Athens City Guide

Quick answer: This Athens city guide covers everything a first-time visitor needs: how to get from the airport to Syntagma Square, how to get around, the ancient sites worth seeing, where to eat and drink, budget hostels and an easy trip out to Piraeus. The Greek capital has been the centre of Greek civilization for some 4,000 years, and it is still dominated by 5th-century landmarks such as the Acropolis and its colonnaded Parthenon temple.

Get to Know Athens

The centre of Athens is also known as Syntagma Square, and this is where most of the city’s hostels and hotels are located. Staying here puts you within walking distance of most major attractions.

Before Arriving in Athens

• Visa: Greece is part of the Schengen area. You will need to obtain a Schengen Visa if your passport does not fall into a category that can get one on arrival or travel visa-free.
• Money: Most ATMs accept foreign credit and debit cards, though your bank may charge a transaction fee.

Upon Arrival: Athens Airport to the City Centre

Athens is served by a single airport, Athens International Airport (ATH). There are three ways to get from the airport to the city, but the cheapest and most convenient is the Airport Express Bus.

Option	Journey time	Price	Details
X95 Airport Express bus	40 minutes	€6 one way	Runs round the clock to Syntagma Square, every 15 to 20 minutes
Metro	45 minutes	€10	Direct service every 30 minutes, 06:33 to 23:33
Taxi	Varies	€35 (5am to midnight) / €50 (midnight to 5am)	Flat rate to the centre

Bus

The X95 Airport Express runs from the airport to Syntagma Square (city centre) 24 hours a day. The bus stop is between Exit 4 and Exit 5 on the arrivals level.

Metro

The metro is the fastest way into the city, with a direct service from the airport to the city centre.

Taxi

Taxis can be hired from the designated area at Gate 3 of Arrivals, and the trip to the centre is charged at a flat rate.

Getting Around Athens

Getting around Athens is easy. If you stay around Syntagma Square, you can walk to most of the major attractions.

For longer trips, the city’s metro system is efficient and connects almost every part of Athens.

What to See in Athens

Acropolis

The Acropolis is the city’s most prominent landmark, perched on a high rocky outcrop that can be seen from almost everywhere in Athens. It is a showcase of ancient Greek architecture.

Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora was once the heart of Athens. The area has a very long history and was used for residential and burial purposes as far back as around 3000 BC.

Theatre of Dionysos

The ruins of the Theatre of Dionysos are one of the major attractions in Athens. The theatre was built at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis.

Roman Agora

The Roman Agora was built during the period of Roman rule in Athens and was used purely for commercial activities.

Kerameikos

Kerameikos is an archaeological site in downtown Athens. It contains an ancient cemetery that was in use in the twelfth century BC.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Also known as the Olympieion, this is an enormous ruined temple in the centre of the city, dedicated to Zeus, king of the Olympian gods.

Tickets: each of these sites charges an entry fee of €2. If you plan to visit all six sites, you can buy six tickets for €12 at once, which saves you queuing to buy a ticket at the entrance of each attraction.

Plaka

Plaka is a historic neighbourhood clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. Its neoclassical architecture and labyrinth of cobblestoned streets give it a unique charm.

National Garden

The National Garden is a public park in the centre of Athens that houses ancient mosaics, ruins and more. On the south-east side are the busts of Greece’s first Governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias, and of the Philhellene Jean-Gabriel Eynard. On the south side is the bust of the poet Dionysios Solomos, author of the Greek National Hymn.

Olympic Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium)

Also known as the Panathenaic Stadium or Kallimarmaro, which means “beautifully marbled” in Greek, this is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble and one of the oldest in the world. It is a multi-purpose venue used for athletics and other events, and it hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Flea Market

The flea market starts around Hephaestus and Andrianou streets in Monastiraki. Its street coffee shops are the best place on a sunny weekend to enjoy a drink or a coffee with views of the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Agora.

You can find almost anything here: Greek souvenirs, antiques, carpets, old books, the latest fashion, jewellery, gadgets and old stamps.

What and Where to Eat and Drink

Psiri street in the centre of Athens is home to many restaurants and bars serving cuisines from around the world.

• Ouzo: Don’t miss this traditional Greek drink. It is a clear liquid containing around 45% alcohol that turns milky white when water or ice is added.
• FIX beer: Beer lovers should try FIX, the famous dark beer.

Where to Stay in Athens

Syntagma Square has plenty of hostels. The ones below are economical, comfortable and safe.

• City Circus: 16 Sarri str., Athens 105 53, Greece. (Website)
• Athens Backpackers: 12 Makri street, Makriyanni, Athens 117 42, Greece. (Website)
• Athen Style: Agias Theklas 10, Athens 105 54, Greece. (Website)

Get Out: Day Trip to Piraeus

Piraeus, a coastal city, serves as the port of Athens. It is the main exit point by sea for the Aegean Islands and the eastern Mediterranean. While there, the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus and the orthodox churches of Saint Nicholas, Saint Spyridon and Holy Trinity are worth a visit.

Getting There

The easiest way to reach Piraeus is by metro: Line 1 terminates at Piraeus station. A ticket costs €1.40 and allows unlimited connections on all modes of transport within 90 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way from Athens airport to the city centre?

The X95 Airport Express bus to Syntagma Square is the cheapest option, at €6 one way for a ride of about 40 minutes.

Where should I stay in Athens?

Syntagma Square, the city centre, has most of the hostels and hotels and is within walking distance of the main sights.

Do I need a visa for Athens?

Greece is in the Schengen area, so you need a Schengen Visa unless your passport qualifies for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival.

How do I get from Athens to Piraeus?

Take metro Line 1 to its last stop at Piraeus station.

Conclusion

Athens is compact, easy to navigate and packed with ancient history. Base yourself around Syntagma Square, walk between the Acropolis, the Agoras and Plaka, and finish with ouzo in Psiri or a trip to the port at Piraeus.