travel Advice, Including Things To Do In Athens

Athens Travel Advice, Including Things To Do In Athens

Written by our local expert Gabi

Gabi is an award-winning writer who lives on the Island of Crete in Greece. She is an expert in Greek travel and writes guides for the everyday traveler.

Here is all the Athens travel advice that you need. We’ve got a list of things to do in Athens, as well as top Athens sites and tips for traveling with kids.

Are you planning a trip to the capital of Greece ? This guide is the handiest resource you can find to plan every detail and get ready to enjoy one of the most vibrant European capitals .

Here, you’ll find everything you need , from where to go to where to stay and – most importantly – all the incredible things you can do in this millennial, fascinating city!

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Where Is Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece, is located in the southern area of the Attica region, close to the Aegean Sea . The international airport is only 35 km from the city center, and it can take 30 minutes to 1 hour to reach town, depending on the traffic and the preferred means of transport.

Since Athens has a lot of traffic any time of the day, getting to town by metro can be more time-efficient while getting to the center by bus is more convenient as far as fees are concerned.

Athens’s main port, Piraeus , is about 30 minutes from the city center. It’s from Piraeus that most ferries for the Greek Islands depart from. Other ports in Athens are Lavrio and Rafina, also featuring routes to some of Greece’s most popular islands .

Where To Stay In Athens

We have written this super complete guide to the best areas to stay in Athens – complete with a list of cities in Athens and why you should stay there (or not!)

However, if you’re looking for some quick ideas, then read on for some top recommendations.

There are different neighborhoods to stay in Athens, depending on which Athens attractions you’re keen to see. However, since the city is well-served by public transport, it doesn’t matter if you’re staying in a very central position.

Plaka is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Athens for sightseeing, walking tours, and historical landmarks . This old district is just steps from the Acropolis and some of Athens’s most important ancient sites.

Also, staying in Plaka is excellent if you enjoy shopping and food. There are several  souvenir shops, endless traditional tavernas, restaurants, beautiful cafes, and places to go for a cocktail or beer.

Another great area to stay in, in Athens , is Monastiraki. Close to virtually everything, Monastiraki Square is where you’ll be reaching to sample the best gyros in town, so don’t miss Monastiraki if you’re a foodie at heart and want to sip the best Greek coffee in the city. 

For a more refined experience, choose the areas of Koukaki or Kolonaki. Both places are within walking distance of Athens’s most important museums, and both neighborhoods also preserve an elegant and quiet atmosphere .

What To Do In Athens At Night

If you’re up for a more modern vibe, choose Psirri or Thisseio’s colorful areas. These two vibrant areas of Athens feature hundreds of restaurants , cafes, and music bars open until late at night.

Athens neighborhood guide here.

How to get to athens.

Plane travel is logically the fastest and most convenient way to get to Athens from Europe, the US, Canada, or Australia.

Those traveling to Athens from other European capitals can take advantage of different low-cost companies offering convenient tickets to Athens all year round .

How To Move Around In Athens To 

Avoid renting a car when visiting the city is always a good idea since traffic can be chaotic. Besides, the city enjoys an excellent public transport system.

Buses can take you virtually everywhere, plus the metro is fast, cheap, and super-efficient to move around in town, so you can visit almost every corner of Athens by buying a daily metro pass.

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How long to stay in athens.

There are many things to see and do in Athens, especially in winter when other parts of Greece close up, so time seems to fly when you visit. It’s not advisable to spend less than two days in town if you really want to see the most important landmarks, archaeological sites, and museums.

A stay ranging from 3 to 5 days is perfect for getting a good insight into the city, joining a few walking tours, or even visiting places that are a bit off the radar, such as Cape Sounion, in the southern coastal area.

Anything from one week to 10 days in Athens will allow you to take a day trip to the beautiful Saronic Islands near the coast of Athens , such as Aegina or Hydra.

Where To Eat In Athens

Greek food is a vital part of the Athenian travel experience that you don’t want to miss. There are hundreds of places of interest in Athens for foodies. Almost any area you choose to visit will have a mix of budget and high-end food choices.

• For traditional tavernas , the best places are located in Plaka and close to the Acropolis Museum in Koukaki.
• For the best gyros in town , head to Monastiraki, while homemade dishes can be tasted in the Agia Eirini Square area.
• More trendy places to eat and have drinks can be found in Thisseio and Kolonaki.

Use this tipping in Greece guide when you dine out.

Athens landmarks.

A top list of Athens sights would never be complete without this list of landmarks in Athens:

It goes without saying that one of the best places to visit in Athens – at least one of the most famous places in Athens – is the Acropolis, which has overlooked and guarded the city for more than 2,500 years.

The Acropolis rock, which can be easily seen from any area in town, is one of the top places you should not miss visiting .

The most important monument to visit up in the Acropolis is the Parthenon, a temple built in the fifth century BC and which is dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the Greek goddess of wisdom and namesake of the city.

Acropolis Museum

One of the most stunning places you can visit in the capital is the Acropolis Museum, which houses unique treasures found in the Acropolis.

The museum exhibits objects from the fifth century BC to the fifth century AD, including archaic sculptures and statues.

The main feature is the impressive glass floor that reveals the rest of an ancient Athenian neighborhood below found during the construction.

Panathenaic Stadium

The construction dates back to the fourth century BC, and it’s the place where the Ancient Greeks would show demonstrations of strength and courage in athletic competitions.

The impressive stadium is entirely made from white marble, and a guided visit is a perfect idea to visit the vaulted passages under the building.

Museum of Cycladic Art

Another outstanding museum you should discover in Athens is the Museum of Cycladic Art, featuring over 3,000 artifacts and pieces of art coming from the Cyclades and Cyprus.

Here, you’ll be able to look at those mysterious marble figurines found all over the Cycladic area in the Aegean Sea.

National Archaeological Museum

This is one of the most important museums in the whole country, exhibiting the world’s most extensive  collection of Greek antiquities, including sculptures, art, jewelry, and pottery, thematically grouped in different sections from prehistoric times to the Classical era.

It’s a massive place to visit, so the best bet is to join a guided tour to learn more when you visit.

What To See In Athens

These Athens sites are no doubt a must-see; add them to your best places to see in Athens list:

Witness the Change of the Guard in Syntagma Square

This is probably the most traditional thing to do in Athens. There are daily changes of the guard taking place at the Parliament building, but the most impressive one certainly occurs every Sunday.

The evzones are highly trained soldiers dressed in traditional Greek uniforms.

Wander The Streets Of Plaka

The neighborhood of Plaka sits right under the Acropolis, and it’s mostly a pedestrian area where there’re lots of shops, restaurants, and cafés to visit.

Here, you’ll find unique souvenirs and amazing places to visit in Athens. One of them is Bretto’s, one of the oldest distilleries in Europe, where it’s possible to taste a huge range of ouzo and other traditional liquors from the islands.

Discover Anafiotika

It is located in the upper area of Plaka, just under the Acropolis. Anafiotika is a beautiful neighborhood made by builders from the Aegean island of Anafi . It is not often listed as one of Athens’s top attractions, but it should be. The area features whitewashed houses, colorful alleys, and shady trees, which makes it perfect for a walk on a hot afternoon. There are no cars, and leaving  the rest of Athens’s craziness behind is ideal.

Go Shopping at the Municipal Market

Traditional and full of colorful images, the smells and the experience of a visit to Athens’ Central Market are things you shouldn’t miss when in Athens.

Even when not buying anything, the place gives a unique opportunity to explore and marvel at the local everyday life and traditions that are part of the city.

Discover Athens’ Street Art With A Tour

Athens has recently flourished as a European capital where street art can range from the most basic and colorful graffiti to modern pieces of stunning beauty .

There are different areas where street art will surprise you, but you’ll discover more hidden gems that only locals know when visiting with a street art guided tour.

Find The Best Athens Sunset Spot

Lycabettus Hill is a favorite place in Athens where locals meet to witness the sun setting over the city.

From here, it’s possible to admire the stunning views of the city and see the silhouette of the Acropolis in the distance overlooking the Greek capital.

Top Things To Do In Athens With Kids

The following Athens tourist attractions are ideal for families and people traveling to Athens with kids:

Hellenic Children’s Museum

Fantastic for kids of all ages, this small interactive museum helps kids learn about the world creatively.

Different sections teach kids creative techniques and everything about the world of adults!

Eat Cake At The Little Kook

This quirky tea house and café in the heart of Psirri is a fabulous place to visit in Athens with children. Kids adore the unique holiday decorations both on the inside and the outside that add a huge touch of color and animation to the street of Psirri.

Kids and adults will love the fancy dresses worn by the servers and the delicious desserts and cakes you can try when you visit.

Take An Acropolis Family Guided Tour

Kids love myths and legends from Ancient Greece, so it’s no surprise that special tours designed with little ones in mind are among the favorite things to do in Athens with children.

When visiting with a guide that tells the fascinating stories of warriors, gods, and heroes, kids remain fascinated and attentive and enjoy Athens uniquely and uniquely. Parents love these tours, too!

Check The Museum Of Ancient Greek Technology

This is another place kids love to visit as it allows them to see, touch, and even make old inventions work with their hands.

The museum features several guided and educational activities, and it can be found in the Kolonaki neighborhood.

There is much more stuff to do in Athens for families; stay tuned for our top sites in Athens for a children’s guide coming soon. 

Shopping In Athen

What kind of Athens travel advice post would not include a place to shop? You can bring home great memories from your Athens trip. Typical souvenirs such as postcards, magnets, and sculptures can be found almost everywhere in town.

However, if you’re not confident about what different and unique things to buy in Athens as a trip memento, these are some of the ideas that you could consider.

Handmade jewelry from Greece is of good quality. You can find original pieces inspired by ancient Greek designs.

Reproduction of ancient figures and sculptures are also a popular gift you can buy in Athens ; some of them are well-made. You can also find ceramic vases or iron helmets that kids adore!

Food products you can get home from Athens include extra virgin olive oil , honey, spices, and liquors.

If you’re not a souvenir type , choose areas such as Kolonaki or Ermou for trendy shops and some fashion retail therapy; some shops are exclusive and sell upscale items.

For those into used antiques and other oddities, then the area to visit is Monastiraki, with unique flea markets and shops selling clothes, second-hand books, and special decorative items.

To get a distinctive flavor of real Athens, visit the central market. From here, you can get all types of foods like cured meat, herbs, spices, and much more!

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Great Day Trips From Athens

Athens is located right by the sea, and there are several small islands you can visit by taking a ferry early in the morning at the Port of Piraeus; one is Hydra.

One of the most traditional islands in Greece , Hydra, is just an hour away from Athens, and it can be easily visited in a day.

This tiny island preserves a unique atmosphere since cars are not allowed anywhere on the island.

The island features beautiful beaches, lovely alleys, monasteries , and stunning houses you want to visit in a few hours.

This is our guide to Hydra Island.

Aegina and poros.

Another island you can also visit after a short ride from Piraeus is Aegina, better-known for the large-scale production of pistachios, among the best you’ll ever try! Besides,

Aegina also hosts the Temple of Aphaia, the best-preserved Classical temple in Greece.

You can visit Aegina during your day or add the islands of Poros and Hydra to discover the three of them, taking a one-day cruise from Piraeus.

This is our guide to Aegina here.

Now you’re all set to enjoy Athens, thanks to this list of must-dos in Athens, Greece.

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Greece has an excellent scenic beauty which is irresistible. I love Athens very much. Thanks for writing.

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Visit Athens Greece - Athens City Guide

N°1 athens travel guide: tips for sightseeing, tourism and athens city.

All sighstseeing, tourist attractions information and tips for your city break in Athens Greece such as visiting the sights and highlights. What to visit in Athens city in Greece? Your trip starts with travel guide AthensLover.com

Tips for your city trip to Athens (Greece)

Well prepared for a trip to Athens? On this website you will find all the information you need before booking a city trip to Athens Greece. Athens is a large and historic city with a lot to see and experience. What are the real must-sees and hidden gems of Athens city? Here you will find all information about Athens attractions , the nicest neighbourhoods, day trips from Athens , the Acropolis Museum and Akropolis tickets . Have a nice trip in Athens and Greece !

Athens is the capital of Greece . It is also the largest city in the country. Athens (in Greek: Αθήνα) is located in the Attica region and is also the administrative center of it. You can divide the capital into seven different city districts. Athens is one of the most important cities in Greece. This is because the political and economic center of the country is located here. More than 4 million inhabitants live in Athens city. The name Athens is derived from the name of the Greek goddess Athena. The city of Athens was already an important place in ancient times. The ancient city is unique because it was the first democracy. The Greek citizens were allowed to participate in politics. In ancient Athens, several wars were fought against the Persians. Because of this, many of the well-known buildings and monuments have partly been destroyed and perished. Ancient Athens is also known as a city that produced many philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle and Socrates. As a result, the city of Athens became an important center for culture, art and philosophy.

Sightseeing in Athens Greece

What to visit in Athens city? The capital of Greece is full of ancient monuments, temples, ruins and churches. For lovers of ancient Greece, this city is a paradise. You really have to see the Acropolis . This hill in the middle of Athens has some of the most important archaeological monuments. Throughout the city, however, you will find remains of temples and other monuments. Many of these are dedicated to the ancient Greek gods.

The capital of Greece also has plenty of museums. The Acropolis museum and the National Archaeological Museum are perhaps the best known. The National Archaeological Museum, for example, has the largest collection of ancient Greek art in the entire country. Furthermore, Athens Greece has many more larger and smaller museums that are specialized in a type of art or an era of history. The capital of Greece is also a pleasant city with several squares such as Monastiráki Square where you will also find a large shopping street. There is something for everyone to experience during an Athens city trip. Make your city trip even relaxing with the Athens City Pass , so all your important tickets are arranged in advance.

Top 20 Athens sightseeing

Districts of Athens city

Athens city has many different neighborhoods, each with its own atmosphere and culture. Every neighborhood is unique and sometimes it feels like you've ended up in a completely different city. For example, the Pláka district is busy, cozy and touristy, while the picturesque Anafiótika district is quiet and full of locals. Monastiráki is the most central district with several monuments, the long shopping street Ermeu and numerous shops and restaurants, including near Monastiráki Square. In the evening, the alternative Psirri district full of street art is a cozy neighborhood or the Gázi district, known for its nightlife.

Transport in Athens Greece

Athens has one major airport: Elefthérios Venizélos airport. From this Athens airport you are in the center within half an hour. The centre of Athens is quite large and contains several neighborhoods. Because of the hilly area everything can therefore be difficult to walk. Fortunately, you can move around the city by public transport or taxis. The most used form of public transport is the Athens metro . In addition, you can also use the tram, train or bus in the Athens area. In addition, public transport is also fairly cheap. You can buy a single ticket or buy a day or week ticket. This gives you unlimited use of public transport. This is ideal if you want to see a lot of the city of Athens in a short time. Metro and bus stations are close by to many of the well-known places to visit in Athens .

Popular on Athens Travel Guide

Acropolis of Athens

The absolute number 1 attraction of Athens city is without a doubt the Acropolis. The mountain is centrally located in the city and you will find the Parthenon here; the temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Read our useful tourism tips for visiting the Acropolis.

• Acropolis Tickets

20x Places to visit in Athens

What to visit in Athens? In this article an overview of the most important sights, museums and activities for your city trip to Athens. From the Acropolis to the Ancient Agora and from the touristic Plaka to the Acropolis Museum.

• Top 20 Sightseeing

Archaeological sites

Besides the Acropolis with the Parthenon , the capital has many other archaeological sites. Learn about six other areas such as the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Kerameikos Cemetery or Hadrian's Library.

• Ancient sites

Museums in Athens

Museum lover? Then Athens city is the right place for you. Besides the famous Acropolis Museum and the huge National Archaeological Museum , the city has many other museums such as a Byzantine museum, th e Benaki museum or the Hellenic Motor Museum.

• Acropolis Museum

Public transport

Although you can easily reach many sights on foot, it can sometimes be easy to use public transport to visit Athens sights. For example, the city has an excellent and affordable metro network to visit places such as the port of Piraeus. Also more info about Athens airport transfers .

• Athens Metro & Transport

Day Trips from Athens

When you stay a little longer in the capital of Greece, it can be interesting to make some day trips in the area, like visiting the port of Piraeus . Other excursions can be a visit to Delphi, the Temple of Poseidon or take a boat trip to the amazing Saronic islands of Hydra, Poros or Aegina.

• Athens Day trips

Best time to visit Athens city

The capital of Greece has a Mediterranean climate where it is often very hot in summers and mild in winters. In summer temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees. In winter it is usually no warmer than 13 degrees. You can also expect rain or snow in the colder months. During an Athens vacation you will probably want to see a lot of the city and its history. So it's not a typical beach holiday. Therefore, it is not recommended to visit Athens Greece during July and August. It can be 30 to 40 degrees. Also in June it is regularly very warm. The best months to visit Athens are therefore March, April, May, September and October. In these months it is often still warm, but not too hot to walk through the city and enjoy the Athens tourism. There is then a pleasant summer climate. In these months it is the high season to visit Athens city . This means: it can be very busy. Do you want to avoid this crowd? Then come at the beginning or end of the high season. You can also visit Athens Greece in winter, but there is a chance of bad weather and rain.

Video: Visiting Athens - Sightseeing & Tourism

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Travel Lifestyle

Athens Travel Planner

For this first part of our Greece Travel Planner, we’re tackling Athens. Most of you will be spending only a night or two here on your comings and goings–which will probably be during the summer months, when it’s at its hottest. Our local friends who gave us all this brilliant intel kept that in mind when answering your questions, and someday we’ll do a proper Athens Black Book, as it’s a city that definitely deserves more than a layover.  Most recent update July 2024

WHERE TO STAY

Thoughts on the best hotels/neighborhoods to stay in Athens? 

I admit I am also usually in Athens only for a night–a layover between a flight from Leros or Milos and my return home the next day. Since it’s just one night, we splurge for the Grand Bretagne , which has the best location (looks directly at the Acropolis and over Syntagma Square and the Greek Parliament). We have an afternoon swim in their rooftop pool, then perfect martinis at their outdoor roof bar with views to the lit-up Acropolis and a delicious breakfast, also on the roof, before heading out. More recently I stayed at the beautiful Dolli, and wrote about it here , as well as the artsy Shila . (I also wrote a Dispatch on a recent trip here .)

Our friend Maria Lemos , founder of Rainbow Wave (they represent the coolest designers), and owner of one of our favorite stores Mouki Mou (in London, but opening in Athens at the end of the summer!), suggests the Four Seasons Astir Palace (we wrote a Guest Book on it) in the Athenian suburb of Vouliagmeni (which you can drive to straight from the airport, bypassing the city) for a summer layover: “It’s too hot for the city! Stay in a cabana, not the main hotel, have lunch in the taverna and a swim. There is also a mini-Benaki museum kiosk on the grounds. Then you can get up super early and go to Sounio–that drive is breathtaking, but everyone goes for sunset. I would then go into the city late, have a drink at the Grande Bretagne rooftop bar, and eat in town before heading back.” 

Nausika Georgiadou , our friend who owns Skinopi Lodge in Milos but lives in Athens apart from the summer season, had these suggestions: “ In Athens, the great addition of the last few years has been the Four Seasons taking over the all-time classic Astir Palace in Vouliagmeni, which is in any case the best suburb of Athens with great restaurants and beach bars. I think that many people coming to Athens in the summer don’t realize that Athens is a seaside city with the opportunity to enjoy the sea as well. So I’d steer you to the Athenian Riviera in general, with Vouliagmeni as the crown jewel and then the drive to Sounio. If one comes in the winter, then the places to stay are either Kolonaki for a non touristy vibe, or the area around Syntagma Plaka, the

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Experiences

Guide to Athens: Where to eat, what to see and where to stay

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Athens offers a dichotomy of encounters, such as the past and present, city and sea.

(Photo: AthensWas)

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Luo Jingmei

In recent times, Athens’ rich culture was shadowed by the Greek government-debt crisis of 2009 that triggered a recession. Ironically, attention on the city piqued the interest of the world and tourists started arriving to find out what else it had to offer beyond its historical attractions such as the Acropolis and Theatre of Dionysus.

Today, Athens is one of the most vibrant European destinations. Projects like The Ellinikon – Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects being built near the coast – will accelerate its development (the €8 billion [US$8.87 billion; S$11.51 billion] master plan includes more than 10,000 homes and a two million-square-metre park).

“In the past decade, Athens has transformed significantly, blending its rich history with modern vitality. Economic reforms and urban projects have revitalised infrastructure and public spaces. A vibrant art scene has been created, drawing international attention with events like the Athens & Epidaurus Festival while tourism has surged, with many new hotels, new-age restaurants and a vivid nightlife,” observed Natalia Karantani, marketing manager of Greek hospitality and culinary products empire, Ergon.

A barometer of development is a city’s food scene, and Athens sets the bar high. Last year’s Michelin Guide listed 31 restaurants in the city. These modern eateries serve contemporary cuisine with traditional influences, as well as fresh rooftop restaurants offering innovative dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients – all while providing stunning views of historic landmarks.

Here are 10 suggestions for your next trip to Athens. 

Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens

With New York, Kyoto and a host of other landmark cities covered, the hip hotel brand that originated in Seattle lands in the Greek capital with the Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens. Opening officially on Sep 30, 2024, it is the second Swim Club aside from the renowned institution in Palm Springs.

Located in Glyfada just half hour drive from the city centre, the hotel nestles among marinas, seaside restaurants and beautiful beaches framed by lemon-pink sunsets. The 120-key building on the Athenian Rivera was designed by French architecture and interior design firm cigue. White walls, straw furniture, timber elements, and coral and indigo tones meld a modern 1970s coastal vibe with the Greek naturalist style.

Two pools and a rooftop bar will no doubt be on the radar of the partying set, with Ace Hotel standards like turntables and acoustic guitars in guestrooms turning up the party quotient. A dedicated gallery space and programme spotlighting the Athenian art scene add to the hotel’s already beguiling seascape and Athen’s winsome climate.

With walnut veneer-wrapped walls, bathrooms clad with Greek marble, and classic furniture like the LC3 armchair designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand, AthensWas is a design-lover’s dream. The hotel’s style pays tribute to its former life as a modernist apartment block in the 1970s.

A Design Hotels property, each of the 21 guestrooms and suites has a street-facing balcony. The grandest is the 55-sq-m Hellenic Suite attached to a 45-sq-m verandah facing the Acropolis. Combined with the Executive Suite, it becomes the capacious 110-square-metre Hellenic Grand Suite.

AthensWas is located centrally on the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian street en route to the Acropolis. On the ground floor, people watch at Modern Restaurant. Come dusk, proceed to the rooftop Michelin-starred Sense restaurant. Against the close-up view of the illuminated Acropolis, enjoy chef Charalambopoulos’ modern-Greek cuisine.

Xenodocheio Milos

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Xenodocheio Milos (@xenodocheiomilos)

Having just opened its newest branch at Marina Bay Sands, Estiatorio Milos is now a known name in Singapore. Fans headed to Athens can book a stay at Xenodocheio Milos (Hotel Milos), housed in a refurbished 19th century building, with the Estiatorio Milos Athenian branch downstairs and 43 guestrooms upstairs.

The hotel, which opened last year, is a partnership between Estiatorio Milos’ chef Costas Spiliadis, the Intra Athinaiki company and Dimos Stasinopoulos – the CEO of Greek luxury boutique hotel management company Epoque Collection.

Guestrooms mirror the building’s elegance, with a cream-and-chocolate palette, wooden floors and Dionysus marble bathrooms. Custom curved bedheads and dark blue, bulbous Tom Dixon light pendants evoke the port city’s nautical history. In the restaurant, a fishnet sculpture by Greek artist Dimitris Fortsas emphasises the Mediterranean cuisine’s seafood focus. Top the stay with a culinary river tour that comes with a meal on board the Milos at Sea yacht.

Ergon Bake House

Ergon is a Greek food and hospitality brand founded in Thessaloniki by two brothers in 2008 to promote Greek culinary heritage. More than 600 unique products are sold across its empire of 25 franchise delis, restaurants, markets and hotels across Greece, UK, Cyprus and the Middle East.   

Ergon Bake House at 27 Mitropoleos Street is its latest property in Athens celebrating all things sourdough and combining food and stay. The lobby is small and casual but full of character, surrounded by bakes and shelves of local produce for purchase. Twenty-nine guestrooms designed by Urban Soul Project exude Kinfolk vibe, with firebricks, linen curtains and stainless steel element.  

For sustenance, all-day diner 72 Eatery offers sourdough breads, biga pizzas and a very memorable sourdough koulouri (a local sesame bagel). You can also take away croissants and pastries from 72H Artisanal Bakery’s street-side window nearby. At the rooftop, +2H helmed by chef Panagiotis Xanthis showcases dishes like eggplant schnitzel paired with a cocktail of sesame-oiled gin, mastiha, Aegean vegetables and marinated tomato. 

Linou Soumpasis k Sia

A modern-day Greek tavern, Linou Soumpasis k Sia is a Michelin-starred restaurant set within the eclectic neighbourhood of Psiri. Meals start with the lighting of a candle in a silver holder to pay homage to the space’s former life as a candle shop. The atmosphere is casual yet chic with a minimalist decor, including soaring white walls, high ceilings, terrazzo flooring.

Food here is a modern riff on traditional Greek cuisine using fresh organic produce, such as Greek salad served with brie instead of feta, and veal cheek stew in a chickpea soup. The substantial Greek wine list is a bonus.

The open kitchen provides a buzzy atmosphere, coloured by the abstract paintings of Greek artist Tefra90 and sunlight washing in through glass walls on both ends. Cool evenings call for dinner under a lemon tree at the patio. Purchase a candle at the end to commemorate your meal.

In 2023, famed chef Tasos Mantis opened Soil in a neoclassical house within the Pangrati district. The Michelin-starred, farm-to-table restaurant celebrates Greek terroir. Think miso made from local chickpeas or lentils, and yuzu sauce from kumquats in the garden.

The seasonal tasting menu highlights the best and freshest ingredients available each season. For example, the summer menu offers shrimp paired with orange, pecan and marigold flowers. There is also a scallop dish enhanced with leek, yeast and coffee.

We recommend The Alepochori Experience, which starts with produce picking in the lush garden alongside chef Tasos Mantis and his father ‘Mastro-Babis’. Guests then enter the building to see their pickings turned into artful dishes at the Chef’s Table before leaving with the restaurant’s exquisite Little Book of Herbs.

Antiqua Gallery

Located in the affluent area of Kolonaki, Antiqua Gallery is a family-run business that started in 1952. It specialises in historical and 20th century furniture, lighting and ceramic design. Here, one can see pieces by Scandinavian and Italian masters such as Poul Kjaerholm, as well as Gio Ponti and Angelo Lelii.

This is also the place to find out more about Greek artists and designers, such as Philolaos Tloupas, Yiannis Moralis and Eleni Vernadaki. An upcoming exhibition running from Sep 17, 2024 to Oct 26, 2024 highlights the work of the late-Greek artist Kostas Paniaras (1934-2018).

Paniaras was known for labyrinth-shaped, elliptical sculptures made of hand-painted PVC – a technique he later applied to tables. His works will be placed alongside fixtures by the late-Italian lighting designer Gino Sarfatti (191201985) who founded Milan-based company Arteluce.

Alekos Fassianos Museum

The famous Athenian artist Alekos Fassianos (1935-2022) is known for his distinctive style and iconic imagery that include cyclists with windblown hair and cupids. He drew inspiration from folk and classical Greek art but transported his protagonists into modern urban narratives.

A wonderful place to experience his genius is at the Alekos Fassianos Museum in Agios Pavlos. It was the site of his childhood home from the 1930s to the 1970s until his mother tore it down to build an apartment block for her children. Fassianos later collaborated with architect Kyriakos Krokos to create the museum, which was completed in 1995 and opened in 2023. 

Every corner of this museum is a design delight – from metal woven balustrades to the protruding bathroom skylight. Cement, stone, mosaic, brick and plaster, as well as a distinctive colour palette of bright red and ochre provide a rich backdrop for Fassianos’ art pieces, as well as archival pieces of his writings, stage work, costume design and even toys he built as a child.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre

Designed by the office of famed Italian architect Renzo Piano, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre is worth making the short cab ride out of town for. Located in Kallithea, it houses the National Museum of Greece, the Greek National Opera and the 210,000-sq-m Stavros Niarchos Park.

It is a public building with many spaces that can be enjoyed without a fee including multiple viewing spots at the tip. From this high point, one can amble down the sloped roof of the library with a sprawling garden, filled with indigenous plants and herbs like oregano, thyme and rosemary.  

The garden is so large one forgets this is a building’s roof until the plaza on the ground floor starts coming into view. A large water body with hourly musical fountain shows honours the area’s once-thriving ancient Phalerum port.

Lake Vouliagmeni

Lake Vouliagmeni (meaning ‘sunken lake’) is near the Ace Hotel & Swim Club. This small lagoon formed 2,000 years ago was formerly a large cavern that collapsed after an earthquake. It beckons swimmers with warm seawater that comes through a network of underground flooded caves.

The water’s comfortable temperature and rich hydrogen sulphide content has made it a natural spa destination since the 19th century. There are spa treatments available, against the backdrop of craggy stonewalls and sparkling azure waters.

Note that there is an entrance fee and seating is limited so arrive early and reserve a cabana on the website in advance. The waters are closed in the evenings, so another option is to come at dusk as the lake becomes an illuminated picture-perfect backdrop for the waterside restaurant Abraovata.

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Eligible U.S. citizens who want routine service can now renew their passports online. 

If you do not qualify to renew online, you may also renew by mail .

Follow these steps to renew your passport online and track your status:

Confirm you meet the requirements

• Create your account 

Start your application

• Enter your most recent passport info

Enter travel plans

• Upload digital photo

Sign and pay

Enroll in email updates.

You can renew online if you meet all these requirements:

• The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older. 
• We issued the passport you are renewing between 2009 and 2015, or over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application. 
• You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.
• You are not traveling for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application. We will only offer routine service , and the time it takes to get a passport will be the same as renewing by mail. 
• You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport. You cannot renew a special issuance (diplomatic, official, service) passport online.
• You live in the United States (either state or territory). You do not qualify to renew online if you live in a foreign country or have an Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) address.
• You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it as lost or stolen. Keep your most recent passport and do not mail it to us. 
• You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
• You can upload a digital passport photo.
• You are aware that we will cancel the passport you are renewing after you submit your application. You cannot use it for international travel.

If you do not qualify to renew online, you may be able to renew by mail or in person at a passport agency or center .

Create your account

Click the Sign In button on the MyTravelGov homepage. Clicking the button will take you to Login.gov where you can sign in as an existing customer or create a new account.   

Watch a video  explaining how to create an account.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the process of creating an account.  

After creating your account, click on the "Renew Your Passport" button on the home page to start your application.  

You can save your application and finish it at a later date. You have 30 days to complete your application after you start it. If you do not complete your application in 30 days, you will need to start over. 

Enter info about your most recent passport

At this stage, we check the passport(s) you are renewing against our records to see if you can renew online. 

• Enter your information as we printed it on the passport you are renewing. 
• Try again if you believe you should be eligible to renew online. We may be experiencing temporary, technical issues with our system.
• If you are not eligible to renew online, the application will give you a list of reasons. Double check your information before re-entering it.

Validity of Most Recent Passport : Make sure your most recent passport is or was valid for 10 years. The passport must be expiring within one year or have been expired less than five years.  

Your Name : Check the spelling, capitalization, hyphens, and spacing between letters in your name and compare them to your most recent passport. 

• If your last name is spelled "McDonald" but printed as "Mc Donald," (with a space), make sure you enter your name as "Mc Donald"(with the space included) on the application. 
• If your last name is spelled “Smith-Jenkins“ (with a hyphen) and printed in your most recent passport with the hyphen, try entering your name as “Smith Jenkins” (without a hyphen) or "SmithJenkins" (with no space). We will add the hyphen to your name when we review your application. 

Passport Book, Passport Card, or Both Documents : You can renew passport books and passport cards online. If you want to renew a passport book but not a passport card, leave the card section blank on the application. If you want to renew a passport card but not a passport book, leave the book section blank.

The following chart explains what documents you can renew online:

Watch this video to learn how to enter info about your passport

If you are traveling in less than 8 weeks, you cannot renew online. We are only offering routine service .

• Routine times do not include mailing times.
• Routine times are the same for customers who renew online and by mail. 

Need your passport in 3-8 weeks? Get expedited service and renew by mail .

Need your passport in less than 3 weeks? Make an appointment to renew in person at a passport agency or center.

Upload a digital photo

You will need to upload an original, digital photo in .JPEG file format. 

• Go to our  Uploading a Digital Photo page  to see photo examples and requirements.
• Have someone else take your photo. No selfies.
• Do not scan a photo, or take a photo of an already printed photo.

Watch this video to learn how to upload a digital photo

Paying for your Passport

To complete your application, you must  pay all passport fees  using a credit or debit card. Click the “Sign and Pay” button which will take you to pay.gov where you will pay your passport fees.  

Confirming Payment

We will send you emails about the status of your payment.

The first email will notify you that your payment is pending. The second email will confirm we processed your payment. If we are unable to process your payment, you will receive an email asking you to login to your account and pay again.  

Check your spam or junk folder if you do not see the emails in your inbox. 

Keep Your Most Recent Passport

When you complete your application, you will need the passport you are renewing on hand. Keep your most recent passport. Do not mail it to us, or try to use it to travel since we will cancel it. 

One week after you apply, go to our Online Passport Status System to enroll in more emails about the status of your application. We will notify you when your application is in process, approved, and when we send your passport. We will also notify you if we need more information to process your application. 

Our Application Status page includes details about what each status message means. 

Watch this video to learn what to do after you apply

How to get support

Request faster service or change your mailing address.

If your travel plans change, you may request expedite service for an extra $60, or 1-2 delivery of your completed passport book for an extra $21.36. One-to-two day delivery is not available for passport cards. We only send cards via First Class Mail.

If you are changing your mailing address, please note your new address must be in the United States (either state or territory). You cannot use an Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) address.

Call the National Passport Information Center at  1-877-487-2778  . Provide your application number, or your last name and date of birth.

After you contact us, you won’t see any changes to your application in your MyTravelGov account.

Respond to a request for more information

Follow the instructions in the letter or email. You must respond within 90 days of the date on the letter or email. Our  Respond to a Letter or Email webpage  has tips and reminders on how to respond. 

Contacting us if you need help

There are two different paths for support:  

Technical Support for your Account : Contact the Login.gov team if you need help changing your password, verifying your account, or changing your account information.  

Customer Support for your Passport Application : Contact us at 1-877-487-2778 if you have an issue completing your passport application, or you want to upgrade to expedited service, 1-2 day delivery, or change your mailing address. 

Processing Times for Renewing Online

Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: We do not offer this service if you are renewing online. Mail us your application and supporting documents. 

Urgent Travel:  We do not offer this service if you are renewing online. Make an appointment at a passport agency or center.

*Mailing times are not included in  processing times . Processing times only include the time your application is at one of our passport agencies or centers. The total time to get your passport includes both processing and mailing times. 

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