Introduction
Athens is one of the cities that gave me the most positive feelings among all the places I’ve visited. My first encounter with the city was a bit late, in April 2023. This was also my first visit to Greece. My familiarity with this country began with a cheap Athens ticket that I found during a flight ticket sale. At first, the city didn’t seem very appealing to me only by its name. However, after exploring it, I realized that Athens is an “underrated” place that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It offers vibrant streets, warm climate, friendly people, and the wide variety of delicious food and drink options. I hope this Athens city guide helps you enjoy the city as much as I did.
Athens is not a city that promises an endless array of attractions like Rome, Barcelona, or Paris. Yet, it is a city that draws many tourists and hosts significant history. If you prefer a slow-paced vacation over running from one place to another, enjoy tasting delicious food and drinks, and even take a dip in the sea if the weather is nice, then this is the perfect spot for you. For these exact reasons, I felt a close connection to this city. I realized that I enjoyed Athens more than the popular and larger cities I’ve visited. One of the main reasons I felt so connected here is the similarity between their culture and ours (Turkish). This similarity made itself felt to me the moment I landed in Greece.
I talked about my first visit to Athens. Of course, that wasn’t my last visit. After my initial trip, I had the chance to reunite with this city in February and June of 2024. This allowed me to get to know the city better, revisit some of my favorite places, and share these experiences with the people I traveled with. In a way, Athens has become a place abroad that feels like home to me. For this reason, I wanted to start my first city guide from here. Here is the Athens city guide.
Places to Visit in Athens
Athens was one of the largest settlements of the Ancient Age. Its deep-rooted history made it one of the birthplaces of Western civilization. Today, these historical sites and museums, which shed light on the past of civilization, attract a lot of tourist interest. I mentioned that there aren’t endless places to visit. But, I realized there are quite a few artifacts, especially for history enthusiasts while writing about the places I visited. Let me tell you about these places.
Acropolis
The Acropolis, meaning “high city” in Greek, is the crown jewel of Athens. Located on a steep hill in the city center, it showcases its grandeur amidst the streets of Athens. Throughout the ages, the Acropolis has housed temples and some residences, with the most notable structure being the Parthenon, which means the temple of Athena. The photo beside shows the ancient theater, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
The ticket price that allows entry to the Acropolis and all other ancient ruins is €30, while the ticket that only allows access to the Acropolis is €20. I highly recommend purchasing your ticket online. As long as there are available slots, you can select your visiting time and buy your ticket from the website right before entering the Acropolis.
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum, which houses artifacts excavated from the Acropolis and sheds light on the past, is another place you should add to your list. Located very close to the Acropolis, the museum’s modern architecture is as impressive as the artifacts inside. The entrance fee for the Acropolis Museum is €10.
Agora of Athens and the Museum
Agora is known as the center of life and considered the civic center in ancient Greek cities, refers to open spaces designated for various activities. One of the most famous agoras, the Athens Agora, is located right in the heart of the city. The Agora also has a museum dedicated to it. If you wish to visit both together, the entrance fee is €10.
Mount Lycabettus
The highest hill in Athens, standing at 300 meters above sea level, offers a beautiful 360-degree view of the city. Due to its height and location, it provides a stunning panoramic view of Athens. At the top, there is a small observation terrace, a cozy church, and a cafe where you can sit and enjoy the view. You can hike up to the peak or take a cable car from the south side of the hill. The round-trip ticket price for the cable car is €10. You can see a small landscape photo taken from above, on the right.
Olympic Museum of Athens
The Olympic Museum is in a shopping center (Golden Hall) near the olympic village where the 2004 Olympics took place, in the northern part of the city. Visiting and returning will take up at least half a day of your time. If you have an interest in sports, especially the Olympics, I recommend including this museum in your plans. However, if you’re not particularly interested, you might consider spending your limited time differently. While walking to the museum, you also get a chance to see the magnificent stadium that hosted the 2004 Olympics. The entrance fee to the museum is €7.
The Panathenaic Stadium
It’s hard to believe, but this stadium has a history dating back approximately 2500 years. Built in ancient times for the Panathenaic Games dedicated to the goddess Athena. It takes its name from these ancient games. It is also renowned for hosting the first modern Olympics in 1896. With an entrance fee of €10, you can climb to the top of the stadium’s marble tiers. Imagine yourself as someone present in this stadium 2500 years ago. Inside the stadium, there is a passage leading to a small exhibition that you shouldn’t miss exploring.
The National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is filled with artifacts from the ancient Greek period. It also hosts many artifacts that have been excavated from Turkey. The museum houses statues of mythological figures like Zeus and Poseidon, as well as sculptures of ancient Greek kings. The entrance fee is €12, during the summer season (April-October)and it is €6 during the winter season (November-March).
The National Garden
A charming park located right next to the Greek Parliament Building. It’s perfect for those looking to escape the concrete and take a walk. While not very large, the park is home to ducks, geese, turtles, cats, which adds to its peaceful ambiance and provides a tranquil retreat for visitors.
The National Museum of Contemporary Art
Established in 2000 within a former brewery, this museum showcases captivating artworks by diverse global artists. The building was renovated in 2020, now features a modern aesthetic and presents stunning temporary exhibitions. As you wander through the museum, you’ll encounter artworks created by talented artists from various countries. Admission fee is €8.
Bonus Places
These are the places that I haven’t written under a separate heading. But I’ve added under this list the places that I find worth mentioning in the Athens city guide, which may interest you. They are not must-see but it’s good to keep them in mind.
If you enjoy exploring food markets in the countries you visit, be sure to visit the Varvakios food market in Athens at least once. It’s open every day except Sunday. Markets in Southern Europe remind me of places that make me feel like I’m in Türkiye.
The Museum of Cycladic Art houses artifacts from the Cycladic Civilization, which existed in the islands of the Aegean Sea from 3000 to 2000 BC. The museum occasionally hosts beautiful temporary exhibitions. Although I didn’t quite understand its connection, I visited the museum to see Cindy Sherman’s temporary exhibition. There’s also a lovely café inside the museum. The entrance fee is €12. It’s up to you whether it’s worth it or not.
Piraeus, a coastal town located a few kilometers south of Athens, can be considered as Athens’ port. Despite its small size, it hosts a densely populated area. Piraeus is known for being home to one of Greece’s largest sports clubs, Olympiacos. If you’re curious, you might consider watching a football or basketball game live. You can reach Piraeus using the red metro line from Athens.
Finally, I have created a Google Maps list including all these places for you. This way, you can easily access them during your trip and view them on the map. Your Athens city guide is at your service whenever you need it.
Neighborhoods in Athens & Accommodation in Athens
When I visit a city, one of the things I enjoy most is learning about the neighborhoods and their locations. As I spent time in the center of Athens, I began to familiarize myself with the names and locations of its neighborhoods. Knowing the neighborhoods and their locations is particularly important for accommodation for readers considering a trip to Athens. Thus, it wouldn’t be right to skip briefly mentioning this topic. I write my comments on neighborhoods and accommodation based on my own observations and what I’ve heard from others who have visited or live in Athens. Of course, everyone’s experience can be different, so it’s important to keep that in mind.
Where to Stay in Athens
Firstly, I must say this. When you open the map and look at Athens, staying within a 10-minute walking distance of Monastiraki or Syntagma Square would be great in terms of location. Being close to either of these squares allows you to walk to many places in central Athens. Additionally, you can access all metro lines using the metro stations located in these two squares, making it easy to reach the airport (Airport transportation is discussed further in the article). So, what are the neighborhoods in this area that I mentioned? Let me briefly mention them.
Plaka
This charming neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis is quite suitable for staying due to its location and the quality of hotels. You can enjoy coffee in the boutique cafes on the streets of Plaka. Brettos, located here, is one of my favorite bars in Athens. Don’t worry, I’ve covered the Athens Food Guide under a separate heading.
Monastiraki
This is one of the busiest and most touristy areas of Athens. The prices of hotels here may be a bit high. Also, it might be a bit noisy at night.
Psiri
One of the neighborhoods I prefer to stay in when I come to Athens. It’s quite close to Monastiraki Square and has lovely Greek restaurants and taverns around. Some places I like: Nikitas Psiri, The Brunchers, Karamanlidika, Tavern Klimataria, MINU, Diporto. Be sure to take a look at the Athens Food Guide if you haven’t already.
Kolonaki
This area is located slightly northeast of where I would call the center. You can reach Syntagma Square with about a 15-minute walk. Since it’s at the foothills of Lycabettus Hill, it’s a bit hilly but peaceful and tranquil.
Koukaki
It’s located slightly northeast of where I would call the center. You can reach Syntagma Square with about a 15-minute walk. Because it’s at the foot of Lycabettus Hill, it’s a bit hilly but peaceful and serene neighborhood.
Neighborhoods to Avoid in Athens
The three neighborhoods I mentioned below are three neighborhoods that I have received negative comments from people I know. All three are located slightly north of the center. If you say, “I found a very nice place at a reasonable price on the outskirts of the city, and I will stay there,” be careful not to be in these neighborhoods.
Walking around during the daytime should not pose any problems in these neighborhoods. Just be cautious in hollow streets at night.
- Exarcheia
- Omonia
- Kypseli
I would like to make a separate note about Omonia. Because Athens Psiri Hotel, where I stayed on two separate occasions, was very close to Omonia metro station. Yet, I have returned to the hotel alone very late at night without encountering any issues. Although I didn’t walk directly in Omonia, I only used the metro station a few times. Of course, the metro station itself may be safer due to being a touristic and central area. I did not venture into the back streets of Omonia.
Where I Stayed in Athens
I stayed at Athens Psiri Hotel twice during my trips to Athens and was quite satisfied. My second stay was in June 2024, and since my previous visit, the rooms had been renovated, which made me like the hotel even more. The hotel is two-star, so aside from the rooms, the only possible facility is a vending machine at the reception (which is really important for late-night chocolate or drink cravings). Nevertheless, the comfortable and spacious rooms will definitely meet your needs. The price is also reasonable in my opinion. It’s within walking distance to Omonia and Monastiraki metro stations. You can see its exact location down below.
I stayed at Hotel Phaedra in Plaka during one of my trips. The price was quite affordable, and the location was excellent. Yet, the rooms were a bit small. Luckily, I got a room overlooking the fire escape, but there are also rooms with beautiful views of the Acropolis as shown in the photos. You can take a look here as well, but I must say I preferred Athens Psiri Hotel more. You can see its exact location down below.
Transportation from the Airport to the City Center in Athens
Athens Airport is located to the east of the city, approximately 35-40 kilometers away. There are bus and metro services operating between the city center and the airport. This allows you to reach the city center in about an hour. Let’s briefly look at these transportation options.
Metro
Athens Airport is located at the end of the blue metro line. You can reach the central stations like Syntagma and Monastiraki directly via metro, and easily transfer to other metro lines from these stops. It takes approximately 50 minutes to travel from the airport to Monastiraki station.
Since the airport is outside of the city and metro is connected to the suburban train on the blue line, regular metro tickets don’t cover trips to and from the airport. You need to purchase a separate ticket for the airport from ticket machines at metro stations. The price for a one-way ticket is 9€, and you can pay with either card or cash. These machines are also available at the metro station in the airport, with an option for English language selection. For first-time users, there are sometimes attendants near the machines to assist you. Once you’ve purchased your first ticket, you’ll find using the machines straightforward.
I want to share an important piece of information about the metro. When passing through the turnstile, after scanning your card, you also need to scan it again before exiting. The turnstile opens after you scan your card. So, be careful not to lose or throw away your card after entering the metro. If you attempt to exit without a valid ticket or use the wrong ticket, you may incur a fine (It happened to us).
You can access the metro schedule from here.
Bus
You can reach from Athens Airport to different parts of the city by bus. There are four different bus routes (X93, X95, X96, X97) that go to four different areas of the city. The X95 route goes to Syntagma Square in the city center. Travel time varies between 45-90 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The one-way ticket fare is €5.5. For detailed information about airport bus routes, you can visit this link.
Taxi
Another option for traveling between the airport and the city, or the opposite way, is taking a taxi. The cost of a taxi ride varies depending on the time of the day and your destination, but expect to pay around €40-55 for a trip between the city center and the airport.
Finally, there’s one thing you need to be aware of when you arrive at Athens Airport for your return flight. That is which terminal you’ll enter. As far as I know, there are two different terminals, and the information about which airlines operate at each terminal is displayed at the entrance. I recommend paying attention to this when entering the terminal.
Things I Like to Do in Athens
- Sitting at the café on Mount Lycabettus and watching the city
- Watching the illuminated Acropolis from any rooftop bar
- Escaping from the heat of the city and enjoying the beaches in the south
- Trying the liqueurs at Brettos
- Getting lost in the National Garden
- Eating börek from Ariston Lompotesi and souvlaki from Kostas while walking down the street
- Sitting on the marble stands of the Panathenaic Stadium
- Exploring the special exhibitions at the National Museum of Contemporary Art
If you’ve read the Athens city guide from start to finish, you’re almost ready to explore Athens. There’s just one step left: my favorite part, food and drink. Because this article is a bit long, I’ve covered the Athens Food Guide comprehensively in a separate article. It includes restaurant, bar, and cafe recommendations that I think will enhance and delight your days in Athens. I highly recommend checking out that article as well. I also covered my Athens electronics purchase under Tax Free Shopping article.
Last but not least, don’t forget to visit our Instagram page to see the posts we shared during our trips to Athens, and be sure to follow us!
Also, we are on LinkedIn now! Seeing a vacation destination among people’s achievements will give you a break.
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