Athens Travel Guide

People who visited Athens many years ago will tell you that the place is a mess, but since the city hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics a lot has changed. Sure, there are still problems, but the city is cleaner and easier to get around in than ever before. New roads and a light rail system have been added that really clean up a lot of the problems that people used to complain about. The city’s historical districts have also been renovated and now pedestrian-only streets lead visitors calmly throughout the city.

What To Do

But that said, Athens is still not paradise for tourists. This is a sprawling metropolis without much open space except for the Acropolis itself. It’s best to come into town for a day or two and quickly see the fascinating sights and then move along, preferably to one of the famous Greek Islands that can all be reached by ferry from the nearby port of Piraeus, which is just a 30-minute subway ride away from central Athens.

Of course you’ll want to visit the Acropolis and see the Parthenon as well as the other ruins and the small museum included in your admission fee. It’s a slightly challenging walk up the hill, but it’s well worth it. At the base of the Acropolis you’ll find the ruins of the ancient city of Agoura. You can get a combined admission ticket to see both and they really go together well. The streets just north of the Acropolis are lined with shops and restaurants, and are a great place to grab a drink and a meal or just wander aimlessly.

The National Archeological Museum of Athens is another must-see. The amazing contents of this museum really help put Western history into a new perspective as you see art and other antiquities from centuries before Christ. Not far away is Syntagma Square, which is home to the Parliament Building and its quirky guard-changing ceremony.

Getting There

You’ll almost certainly arrive via a flight to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. Athens is a major transportation hub and is served by many discount carriers so good deals are often available. The airport is about 30 km outside the center, but it’s on the subway line and is also accessible by direct shuttle buses.

Where To Stay

There are plenty of hostels in Athens and also loads of hotels in Athens, but the city is very spread out so it’s important to research your exact location before you just reflexively book the cheapest place. If you are only staying for a day or two it’s worth paying a bit more to stay near the center. The area around Syntagma Square is filled with places to sleep and is also the best hub for local transit.

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