Photo: A.Savin · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Athens
The Acropolis, ancient agoras and late tavernas below it.
Greece's capital, with the Acropolis rising over a busy modern city: ancient agoras, marble temples and world-class museums within an easy walk of Plaka's lanes and Monastiraki's flea market. Cheap souvlaki, late tavernas and hilltop sunsets. Delphi and Cape Sounion are day trips by bus or tour (check).
Places to see
- Acropolis and the ParthenonSight · The rocky hill above the city, entered through a grand marble gateway, with the…≈ A$53
Acropolis MuseumMuseum · A modern glass museum at the foot of the Acropolis, holding the statues and carvings…≈ A$35
Ancient AgoraSight · The ancient city's marketplace and meeting ground: paths through ruins and olive trees, a…≈ A$35
When to go
- Jan13° / 7°Often wetQuiet
- Feb14° / 7°Often wetQuiet
- Mar17° / 9°Some rainQuiet
- Apr20° / 12°Some rainBusy
- May25° / 16°Mostly dryBusy
- Jun30° / 20°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jul33° / 23°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug33° / 23°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The Acropolis and Koukaki. The Acropolis, its museum and Philopappos Hill, with Koukaki's quieter streets of flats and cafés just south: a good, calmer base.
Plaka, Monastiraki and Psyrri. Old lanes under the Acropolis, the ancient agoras and the flea market; Monastiraki and Psyrri have many hostels and late bars.
Flying in
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH): X95 express bus to Syntagma, about 1 h, ≈ A$10. Runs day and night; the metro (line 3) is quicker and costs about €9 (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Athens; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$2. The centre is walkable. The metro links the airport, Piraeus port and the main sights; one ticket covers metro, buses and trams for 90 minutes (check).
Tourist ticket (3 days) (≈ A$35, 3 days): Metro, buses and trams for three days, with one airport trip; worth it if you're flying in and out (check).
Tourist tax
Greece's climate resilience fee is charged per room a night: about €2 at simple places from April to October, less in winter, more at bigger hotels; paid at check-in (check).
