Travel guide · Greece
Athens travel guide
The Acropolis, late-night tavernas and beaches a tram ride away
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrew Parlette, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Athens wraps a sprawling modern capital around the Acropolis, whose Parthenon is visible from rooftops all over the centre. Most visitors stay in the walkable historic core of Plaka, Monastiraki, Koukaki and Syntagma, where the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora and the main ruins lie within about 20 minutes of each other on foot. Beyond the ruins, Athens is a city of late dinners, neighbourhood tavernas and rooftop bars, with the Athens Riviera beaches a tram ride away and Saronic islands such as Aegina and Hydra one to two hours by ferry from Piraeus. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are April–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- Greece
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- ATH
- Mid-range daily budget
- $140–$260 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Acropolis and Parthenon, Ancient Greek history, Acropolis Museum and Souvlaki and tavernas
Why visit Athens
- The Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus are all within a 20-minute walk of each other.
- The National Archaeological Museum holds the Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera mechanism and the bronze god from Cape Artemision.
- Tavernas, souvlaki counters and ouzeries make eating well good value by Western European standards.
- Riviera beaches are reachable by tram or bus, and ferries from Piraeus reach Aegina and Hydra in one to two hours.
- Free viewpoints such as Philopappos Hill and the Areopagus look straight across at the Parthenon.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 19 things to do.
Historic site · Acropolis
Acropolis and Parthenon
The rocky citadel above the city holds the Parthenon, completed in 438 BC for Athena, the Erechtheion with its Caryatid porch, the Propylaea gateway and the small Temple of Athena Nike.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Museum · Makrygianni
Acropolis Museum
Bernard Tschumi's glass-and-concrete museum stands about 300 metres from the Acropolis over excavated ancient streets, visible through glass floors.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
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Landmark · Pangrati
Panathenaic Stadium
This horseshoe stadium, built entirely of marble, was restored on its ancient site for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Iconic
- Active
Museum · Patission Street
National Archaeological Museum
Greece's largest archaeological museum runs from prehistory to Roman times: the gold Mask of Agamemnon from Mycenae, the bronze god from Cape Artemision, the Antikythera mechanism — an ancient geared astronomical calculator — and room after room of Cycladic figurines and painted vases.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Experience · Syntagma
Changing of the Guard at Syntagma
Evzones of the Presidential Guard, in pleated kilts, tasselled caps and pom-pom clogs, stand at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier below the Hellenic Parliament.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Iconic
- History
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Historic site · Thiseio
Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus
The marketplace and civic heart of classical Athens, where Socrates taught, is now a shaded archaeological park.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- Kids
Where to stay
Plaka is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples and families
Plaka
Neoclassical houses, bougainvillea lanes and tavernas on the Acropolis slopes
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget, food lovers and solo travellers
Monastiraki and Psyrri
Flea-market square, souvlaki grills and late-night bars below the Acropolis
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, families and quiet stays
Koukaki and Makrygianni
Residential streets with cafés beside the Acropolis Museum
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, families and luxury
Syntagma
Parliament, the National Garden and the main transport hub
What to eat
- Souvlaki and gyros — Pork or chicken grilled on skewers (souvlaki) or carved from a vertical spit (gyros), wrapped in warm pita with tomato, onion, tzatziki and a few chips.
- Greek salad — The village salad of tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper, olives and a thick slab of feta with oregano and olive oil — no lettuce.
- Moussaka — Layers of aubergine, spiced minced meat and potato under a thick béchamel crust, baked in large trays and cut into squares.
- Koulouri — A ring of bread crusted with sesame seeds, sold from street carts every morning as the standard Athenian breakfast on the move.
- Bougatsa — Crisp layers of phyllo filled with semolina custard and dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon, or with cheese or minced meat for a savoury version.
- Spanakopita and tiropita — Phyllo pies filled with spinach and feta (spanakopita) or cheese (tiropita), sold by the slice or as hand-held pastries.
When to go
The best times to visit Athens are April to early June and September to October, when it is warm enough for rooftop evenings and swimming but cooler than the 33–38°C of high summer. July and August are the hottest and busiest months; November to March is mild, quieter and cheaper, and ideal for museums and ruins.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Wildflowers on the ancient hills, Orthodox Easter celebrations and comfortable sightseeing temperatures; the sea stays cool until late May. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, dry and bright, with the Athens Epidaurus Festival, open-air cinemas and beach days, but heatwaves that make midday sightseeing hard. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm September seas, golden October light and the Athens Marathon in November; rain returns later in the season. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild, sometimes wet and occasionally cold, with quiet ruins, low prices and snow sometimes dusting the mountains around the city. |
Getting there and around
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) is about 30 km east of the centre. Metro line 3 reaches Syntagma and Monastiraki in about 40 minutes, the X95 express bus to Syntagma takes about an hour depending on traffic, and taxis charge a flat fare to the centre, higher at night.
The historic centre is compact enough to walk between the Acropolis, Plaka, Monastiraki and Syntagma. Three metro lines, a tram to the coast and buses cover the rest of the sprawling city, and metro line 3 runs straight to the airport.
Plan your days
Two full days covers the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora and the National Archaeological Museum. A third day adds Cape Sounion at sunset or a ferry to Aegina; many travellers pair two or three days in Athens with time on the islands.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Greek
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Athens tap water is safe to drink, though many locals prefer bottled; carry a bottle and refill it.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number); Tourist Police 1571
- Tipping
- Service is not usually added to the bill.
Athens is generally safe for visitors, but pickpocketing is common on metro line 1, around Monastiraki and on crowded buses. Summer heatwaves are a real risk: avoid exposed sites at midday, drink plenty of water and use the shade.
Flights to Athens
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Athens?
Two full days covers the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora and the National Archaeological Museum. A third day adds Cape Sounion at sunset or a ferry to Aegina; many travellers pair two or three days in Athens with time on the islands. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Athens?
The best times to visit Athens are April to early June and September to October, when it is warm enough for rooftop evenings and swimming but cooler than the 33–38°C of high summer. July and August are the hottest and busiest months; November to March is mild, quieter and cheaper, and ideal for museums and ruins.
+What is Athens known for?
Acropolis and Parthenon, Ancient Greek history, Acropolis Museum, Souvlaki and tavernas, Rooftop bars with Acropolis views, Island ferries from Piraeus and Plaka. The Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus are all within a 20-minute walk of each other.
+Is Athens expensive?
Athens is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $140–$260 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Athens?
No. Traffic and parking in central Athens are difficult, and the metro, tram and taxis cover the city. Hire a car only for Cape Sounion, Delphi or the Peloponnese, and collect it at the airport.