Why you'll love it
Athens may seem like a teeming metropolis, but at heart it has a village soul. Knock on its door and Athens will open up wide; delighted to show you its warm ways, spontaneous nature and the irreverent energy that marks it out from its more buttoned-up Mediterranean cousins.
Athens’s digestible dimensions and contrasting charms mean you can be treading ancient hilltop trails where Plato delivered democratic orations one moment and admiring avant-garde Greek sculpture at a hot new gallery the next. Or sinking ouzo by the sea and dipping your toes into the Greek-island lifestyle of the Athens Riviera.
Dig deeper than the Acropolis and tourist-jammed Plaka. Within a day or two you can comfortably explore the city’s mosaic of urban neighbourhoods, each with their own tangible identity, on foot. Choose from freewheeling Psirri, an easy stroll north of the Parthenon, with glam-grunge cafés and bold street murals; or fashionable Pangrati, near the historic, all-marble Panathenaic Stadium, prized for its leafy squares and artsy pulse. Night owls flock to born-again industrial Gazi or the hip drinking dens of Koukaki, while culture buffs head for well-heeled Kolonaki, just east of Syntagma Square, for cappuccinos and couture.
Athens is an endlessly layered entity where the ever-present historic patina co-exists happily with an appetite for reinvention. Age-old rituals such as farmers’ markets and unhurried chats on doorsteps still find space among the new designer patisseries and artist co-operatives. Athens inspires everything from exasperation and sensory overload to blind devotion — but always bestows its best gifts on the adventurous and curious.
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Top Athens Accommodations
Explore the finest accommodation options in Athens, the heart of Greece, that perfectly blend aesthetic appeal and comfort. Entice your senses with stay regions that boast of chic architectural hotels, furnished with rooftop swimming pools or quaint boutique inns that offer stunning views of the Acropolis.
Essentials of Athens: Uncover the History and Beauty of Greece's Capital City
Athens, the golden heart of Greece, offers an experience that transcends beyond mere embarkation for journeys to its stunning archipelago. Let's uncover the rich past and vibrant present the city has to offer
Renowned for its iconic landmarks and ancient ruins, Athens provides an enriching experience that will bring you back to the era of Plato and Socrates, enlightening your understanding of their philosophies. The city’s modern renaissance, seamlessly blending with its storied past, adds another layer to the adventure as you explore diverse eateries serving mouthwatering Greek cuisine, elegant shopping districts, burgeoning arts scene, and bustling nightspots.
Optimum Period for Greece Exploration
Greece stuns visitors with a fascinating blend of mythical tales woven into ancient ruins, bathed under an endless dance of the sun's rays. With an enchanting palette of blues in its décor, there's little debate that Greece asserts itself as a sublime destination for every season. Naked to the world, Greece's historic sites and mythical lore make it a perennially attractive destination regardless of the time of the year. With the sun generously lending its warmth and light, you'll be hard-pressed to find a moment when Greece fails to captivate you.
Exploring The Best Of Greece
If a dream vacation painted with star-studded encounters tickles your fancy, Patmos satisfies that craving. Gain inspiration from the majestic beauty of a geological marvel in Milos or let serenity wash over you upon the secluded beaches of Naxos. Our expert in all things Greek lavishes you with the inside scoop on these magnificent destinations.
What to do
A visit to the Acropolis* — Athens’s unshakeable sacred rock — is compulsory. Go early to beat the heat and crowds, then put this 2,500-year-old marvel into context at the brilliant Acropolis Museum*. It’s located on one of Europe’s most beautiful pedestrian avenues, Dionysiou Areopagitou, where you can also tick off archaeological sites such as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysus (cradle of Greek drama).
For a well-rounded taster of Athens’s cultural kudos, hit the Museum of Cycladic Art*, then the nearby Benaki Museum*, to trace Greek civilisation from the Bronze Age. If conceptual art floats your boat, head to the new National Gallery of Contemporary Art (EMST), a modern culture beacon in a former brewery.
Hunt for hidden treasure at the antique flea markets of Monastiraki then snap the hourly changing of the emblematic Evzones — the pompom-flaunting presidential guard — outside Parliament. You can take an afternoon stroll through Anafiotika, a whimsical Cycladic village tucked beneath the Parthenon, and catch a legendary Athenian sunset, with a cracking Acropolis view, on Areopagus Hill.
Staying longer? Channel summer holiday magic 30 minutes south of the city centre at the blue-flag beaches and idyllic coves of Vouliagmeni and Varkiza. Hug the coastline for 30 minutes more to clock Lord Byron’s beloved Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion*, erected around 440BC, and anchored 60m above the sea.
If you really want to decode Athens though, ditch the playbook and make it up as you go along. It’s the Greek mode. This unpredictable city fizzes over with surprises and chance encounters at every turn (Athenians love making new friends).
Choosing Your Accommodation
It seems archaic to consider novelty-less hotel accommodations as Athens raises the bar of its hospitality sector. Hunting for a trendy guest house, a popular hostel, an opulent retreat on the seaside, or a vintage favorite with a view of the Acropolis? Athens has got you covered.
Situated in the upscale Kolonaki* district — the vibrant hub where Athens' sophisticated populace socialize and unwind — relics of 1900s' townhouses have blossomed into boutique hotels, oozing allure and history (and being economically accessible too). Embellishing the landscape amidst designer stores, citrus-laden trees, and art galleries that adorn this convenient nook, these hotels contribute to the area's glamour. Besides, Kolonaki is an excellent base for art lovers seeking rising Greek talents. Moreover, excellent spots for a morning coffee are aplenty.
If you appreciate the eccentricity of urban bustle, make sure to explore accommodations in Psirri*. The area has rejuvenated from a blue-collar neighborhood into a trendy destination decorated with vibrant urban art. From stylish boutique hostels to repurposed foundries transformed into chic accommodations, high-value choices abound. Psirri also boasts of bohemian self-catered lodgings with a rooftop view that transports you to the Greek islands. This district, once a hub for leather traders and design workshops, has reinvented itself as a hotspot for those seeking the latest trends, frequented by artisans, and a destination for vintage retail therapy on Protogenous Street and Iroon Square.
Food and drink
It’s a given that you’ll want to sample Athens’s most famous and ubiquitous staple, but don’t get stuck in a souvlaki rut. You’ll miss out on a booming street-food scene* and gastronomic groove far more varied than most expect. Culinary ground zero is currently Pangrati. Archelaou and Empedokleous streets, and the radius around Varvana Square, are where it’s all at; amid neoclassical houses and arthouse cinemas, there’s everything from Lebanese pavement cafés and Michelin-star landmarks to traditional basement tavernas (koutoukia), trendy burger joints and vegan gems. Even at the chic brunch bastions, where inked-up hipsters and digital nomads sip freddo cappuccinos from mason jars, Pangrati prices remain democratic (coffees €3).
To drink in the delights of Athens’s bar scene, look no further than the city centre; in particular Kolokotroni, Praxitelous (home to star bar The Clumsies), LGBT+ friendly Agia Irini Square, and the weave of streets below Syntagma Square. This is where the new-gen Athenian bartenders are serving up barrel-aged negronis and cutting-edge cocktails with native ingredients (mastiha and Cretan herbs) on rooftop terraces and in flirty courtyards. The best thing about Athenian nightlife? Everyone’s welcome.
Highlights of Athens
Experience the splendor and historical significance of Athens by exploring the First Cemetery in Pangrati. This sprawling necropolis holds the remains of many of modern Greece's most revered figures, including the British author T.H. White and the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, famed for his excavation of Troy. The cemetery's stunning marble monuments offer a memorable, open-air exhibit that is both free and profound.
Situated conveniently in the city's heart is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) in Kallithea, a masterpiece designed by acclaimed architect Renzo Piano. This cultural powerhouse offers constant entertainment, welcoming guests with free events all year-round. From live concerts and festivals to sports events and chess tournaments, you will find a host of activities, all set amidst the lush, Mediterranean greenery of the adjacent park.
And be sure to secure your seat at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a fascinating open-air venue dating back to 161 AD, positioned right at the fringe of the Acropolis. Having hosted performances from iconic figures like Maria Callas and Sting, this ancient amphitheater uniquely merges history with entertainment, providing an unparalleled experience you won't soon forget.
Preparation Tips for your Journey
Your journey to Athens would involve getting to grips with the Euro currency, which is now accepted in card form at most spots. However, be prepared to use cash as some local businesses remain faithful to this payment mode. The lifestyle here starts late; Athenians dine after 9 pm and go out even later. Thus, adjust your body clock if you are more the early bird type and not particularly drawn to deserted eating spots or less lively clubs. You'll find that most locals have a reasonable grasp of English and are eager to communicate using it. Safety is not a major worry in Athens, so don’t hesitate to explore the city by foot after nightfall. However, do note a cautionary exception about the Exarchia neighbourhood. When paying, a tip of about 10 percent is seen as generous but is not required. Locals typically round off their bills to the nearest ten euros.
