Athens Travel & Vacation Guide

The Parthenon and the temple of Athena, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the major attraction of Athens. The Erechtheion displays the statues of the female Caryatids, though the original statues have been replaced by copies because of air pollution; the originals are in the new Museum. On the southern slopes of the Acropolis lies the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a Roman theatre with room for as many as 5,000 spectators. It is used during the annual Athens Festival for world-class ballet and music performances. The Theatre of Dionysus lies beside Herodes Atticus, and almost all the tragedies and comedies of Ancient Greece were written for this theatre.

Well worth visiting and right at the foot of the Acropolis lies the new Acropolis Museum, which provides valuable insights into Greek mythology and Greek history. The museum restaurant offers panoramic views of the Acropolis and a 700 square metre public terrace commanding a breathtaking view of the historic hills of Athens.

Part of Plaka, Anafiotika is a scenic neighbourhood of Athens on the northern slope of the Acropolis. Part of this area was destroyed in the 1950s for archaeological research. Today, there are only 45 old houses remaining, on the little unnamed streets from Stratonos to the Acropolis rock. It's a great example of the typical Cycladic architecture that gives visitors the feel of Greek islands in the heart of the city.

The Athens National Garden is a large historic park featuring both native and exotic plants, along with archaeological remains and a children’s library. Explore the small zoo, the botanical museum and the ponds. The garden is also home to landmarks such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Kronos and Rhea, the Zappeion Hall, and the Presidential Palace gardens. It is a highly recommended spot for running, exercising, or simply enjoying a walk.

The Athens War Museum is run by the Greek Armed Forces. The exhibitions cover the history of war in all ages, from Mycenaean conflicts all the way to the present day. Great displays of battle grounds, weapons, uniforms, heroic figures and personal items.

Benaki is a history museum with Greek art and objects from the Stone and the War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. It presents its pieces over three floors and apart from seasonal exhibitions, the museum offers events, courses and publications to educate audiences of all ages. The annexed cafe-restaurant welcomes you in a relaxed ambience where you can enjoy dinners, lunches or breaks before exploring the museum.

The Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens houses more than 25,000 artefacts from the Early Christian, Byzantine and Medieval times. Byzantine culture was almost entirely concerned with religious expression, so in the museum's collection you'll find pictures, scriptures, relief carvings, frescoes, pottery, fabrics and manuscripts.

The Dora Stratou Dance Theatre is situated on the slopes of Philopappou Hill, just opposite the Acropolis Hill. The theatre gives 80-minute performances of dances from many parts of Greece and the islands. For a more immersive experience, take part in dancing classes, lectures and research programs all year round. In summer, classes are often taught in English. Absolute beginners are welcome.

360° Cocktail Bar serves great signature cocktails in a clean-cut industrial interior and a lush rooftop terrace with panoramic views. You get the best view onto Monastiraki square and the Acropolis.

A For Athens is one of the most famous bars in Athens for their rooftop terraces, offering a great view over Monastiraki square and the Acropolis. It is difficult to say which is the best, because they are equally excellent. Do not hesitate then to visit these two places to drink a delicious cocktail while enjoying the view of the city.

Baba au Rum, whose initials come form the word 'BAR', stands out among all the bars in Athens. It has also been named one of the best bars in the world and received several awards for its amazing rums and original cocktails. Located right between Monastiraki and Syntagma, it is the perfect place to start a crazy night in town.

Brettos is easily recognisable by the colourful bottles that decorate the wall behind the bar and the original decor with wooden shelves, stone walls and barrels full of Ouzo and Tsipouro. Brettos is also the oldest distillery in Athens.

Gazarte is an incredible venue where you can watch a film, grab a bite, drink awesome cocktails, attend conferences or business parties, enjoy live music and browse books, or have a drink on their rooftop terrace with a view over the techno-pole beyond Gazi while listening to their DJ.

The Gazi is the new cool place to be in Athens. The area is centred around the old city gas works, now serving as a cultural centre — Technopolis. The construction of the Kerameikos subway station took a long while, but now it delivers passengers to the epicentre of the district, where the nightlife is vibrant and seemingly never stops.

Mosaiko brings you good vibes and indie music. Grab a cup of coffee or one of the bar's signature drinks. Note that Mosaiko is in Glyfada, Athens' nearby seaside town, which only makes this cafe-bar more pleasant.

Palenque is a lively nightclub in Zografou district. Live Latin music, Cuban vibes and Salsa dance classes, as well as awesome summer nights guaranteed.

This elegant store displays beautiful jewellery pieces, across a broad price range. The owner, Nikolopoulos George, is also available to tell you the story behind each item, including the production process.

In the middle of Athinas street, which runs between Monastiraki and Omonia square, there is a covered market hall. The market occupies a whole block, with a fish market in the middle. All around are butchers and spice shops, and around the market you'll find several simple but good places to eat.

This store consists of two rooms, the stone and the white room, where you can choose among a variety of items showing the best Greek design. The products include clothes, bags, shoes, stationery items and also home decor items, all of them being high quality products. The store assortment is updated with new brand-name items every day, so don't hesitate to come twice if you're in Athens for many days.

If you want to bring your loved ones, or yourself, a Greek souvenir here are a few suggestions: Alcohol: look for Ouzo, Tsipouro and Raki, local alcohols that come in small bottles so you can even bring them in your carry-on bag. Food: Greek pastries and loukoums are always a must. And of course, the olive oil here tastes nothing like what you can find back home. For something less known, grab a box of mastiha, natural resin obtained from the mastic trees of Chios island and used as the world’s first chewing gum. Knick-knacks: typical Greek objects include the 'Evil eye' meant to drive away the 'bad eye' and its negative effects, worry beads, or Kompoloi, an ornate set of backgammon.

Mastiha shop offers natural cosmetic products produced from the mastic trees of Chios. Try their eco-friendly soaps and creams, essential oils, liqueurs and more. This shop is centrally located close to Syntagma Square, but there are other locations including the Athens airport.

Located near Monastiraki Square, this store is a must in Athens, especially if you want to know more about the story of ancient Greek craftsmen. Sandals and jewellery are created by combining art and craft in a way that each product is unique, and all at very reasonable prices.

Notos is a Greek department store chain offering a vast array of products, from fashion and accessories to cosmetics, house objects and more. It is a bit upmarket, but you can still find various styles and prices. You can find the bigger one close to the Omonia square.

Olive Tree Natural Cosmetics' assortment holds a wide variety of natural Greek cosmetics based on olive oil. Products for facial, body and hair care as well as bathing accessories and perfumes of good quality are on offer for people of all skin and hair types. It's a cool little place for souvenir shopping.

Greece is a tourist destination beloved worldwide, and summer is the most crowded season of all, especially in July and August. Spring is, perhaps, the best season to travel to Greece, as the main cities such as Athens are not so crowded and the prices are a little lower. June and September are the best months to visit Athens when the beaches around the capital are full of entertainment. If you love hiking, don't miss Athens in autumn.

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Greece, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

Athens International Airport is located at Spata, 33 kilometres, 20 miles, southeast of Athens. A taxi ride to the city-centre will cost a flat rate of €40 between 5am and midnight, and €55 between midnight and 5am. The fixed fares include the basic fare, plus extra luggage charges and road tolls. The Metro's Line 3, Blue Line, Nikaia–Airport is another option to go to the centre. The journey to Syntagma takes around half an hour. Airport buses are available to Syntagma: X95, Piraeus port: X96, Kifissou Avenue: X93 and Elliniko: X97. The travel time to Syntagma and the other areas in town takes around 1 hour and around 1.5 hours to Piraeus port.

In Athens, the metro stations are kept spotlessly clean. At the Syntagma and Acropolis stations you will find a large collection of antiquities on display. There is a tram from the centre, Syntagma, running along the coast to Glyfada, 50 minutes, and Voula, 60 minutes. Buses, trolley buses and the metro run until around midnight. The tram runs between 5:30am and 1am, and until 2:30am on Friday and Saturday. Airport buses all run 24/7. The airport bus tickets are not valid for other public transport services, but only for a single journey. Ferries out to the island leave from the harbour in Piraeus or from Rafina.

There are lots of taxis, but it is normal to share one with other tourists, so don't be surprised if the driver picks up additional passengers along the road who are going in the same direction. The drivers have taximetres and fixed prices. Uber and another app called Freenow also work in Athens.

Greece uses the Type F electrical plug with two round pins, same as in many countries in Continental Europe. The standard voltage is 230 volts, but some hotels have special plugs for 110 or 120-volt shavers.

– Is it safe to go to Athens? Athens is visited by millions of people every year and is considered to be a safe destination, even for solo female travellers. Most visits are trouble-free, but be weary of pickpockets on the metro and close to crowded tourist sights. – Is Athens expensive for tourists? As most most other European capitals, Athens is certainly not cheap, but it is not very expensive either. How much you should budget strongly depends on your preferences and needs. One way to save money is by buying combo tickets to museums and planning ahead. – Is Athens walkable? The historical centre of Athens is very walkable. A pedestrian grand promenade snakes around the Acropolis and links key archaeological sites. The city also offers affordable public transportation. – Best Areas to Stay in Athens? The best neighbourhoods in Athens are Plaka, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Syntagma, Kolonaki, and Psyrri. They are very walkable, offer great hotels and short-term rentals, plenty of restaurants, cafes and nightlife.

In case of a medical emergency you should phone 166 for an ambulance. Greek pharmacies aren’t usually open in the afternoon or at weekends. Bacacos Pharmacy is centrally located close to Omonia Square.