Aerial view of Athens
- © Sven Hansche / Shutterstock
Europe’s oldest capital
Athens is renowned for its beautiful archeological sites and ancient history. The capital of Greece is an essential city to visit in Europe. With its beautiful architecture and stunning landmarks, Athens has much to offer to its visitors.
A traditional start to your trip to Athens is to visit the world renowned archaeological site, the Parthenon, that sits at the top of the Acropolis. It is without a doubt the most affluent landmark of the city if not the country! The Acropolis Museum delves more into the historical depths of this popular as well as the rest of the city’s archeological past (such as the Ancient Agora and many more).
The Parthenon at the top of the Acropolis, Athens, Greece
- © TTstudio / ShutterstockAn integral part of visiting Athens is experiencing its views from all angles. One of the best locations for this is at the top of Philopappos Hill. In addition to being a beautiful and gentle hike to enjoy with the whole family, Philopappos Hill offers stops such as various archaeological sites along the way to its peak. But make sure to time your arrival to the top correctly - it is highly suggested you aim to get there by sunset to enjoy a sunkissed view of all Athens and its Aegean sea backdrop. Another breathtaking panoramic sight of the city and its surroundings atop Mount Lycabettus, the capital’s highest point! From this 277 metre perspective, you have a more-than-perfect view: from the Acropolis to the Hellenic Parliament, the Temple of Olympian Zeus to the Panathinaiko Stadium!
Aerial view of the Philopappos Hill, Athens
- © Antiqva / ShutterstockAnother aspect of visiting Athens is visiting its many districts on foot. And one of the best places to do this is in the pedestrianised Plaka and Anafiotika districts. Whilst one is more upbeat and tourist-friendly, the other is purely residential and has a unique Greek island-type architecture that is a must see in the centre of Athens. Offering delicious outdoor eating experiences, picturesque streets, and once again breathtaking views, your next stop by these neighbourhoods and visit their many authentic souvenir shops!
Street view in the Plaka district, Athens
- © Anastasios71 / ShutterstockLooking for that refreshing sea breeze? No problem. As you may know, Athens is surrounded by countless strips of beautiful beaches along the coast allowing all to escape the city air and break a sweat in the Greek sea. What you may not know, however, is that the greater Athens area also hosts idealistic lake districts with never-before-seen outdoor settings for its locals and visitors, such as Lake Vouliagmeni.
Lake Vouliagmeni
- © Heracles Kritikos / ShutterstockFinally, an unforgettable culinary and cultural experience is awaiting for you in Athens. Take breaks from your visits to the Benaki and Archaeological museums and enjoy a typical Greek bite to eat! From fresh, locally grown olives, feta cheese, and olive oil in their famously light and colourful Greek salad, to heavier and warmer alternatives, such as Spanakopita or the Gyros sandwich - everyone has their personal favourite. Regardless of your dietary restrictions, the Greek have your back and guarantee exceptionally savoury meals throughout your whole stay!
Traditional Greek food display
- © TravnikovStudio / Shutterstock
1
2
3
4
For international travellers, Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is the most common gateway. This well-connected airport offers direct flights from many of the world's major cities. Once in Athens, you can reach the city centre by metro or taxi, which is convenient and quick.
There are many different types of accommodations in Athens, from apartment/studio rentals to luxury hotels. We’ve assembled a list of our favourite hotels that show Athens’ beauty and history better than any other.
Total area: 15.04 square miles
Population : 3.8 million
The best time to book your travels to the Greek capital is in late spring (May) or autumn (September - October). Indeed, you will avoid the scorching heat and the overwhelming presence of tourists to, instead, enjoy comfortably walking around the Athenian streets free from winter showers!
You’ll want to bring a plug adapter. Indeed, the UK and the US don’t have the same plug style as Greece. That is why you’ll need to find a European plug adaptor!
Be sure to bring some comfortable clothes and dress appropriately according to the season and the temperatures. Winter in Athens can be quite cold and summer temperatures can be very warm. Make sure to check the weather forecast before packing!
Also make sure to pack a raincoat and an umbrella, just in case.
Driving in Athens is not recommended for visitors. The public transportation system is efficient and there is no need for a car in the city! Space to park in the city is expensive and hard to find so it is best to walk or use public transport in Athens. Therefore, it is advised to get around by metro and/or bus instead!
However, if you want to explore the city surroundings such as out-of-the-way beaches and the sort, it may be advised to hire a car for the day or two in order to save time and money from tourist buses or taxis.
Athens is generally a safe city and you’re unlikely to encounter unsafe situations. However, like in any big city, you will have to take precautions against pickpocketing most importantly. That being said, you’ll need to stay alert, especially at night.
In case of an emergency, dial 199 in the case of a fire and 122 for anything related to serious accidents, if someone is trapped, or if you witnessed a suicide attempt. Finally, dial 171 in case of an attempted theft / damage or if an assault happened.
To have a memorable souvenir from the beautiful capital of Greece, you can bring back a blue eye jewellery piece for yourself or your loved one(s). The legend says that this bright blue charm, adaptable for bracelets, pendants, earrings, or keychains, keeps you safe from the ‘evil eye’ of a person that may cause you harm. Therefore, this charm imitates the eye in return to someone’s gaze in order to equalise the overall energy and keep you or your loved one(s) safe from unneeded suffering.
Other souvenirs include replicas of famous ancient artefacts or authentic pottery. And of course, for those looking to bring back a taste of Greek cuisine back home, you may bring back traditional Greek olive oil, olives, or yet again honey!
Athens is a perfect city to see historical, cultural, and architectural wonders. Buying the Athens Pass gives you access to discounts for countless attractions across the city and can help you save money. Don’t wait and embark on a journey to the beautiful capital of Greece!
explore Try out our comparators
It is Easy to travel
