Before visiting Athens for the first time, I had heard mixed reviews—some people raved about its charm and history, while others warned about feeling unsafe or found it underwhelming.
It’s easy to feel unsure about a city when opinions are so divided, but no matter what, I knew I wanted to experience Athens for myself. And now, I think everyone should!
I personally loved Athens. The city’s beauty, welcoming locals, incredible food, and unparalleled history were incomparable to any other city I’ve been to. The city blew me away, to say the least! But there were definitely a few surprises along the way that I wasn’t prepared for.
Here, I’m summarizing tips I think every tourist should know before visiting Athens. While none of them stopped me from loving my trip, they’ll help you feel more confident and ready to fully enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer!
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First-Timers Guide to Visiting Athens: Overview
- Essential Tips When Visiting Athens
- Travel Planning Tips for Visiting Athens
Essential Tips When Visiting Athens
How to get to Athens from the airport?
This was probably my biggest surprise when visiting Athens for the first time.
If you’ve traveled to major cities like Paris or London, you’re probably used to the airport metro, or train lines running quite frequently.
Don’t expect the metro in Athens to run as efficiently if you are planning to catch a flight! The Blue Line (Metro Line 3) connects the airport to the city center and to my surprise, it runs less frequently than the other three metro lines covering the city.
The Blue Line operates between 6:30 AM and 11:30 PM, but trains only run every 30 minutes and it takes approximately 40 minutes to get from the airport to the city centre. This can feel like an eternity if you’re rushing to catch a flight or trying to make the most of your sightseeing schedule.
Keep this in mind when planning your trips to and from the airport, as a missed train can make a huge difference if you’re trying to catch your flight!
PRO TIP: If traveling light and don’t want to wait, you can use a taxi (mainly cash only) or use Kiwitaxi for faster airport transfers
When is the best time to visit Athens?
Locals informed me that September is the perfect time to visit Athens. Why? You’ll enjoy the benefits of fewer tourists as the busy season comes to an end, comfortable temperatures, and the added bonus of warmer waters for swimming.
But be aware that the peak travel period for Athens is mid-May until mid-September, so depending on your visit, you might still experience some crowds.
Personally, I visited Athens in the spring, April to be precise. We were traveling in the official shoulder season, and it was definitely less crowded and not overly hot at all.
There, of course, were still plenty of people around but it was way more manageable than what I’d imagine it would be like mid-summer, with the added bonus of comfortable temperatures!
The only downside was that the wind and cooler water temperatures meant I skipped swimming altogether during our trip to the Athenian Riviera.
If a dip in the water or if you’re visiting any of the Greek Islands is on your trip itinerary, late September would be your perfect window. Whether you’re visiting Athens or hopping to islands like Santorini, you’ll be able to enjoy both sightseeing and time at the beach!
PRO TIP: If you’re visiting in the summer months, avoid visiting Athens on August 15th – it’s their national holiday!
Can you drink the water in Athens?
One of the first questions I ask when visiting a new destination is whether the tap water is safe to drink. In Athens, the answer is yes! The city has reliable infrastructure, and tap water is perfectly safe to drink.
PRO TIP: Although you can drink the water in Athens, it still might taste a bit chlorinated. And remember, you cannot flush toilet paper in Athens!
However, this isn’t the case on the Greek islands, where they don’t have freshwater sources. Tap water is typically desalinized and not suitable for drinking. For example, in Santorini, you’ll need to rely on bottled water or water purification tablets.
To reduce waste and save money while visiting Athens, pack your reusable water bottle. Many public fountains and cafes are happy to refill it for you. Just don’t forget to switch to bottled water or bring a filter if you travel beyond the mainland!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Top things to do when visiting Santorini – beyond visiting Oia
Is Athens walkable?
When I arrived in Athens, I was excited to see a 3-day metro pass that included round-trip airport transfers and unlimited rides on public transportation. It sounded like a great deal, and I immediately purchased it — but it turns out I didn’t actually need it.
When we visited Athens, we stayed in the main city center and visited in the spring when temperatures are very comfortable. This meant that our itinerary was entirely walkable.
Most major attractions, like the Acropolis and Plaka, are within easy walking distance. I ended up only using the metro pass for my initial trip from the airport, which wasn’t worth the cost.
Locals reminded me that this will vary depending on what you want to see, where your accommodations are, and what time of the year you visit. If you’re visiting the in summer months, the heat can make walking a lot more challenging.
It is also worth mentioning that Athens has several hilltops around the city which means at times you might be walking uphill. Again, in the spring this didn’t impact us too much, however, keep this in mind when planning your trip.
PRO TIP: Think about your itinerary ahead of time – consider whether or not you’ll need the metro before committing to the metro pass!
How expensive is Athens?
Compared to other major European cities, Athens is a very affordable destination.
Our biggest expenses while visiting Greece were activities and transportation, including flights and getting between the Greek islands. However, once at our destination, everything was reasonably priced, in my opinion – especially the food!
Dining out is surprisingly budget-friendly. Whether you’re grabbing a gyro for a quick lunch, sampling pastries for breakfast, or enjoying dinner with a view of the Acropolis, you’ll find that meals are reasonably priced compared to other European cities.
For context, I’ve often spent €30 per meal in France at an average restaurant. While visiting Athens, I enjoyed meals of equal or better quality, often with live music or stunning views, for €20 or less! Even in Santorini, where prices tend to be higher, I was well under my food budget most days.
For accommodation, we stayed in Plaka – one of the most charming neighborhoods in Athens. We stayed in a rooftop Airbnb that had spectacular views of the Acropolis that only cost us €40 per person per night!
If you are looking for budget-friendly accommodations, check out these cool hostels on Hostelworld.
Want an idea of our food expenses? Click the image below and check out my food budget breakdown!
Is Athens english-friendly?
Worried about a language barrier? Don’t be. In Athens, English is spoken almost everywhere. From restaurant menus to street signs, the city is well-prepared for international tourists.
However, I still truly believe that learning a bit of the local language is the least effort any tourist can do when visiting a new country!
When visiting Athens, a simple “Yia sas” (hello) or “Efharisto” (thank you) can go a long way in showing respect for Greek culture—and from my experience, locals are very happy to share their language with you.
What to eat in Athens?
My biggest tip is to let yourself discover new dishes and try as many as you can. Whether that means sharing meals with friends or trying something you’ve never heard of before, there are so many incredible dishes in Greek cuisine.
One of my favorite experiences in Athens was taking a food walking tour that introduced me to the diverse and delicious world of Greek cuisine. While you might be familiar with classics like moussaka and Greek salad, there’s so much more to discover.
My personal favorite? Portokalopita, a sweet traditional orange cake that quickly became one of my top food memories from Greece. I go over some of the other foods I loved in this tour in my food tour review here!
Diving into the local culture through food is one of the best ways to get to know a city and a country. You’ll learn about their traditions, their habits, daily life and history. And you’ll do all of that while enjoying the BEST foods the city has to offer, away from the touristy centre!
If you want to explore hidden gems and get to know Athens off the beaten path, here is a link to the exact Athens food tour we took – its an experience I think every first time visitor should try!
READ MORE: Athens food tour review: is it worth your time?
Travel Planning Tips for Visiting Athens
📆 Plan 2-3 days to visit Athens. When planning your Athens trip, 2-3 days is the ideal amount of time to get to know the city’s main attractions without feeling overly rushed. We dedicated two full days to explore Athens, and managed to tick off everything on our bucket list—from the Acropolis to the charming streets of Plaka. If you’re hoping to see all of Athens’ ancient ruins or take a few day trips, you may want to add an extra day or two to your itinerary.
READ MORE: How to spend 2 perfect days in Athens
✅ Staying safe in Athens: I find the easiest way to avoid tourist traps is to be informed. Like many major cities, be aware of your belongings to avoid pickpockets, especially on the metro. Common scams include taxis taking advantage of tourists (this happened to me) and restaurants or bars over-inflating prices. For safety in general, I always recommend avoiding walking around at night and in Athens, this is especially true in areas such as Omonoia, Victoria, and Exarcheia Squares. I’ve been using SafetyWing as my travel insurance provider for over a year now – they’re affordable, transparent, and super user-friendly! Learn more below!
READ MORE: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance: My Complete and Honest Review
🏨 Choose the right neighbourhood to base yourself. To make the most of your stay, choosing the right neighborhood in Athens is essential. We opted for Plaka , the historic district at the foot of the Acropolis, and loved it. It was charming, centrally located, and walking distance to many of Athens’ top attractions. Staying in Plaka meant we could easily pop back to our Airbnb during the day to rest or grab lunch before heading out for more exploration. Another great option, which I’ve heard wonderful things about, is Psiri—known for its lively atmosphere, cozy cafes, and artsy vibes.
Ready for your first visit to Athens?
By now, I hope I made your experience visiting Athens that much smoother.
Some of these tips I find are not widely talked about, but I can tell you with certainty that I would have liked to know some of this information before my trip to save money here or there and to feel prepared heading into my visit.
Either way, you can probably tell, I loved Athens. I hope you’ll get the same positive experience out of your trip! If you’re curious to know how we spent our time in Athens and what we got up to, check out my complete two day itinerary below!
READ MORE: How to spend 2 perfect days in Athens
If you’re in the middle of trip planning, I hope this has made trip planning just that much easier! And if you’re already in Athens, I hope this has helped you make the most of your time in this incredible city.
Every traveler’s experience is unique, but I hope these insights help you feel more prepared and excited for your own time visiting Athens.
