Athens is one of Europe’s most underrated food cities. Beyond the souvlaki and moussaka (both excellent), you’ll find creative modern Greek cuisine, fresh seafood, outstanding street food, and culinary traditions stretching back millennia.
Here’s where to eat in Athens — organized by neighborhood and dining style.
Quick Navigation # What You Want Where to Go Street food (souvlaki) Monastiraki, Syntagma Traditional tavernas Plaka, Psyrri, Koukaki Modern Greek Kolonaki, Psyrri Seafood Piraeus, Glyfada Rooftop dining Monastiraki, Plaka Budget eats Exarchia, Central Market Fine dining Kolonaki, Syntagma Eating by Neighborhood # Monastiraki & Syntagma — The Central Hub # Best for: Street food, quick eats, rooftop bars
Athens isn’t your typical European city. Between slippery marble at the Acropolis, scorching summer heat, and casual-chic Greek style, packing smart makes a real difference.
Here’s exactly what to pack for Athens in 2026, based on the season you’re visiting.
Quick Packing Checklist # Essentials (any season):
Comfortable walking shoes with grip Lightweight, breathable clothing Sun hat or cap Sunglasses Reef-safe sunscreen Day bag or crossbody Portable phone charger Travel adapter (Type C/F plug) The Most Important Item: Shoes # Let’s start with what matters most. You’ll walk 8-12 km (5-7 miles) daily in Athens, often on uneven surfaces.
One day isn’t enough for Athens — but it’s enough to fall in love with it. Whether you’re on a layover, cruise stop, or quick side trip, this itinerary helps you see the best of Athens in 8-12 hours.
At a Glance # Time Activity 8:00 AM Acropolis (arrive at opening) 11:00 AM Acropolis Museum 1:00 PM Lunch in Plaka 2:30 PM Ancient Agora or wandering 4:30 PM Monastiraki & markets 6:00 PM Rooftop drinks 8:00 PM Dinner (optional if time) Morning: Ancient Athens # 8:00 AM — Acropolis # Start at the Acropolis when it opens. You’ll beat the crowds, the heat (in summer), and have the best light for photos.
Monasteries perched on impossible rock pillars, rising from the Thessalian plain like something from a fantasy novel. Meteora is unlike anywhere else on Earth — and yes, you can visit from Athens in a day.
But should you? Here’s the honest truth about Meteora day trips from Athens.
The Honest Assessment # Distance: 350 km (220 miles) from Athens Driving time: 4-4.5 hours each way Total day: 12-14 hours
“Is Athens safe?” is one of the most common questions travelers ask. The short answer: yes, Athens is very safe for tourists — safer than most major European cities.
But like anywhere, it pays to be informed. Here’s an honest breakdown of safety in Athens.
Quick Safety Assessment # Concern Risk Level Notes Violent crime against tourists Very Low Rare, not a significant concern Pickpocketing Moderate Common in tourist areas, metro Scams Low-Moderate Typical tourist city stuff Safe at night Generally Yes Stick to populated areas Solo female travel Safe Normal urban precautions Overall: Athens is comparable to Barcelona, Rome, or Lisbon — typical Southern European city with typical precautions needed.
Greek food is far more than moussaka and gyros — though those are excellent. The cuisine draws on 4,000 years of history, Mediterranean ingredients, and a philosophy that food is meant to be shared.
Here’s your guide to Greek food and the dishes you absolutely must try in Athens.
The Essentials: Top 10 Must-Try # Before your trip ends, make sure you’ve eaten these:
Athens is a year-round destination, but the experience varies dramatically by season. Visit in August and you’ll bake in 40°C heat with massive crowds. Come in April and you’ll have perfect weather, reasonable prices, and space to breathe.
Here’s exactly when to visit Athens for the best experience.
Quick Answer # Priority Best Time Avoid Best overall April-May, September-October - Best weather May, September August (too hot) Fewest crowds November-March July-August, Easter Lowest prices November-February June-September Beach + sightseeing June, September - Our pick: Late September or early October — perfect weather, manageable crowds, post-summer prices.
Every visitor to Athens eats souvlaki. But most eat it at mediocre tourist spots with inflated prices and disappointing pita.
Here’s where locals actually go for the best souvlaki in Athens — the places with lines out the door at 2 AM and generations of Athenians who won’t go anywhere else.
Quick Overview: Top Souvlaki Spots # Restaurant Neighborhood Price Best For Kostas Syntagma €3.50 Classic pork souvlaki O Thanasis Monastiraki €4.00 Kebab Elvis Psyrri €4.00 Late night Bairaktaris Monastiraki €4.00 Tourist-convenient, decent To Kati Allo Pangrati €3.50 Local neighborhood vibe Hoocut Syntagma €4.50 Gourmet pork belly Lefteris o Politis Exarchia €3.50 Student favorite Ta Karamanlidika Psyrri €5.00 Deli-style experience First: Souvlaki vs. Gyros — What’s the Difference? # Before we dive in, let’s clear up the confusion:
Plaka is Athens’ most touristy neighborhood — and for good reason. It’s charming, historic, and steps from the Acropolis. But finding good food here requires knowing where to look.
Here are the best restaurants in Plaka that locals actually recommend, plus tips for avoiding the tourist traps.
Quick Picks # Restaurant Best For Price Vibe To Kafeneio Traditional taverna €€ Authentic Tzitzikas kai Mermigas Reliable modern Greek €€ Casual-nice Scholarchio Historic, great meze €€ Lively Saita Hidden local gem € No-frills Dionysos Zonar’s Acropolis views €€€ Upscale Price guide: € = Under €15 | €€ = €15-30 | €€€ = €30+
The ancient Greeks believed Delphi was the center of the world. Home to the legendary Oracle of Apollo, this mountainside sanctuary was the most sacred site in ancient Greece.
Today, Delphi remains one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the country — and one of the most worthwhile day trips from Athens.
Here’s everything you need to know about Delphi tours from Athens.
Quick Comparison # Tour Type Duration Price Best For Standard Group Tour 10-11 hours €80-95 Most travelers Small Group (max 8) 10-11 hours €110-130 Better experience Private Tour 10-12 hours €300-450 Families, VIPs Delphi + Meteora (2 days) 2 days €250-350 Maximum sightseeing DIY by Bus 10-12 hours ~€40 Budget travelers Our Top Pick: Small Group Delphi Tour # Delphi Small Group Tour with Lunch ★ 4.9 (4,560 reviews) Experience Delphi with a maximum of 8 travelers. Licensed archaeologist guide, skip-the-line entry, lunch at a traditional Arachova taverna, and stops at scenic viewpoints. The best balance of value and experience.
Greece has been making wine for over 6,500 years — longer than anywhere else in Europe. Yet most visitors stick to ouzo and beer, never discovering the incredible wines just an hour from Athens.
Whether you want an intimate urban tasting or a full-day vineyard escape, here are the best Athens wine tasting experiences for 2026.
Quick Comparison # Experience Duration Wines Tasted Price Best For Urban Wine Bar Tasting 2 hours 5-7 wines €45 Short on time Nemea Vineyard Tour 8 hours 8-10 wines €95 Day trip lovers Wine & Food Pairing 3 hours 5 wines + meal €75 Foodies Athens Riviera Winery 4 hours 6-8 wines €85 Coastal views Private Sommelier Tour 3 hours 7-9 wines €120 Couples, special occasions Our Top Pick: Nemea Wine Region Day Trip # Nemea Wine Tasting Day Trip with Lunch ★ 4.9 (1,240 reviews) The best way to experience Greek wine. Visit 2-3 family-owned wineries in the legendary Nemea region, taste award-winning Agiorgitiko reds, and enjoy a traditional Greek lunch with vineyard views. Hotel pickup included.
There’s something magical about watching the sun sink into the Aegean Sea while sipping wine on a boat deck. An Athens sunset cruise turns an ordinary evening into an unforgettable experience.
Here are the best sunset cruises from Athens for 2026, from intimate sailboats to party catamarans.
Quick Comparison # Cruise Duration Capacity Price Best For Classic Sailboat 4 hours 8-12 €75 Couples, romantics Catamaran Cruise 5 hours 20-40 €65 Groups, social travelers Luxury Yacht 4 hours 10 max €150 Special occasions Dinner Cruise 3 hours 50-100 €89 Foodies Private Charter 4 hours Up to 8 €450+ Families, celebrations Our Top Pick: Small Sailboat Sunset Cruise # Athens Riviera Sunset Sailing with Dinner & Wine ★ 4.9 (2,180 reviews) Sail along the stunning Athens coastline on a traditional yacht. Includes swimming stop, Greek dinner on board, unlimited wine and soft drinks, and breathtaking sunset views. Max 12 guests for an intimate experience.