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Greece
Athens Travel Guide
Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the world’s oldest cities, crowned by the Acropolis and the Parthenon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around it are the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Acropolis Museum, all within walking distance of the historic centre.
- Best time: April to June and September to October
- Airport: ATH
- Euro
Overview
About Athens
Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the world’s oldest cities, crowned by the Acropolis and the Parthenon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around it are the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Acropolis Museum, all within walking distance of the historic centre.
The old neighbourhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki are full of tavernas and shops, while Syntagma Square is the city’s transport hub. Athens is also the main gateway to the Greek islands, with ferries leaving from the port of Piraeus.
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- Eastern European Time (UTC+2), summer time UTC+3
- Language
- Greek; English is widely spoken in tourist areas
Hotels in Athens
Where to stay in Athens
Each area links to places to stay on our Athens hotels page.
- Plaka & MakrygianniThe old town below the Acropolis, with tavernas, rooftop bars and small hotels close to the Acropolis Museum.
- SyntagmaThe main square by the Parliament, with the Metro to the airport and many larger hotels.
- Monastiraki & PsyrriFlea markets, street food and lively bars around Monastiraki Square, next to the Ancient Agora.
- PiraeusThe port city south-west of Athens, useful for a night before an early ferry to the islands.
Getting there
Flights to Athens
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is about 30 km east of the centre, around 40 minutes by Metro line 3 or the express bus to Syntagma.
- ATH
- Athens International Airport
Things to do
Things to do in Athens
Popular tours and tickets from our activity partner.
Popular attractions
- Acropolis & Parthenon (UNESCO)
- Acropolis Museum
- Ancient Agora
- Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Plaka
- Lycabettus Hill
- Cape Sounion day trip
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Athens, Greece
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When to go
Best time to visit Athens
Spring and autumn are warm and ideal for sightseeing. July and August are very hot, sometimes with Acropolis closures during heatwaves. Winter is mild and quiet, with some rain.
Transport
Getting around Athens
The Athens Metro links the airport (line 3), Syntagma, Monastiraki and Piraeus (line 1). The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot.
Travel tips
Athens travel tips
- Visit the Acropolis at opening time or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and cruise-ship crowds; book timed tickets online.
- A combined ticket covers the Acropolis and several other ancient sites, including the Ancient Agora.
- Allow plenty of time to reach Piraeus for ferries — the Metro takes around 25 minutes from Monastiraki.
- Watch the sunset from Lycabettus Hill or a rooftop bar in Plaka facing the Acropolis.
Athens essentials
Athens travel FAQs
How many days do you need in Athens?
Two to three days covers the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the ancient sites and the old neighbourhoods, with an extra day for Cape Sounion or Delphi.
What is the best area to stay in Athens?
Plaka and Makrygianni for Acropolis views, Syntagma for transport links, and Monastiraki or Psyrri for food and nightlife.
How do I get from Athens to the Greek islands?
Ferries to most Aegean islands leave from Piraeus, with some from Rafina and Lavrio; there are also domestic flights from Athens airport.
Plan your trip
Plan your Athens trip
- Hotels in AthensExplore hotels in Plaka & Makrygianni and Syntagma and more.
- Things to do in AthensExplore Acropolis & Parthenon (UNESCO), Acropolis Museum and other experiences.
- Greece travel guideGreece travel guide starting with Athens: the Acropolis, the old neighbourhoods, ferries to the islands, when to visit and where to stay.
Nearby and related destinations
- Istanbul, TürkiyeIstanbul travel guide: Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu or Kadıköy, the best time to visit, which airport to use, and hotels, flights and tours to book.
- Rome, ItalyRome travel guide: the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Trevi Fountain, the best neighbourhoods to stay in, trains from Fiumicino and when to go.
- Cappadocia, TürkiyeCappadocia travel guide: hot-air balloon flights, Göreme cave hotels, fairy chimneys, underground cities, the best season and how to get there.
Facts last reviewed 27 September 2026. Hotel, flight and activity availability is provided live by our booking partners, and bookings are completed with them.