Athens
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Athens travel guide, diving deep into the incredible capital city of Greece and all it has to offer. The home of ancient Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens has history, charm and all the trimmings of a vibrant capital city rolled into one.
Home to the awe inspiring Acropolis and countless other Ancient Greek sites and monuments, Athens is a haven for history lovers. Combined attraction passes and inexpensive transport make visiting the city affordable for the masses. However, the city is also a food lovers paradise, with restaurants, cafes and bars popping up left, right and centre. Not only is there an incredible choice of Greek food, Athens has establishments serving up food from all over the globe. After a turbulent few years, Athens has established itself as a vibrant, creative and diverse European capital city, rapidly becoming a top destination on the continent. The city offers visitors the chance to experience the best that Greece has to offer, while retaining it’s rugged and rustic charm that keeps it alive.
Athens Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Greece Travel Guides:
Rhodes Travel Guide | Chania Travel Guide | Heraklion Travel Guide | Santorini Travel Guide | Naxos Travel Guide
Athens Travel Guide
How to get to Athens
Athens International airport (ATH) is the most common arrival point for visitors to Athens, and Greece in general. The airport is located 33km from Athens city centre and is modern, well equipped and operates two terminals. Many visitors also arrive in Athens via ferry into Piraeus port. Piraeus port is located 12km from the centre of Athens and is one of the largest ports in Europe, with 12 gates for departing ferries. Here are the options for how to get into Athens from the airport and port:
Metro from Airport – The blue line 3 connects Athens airport with Syntagma square and Monastiraki square in the city centre. The metro is around 10 minutes walk from the arrivals area, follow signs that say ‘train’. The metro departs every 30min and takes 40min to the city centre. Tickets cost €10 ($12) one way, per person or €18 ($21) return, per person. There are luggage racks on the metro and step-free access down to it.
Bus from Airport – There are 4 express buses from Athens airport to the city centre area. The X95 bus goes to Syntagma square so is the most popular and convenient. The bus departs every 15-20min and tickets cost €6 ($7) per person. The journey will take 40-60min to the city centre. 3 other buses depart from the airport, the X93, which goes to KTEL long-distance bus station, the X96, which goes to Piraeus port and the X97, which goes to Elliniko metro station.
Taxi from Airport – A taxi from the airport to Athens city centre will cost €38 ($45) and take around 30-40 minutes. Taxi’s are available from outside arrivals
Metro from Port – Metro line 1 departs from Piraeus port into Athens city centre approximately every 15 minutes, stopping at some of the most major stations in the city centre. The journey should take around 30 minutes and costs €1.40 ($2) per ticket. Tickets can be purchased from the machines or desks in every station. To book ferries in Greece, use Ferryhopper which covers all ferry operators in Greece on one website/app
Bus from Port – The 040, X80 and X96 buses all run from Piraeus port into Athens city centre. Buses depart every 30 mins. The 040 bus takes approx 50min to Syntagma square and costs €1.40 ($2) per person. The X80 and X96 buses are express buses and take approx 30min to get to Syntagma square, tickets for both buses cost €4 ($5) per person
Taxi from Port – A taxi from Piraeus port to Athens city centre will cost €25 ($29) and take approx 30 minutes. Taxi’s are available at the ferry port. From 00:00 to 05:00, the taxi fare to the city centre increases to €32 ($37)
Areas to stay in Athens
Having a compact city centre, most areas in central Athens are within walking distance to major attractions, restaurants, shops and transport. However, it’s always good to be as central as possible, to allow more time for exploring and doing what you want. As with any city, there are some areas that are nicer than others, and some which are more suited to tourists. Here are the best areas to stay in Athens and what makes them different:
Plaka – This is the oldest and prettiest neighbourhood in Athens, filled with small, cobbled streets and lots of shops and restaurants. Staying here, you are well placed to get to most major attractions including the Acropolis, which is just a short walk away. This is one of the areas we recommend first-time visitors to the city to stay, to be close to everything. This is also the most touristic area in the city, so accommodation prices here can be slightly higher than in other areas
Monastiraki – Surrounding Monastiraki square and sitting next to Plaka, Monastiraki is also a solid option for first-timers to the city. It is slightly less touristy than Plaka but is equally well connected and packed with shops, restaurants and bars. Some of the streets aren’t as pretty as Plaka but there are great views of the Acropolis and Ancient Agora to be had
Syntagma – The area of Syntagma Square is one of the most popular areas to stay for visitors to the city, and for good reason. The square is a transport hub and one of the best-connected areas to the city, as well as being within walking distance to most attractions, Plaka and Monastiraki. Some of the best hotels in the city also sit just off the square
Koukaki – Situated next to Plaka and a 20-minute walk from Syntagma square, Koukaki is an area that is becoming more popular in Athens but is still less visited by tourists and visitors. There are still many shops and restaurants in the area as well as transport links via metro line 2
Kolonaki – Situated at the bottom of Lycabettus Hill, Kolonaki is the wealthier area of Athens, filled with designer shops, high-end restaurants and upmarket accommodation options. If you’re looking for luxury, this is where to stay. The area is still well connected but is further out than the areas listed above
Psyri – Located next to Monastiraki, Psyri is where to stay for some of the best nightlife in the city. Street art and graffiti cover many of the walls of the streets, giving it a creative, bohemian vibe. Much of Psyri is not frequented by tourists and is home to locals. Its close proximity to Monastiraki means that it is still well connected by public transport and for walking. You’ll find some of the least expensive accommodation options in the city here too
Accommodation in Athens
As you’d expect from a capital city, Athens has an excellent selection of accommodation options to choose from. What’s more, is that they are generally very reasonably priced compared to other European cities. The majority of luxury or high-end hotels are located near Syntagma square, but hostels, hotels and apartments are available across the city covering everything from backpacker budgets to luxury escapes. However, prices do rise substantially during the peak season, especially in July and August so it’s advisable to avoid these months where possible. There are so many great accommodation options in Athens, here are a few of our favourite picks of where to stay in Athens:
Budget hostel | City Circus Athens Hostel – This is one of the best hostels in Athens, set across beautiful townhouses offering guests a vibrant, warm and inviting place to stay and meet fellow travellers. Room options include private rooms and dorm rooms
Mid-range hotel | Athens4 – A contemporary, simple hotel located just off Monastiraki square, Athens4 is great for a few nights in the city due to having an excellent location and comfortable rooms
Mid-range hotel | A for Athens – Great value for money, A for Athens feels like a boutique hotel at an affordable price. Rooms are clean and modern with Greek touches and the rooftop bar overlooking the Acropolis is a major plus
Luxury hotel option | Hotel Grand Bretagne – An icon of Athens, located on Syntagma Square, Hotel Grand Bretagne is absolute luxury in the heart of Athens with impeccable service, grand rooms, a rooftop bar and pool and a delicious breakfast offering
How to get around Athens
Athens is a wonderful city, made all the better by how compact the city centre is. Walking from one area to another usually takes less than 30minutes, making it a great city to explore on foot. However, when walking isn’t possible or you simply want to rest your feet, Athens also has a great public transport network which keeps the city connected. Here are the options for how to get around Athens:
Metro – Athens has 3 metro lines, the blue, green and red lines. It is a quick, convenient and clean metro system and is one of the best ways to get around the city. The metro operates from 05:30 to 00:30, on Friday and Saturday nights, the last metro is generally around 02:00. There are a few different ticket options available, the most common being a 90-minute ticket costing €1.40 ($2) per person, and a 24-hour ticket costing €4.50 ($5.50) per person. These tickets can also be used on the tram and bus networks. There is also a 3 day and 5-day ticket available. Tickets to and from the airport cost more. Tickets can be bought at the station, at the desk or the ticket machines.
Tram – The tram system in Athens has 2 lines that operate 3 routes (the blue and red lines) with 48 stops in total. The trams are useful for getting to areas that the metro doesn’t operate in. Tickets cost the same as the metro and are available to purchase at the tram stops or metro stations
Bus – The bus is generally not required or used by most visitors to the city but the Athens bus and trolleybus network has over 60 lines that serve nearly every part of the city. Operation times are the same as the metro and trams and ticket fares are the same too. KTEL, a Greek bus company, runs long-distance buses from Athens to other towns, cities and areas of the mainland
Taxi – Taxi’s are a convenient way to get around the city if you’re in a group or prefer not to take public transport. Taxi’s in Athens are yellow and have good availability across the city. Try to ensure that the driver is using the meter before starting the journey or agree on the fare with your driver beforehand. The minimum taxi fare is €1.29 ($1.50) and the rate per km in central Athens is €0.74 ($0.90). This increases to €1.29 ($1.50) per km between 00:00 and 05:00. There is a €0.43 ($0.50) surcharge per piece of luggage.
Things to do in Athens
There is so much to do and see in Athens that it would be impossible to cover them all here. As one of the oldest cities in the world, ancient remains, historical sites and great museums are plentiful. We’ve put together a compact list of the top 5 things to do in Athens to help you plan your trip:
The Acropolis – The highlight of Athens is the Acropolis, perched on a hilltop containing many ancient Greek building remains. The buildings date back as far as the 5th century BC. Entry costs €20 ($25) per person or is included in the Athens Archaeological sites combined ticket
The Ancient Agora – Another impressive archaeological site in Athens, the Ancient Agora was built in the 6th century BC and would have been used for assembly, commercial and residential purposes. The site includes ancient remains, a museum and walking trials. Entry costs €10 ($12) per person or is included in the combined pass
National Archaeological Museum – This museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the best in the world. It contains the largest collection of ancient Greek artefacts. Entry costs €12 per person
Explore Plaka – Sitting below and around the Acropolis, the Plaka neighbourhood is filled with cobbled streets, small shops and restaurants and beautiful old buildings. Wandering this area should be high on your list of things to do in Athens
Syntagma Square – This is the central square of Athens, to which the Greek parliament is housed on
What to eat in Athens
Athens has incredible food scene, complete with countless Greek tavernas and restaurants, as well as restaurants serving up food from all over the globe. The city is a real foodie paradise. If you’re looking for some traditional Greek food or meze, Athens has you covered. However, Athens also has you covered with amazing burgers, Asian food, Mexican, Turkish, Italian and everything in between. There are almost 2500 restaurants in the city, 6 of them have been awarded one Michelin star or more. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Athens, Greece while you’re there:
Gyros – A street food of Greece, Gyros consist of meat taken from a vertical, rotating spit which is put into a pita with onion, sauce, chips and lettuce
Kleftiko – A lamb dish where the lamb is covered with garlic, olive oil and lemon juice and cooked in sealed bag or container in the oven
Moussaka – One of the most traditional Greek dishes, moussaka is a layered dish of tomato sauce based minced lamb or beef with potato, aubergine and a béchamel sauce on top
Greek Yoghurt with honey – Greek yoghurt is a thick, creamy, strained yoghurt which goes beautifully with Greek honey for breakfast
Ouzo – A popular Greek alcoholic drink, Ouzo is an anise flavoured aperitif, best served cold with lots of ice
Money - Athens Travel Costs
The currency in Greece is the Euro(€). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Greece, including in Athens, and there are plenty of ATM’s which accept foreign cards. A service charge is rarely added to the bill in Athens, but a tip is often given. A tip of up to €5 ($6) is generally the norm for a budget or mid-range meal if you are happy with the service. For high-end restaurants, a tip of up to 10% is average. For taxi’s, you can round up the fare. Greece as a whole is an affordable destination and accommodation and food is more reasonably priced than in most popular European destinations. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) in Athens for:
A local draught beer – €3-€5 ($3.50-$6)
A coffee – €2-€4 ($2.50-$4.50)
Gyros (Greek pita wrap with meat) – €3 ($3.70)
Budget restaurant meal – €10-€15 ($12-$18)
Mid-range restaurant meal – €20-€30 ($25-$35)
High-end restaurant meal – €35 ($40+)
When to go to Athens and for how long
The best time to visit Athens is in May and June or September to the end of October. The peak months of July and August can get very busy and the weather can get very hot, so it’s best to avoid these months if possible. Being one of the most southern countries in Europe, Greece is blessed with sunshine and little rain in the summer months but can have good weather conditions from April until November. As a capital city, Athens is a year-round destination, and restaurants, bars and shops will be open year-round. Going out of season also has the benefit of reduced prices for some of the most popular attractions in the city, including the Acropolis. A visit of at least 3 days is recommended to cover the main sights in Athens but there is so much to see and do that a 5-day trip would be packed with activities too.
Local language and phrases
The language in Athens and Greece is Greek, although English is widely spoken, particularly in more touristic areas. Check out our more general Greece travel tips for a quick guide to some of the most useful Greek words and phrases to learn for visiting Greece
Athens travel tips
– Athens is a safe city and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females, however, petty crime such as pickpocketing is common so be wary of your personal belongings at all times
– There are a range of places to eat including those specialising in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets
– The tap water is safe to drink in Athens
– PCR and Antigen testing for Covid-19 is available throughout the city and at the testing centre in Athens airport
Athens travel guide written in December 2021
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Athens Travel Articles
Athens Walking Tour Videos And Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Athens walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Plaka, Athens Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights and sounds of Plaka, Athens and an accompanying map showing the route we walked
Monastiraki, Athens Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights of the Monastiraki district in Athens city with an accompanying map showing the route we walked
Athens Market & Centre Walking Tour
A walking tour video to and around Athens central market and surrounding areas with an accompanying map showing the route we walked
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