Are you planning a trip to Athens, Greece, for the first time and don’t know what to expect? Keep scrolling to check out my top Athens travel tips for tourists!
This list of Athens travel tips was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Dreaming of traveling to Athens on a Greek vacation this summer? Then these must-know Athens travel tips are perfect for your travel prep!
If you love ancient history, Mediterranean or Greek cuisine, vibrant neighborhoods, and extroverted, friendly locals, then Athens is a great choice!
We visited Athens when our oldest was a toddler, and it was an incredible experience!
Some travelers might wonder, why visit Athens when you could book a beach break on a Greek island like Santorini or Crete? But there are lots of reasons to visit Athens.
For starters, Greece’s capital city has beaches too! Yes, if you’re surprised, then you might need some Athens travel tips for first-timers to learn more about this bustling city before you visit.
This Athens travel guide includes absolutely everything that new visitors need to know before visiting Athens, Greece. It includes all the best things to do, where to stay, what to eat and drink, and plenty more besides.
Now, pack your toga and leather sandals and discover all the top tips to make your trip to Athens, Greece, one to remember!
Awesome Athens Travel Tips for First-Timers
Get Your ETIAS Before Visiting Greece
Starting in 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries (like the U.S.) will need an ETIAS travel authorization to enter Greece.
This quick and easy online process requires a valid passport, an email, and a card to pay the €7 fee (free for kids under 18 and seniors over 70). Most applications are approved within minutes, but it’s best to apply at least 96 hours before your trip.
Once approved, your ETIAS is valid for three years or until your passport expires, allowing multiple trips to Greece and other Schengen countries. Without it, you won’t be allowed entry—so don’t skip this step!
Planning Your Athens Visit
Athens is over 3,000 years old and has preserved many of the city’s most important structures from the Classical Antiquity period around the 5th century BC. Let’s start there!
As the cradle of Western civilization, it’s home to incredible landmarks that should be on every traveler’s list.
The Acropolis (aka Acropolis Hill) is the most famous of Athens’s seven hills. The others are Areopagus, Philopappou, Hill of the Nymphs, Pnyx, Lycabettus, and Tourkovounia. These should all be on your Athens itinerary!
This is where you’ll find the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, and lots of other temples, Ancient Greek theaters, and ancient ruins. These are great things to do in Greece with kids!
Many of the most fragile and precious Ancient Greek artifacts aren’t out in the open but are housed in the National Archaeological Museum. Still, the National Archeological Museum is a must-go.
There are many other Ancient Greek ruins like the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, and the Roman Agora in the Plaka neighborhood.
Aside from the ancient sites, explore the lively Athens Central Market. Packing comfortable sneakers or hiking boots, you can climb many hills for beautiful views, like Lycabettus Hill (or take the funicular!).
How Many Days in Athens?
You’ll need at least 3 days in Athens to fully explore the major sites, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Acropolis and the ancient ruins of the city. Strolling around the Plaka neighborhood at a leisurely pace is also a must.
If you’re taking a side trip to Athens before or after visiting one of the Greek islands, you could take a whistlestop tour of the highlights in 2 days.
You don’t need to worry about getting bored if you book up to one week in Athens. You could enjoy a beach day at Piraeus or Alimos or head further into the Athenian Riviera at Lagonisi or Saronida.
For those who want to explore beyond the city, Delphi and Metéora are perfect day trips from Athens. They showcase the beauty of Ancient Greece beyond its capital.
Getting Around Athens
Through Public Transportation
Athens has four different types of public transport options: underground metro, bus, tram, and rail. Single-journey tickets are valid for 90 minutes and cover all public transport options. Super easy!
Currently, single-journey tickets cost €1.40. 24-hour passes are €4.50 and five-day passes are only €9. Public transport is also included in some tourist passes.
Without a doubt, the best choice when determining how to travel in Athens is the metro. It’s the easiest to figure out and the fastest way of getting from A to B. You can even take the metro to Athens International Airport.
However, unless you have accessibility issues, you will be walking through Athens’s labyrinthine streets most of the time. Many of the iconic landmarks and other major attractions are within walking distance, for sure.
Through Taxis and Car Rentals
Finding information about whether ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft exist in Athens is confusing because the apps are available in the city. However, the app will simply redirect you to the city’s regular taxi service.
Athens’s free taxi app is called ‘Beat,’ and it works similarly to Uber. You don’t pay through the app, but it will estimate how much you should expect to pay.
Try not to take taxis too much as drivers in Athens are notorious for ripping people off, both tourists and locals. One of the best Athens tips for travelers is to make sure the meter starts at zero and has a ‘1’ in front and not a ‘2’ which should only be used for fares after midnight.
You won’t need to rent a car to get around Athens. Day trips and beach trips are a different story!
Car rentals are pretty cheap (prices start from €30 per day), but you need to be 21, and you will need an international driving license. Check the latest car rental rates.
Money in Athens
Like the rest of Greece, Athens uses the Euro currency. You will need to carry some cash with you and a couple of travel-friendly credit cards.
While you’ll find no problems using your card to pay in hotels and popular tourist attractions, cash is still preferred in markets and smaller shops.
If you use American Express, make sure you have a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. It’s less widely accepted here than it is in other European countries.
Athens is generally considered to be less expensive than other European capital cities (including hotel prices), so your budget should stretch further here!
Dining in Athens Tips
One of the first Athens travel tips you should know about is the mealtimes in Athens. If you think the Spanish eat food late, they’ve got nothing on the Greeks!
Lunch is usually the biggest meal of the day, served between 2 and 3 pm. Athenians might enjoy a coffee and snack around 6 pm and will eat a light dinner after 9:30 pm. This is why many restaurants in Athens stay open until midnight!
Don’t worry, you’ll always be able to find restaurants open at more reasonable, kid-friendly hours closer to the tourist hotspots.
There aren’t any set rules about tipping in Athens so you can leave whatever you’re comfortable with. As a guideline, around 10% of your bill is fine, but you can leave more if your food and service are phenomenal. Bring cash to tip!
If you want to experience local cuisine, try a food tour. It’s a fantastic way to sample traditional Greek dishes, from moussaka to souvlaki. Don’t forget to order a Greek salad, a staple dish in every Greek meal!
Grecian cuisine is utterly divine. Feta cheese, olives, greek yogurt, gyros, souvlaki… Throw in lots of healthy veggies, too! Eat as much Greek food as you possibly can, or else you’ll regret it.
What to Wear in Athens
Even though Athens is a huge capital city, many major attractions are concentrated in one area, so you’ll be walking distance between them. Pack sneakers or comfortable sandals that you can walk in for hours.
If you plan to visit Athens in the summer, wear loose, sweat-wicking fabrics that feel comfortable. Lighter colors that reflect heat will also help you feel cooler.
The ancient ruins and archaeological sites you’ll be visiting don’t have dress codes, but wearing respectful clothing is always a good idea.
Save Money Visiting Archeological Sites
Admission to some major sites in Ancient Athens can be quite pricey. Tickets to the Acropolis Hill cost nearly €20! But there’s a very easy hack.
Opt for the Athens Combo Ticket, which only costs €30. It lasts for five days, and you can visit a range of archaeological ruins, including Hadrian’s Library, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and so many others.
This ticket soon pays for itself!
If you’re visiting Athens on a budget, you can visit many of these sites for free on certain days and at certain times. From November 1st to March 31st, on the first Sunday of every month, all the popular sites are free!
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy and affordable AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link.
Get a Travel Adapter
Greece uses two types of electrical sockets: types C and F. Type C is the plug with two rounded prongs, and it is commonly known as the ‘Euro’ plug, which is the one that most European countries use.
Type F is very similar as it has two rounded plugs but two earth clips on the side. You can use the same travel adapter for all the electrical sockets in Greece, so it’s not something you need to worry about.
Since the voltage is likely to be different in Greece than in your home country (especially if you’re traveling from the US), invest in a travel adapter with a built-in voltage converter.
Safety and Awareness in Athens
As mentioned, Athens is less dangerous for tourists than you might think. Use your common sense as you would in any city (don’t walk alone at night, keep an eye on your belongings, etc.).
However, pickpocketing and travel scams are rife in popular tourist areas like the Acropolis, for example.
Keep your money and valuables hidden inside a zip pocket in your bag, and don’t carry around anything that isn’t necessary. Keep a particularly close eye on it when riding the metro.
One of the most common travel scams in Greece is where criminals distract tourists by asking for time or diverting their attention in another way. Don’t talk to anyone who seems suspicious, and try to back away immediately.
Driving is complete chaos in Athens. Always be extra vigilant when crossing the roads because pedestrians are supposed to have the right of way, but Athens drivers would disagree. This is another reason to avoid getting taxis, too.
Athens Travel Tips FAQs
Is Athens worth visiting?
In a word, yes! Athens is definitely worth visiting. Athens offers something for all types of travelers, with lively nightlife, bustling markets, major sites, classical art, and incredible Greek cuisine.
It’s the birthplace of Western philosophy and democracy and one of the oldest cities in the world! Athens deserves a visit at least once in your life.
Is Athens safe for tourists?
News stories of corruption, violent protests, and financial crises in Greece (not to mention its proximity to Eastern Europe) might give the impression that Athens is not safe for tourists.
Compared to other major European cities like London, Athen’s crime rate is either on par or lower.
The risk of being a victim of a dangerous or violent crime is low, but travel scams and pickpockets are very common, especially in popular Athens, Greece, tourist spots like the Acropolis, or on public transport.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Athens?
Since you’re researching Athens travel tips for first-timers, you should stay in a centrally located neighborhood with easy access to the city’s major attractions.
Plaka (known as the ‘Neighborhood of the Gods’) and Syntagma are two of the best neighborhoods to stay in during your trip to Athens. They’re both near the Acropolis and the metro network.
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel, Kolonaki is another excellent choice with high-end accommodations and boutique shopping
When is the best time to visit Athens?
If you’re wondering when to visit Athens, it follows the same rules as most major European cities. Fall and spring are the shoulder seasons in Athens around March to May and September to November.
Athens has a textbook Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild and damp winters. Temperatures during the shoulder seasons will be warm but not stifling.
Plus, hotel prices and flight costs during these times are often cheaper than during the high season in summer. There will be fewer crowds, too.
However, if you’re traveling during off season, you’ll find even better deals and a more relaxed atmosphere.
But following these tips for traveling to Greece during the shoulder seasons is easier said than done if you have older children!
If you’re from the US, travel as early as possible in summer break. Temperatures won’t be unbearable, and European kids will still be in class.
Athens Travel Tips for First-Timers Wrap-Up
Athens is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left. From walking through ancient ruins to indulging in Greek cuisine, every moment feels like stepping into history. Whether you’re visiting during high season or off season, there’s always something exciting to experience.
To make the most of your trip, take your time exploring, stay in a centrally located area, and don’t stress too much about itineraries—Athens has a way of surprising you! A little Greek goes a long way, so if you can the speak Greek language (even just a few words), locals will appreciate it.
Now you’ll be able to enjoy an even better trip to Athens, avoiding common tourist traps and making unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Whether you’re here for the history, the food, or just the adventure, Athens will not disappoint
Looking for more Europe travel tips? Check out my top tips for Rome, Florence, Venice, Madrid, Paris, Santorini, and London!
