Athens Greece Travel Tips

thens is an absolutely amazing city to visit and explore. There is so much history packed into one place that it can feel a little overwhelming at first, but in the best possible way. Athens is a living museum where ancient history and modern city life blend together in a way you really won't find anywhere else on earth. The good news is that the city is very easy to navigate, and with a little planning, you can see an incredible amount in just a few days.

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 Athens Greece Travel Tips

Getting Around Athens

The city is easily accessible via the metro system and you can move from one neighborhood to another quickly and affordably. The Athens Metro is fast and reliable, connecting major sites like the Acropolis and Syntagma Square. Buses and trams extend the network further, and taxis are readily available throughout the city.

Like any large city, you definitely want to be aware of your surroundings and keep a close hold on your purse or bag while riding the train or walking through crowded areas. Athens is a genuinely friendly city, but it is also a big city with the usual pickpockets and other unsavory individuals you would find anywhere. Stay aware and you will have a fantastic time.

Visiting the Acropolis

The Acropolis is easily visible from almost everywhere in the city, so you really can't miss it looming over Athens. You can reach it via the metro, the hop-on hop-off bus, or a taxi.

The metro stop drops you off just a couple of blocks from the south entrance, which also gives you access to the Theater of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on your way up the hill. We found this entrance to be less crowded than the main western entrance during our visit, and the walk up gives you so many opportunities to stop for photos and catch your breath along the way.

The walk up is a bit of a workout! The front entrance staff told us it normally takes at least 25 minutes to reach the top for guests in good shape. There are benches and pull-offs along the route if you need a rest. Take your time and enjoy the journey up.

Once you reach the top, the views of the city in every direction are absolutely breathtaking. If you visit independently, you will have the freedom to explore the entire area at your own pace and really take in all the details of the buildings.

Make the Most of Your Acropolis Visit with a Guided Tour

One of the best decisions you can make when visiting the Acropolis is booking a guided tour, and the Athens Early Morning Guided Tour to the Acropolis and Museum on GetYourGuide is one of the top-rated options available.

The tour gives you early morning access to the Acropolis Hill at first light, before the crowds arrive. Your expert guide takes you back in time through history, mythology, and storytelling, entering via the south slope to see the Dionysus Sanctuary and Theater of Dionysus, then continuing up to the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Parthenon. After the hilltop visit, the tour continues at the Acropolis Museum, ranked as one of the top museums in the world, where you can admire archaeological treasures dating back to prehistoric times, all displayed under natural light with excavations visible beneath glass floors.

Reviewers consistently praise how the early start means you have the site largely to yourself, and by the time you leave the crowds are just starting to stream in. It is the smartest way to experience one of the world's greatest ancient sites.

Exploring the Neighborhoods of Athens

After the Acropolis, make time to wander through some of Athens' wonderful neighborhoods.

Plaka, nestled at the foot of the Acropolis, is often called the Neighborhood of the Gods. Its labyrinthine streets are lined with neoclassical architecture, quaint cafes, artisan shops, and vibrant tavernas serving authentic Greek cuisine. It is a perfect place to wander without a map and just see where the streets take you.

Anafiotika is a 19th-century neighborhood built into the northern side of the Acropolis hill, just above Plaka. It has none of the hustle and bustle of the city center and feels like a Cycladic island with its whitewashed walls, shuttered windows, and tiny sidewalk cafes. It is one of those hidden gems that most visitors rush past but that absolutely deserves a slow wander.

Pandrossou Street is an amazing street market filled with local shops selling t-shirts, local art, soaps, olive wood products, and so much more. Keep an eye out for the Olive Land store, a family-owned shop with beautiful olive wood products. We picked up a ton of gifts and olive wood spoons during our visit.

Also try and meet Nick the Greek at the t-shirt stand down the way. You can ask for him and a shopkeeper will point you to his stores. He has business cards from all around the United States on display, sent by friends, family, and people from Athens who have moved to the States. Nick the Greek truly epitomizes the Athenian spirit of warmth and friendliness. He embraces you with his enthusiasm and love of the US.

Right near the t-shirt shops is a wonderful taverna with live Greek music and incredible food. Try the Moussaka! It was some of the best either of us had anywhere in Athens or Greece.

Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square is the central hub of Athens and an important political and cultural gathering place. Five minutes before each hour, you can watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Greek Parliament building. The guards, called Evzones, perform their choreographed routine in elaborate traditional dress, and on Sundays at 11 AM the ceremony is accompanied by a full marching band.

At night, Syntagma Square comes alive with live music and a vibrant, eclectic scene with fruit stands, tourist shops, and locals out enjoying the evening. It is a great spot to sit with a coffee or a glass of wine and just watch the city go by.

The Street Art Scene

Athens is a city that has been through a tremendous amount, and you will find street art and graffiti on almost every corner. Rather than being an eyesore, much of it is genuinely stunning. The Psyrri neighborhood in particular has become an open-air gallery where ancient architecture meets modern street art. The city has had its ups and downs, but the resilience and creativity of the Athenian people is on full display everywhere you look.

A Note on the Athenian Spirit

The Athenian people are some of the friendliest, most open, and most welcoming people we encountered on our travels. They are genuinely excited to have visitors in their city and will open their arms and share their love of Athens with you if you give them the chance. Slow down, say hello, ask questions, and let them show you their city.

Practical Tips for Visiting Athens

• Book your Acropolis tickets well in advance, especially in peak season. Timed entry is required and popular time slots sell out.
• Wear very comfortable walking shoes with good grip. The marble surfaces throughout the historic sites are beautiful but can be slippery.
• Carry cash. While many places take cards, smaller shops, tavernas, and market stalls often prefer cash.
• Plan for two to three days minimum if you want to see the big three (the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the Acropolis Museum) without feeling rushed.
• The best months to visit are April, May, September, and October when the weather is warm but the summer peak crowds have thinned.
• If you are looking for flight options to Europe, check out TAP Portugal Business Class and the different options available. And make sure to calculate the cost of your trip to Greece in advance. It is very easy to spend more than you plan once you are there!

I dream of spending 10 days in Greece and exploring more of this incredible country. Athens alone could keep you busy for a week, and that is before you even think about the islands.

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