Athens city trip
The capital of Greece is called Athens and is located in the Attica region. The city owes its name to the Greek goddess Athena, who is considered the patron saint of the city. A city trip to Athens almost feels like a journey back in time.
Nestled between the marble quarries of Pendeli and Hymettos to the east and the Parnes Mountains to the west lies one of the cradles of European culture, Athens. High above the city on a rock is the legendary city of Athens. Many visitors are drawn to the city every year in the footsteps of antiquity. Here, ancient treasures merge with the vibrant life of a modern metropolis.
No trip to Athens would be complete without a visit to the Acropolis, which towers majestically over the city. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the famous Parthenon, is a testament to Athens’ glorious past. But the city also offers numerous historical sites off the beaten track, such as the ancient Agora, the Kerameikos and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
In addition to its historical significance, Athens is a dynamic modern city. Stylish boutiques, excellent restaurants and a vibrant nightlife enrich life in the city. The districts of Plaka, Monastiraki and Psiri offer charming streets and traditional tavernas.
From numerous vantage points in the city, such as Lycabettus Hill, you have a breathtaking view over the whole of Athens to the sea. In addition, the beaches of the Athenian Riviera and the nearby mountains are easily accessible and offer perfect day trips.
Athens thus offers a rich culinary scene, encompassing both traditional Greek cuisine and innovative gastronomic experiences. No visit to Athens would be complete without sampling local delicacies such as souvlaki, moussaka or fresh fish, often topped with a squeeze of lemon juice. These dishes can be found in almost every restaurant and are a must for every visitor.
Athens City Trip – Excursion Tips
Our days in Athens have taken us to various restaurants and cafes in the city. From savory food to sweet seduction, we present our discoveries to eat cheap in Athens.
Philopappos Hill in Athens offers a unique combination of history and natural beauty. An important historical site and remarkable natural monument, the hill is a place that offers visitors both glimpses of the past and breathtaking views of the surrounding city, including the famous Acropolis.
What's the best way to get an overview of a city - find a vantage point! Fortunately, Athens has a city mountain, the Lycabettus, which is simply wonderful for this.
Exploring Athens by public transport is not difficult and quite inexpensive. We walked a lot for short distances, but for longer distances, taking the bus and metro in Athens is just ideal!
Nothing is nicer than enjoying some relaxation in one of Athens' green oases after a stroll past the city's numerous archaeological sites. We were drawn to Pedion Areos Park, one of the largest public parks in Athens.
You can’t miss The Acropolis when in Athens. We were even lucky enough to have a nice view on what probably is the most famous building in Greece from the window of our hotel room.
The ruins of the Temple of Zeus are impressive because of their enormous size. It is the largest structure of the ancient Greece.
As often in life, coincidence makes for a good companion on your journeys too. In Athens, he brought us to the right place at the right time, otherwise, we would have missed it - the change of the guard at Syntagma Square!
Today you can still see an almost complete building from the outside. Even the roof is almost completely intact. I thought it was very impressive to walk around the temple and actually experience these dimensions.
Again and again, we are attracted to Olympic sites. But as far to the past as this time, we had never travelled before.
Tipps
Exploring Athens by public transport is not difficult and quite inexpensive. We walked a lot for short distances, but for longer distances, taking the bus and metro in Athens is just ideal!
Our hotel tips
Brown Kubic, a member of Brown Hotels: great hotel 4 stars, easily accessible, roof terrace, delicious breakfast
Plaka Hotel: 3-star hotel, centrally located near Syntagma Square, rooftop bar, family rooms
Periscope: 4-star boutique hotel, Evangelismos metro station is 400 m away
Book tickets and excursions in Athens
Travel information about Athens
Arrival
By plane
About 27 km from the city centre, the city’s new international airport opened in 2001. Not only domestic flights land here, but also many connections from all over the world.
The airport is connected to the Athens metro network, with trains running every half hour or so. The journey to Monastiraki takes about 45 minutes. ATTENTION: The last train to the airport leaves around 23:30!
Airport bus X95 runs around the clock to Syntagma Square. Tickets can be bought at a kiosk at exit 4.
By train
Travelling by train from Germany to Athens is very time-consuming. You often have to change trains and can expect to be on the road for 2-3 days. The trains go to Thesaloniki and from there you get to Athens.
By bus
There are two bus terminals in Athens, which are served by inter-regional bus lines. Buses also depart from there to the region.
By ship
The port of Piraeus is a good 10 kilometres from the city centre. From there you can take the metro and buses to the city centre. The port is a port of call for ships to Italy (Bari), Crete and Turkey, among other destinations.
On the way in ...
By car
You have to like Greek car traffic if you are going to plunge into the crowded, slightly chaotic and hectic traffic in Athens.
By taxi
Taxi fares are relatively low. You should be careful to drive with a taxi meter, otherwise the advertised flat rate can often be more expensive than expected.
By Metro
There are 3 metro lines in Athens:
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- Line 1 (M1 Green Line) from Omonia Square to Piraeus or Kifissia.
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- Line 2 (M2 red line) from Anthoupoli to Elliniko
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- Line 3 (M3 blue line) from Nikea to the airport
Almost all the tourist places can be reached by metro. The announcements on the train are in Greek and English.
Small tip: Many interesting excavations were made during the construction of the tunnels. Some exhibits can be seen in the stations!
By tram
The tram is much slower than the metro, but has the advantage that you can see something of the city. The fare is relatively cheap.
By bus
There are trolley buses and regular buses in the city. There are about 450 routes in the urban area alone.
The bus usually only stops at the bus stop when you give a hand signal from the street.
Tickets
Tickets can be bought at ticket counters or vending machines. Cheap day tickets are available for all means of transport. If you are staying longer, you can look for 5-day tickets at the ticket machines. However, these are not available everywhere. There are special tickets for tourists, which can also be used to travel to the airport. How to buy tickets!
Best time to travel
Spring (March to May)
Spring is one of the best times to visit Athens. Temperatures are pleasantly mild, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor exploration.
Average temperatures: between 10°C and 25°C.
Rainy days: Spring can occasionally be cool and rainy, with an average of 3 to 5 rainy days per month.
Summer (June to August)
Summer in Athens is hot and dry, perfect for those who want to enjoy sunny days on the beach or in the city’s many cafés.
Average temperatures: range between 20.5°C and 29°C.
Rainy days: Rain is rare during these months, with less than one rainy day per month.
Fall (September to November)
Autumn is also a good time to visit as temperatures gradually drop but are still warm enough to explore the city comfortably.
Average temperatures: Initially still warm at around 20°C, they cool down to around 15°C by November.
Rainy days: Rainy days increase, especially in November, with an average of 6 to 9 rainy days.
Winter (December to February)
Winter is mild and humid, ideal for visitors who want to avoid the crowds and experience the cultural sights without the usual tourist crowds.
Average temperatures: between 9.6°C and 11.4°C.
Rainy days: There are the most rainy days in this season, with an average of 8 to 12 days per month.
Drinking water
The chlorinated tap water is of drinking water quality, even if the colour does not always suggest this.