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Athens travel guide
The Acropolis, ancient agoras and rooftop views over a city that never sleeps.
Photo: Stavros Kallis / Pexels · Pexels License
Athens packs 2,500 years of history into a walkable centre. The Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, Plaka and Monastiraki are all within a 20-minute walk of Syntagma Square. The big archaeological sites have timed tickets and get hot by midday, so start early. Three days covers the highlights; add a fourth for Cape Sounion, Aegina or Delphi.
Plan your Athens trip
Best things to do in Athens →
14 honest picks with costs, timing and skip-it-ifs.
Where to stay in Athens →
4 neighbourhoods compared, with hotel picks per budget.
Athens in 3 days →
A day-by-day route grouped by area.
Day trips from Athens →
3 easy escapes by train or bus.
Athens City Quest →
A printable self-guided treasure hunt.
Athens quick facts
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October. July and August are very hot; visit sites at opening time. Winter is mild, with shorter opening hours.
- Money
- Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted; carry some cash for small tavernas and kiosks.
- Airports
- Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), east of the city.
- Airport to city
- Metro line 3 runs from the airport to Syntagma. An airport metro ticket costs €9 (€16 return) and is valid for 90 minutes on city transport. The X95 express bus to Syntagma costs €5.50 and runs 24/7, taking about an hour (OASA, 2026).
- Getting around
- Walk the centre; use the metro for longer hops. A 90-minute ticket costs €1.20, a 24-hour ticket €4.10, and the 3-day tourist ticket €20 including one airport round trip. You can also tap a contactless card (OASA, 2026).
- Budget
- Mid-range. Major sites cost about €10–€30 each; tavernas are good value. Compare live hotel prices.
- Language
- Greek. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- Plugs
- Type C and F, 230 V.
Only have one day? Do these three
Top things to do in Athens
- 1. Acropolis & the Parthenon · €30 full price, €15 reduced, with a timed entry slot
- 2. Acropolis Museum · €20 full, €10 reduced
- 3. Ancient Agora & Temple of Hephaestus · €20 full, €10 reduced
- 4. Plaka & Anafiotika · Free
- 5. Monastiraki Square & Flea Market · Free
- 6. Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds · €10 full, €5 reduced
Watch: Athens in one video
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Our walk-through of Athens is in production. See all videos.
Turn sightseeing into a game
Athens City Quest
Follow 12 quest stops from Syntagma through Monastiraki and Plaka, past the Tower of the Winds and Anafiotika to the Acropolis Museum and Mars Hill, with riddles, photo missions, a kids’ mode and a printable map.
Get the questAthens FAQ
How many days do you need in Athens?
Two days covers the Acropolis, its museum, the Ancient Agora, Plaka and Monastiraki. Three days adds the stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and a sunset hill at a relaxed pace; four lets you add Cape Sounion, Aegina or Delphi.
How much does the Acropolis cost?
In 2026 the Acropolis and slopes ticket costs €30 (€15 reduced) with a timed entry slot. Buy it on the official site, hhticket.gr. There is no longer a combined ticket for the Athens sites.
How do I get from Athens airport to the city?
Metro line 3 goes to Syntagma; the airport ticket costs €9 (€16 return). The X95 express bus also goes to Syntagma, 24/7, for €5.50 and takes about an hour (OASA, 2026).
When is the changing of the guard?
Every hour on the hour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Syntagma Square. The big ceremony with a band is on Sundays at 11:00.
Is there a tourist transport pass?
Yes: the 3-day tourist ticket costs €20 and includes one airport round trip by metro or express bus. A 24-hour ticket costs €4.10 (OASA, 2026).
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