Free things to do · Athens · Greece
9 free things to do in Athens
Athens without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Athens without paying an entry fee: Changing of the Guard at Syntagma, Plaka and Anafiotika, Mount Lycabettus and Monastiraki Flea Market are all free. State archaeological sites have free-entry days on some national holidays and selected low-season dates; check the Ministry of Culture's list before you go.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 7
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Experience · Syntagma
1.Changing of the Guard at Syntagma
Stand at the top of the steps on the square opposite for the clearest view, and arrive a few minutes before the hour.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Iconic
- History
Neighbourhood · Plaka
2.Plaka and Anafiotika
Go early in the morning or around sunset, and keep voices down: Anafiotika's houses are still lived in.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Architecture
- Couples
Viewpoint · Kolonaki
3.Mount Lycabettus
Walk up in the late afternoon and stay for sunset, when the Acropolis lights up; bring water, as the path is steep and exposed.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Active
Market · Monastiraki
4.Monastiraki Flea Market
Go on Sunday morning for the antiques, and haggle politely at street stalls but not in fixed-price shops.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
Viewpoint · Koukaki
5.Philopappos Hill
Come at sunset or early morning, and wear trainers: the paths are uneven stone.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Viewpoint · Acropolis
6.Areopagus Hill
Use the metal staircase rather than the ancient rock-cut steps; the marble is polished and slippery, especially after rain.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Garden · Syntagma
7.National Garden
Use it as a shady route between Syntagma and the Panathenaic Stadium on hot afternoons.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Architecture · Kallithea
8.Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Go in the late afternoon, walk up to the Lighthouse for sunset, then stay for a drink by the canal or an evening performance.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Market · Omonia
9.Varvakios Central Market
Go on a weekday morning, wear closed shoes because the floors are wet, then browse the spice and olive shops on Evripidou Street.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Syntagma | Changing of the Guard at Syntagma and National Garden | 20 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Plaka | Plaka and Anafiotika | 1–2 hours |
| Kolonaki | Mount Lycabettus | 1.5 hours |
| Monastiraki | Monastiraki Flea Market | 1–2 hours |
| Koukaki | Philopappos Hill | 1 hour |
| Acropolis | Areopagus Hill | 30 minutes |
| Kallithea | Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center | 2 hours |
| Omonia | Varvakios Central Market | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
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Landmark · Pangrati
Panathenaic Stadium
The audio guide comes with the ticket; children love sprinting down the track, and the top rows give a view to the Acropolis.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Iconic
- Active
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Historic site · Thiseio
Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus
Enter from Adrianou Street in Monastiraki and climb to the Temple of Hephaestus for a view of the Acropolis across the Agora.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- Kids
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Historic site · Olympieion
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch
Much of it is visible through the fence for free; use the combined ticket if you want to walk among the columns.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Museum · Kolonaki
Benaki Museum
Combine it with the Museum of Cycladic Art, a few minutes' walk away along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · Kolonaki
Museum of Cycladic Art
It is compact enough for an hour; start with the Cycladic gallery on the first floor.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Kerameikos
Kerameikos
It is covered by the combined archaeological ticket; visit after the Ancient Agora, about a 10-minute walk away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Historic site · Plaka
Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds
If you are short on time, the Tower of the Winds can be seen well from the lane outside the fence.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
More ways to save
- State archaeological sites have free-entry days on some national holidays and selected low-season dates; check the Ministry of Culture's list before you go.
- Eat souvlaki or bakery pies for lunch and save tavernas for dinner; both are good value.
- The 3-day tourist ticket includes an airport round trip and all city transport, which pays off if you take the metro to and from the airport.
- Buy water and snacks at the street kiosks (periptera) rather than at cafés near the ruins.
- Stay in Koukaki, Pangrati or Psyrri for better-value rooms than in Plaka, all within walking distance of the sights.
- Travel between November and March for the lowest hotel rates and the quietest ruins.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Athens expensive to visit?
Athens is moderately priced for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Athens?
Changing of the Guard at Syntagma: Stand at the top of the steps on the square opposite for the clearest view, and arrive a few minutes before the hour.