From the iconic Acropolis to lively street markets and mouthwatering Greek cuisine, Athens truly has something for everyone. The city might seem a little grungy and chaotic at first, but I quickly grew to love it within just a few days – and I’m sure you will too!

In this post, I will share my essential travel tips for Athens, from where to stay, how to find amazing restaurants, when to visit, how to get around, cultural differences to be aware of, and how to make the most of your time there.

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Essential Travel Tips for Visiting Athens

Choose Restaurants Carefully for the Best Food Experiences

Before visiting Athens, I always recommend doing a little restaurant research in advance. That said, I also love wandering through neighbourhoods to see which places feel lively and full of locals. I always check Google reviews before stepping inside and avoid anywhere rated below four stars – and thanks to this method, I didn’t have a single disappointing meal during my stay.

As a general rule, be wary of restaurants with menus translated into five languages or overly pushy waiters standing outside trying to lure customers in. In my experience, truly excellent restaurants don’t need to convince people to visit – they’re already packed!

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Stay in (or Near) the Charming Plaka Neighbourhood

For first-time visitors, Plaka is one of the best areas to stay in Athens. Built around the slopes of the Acropolis, it’s one of the city’s oldest and most picturesque neighbourhoods. Staying here means you’ll be within easy walking distance of major attractions, rooftop terraces, shaded squares, cosy cafés, and traditional tavernas.

While you may encounter the occasional tourist trap, the cobbled streets, colourful houses, and relaxed atmosphere make Plaka an incredibly charming place to base yourself.

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Experience Athens’ Lively Nightlife Scene

If you’re looking for a fun night out, head to Psirri, one of Athens’ most vibrant and bohemian neighbourhoods. During the day, its cobblestone streets are lined with art galleries, cafés, and souvenir shops, but once the sun goes down, the area transforms into a lively nightlife hotspot.

Here you’ll find an exciting mix of cocktail bars, traditional music venues, and buzzing clubs that stay open until the early hours.

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Find the Best Views of the Acropolis

While visiting the Acropolis itself is a must, some of the most spectacular views are actually from above. Head to Mount Lycabettus, the highest point in Athens, by taking the funicular from Kolonaki or hiking up if you’re feeling energetic.

At the summit, you’ll find a small chapel, a restaurant, and panoramic viewing platforms offering incredible city views. For even more scenic viewpoints, check out Philoppapou Hill and Pnyx Hill, which both provide stunning perspectives of the Parthenon, especially at sunset.

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English Is Widely Spoken in Athens

You’ll be pleased to know that most Athenians speak excellent English, making communication easy for visitors. However, learning a few basic Greek phrases goes a long way and is always appreciated by locals.

Simple words like yia sas (hello), kalimera (good morning), and efharisto (thank you) can really brighten someone’s day. Throughout my two weeks in Athens, I never struggled to communicate and consistently experienced warm, genuine hospitality.

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Use Athens’ Excellent Public Transport System

Athens has a reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use public transport network that includes the metro, trams, buses, and suburban trains. The metro connects all major tourist sites and is far cheaper than taxis.

You can buy single 90-minute tickets or unlimited passes for one, three, or five consecutive days. The airport is about 45 minutes from the city centre by metro, while Piraeus port is easily reached by train or tram if you’re heading to the islands.

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Keep an Eye on Your Valuables

As with any major European city, pickpocketing can occur, especially on crowded public transport. Wear your backpack on your front in busy areas, use a zipped cross-body bag, and avoid keeping valuables in back pockets.

When dining outdoors, avoid leaving phones or cameras on the table, as they can be snatched quickly by passing thieves.

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Take a Day Trip from Athens

Athens is a fantastic base for exploring more of Greece. Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon are around an hour’s drive from Athens, whereas the archaeological site of Delphi is 3 hours each way.

The Peloponnese coastline offers rugged, dramatic views, and history buffs will enjoy visiting Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplion (the first capital city of Greece), all which are within two hours’ drive of Athens.

You can also reach some small islands from Athens port Piraeus, including Hydra, Poros, Agistri, Spetses and Aegina.

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Dress Respectfully When Visiting Churches

When entering churches and monasteries, modest clothing is required. Men should avoid short shorts, while women should cover their shoulders, chest, and knees. Carrying a light scarf in your bag is always useful.

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Explore Athens on Foot

Athens’ historic centre is compact and walkable, making it ideal for exploring on foot. You can cross the city centre in about 20 minutes, discovering hidden squares and lively streets along the way.

Athens has a lot of cobblestone streets and uphill walks (especially in the beautifully photogenic Anafiotika neighbourhood) so comfortable footwear is a must.

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Carry Some Cash

Nowadays, you can pay by card almost anywhere in Athens (even for something as cheap as a €2 coffee). However it’s a good idea to keep some cash with you as market vendors and taxi drivers will only accept cash (unless you pay via the FreeNow app).

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Try Traditional Greek Food

You are probably familiar with moussaka, tzatziki, souvlaki and gyros but there’s a wealth of other delicious Greek dishes to enjoy, in traditional tavernas to casual street food eateries.

I loved having Spanakopita (a savoury pie made from spinach, feta and filo pastry) for breakfast, scooping up Melitzanosalata (an aubergine dip serve cold) with chunks of freshly baked bread, and tasting Prawn Saganaki (prawns in a tomato and feta sauce) for the first time.

Greek food is diverse and delicious and trying local dishes is a huge part of the cultural experience. Looking for some recommendations? Check out my post about What to Eat in Athens: 20 Must-Try Greek Dishes You’ll Love

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Tipping Is Optional

There’s no strong tipping culture in Athens. If you’d like to leave a tip, rounding up the bill or leaving around 10% is perfectly acceptable, but never expected.

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Expect Late Dinner Times

Athenians eat late, usually after 9pm, so don’t be surprised if restaurants feel quiet early in the evening. The upside? Lively atmospheres and bustling terraces well past midnight.

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Be Cautious with Taxis

The safest way to use taxis is via the FreeNow app. If you hail a taxi on the street, make sure to ask how much the ride will cost, and check that the metre is running. If you’re travelling at night, it’s normal for taxi drivers to double their fares.

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Prepare for Transport Strikes

Athenian bus and train drivers go on strike quite often, so it could happen during your visit.

Make sure you’ve downloaded the FreeNow app in case you need to order a taxi, ask the staff at your hotel if they know of any upcoming strikes and download the Moovit app (which warns you ahead of time of any scheduled strikes) so you can plan accordingly.

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Don’t Flush Toilet Paper

Pay attention to the “please do not throw paper in the toilet” signs plastered over (almost) every toilet in the city. It’s a serious request: Athens is an ancient city, and the plumbing system is seriously out-of-date.

Most hotels have bathrooms with modern plumbing so you can flush toilet paper, but most restaurants, bars and cafes will have signs telling you to dispose of it in the nearby bin.

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Athens Is Safe for Solo Travellers

I was nervous about visiting Athens alone, but I felt really safe and comfortable there. There were people out and about on the streets from the early morning until late at night.

I researched which neighbourhoods to avoid staying in and visiting at night (locals suggest staying away from Omonoia, Victoria, and Attica metro stations), and kept an eye on my belongings as I do in any big city.

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Be Aware of Sunday Closures

If you visit Athens on a Sunday, you might notice things are a little sleepier than on other days. Supermarkets, clothing shops, grocery stores and markets close on Sundays. You may find one or two convenience stores which remain open but they usually have higher prices.

It’s a better idea to buy whatever you need on Saturday to last you until Monday, or dine out on Sunday. Luckily restaurants, cafes, tavernas and souvenir shops remain open on Sundays.

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You Can Drink the Tap Water

The water in Athens is perfectly safe to drink and of high quality. Bring a reusable water bottle with you so you can stay hydrated without needing to purchase plastic bottles. I didn’t see any public water fountains around the city, but you can ask for tap water or to refill your water bottle in restaurants.

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Use an eSIM to Stay Connected

If you’re visiting from outside the EU, eSIMs are the best option for low-cost internet access. I’d definitely suggest grabbing an Airalo eSIM.

I have used Airalo eSIMs quite a few times and setting them up is always quick and painless. They work in 200+ countries and you can choose plans that last a week, two weeks, or a whole month – super handy for both quick getaways and longer adventures.

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Best Time to Visit Athens

The best time of year to visit Athens is the spring and autumn, as the summer can be very warm and sunny (30°C+ every day). Athens has high humidity thanks to its coastline, so keep this in mind when packing and look for accommodation with air conditioning.

If your only option is to visit during the summer, try to do your sightseeing at the start of the day, when the attractions open, then visit air-conditioned museums in the afternoons when the sun is most intense.

Avoid coming to Athens around August 15th, Greece’s biggest national holiday. During this time, lots of locals leave the city and many bars and restaurants in Athens close during this time. Whatever time of year you’re there, stay well-hydrated while on the go, and make sure to carry a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen with you.

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Brush Up on Greek Mythology

I’m a huge fan of Greek mythology and have read many books about the legendary gods, goddesses and heroes. Before visiting Athens, I suggest reading Stephen Fry’s Greek Myths, which gives so much more meaning and context to the city’s landmarks and monuments.

I also listened to Rick Steves’ excellent (free!) audio guides when visiting the Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museum. He also has a city walk which includes the most significant places in the city centre, as well as an interesting overview of Greek history and culture. The guides and books really enriched the experience for me; without them, a lot of the details would have been lost on me.

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Try Greek Coffee Culture

Known as Ellinikos Kafes, Greek coffee is strong and rich, similar to Turkish coffee. Embrace the Athenian way of coffee drinking; order the ‘freddo’ (‘cold’ in Italian) versions of espresso and cappuccino. Don’t feel like you have to slam down your coffee and leave; Greek people prefer to sip and savour their coffee.

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Explore Athens’ Street Art Scene

I’m a huge fan of street art and Athens did not disappoint; you can find beautiful murals across the city. If you want to learn more about the political, economic and social messages behind the artwork – and the artists who created them – take a guided tour like Athens Guided Street Art Walking Tour or Athens Guided Urban Street-Art Tour.

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Plan Ahead – But Stay Flexible

If you’re only in Athens for a few days, it’s a good idea to book your tickets on time and decide which attractions you don’t want to miss. At the same time, it’s a good idea to stay flexible in Athens. You might want to swap your plans and days around depending on the weather, your mood, and how many shots of ouzo you drank the night before!

I hope these tips have been helpful with planning your holiday to Athens. My final piece of advice is – don’t rush it. As tempting as it is to race around Athens before jumping on a ferry or a flight to one of Greece’s stunning islands, Athens deserves more than a day or two of your time.

While you’re planning your trip, make sure to check out my other blog posts: 

• 4-Day Athens Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
• Top Tips for Visiting Athens on a Budget

If you have any other questions, please leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow