Athens, Greece, has been a popular tourist destination for years. It’s easy to see why people are drawn to this location. A rich history filled with philosophers, politics, and towering architecture. Beyond its historic appeal, Athens also provides excellent outdoor activities. Depending on what area you explore in the city, you’ll find art galleries, bright cafes, ancient ruins, and scenic nature spots. Athens is a place where history and the present mingle together. Below, you’ll find information on what to do, and know before you go to Athens Greece travel tips.
Getting Around Athens
Athens is chock full of available transportation, which is beneficial to all who visit Athens. Taxis are widely available, and a popular form of transportation – there are no set fees here, so you’ll be charged based on the distance and time it takes to transport you from place to place.
Public transportation is quite commonly used due to its availability and reach both in the city center and nearby suburbs. Available options include trains, buses, trolleys, and trams. Tickets for these can be purchased at a ticket box or machine in the metro and tram stations.
Other forms of transportation include renting a car or bicycle. If choosing to rent a car, an international driver’s license is needed. Driving can be tricky due to busy roads and a lack of street parking. However, there are many available rental services, as are paid parking lots in certain areas.
The final transportation method is walking. The city is quite easy to explore on foot. Try the famous Athens Culture Guided Walking Tour to learn your way around.
Eat Like The Locals
Greek food is highly praised worldwide. Likely, you’ve eaten at least a few Greek dishes in your lifetime. Here you can experience authentic Greek cuisine items like brizolakia and kunefe. Also available are modern Greek restaurants serving reimagined classics.
To feel more like a local here, visitors can create their spread by visiting specialized stores. Start with grabbing Feta cheese from the dairy shop, head to a different shop for nuts and dried fruit, and end with a stop at a Greek coffee shop for some authentic roasts.
Explore The Museums
As Athens is such a culturally and historically rich location, there are many museums to be explored. History buffs will be in awe of how many museums are available. Below you’ll find a few to add to your travel list so you can experience ancient Athens.
The Acropolis Museum
This museum holds artifacts from the famous Acropolis archaeological site that was built centuries before. Find replicas of temple wall ornaments and sculptures from ancient Greece sites among the exhibits here.
The Benaki Museum Of Greek Culture
Anyone who wants to learn all about the people of Greece should head to this museum. Learn all about Greek culture in a few hours before heading to your next activity. This museum is intended to be a quick, and educational experience for visitors.
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is the highlight of many vacations because of the vast number of artifacts that are found here. It centers around ancient Greek art like sculptures, statues, and even old battle shields.
Tour The Historic Sites
Once you’ve explored the museums and learned about the history of the most popular sites, it’s time to see these fantastic locations in person. Even after visiting The Acropolis Museum, you’ll want to see the magnificent buildings in person in central Athens. Here you’ll find The Parthenon and multiple famous archaeological sites.
Other places of note include the Temple of Olympian Zeus – located in downtown Athens and the Theater of Dionysus from the 4th century. Most historical destinations are spread out and will likely take a few days to see due to the distance. If you are short on time – take a day to see the Parthenon and its temples.
Lounge At The Sandy Beaches
Take a break from exploring the museums and historic sites by heading to the Athens, Greece beaches. The number of beaches here is vast and provides different experiences. Choose between family-friendly beaches, local hideaways, and relaxed beaches with swimming holes. Here are a few you need to stop at when you head to Athens.
Limanakia Vouliagmenis
This beach requires a short hike to reach. It’s loved by locals for its relaxed vibes and is noted as an easy hangout spot. Entry is free, and you can hang out in the swimming hole or sunbathe nearby.
Astir Beach
Astir Beach is considered a luxury spot. Your drinks are brought directly to you by waiters, and spa treatments are available. Expect to pay premium pricing for a day at this beach.
Akti Vouliagmeni
This Athens beach spot is ideal for families traveling together. Here you will find sports like tennis and volleyball. There are also playgrounds on land and the water, so your children will have plenty to occupy them.
Try Mountain Biking
One doesn’t usually think of mountain biking as an available activity in Athens. However, it is a widely popular destination among cyclists. There is one primary bicycling location – Mt. Parnitha, which sits about an hour from the city’s center. Different trails and routes are available for varying degrees of difficulty. Opt for a tour as the guide will know the best spots to take a break and the optimal trail for your needs.
Safety Precautions
Athens, Greece, is a safe location, making it an excellent spot for visitors to head to. You will, however, want to follow general safety guidelines that would use at home. Keep an eye on your phone, and don’t leave it (or your personal belongings) unattended. Choose ATMs and visit areas at night that are well lit, and are well populated.
Head to any outdoor activities early in the day. This will help you avoid too much sun during the day. Depending on your intended destination, you may want to consider going out before sunset, as the temperatures start to drop.
Sunny Weather Year-Round
Athens is one of the rare locations that you can visit throughout the whole year. Athens is well known for having sun nearly every day (300 days out of 365) and pleasant weather. Blue skies accentuate the beauty of this city with little to no snow during the winter. The exception for this is on the nearby mountains, which often have snow on their peaks.
I hope you found my tips in this know before you go – to Athens Greece article helpful. I would be honored to help you plan your visit to Athens, Greece.
Register to download your free mini Athens Greece travel guide for more helpful tips, and reach out to me when you are ready to start planning your Greek adventure.