Is Athens Worth Visiting? Best Ways to Make Your Trip Worthwhile
Is Athens worth visiting? You know, that Athens: The capital city of Greece, the history of which goes back 3,400 years. The cradle of Western Civilization and the birthplace of democracy, Athens is currently the 7th largest city in the EU – and yes, it’s definitely worth visiting for all kinds of reasons, including amazing historical sites, nightlife and culture!
I spent a few weeks in Greece, mostly in Athens, and I loved exploring, being a digital nomad, taking off to islands and making friends!
Planning Your Athens Trip? Use my favorite resources:
Accommodation: Booking.com
Mid-Range Hotel with Rooftop Bar & Spa: The Athens Gate Hotel
Rent a Car: Discover Cars
Travel Insurance: Allianz
Flights: WayAway
Tour: All-Day Athens Tour
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi
Is Athens Worth Visiting: Pros & Cons
Pros of Athens
✔️ Archaeological Sites and History
✔️ Opportunities for meeting people, nightlife and having amazing experiences
✔️ Ancient Culture and the Modern City, including the food and art!
✔️ Nearby Piraeus Port, amazing day trips and beautiful nearby beaches
Cons of Athens
✔️ Oppressive Heat in certain months of the year
✔️ Annoying Crowds
✔️ Don’t say I didn’t warn you: Athens is not a pretty city overall (but it has its moments)
32 Ways to Make Athens Worthwhile
1. Is Athens Worth Visiting? Yes, if you see the Acropolis
The Acropolis is, for most people, the number one thing to see in Athens because it’s a must-visit archaeological destination! It’s a UNESCO site and thought to be one of the best architectural sites in the world, as well as monument to the arts.
The site contains multiple buildings, which you can see on your own or with a tour. They include:
- The Parthenon
- The Erectheion
- The Theater of Dionysus
- The Temple of Athena Nike
- The Acropolis Museum
- The outdoor archaeology at the base of the Acropolis
- The Odeon of Herodes Atticus Amphitheater, where you can also see concerts!
Tip: Get there when they open, and go straight up the hill first thing! You can always come back down to see the stuff at the base, but it gets hot and crowded FAST. I went in mid-September and it was so hot, and crowded because I spent too long nerding out at the archaeological site at the base!
You can purchase skip-the-line tickets or a tour. Go when it opens and you can pretty much just present your ticket and walk right in!
🏛️ Book Acropolis Guided Tours Here
🏛️ Get Acropolis Skip-the-Line-Tickets with Audio Tour Here
2. Head to Areopagus Hill for panoramic views
Giant rock with a view of the Acropolis that you see in photos. Basically, you can go here right after the Acropolis – it’s not far. You just have to walk up some steps to get to the top and check out the amazing 360-degree views!
3. Tour the Ancient Agora of Athens
From the Acropolis area, you’ll walk down the hill to get to the Ancient Agora of Athens.
Originally called the Classical Agora, this is the best-known Ancient Greek Agora, or assembly place, which was a common feature of the time.
The museum at the site is all indoors, so I suggest saving it for last so you can get a break from the heat!
Here are the buildings and places you’ll see at the Ancient Agora. It’s a lot, so wear good hiking shoes, bring your water bottle and wear a hat!
- Temple of Hephaestus
- Museum/Stoa of Attalus
- Altar of the Twelve Gods
- Temple of Aphrodite Urania
- Temple of Apollo Patroos
- Stoa of Zeus
- Temple of Ares
- Odeon of Agrippa
- Synagogue
4. The Roman Agora (Roman Forum), Tower of the Winds & More Sites
The Roman Agora (Roman Forum), Tower of the Winds & more sites are also included in the Acropolis ticket. The Roman Agora was built in 19-11 BC to take the functions of the old Agora before it, which was the original. The Roman Agora has not been fully excavated, but is known to have been an open space.
Here are all the places you’ll see at the Roman Agora:
- Tower of the Winds
- Gate of Athena Archegetis
- East Propylon
- Fethiye Mosque
- Agoranomion
- Vespasianae
Tip: These sites are all pretty much lacking shade, and you see them by exploring the site on foot. So a hat, water and sunscreen are necessary for all of them!
5. Visit Hadrian’s Library & the Church of Saint Asmatos
Located next to Monastiraki Square, Hadrian’s Library was built in 132-134 AD. The Church was built in the 12th century.
And that’s all the sites associated with the Acropolis!
6. Chill out in Athens National Garden
Nearby the Acropolis you’ll find the National Gardens, where you can relax on a bench and find some shade! Formerly called the Royal Garden, this is a 38-acre public park right behind the Greek Parliament building. Besides shade and benches, this park has:
- Ancient ruins
- Column drums
- Corinthian capitals with columns, mosaics and more
- Busts of important people in Greek history
7. Go on a Guided Tour of Athens
If you just want to go on a fully guided tour and not have to do all the planning and logistics yourself, here are my recommendations for a half day or full day tour:
Half-Day Athens Tour
This Half-Day Athens Guided Tour includes the Greek Parliament, Panathenaic Stadium, Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus and a couple other sites. You can upgrade to get an air-conditioned vehicle if you don’t want to walk, too!
🇬🇷 Learn More About this Half-Day Athens Tour Here
All-Day Athens Tour
This All-Day Athens Tour with a guide and driver includes the Panathenaic Stadium, Acropolis, Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Zeus, the changing of the guard ceremony at the Parliament, and even a road trip along the coast. You’ll visit Poseidon’s Temple and Cape Sounion.
🇬🇷 Learn More About this All-Day Athens Tour Here
8. Visit the Daphni Monastery
This is the second UNESCO World Heritage Site you can visit in Athens. It’s an octagon-shaped Byzantine Monastery from the 11th century. You’ll find it in a suburb of Athens called Chaidari that was built on the site of the Sanctuary of Apollo.
In the monastery you’ll find frescos and mosaics, marvel at the architecture and more.
9. Visit the rooftop bars with amazing views at night (possibly on a rooftop bar crawl)
This is without a doubt one of the top reasons I’m happy I spent time in Athens! I found this rooftop bar crawl on Airbnb led by a local.
We made our way to four rooftop bars, each of which brought us closer to the Acropolis, meaning the view got even better each time – and let me tell you, tasting the unique cocktails at each place was as much a highlight as the view.
But even more than all that, for a solo traveler like myself was meeting new people… and with the fun group on this tour I made friends I’m still connected with!
10. Enjoy an Outdoor Cinema
Open-air cinema, or therina sinema, is a staple in Athens that you can’t experience the same anywhere else. It originated in 1896, and there are 65 in operation in Athens today! Here are a few to check out:
- Aegli, the oldest and most popular, located by the Parliament and National Garden
- Cine Dexameni, located by Hadian’s Aqueduct (on Wednesdays, get 2 for 1 tickets!)
- Cine Paris, located in Plaka
11. Experience Athens Food & Coffee Culture
You can get street food and coffee for extremely cheap in Athens, and there are so many amazing restaurants to try! You can get a food tour to sample all kinds of food, or keep reading for a list of recommended restaurants!
🍢 Book an Athens Food Tour by Clicking Here
- If you want to explore Athens’ best food, wine, cheese and raki at night, there’s a small group tour for that, too:
🇬🇷 Go on this Nighttime Food & Wine Tour of Athens
Here are some places to hit up for food and coffee in Athens:
- Varvakeios Central Market: Huge, famous food market where everyone shops
- Geros Tou Moria: Traditional Greek cuisine in the Plaka neighborhood
- O Thanasis: Amazing for kebabs, in Monastiraki
- Aleria: Award-winning modern Greek Cuisine
- The Old Tavern of Psarras: This tavern has been around since 1898!
- Falafellas: One of the top Athens places for street food
- Gostijo: Sephardic Jewish cuisine
- Fresh juice from a stand, like, anywhere in Athens
- Yiasemi: cafe for the best freddo (Greek iced coffee, and they have a vegetarian breakfast buffet)
- Gelato at Coco’s in Plaka
- City Zen: Breakfast, meals and cocktails with Parthenon views
12. Experience Athens Nightlife in the Psiri & Gazi neighborhoods
Athens is known for its amazing nightlife, so definitely take part to make your Athens trip worthwhile!
The best neighborhoods for nightlife in Athens are the Psiri (or Psyri) and Gazi neighborhoods, both of which have abundant options for eating and drinking.
Greek culture with nightlife is pretty chill: it’s all about drinking and chatting. There are clubs in the area too if that’s your scene!
13. Shop & Eat in The Plaka
Plaka is the oldest section of Athens at the base of the Acropolis, between Syntagma and Monastiraki Square. It’s a popular spot with tourists because of the location and shopping.
You can find shops, cafes and restaurants here, as well as neoclassical architecture and the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea. There are a lot of museums in this area as well.
Tip: Head to the Electra Palace Hotel Roof Garden for excellent cuisine, drinks or to stay in the hotel.
🛏️ Learn More About the Electra Palace Hotel Here
14. Explore More Athens neighborhoods
While Plaka may be the most touristy, there are a lot of cool and intriguing neighborhoods in Athens to check out, including:
- Ermou Street: Great for shopping
- Eolou Street: Known for its neoclassical architecture
- Anafiotika: Part of the Plaka, known for its Cycladic architecture houses
- Psiri: Known for galleries, street art and nightlife
- Monastiraki: The location of the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Roman Agora and Monastiraki Square, this area also has shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
- Kolonaki: Known for high-end boutiques, museums, galleries & nightlife. Take the Lycabettus Funicular railway here!
- Gazi & Kerameikos: Besides the nightlife here, check out the ancient cemetery of Kerameikos, the Industrial Gas Museum & Michelin-starred restaurants!
- Makrygianni & Koukaki: Beneath the Acropolis, these streets are eclectic, artsy and fun to explore.
- Thissio: Also near the Acropolis, this area is known for its many amazing restaurants.
- Kifissia: One of Athens’ oldest suburbs, Kifissia is 30 minutes by train from downtown Athens. It’s known for cooler temps, charm, mansions, horse-drawn carriages and restaurants, cafes and shopping.
Athens Bar Hopping Tour
This Athens Bar Hopping Tour is a great way for solo travelers, couples and groups to experience the nightlife of Athens while making new friends (and not having to worry about logistics while enjoying cocktails, beer, Greek wines and more)!
The tour is 3 hours and includes five bars and clubs, and your guide will give you recommendations on more places to go on your trip for nightlife! There’s a maximum of 12 people so you won’t feel lost in the crowd, too!
🌟 Check out this 5-star review by Chantelle_B:
“The host, I believe her name was Anti, was amazing and so knowledgeable on Greek culture. The rooftop bar we visited had a great view of Acropolis. I had a great time and I suggest all those interested in Athens’ nightlife book this event.”
🇬🇷 Learn More About this Athens Bar Hopping Tour Here
15. Is Athens Worth Visiting? Yes, if you find all the Street Art
The Psiri neighborhood is an area specifically known for street art. It has an edgy vibe with an anti-establishment past, known for the koutsavakides gang who sported handlebar mustaches and one-armed jackets.
In ancient times it was part of the main city, and its close to both the Acropolis and the ancient agora. Today, it has artsy Soho/East Village vibes.
16. Visit the Panathenaic Stadium
The stadium was excavated in 1869 and refurbished. It hosted events for the first modern-day Olympics in 1896, plus many more Olympic-type games, and is the last stop for the Olympic flame to be handed over.
The Panathenaic Stadium is a huge historic stadium that made entirely of marble. Originally built in 330 BCE, the stadium was rebuilt in marble by Herodes Atticus, a senator, in 144 AD. It has a capacity of 50,000 seats.
17. Explore The National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is the largest in Greece, and one of the most important in the world. It has collections from the Prehistoric period and beyond, and hosts a Cycladic Art, as well as an Egyptian collection.
18. Watch the Changing of the Guard on Sunday Mornings
Located in Syntagma Square, the Parliament is amazing to see in and of itself. The Changing of the Guards ceremony is is done by the Evzones, a special Hellenic army unit of soldiers who wear ceremonial uniforms. The ceremony takes place Sundays at 11 am at the Hellenic Parliament Building.
19. Take in the views from the Hill of the Muses & Mount Lycabettus
For amazing Acropolis views and photos, head to two of the highest places in Athens:
- Filopappou Hill/Hill of the Muses: Has amazing views of the Acropolis and Saronic Gulf. The Monument of Filapappos is here also, which was built between 114-116 AD for the Roman administrator of the same name. There’s also a marble path, a church with frescos, and more fun things to find along the way!
- Mount Lycabettus Hill: Athens’ highest point. You can hike or take the cable car to the top and get amazing views. Plus, eat at the church of Agios Georgios and get views from here as well!
20. Admire the Athenian Trilogy
The Athenian Trilogy is a group of buildings located in the heart of Athens near the National Gardens with neoclassical architecture. They are:
- The National Library of Athens
- The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- The Academy of Athens
21. Go to the Monastiraki Flea Market on Sunday Mornings
On Sunday mornings, head to Monastiraki Square to see the tons of vendors with their flea market booths set up – you’ll find a lot of treasures including art and antiques, reminiscent of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul!
22. Visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion)
Located near the Acropolis, the Temple was built in honor of – you guessed it – Zeus. It has a pretty involved history, but after it was first built, it was the largest Temple in Greece.
23. Check out the Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art is a hidden gem located in the heart of Athens, and displays art from the Aegean and Cyprus with a focus on Cycladic art from the 3rd millennium BCE.
The museum has one of the most complete private collections of Cycladic marble figurines, that are world renowned for inspiring some of the best-known artists of the 20th century.
There are both temporary and permanent exhibitions with archaeology and modern and contemporary art.
Check for hours & ticket prices here.
24. Visit the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
The Benaki Museum is located near the Parliament and National Garden in a neoclassical building that was made into a museum for the collections of Antonis Benakis.
The museum’s exhibits are arranged diachronically from prehistorical periods into the 20th century, and includes Greek and Islamic art, Chinese ceramics and more, including temporary exhibitions.
Check for prices, hours and free entry times here.
25. Visit the religious museums
Athens has even more amazing museums to check out if you’re interested! They include:
The Byzantine and Christian Museum
The Byzantine and Christian Museum is a National Museum in Greece that is dedicated to preserving and displaying artifacts from Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, post-Byzantine and even later periods. There are over 25,000 artifacts in the museum dating from the 3rd to the 20th century CE that represent the Greek world and Hellenistic culture.
Check hours and ticket prices here.
The Jewish Museum of Greece
The Jewish Museum of Greece has over 10,000 original artifacts that cover 2,300 years of Jewish history in Greece, plus oral history archives.
The museum was founded in 1977 and exists to preserve Jewish life and culture from Greece. They have a permanent museum, temporary exhibits, an art gallery, thematic modular exhibits, education space and research library, and more!
Get hours, ticket prices & directions here. They also have a mobile app, which you can get here.
26. Discover Hadrian’s Reservoir & Aqueduct System
Yes, I know this one is a bit random but I found this by accident while wandering around at night with some friends from the Airbnb, and I was so excited as a certified archaeology nerd! Read up on Hadrian and go find this yourself – there’s a view down an alley of the Acropolis from here, too!
27. Visit Kerameikos Archaeological Site
This is the ancient cemetery I mentioned earlier. It’s an overlooked, but really important archaeological site in Athens.
Interestingly, before its use as a cemetery (which began in the 9th century and continued until the Roman period), it was used for a pottery workshops – fittingly, keramos means “pottery” (though this was also the name of Dionysus and Ariadne’s son, so that’s another theory).
There’s also a small museum on the site with findings from the excavations.
28. Relax in Piraeus Port
Piraeus Port is one of my favorite places, mostly because I had such a chill day there with a couple of friends from my Airbnb. We swam, ate, swam some more, and watched fireworks at night. Besides our meal, we literally spent all day on this spot and it was perfect!
I also learned about these little tiny churches, because we watched multiple events and photoshoots (including a drone, as seen in the photo) throughout the day.
They’re independently owned and operated like a business – a photogenic “church” where people can get married or have other events, but get great photos.
29. Take a Beach Break
You don’t have to sail to a Greek island to find amazing beaches that give you the same amazing views and vibes! While you’re in Athens, if you need a beach day you can do a day trip to any of these (and there a LOT more, this is just a sampling):
🏝️ Moraitis Beach
Moraitis Beach, located near the historic village of Marathon, is a great spot for water sports like SUP and windsurfing, chilling at the beach bar and more!
🏝️ Eden Beach
Eden Beach Resort is located on the Athenian Riviera, and is known for its crystal clear beaches! It’s a top spot for families and is on the way to Sounio, in Anavyssos. It’s also a great spot for water sports and has live music and more to enjoy!
🌟 Check out this 5-star review from Erick:
“Such an amazing place, the view was spectacular and staff was super friendly ( especially Iuliana in the beach Bar). Recommended to anyone who wants to have a relaxed holidays”
🛏️ Check Prices at Eden Beach Resort Here
🏝️ Flisvos Marina & Beach
Flisvos Marina is super close to Athens, and is a great spot to catch the sunset, marvel at the yachts and get dinner at the nearby cafes! It also has beaches with areas for swimming during the day.
🏝️ Alimos beach
Alimos beach is another beach super close to the city, reachable by public transportation. It can get crowded but it’s a great spot for one of the closest places to swim! It also has a marina and cafes.
🏝️ Aegeon Beach
Aegeon Beach Hotel is located on Cape Sounio’s seashore, near the Temple of Poseidon. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches near Athens because of the overlook with Poseidon’s Temple and the Aegean Sea with crystal clear water and sandy beaches!
The beach is open to the public, and has facilities and sunbeds with umbrellas (but come early to get a spot)!
🌟 Check out this 5-star review from Pablo:
“The location on the beach was very peaceful for our last night in Greece. The check-in was very easy and staff was very helpful. The breakfast was very good.”
🛏️ Check Prices at Aegeon Beach Hotel Here
🏝️ Vouliagmeni Beach
Vouliagmeni Beach is located in Attica near Athens, with a small entry fee. The shoreline is pebbled and there are sunbeds with umbrellas and facilities that include tennis and volleyball courts. It’s also a favorite beach for the restaurants, cafes and bars!
This beach is perfect for the winter months to spot surfers (and practice your surfing and surf photography skills)!
🏝️ Bolivar Beach
Bolivar Beach is located on “Akti tou Iliou” on Athens’ southern coast, and it will make you feel as if you’re on an exotic island! Visit Bolivar Beach Bar especially to take in the beach vibes, with live music, amazing nightlife, cocktails, food and more!
It’s also a great family beach because there’s a waterpark with water sports and more!
30. Go to Vouliagmeni Lake & Health Spa at the Athenian Riviera
Also check out Vouliagmeni Lake, a hidden gem that’s a beautiful swimming spot believed to be therapeutic! It’s a rare geological formation located in the heart of the Riviera with a picturesque landscape, and is a lake with year-round warm water fed by hot springs.
This Thermal SPA – Wellness & Leisure Experience At Lake Vouliagmeni in Athens is the perfect way to unwind and get pampered for a day! You’ll get a ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, with a culinary welcome gift and knowledgable private driver sharing tips & stories along the way!
Once there, you’ll be able to soak in the warm mineral waters, and enjoy a possible lunch upgrade – all without having to bother with the logistics!
🌟 Check out this 5-star review by Jennifer_L:
“Socrates was an excellent guide! He was knowledgeable, the lake was beautiful, and the food was tasty. Fun outing that was something different on our history heavy trip!”
🇬🇷 Learn More About This Thermal SPA Wellness & Leisure Experience At Lake Vouliagmeni in Athens
31. Explore more archaeological sites at the Riviera
The Athenian Riviera has more magical archaeological sites to evoke the imagination, including:
- The Temple of Apollo Zoster in Vouliagmeni
- Kavouri archaeological site
- Temple of Agios Nikolaos
- Temple of Poseidon in Sounio
If archaeology isn’t your thing, the Riviera is an amazing spot for water sports, beautiful beaches and culture to enjoy, too!
32. Day Trips to Make Athens Worth Visiting
Here are the top day trips that can make your trip to Athens even more worthwhile!
🇬🇷 Boat Tour to Agistri, Moni, & Aegina Islands
This is a fantastic way to see three islands one day from Athens and not have to move hotels – and, you get to spend the day on a boat (with lunch and drinks included)! It’s a great way to kick back, and also stop for a swim.
Be sure to bring your sunscreen, a hat and water – plus medicine if you get seasick!
One must-see spot for me on this day was the Aegina-Kolonna archaeological site on Aegina Island. This was the Ancient Acropolis of Aegina, and there’s a temple to Apollo, a Jewish synagogue, prehistoric to Byzantine remains, and a museum with findings!
From the 7th-5th centuries, this was one of the most important trade centers of the Aegean. Also, it has amazing views:
⛵ Go on this Full-Day, 3-Island Boat Cruise from Athens
🇬🇷 Delphi Archaeological Site
Delphi is a huge archaeological site that once was considered the center of the world by the ancient Greeks. Today, it’s part of Parnassos National Park. The site is recognized by UNESCO because of all the monuments. There’s also an archaeological museum on site.
You can see the Temple of Apollo here, as well as treasuries, statues, an altar, a stoa, a theater, the Tholos of Delphi, a stadium, a hippodrome, and a lot more.
🏝️ Book Your Delphi Day Tour by Clicking Here
🏝️ Go on this 4-day Tour of Delphi, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia & Meteora
🇬🇷 Cape Sounion Archaeological Site
Cape Sounion is an archaeological site known for the Temple of Poseidon and views of the Aegean. You’ll also see the Temple of Athena here and a fortress from the Peloponnesian War.
It’s referenced in the Odyssey and by Herodotus, and the archaeological finds go back to 700 BCE.
🏝️ Go on this Sunset at the Cape Sounion Half Day Tour
🏝️ Book an Acropolis Walking Tour plus Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Trip Here
Where to stay in Athens on any Budget
✅ Budget Option: Athens21 Hotel
One of the most affordable hotels in Athens with great reviews, Athens21 Hotel is right by Monastiraki Square and has ahh-mazing Acropolis views! It’s also been recently restored, which is a definite plus.
🌟 Check out this 5-star review by Shane:
“great location in heart of Athens, easy walking distance to everything plus metro is nearby.”
🛏️ Check Prices at Athens21 Hotel
👉 If you’re looking for even cheaper, I use HostelWorld to find the best hostels and deals!
✅ Mid-Tier Option: The Athens Gate Hotel
The Athens Gate Hotel is affordable for even a mid-tier option, and it literally overlooks Zeus’ Temple – plus it has amazing Acropolis views from the rooftop bar and restaurant with free breakfast (it’s only 400 meters away)! It also has a spa, private balcony, and even babysitting.
🌟 Check out this 5-star review from Diane:
“The location was outstanding and in addition the rooftop restaurant provided excellent food choices as well as an amazing view of the acropolis and other sites.”
🛏️ Check Prices at The Athens Gate Hotel
✅ Luxury Option: Electra Palace Hotel
As mentioned earlier, the Electra Palace Hotel is a 5-star, luxury hotel located in the Plaka, right in the middle of everything! They also have free breakfast, a rooftop with amazing views of the Acropolis (plus an outdoor pool and restaurant on the roof), an indoor swimming pool, walking tours, a gym, a bar, a pool, sauna, restaurants and more!
🌟 Check out this 5-star review from Kent:
“love this hotel, location, view, staff , food all exceptional. look forward to staying here again when we visit Athens.”
🛏️ Check Prices at the Electra Palace Hotel
👉 VRBO is another option where you can find vacation rental houses for yourself or a whole group to have the entire place all to yourself!
Map of Things To Do In Athens, Greece
Best Time of Year to Visit Athens
I visited Athens in September, and it was still blazing hot, especially at the beginning of my trip. Some days I had to go sit at a restaurant or go home early because of the intensity! The Winter in Athens can get really cold and snow, so the best time to go is in the Fall or Spring before or after the worst of the heat, also known as shoulder season (prices are also cheaper during these months)!
Also, plan to do outdoor things as early in the morning as possible, and you’ll miss the worst of the sun and heat!
Is Athens Worth Visiting: FAQs
👉 How many days is enough in Athens?
2-3 days is enough time to see the major sites in Athens. You can always extend if you want to make it your base for day trips, or spend more time enjoying the additional sites like museums and neighborhoods and enjoying the nightlife.
👉 Is Athens cheap to visit?
Yes. Make sure you look for what’s in your budget – it’s not as cheap as some countries, but it is a lot more affordable than many European cities.
👉 Is Athens safe?
Athens is generally safe. There are pickpockets (as in any major city) and the Exarchia neighborhood has some issues, but it’s not in the touristy area.
👉 Why should you not go to Athens?
If you don’t care at all about seeing amazing ancient archaeological sites, or experiencing city life around the world and meeting new people, or if you don’t care about exploring beaches and museums, then don’t go to Athens.
👉 Is Santorini or Athens better?
That depends on you. Santorini is prettier, for sure, but much more expensive. If you’re looking for beautiful beaches and fun nightlife, you can find it in Athens.
👉 Is Athens expensive for tourists?
Athens isn’t expensive for tourists. There are some things that you can find cheaper in some places and more expensive in others, but overall it’s a very affordable city for budget travelers.
Getting Around Athens
👉 For flights, WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights. Use the code MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.
👉 To rent a car in Athens, Discover Cars is a great tool to use to find the best deals.
👉 Uber: Unlike most islands, where you’ll have to rent transportation, walk or take a bus, Athens has taxis and Ubers. Don’t take a taxi, but on Uber you’ll get both for very cheap.
👉 Subway System: Athens also has a subway system you can use, and the station near the Acropolis has fun museum displays underground, like this one:
More Athens Tips for Visiting: History & Language
Reading up on the history beforehand is an excellent way to get excited about seeing Athens. And, if you don’t want to read anything dry, check out these books inspired by Greek mythology and these movies inspired by Greek Mythology.
Also, because I studied Greek, it was so fun to be able to read some of the signs! I also learned a few words (like Yamas!) from the locals that are important to know.
I recognized the word “orange” at the juice stand from a mix of knowing the Greek alphabet and having watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding!
Here’s a brief summary of Athens’ rich history:
The ancient name of Athens was Ἀθῆναι. Even though scholars today agree that Athena got her name from the city, it was debated in ancient times whether it was that or the other way around.
The ancient myth of the origin of Athens is that Athena (goddess of wisdom and war) fought Poseidon (the god of the sea) for the city. The decision of the winner was based on who could give the best gift to the people.
In one version of the story, Poseidon used his trident to strike the ground, giving the city a salt water spring; in another one, his gift was a horse. Athena gave the first olive tree in both story versions, and the King of Athens declared her the winner.
You can read up on Greek mythology and ancient Athens, but also look at history through Byzantine and Ottoman times if you like history.
All In All: Should I Spend Time In Athens?
Yes, Athens is definitely worth visiting for more than an airport stop! Aside from the amazing archaeological sites and history, you’ll find fabulous food, views, culture, nightlife, shopping and so much more to explore!
I hope this helped you plan your trip to Athens!
👉 See this page for more tips on visiting Greece.
👉 If you want more International travel guides, check out this page.
👉For what to pack and travel resources, check out my resources page.
