Athens is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities — if you know where to look. While tourists pay €15 for mediocre moussaka in Plaka, locals eat incredible souvlaki for €3.50 around the corner.
Here’s how to experience Athens on a budget without missing the highlights.
Daily Budget Breakdown # Category Budget Mid-Range Comfortable Accommodation €15-25 €40-70 €80-120 Food €15-20 €30-40 €50+ Transport €5 €8 €15 Activities €10-15 €25-40 €50+ Daily Total €45-65 €100-160 €200+ Yes, you can absolutely visit Athens for under €50/day if you’re strategic.
Athens isn’t one homogeneous city — it’s a collection of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Where you stay and explore shapes your entire Athens experience.
Here’s your complete guide to Athens neighborhoods.
Quick Neighborhood Comparison # Neighborhood Vibe Best For Stay Here If Plaka Tourist-charming First-timers You want walkable classics Monastiraki Bustling hub Markets, nightlife You want central energy Koukaki Local-cool Foodies, locals You want authentic Athens Psyrri Artsy-trendy Nightlife, street art You want bars and creativity Kolonaki Upscale-polished Shopping, dining You want sophisticated Athens Exarchia Alternative-edgy Bohemian culture You want raw authenticity Syntagma Central-business Convenience You want transport hub access Plaka — The Classic # The oldest neighborhood, directly beneath the Acropolis
The Athens metro is one of the best ways to get around the city — clean, efficient, air-conditioned, and with stations that double as archaeological museums. Here’s everything you need to know about using the Athens metro.
Athens Metro Overview # The Athens metro has 3 lines covering most tourist areas:
Line Color Route Useful For Line 1 Green Piraeus ↔ Kifisia Piraeus port, Thissio, Monastiraki Line 2 Red Anthoupoli ↔ Elliniko Acropolis, Syntagma, Omonia Line 3 Blue Airport ↔ Aghia Marina Airport, Syntagma, Monastiraki Key interchange stations:
Hop-on hop-off buses are a staple in every tourist city. But is the Athens hop-on hop-off bus actually worth it, or should you just walk and use the metro?
Here’s an honest assessment.
Quick Verdict # Situation Recommendation First time, limited mobility Worth it First time, can walk well Skip it — Athens is walkable Visiting in extreme heat Consider it (AC break) Want to reach Piraeus Worth it for that route Just want to see the main sites Skip it — walk instead Our take: For most visitors, the hop-on hop-off bus is not necessary in Athens. The city center is compact and walkable, and the metro gets you anywhere the bus goes. But it has specific use cases.
Athens International Airport (ATH) sits about 33 km east of the city center. Getting into Athens is straightforward, with options ranging from €6 to €55+ depending on your budget and preferences.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting from Athens Airport to the city center.
Quick Comparison # Option Price Time Best For Metro €9 40 min Budget, solo travelers Airport Bus €6 60-90 min Late night, budget Taxi €40 (fixed) 35-50 min Convenience, groups Private Transfer €45-55 35-45 min Comfort, families Rental Car Varies 40-60 min Day trips planned Option 1: Metro (Best Value) # The Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects the airport directly to central Athens. It’s the most popular option for good reason.
The Acropolis is Greece’s most visited attraction and one of the most important ancient sites in the world. Every year, millions of visitors climb the sacred rock to see the Parthenon and experience 2,500 years of history.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Acropolis.
Quick Facts # Location Central Athens, visible from everywhere Entry fee €20 single / €30 combo ticket Hours 8 AM - 8 PM (summer), reduced in winter Time needed 2-3 hours Best time 8 AM opening or late afternoon Tickets & Prices (2026) # Ticket Options # Ticket Price Includes Acropolis only €20 Acropolis + slopes Combo ticket €30 Acropolis + 6 other sites Reduced (EU students, seniors) €10/€15 Same access Free entry €0 Under 18, specific dates The Combo Ticket (Recommended) # The €30 combo ticket includes:
Greek food is so much more than moussaka and souvlaki — though those are excellent too. The best way to discover Athens’ culinary secrets is with someone who knows where locals actually eat.
After researching dozens of options, here are the 8 best Athens food tours for 2026, from street food adventures to hands-on cooking classes.
Quick Comparison # Tour Duration Tastings Price Best For Central Market Walk 4 hours 10-12 €79 Serious foodies Street Food Tour 3 hours 8-10 €59 Budget-friendly fun Evening Food & Wine 4 hours 8 + wine €89 Couples, date night Cooking Class 5 hours Full meal €95 Hands-on learners Private Tour 4 hours 12+ €150 Families, custom requests Our Top Pick: Monastiraki & Central Market Tour # Athens Food Tour: Monastiraki & Central Market ★ 4.9 (3,420 reviews) The definitive Athens food experience. Walk through the historic Central Market, taste 12+ local specialties, visit family-run shops dating back generations, and learn the stories behind Greek cuisine. Small groups (max 12) with passionate local guides.
The Acropolis is the #1 attraction in Athens — and the lines can be brutal, especially in summer. A good tour saves you time, skips the crowds, and brings ancient history to life with expert commentary.
After researching dozens of options, here are the 7 best Acropolis tours for 2026, from budget-friendly skip-the-line tickets to premium small-group experiences.
Quick Comparison # Tour Duration Group Size Price Best For Skip-the-Line Ticket Self-paced N/A €20 Budget travelers Guided Walking Tour 2 hours 15-20 €45 First-time visitors Small Group Tour 2.5 hours 8 max €65 Better experience Acropolis + Museum Combo 4 hours 12 max €89 History lovers Private Tour 3 hours 1-4 €180+ Families, VIPs Our Top Pick: Small Group Guided Tour # Acropolis Small Group Tour with Skip-the-Line ★ 4.9 (3,240 reviews) The best balance of value and experience. Maximum 8 people, licensed archaeologist guide, early morning departure to beat crowds. Includes skip-the-line entry.
Athens packs 3,000+ years of history, world-class food, and vibrant neighborhoods into one compact city. Whether you have 2 days or 2 weeks, here’s everything worth doing.
This guide covers 35 things to do in Athens — from bucket-list sights to hidden gems.
Top 10 Must-Do’s # If you’re short on time, don’t miss these:
Acropolis — The iconic ancient citadel Acropolis Museum — World-class collection Sunset at Areopagus Hill — Best free view in Athens Monastiraki Flea Market — Antiques, souvenirs, chaos Souvlaki at Kostas — Legendary street food Ancient Agora — Where democracy was born Plaka wandering — Athens’ oldest neighborhood Rooftop drinks — Acropolis views with cocktails Central Market — Real Athens, real food Day trip to Delphi — The center of the ancient world Ancient Sites & History # 1. The Acropolis # The most famous ancient site in the Western world. Home to the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and stunning views.
Three days in Athens is the sweet spot — enough time to see the highlights, explore beyond the Acropolis, and absorb the city’s energy without feeling rushed.
Here’s your perfect 3-day Athens itinerary, designed for first-time visitors who want to see the best of ancient and modern Athens.
Itinerary Overview # Day Focus Highlights Day 1 Ancient Athens Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Plaka Day 2 Neighborhoods & Culture Monastiraki, Psyrri, museums, rooftop sunset Day 3 Day Trip or Deeper Exploration Delphi/Sounion OR local neighborhoods Day 1: Ancient Athens # Focus: The Acropolis and surrounding archaeological sites
Athens is incredible, but Greece’s real magic often lies beyond the capital. Within a few hours, you can explore ancient oracle sites, clifftop monasteries, idyllic islands, and medieval villages.
Here are the best day trips from Athens — organized by how far you’re willing to travel.
Quick Overview # Destination Distance Travel Time Best For Cape Sounion 70 km 1 hour Sunset, temple Delphi 180 km 2.5 hours History, culture Meteora 350 km 4 hours Monasteries, views Hydra 65 km (ferry) 2 hours Island escape Aegina 27 km (ferry) 1 hour Quick island trip Nafplio 140 km 2 hours Charming town Mycenae 120 km 1.5 hours Ancient ruins Epidaurus 130 km 2 hours Ancient theater Within 2 Hours of Athens # 1. Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon # The most accessible day trip from Athens — and one of the most stunning, especially at sunset.
Greeks are serious about coffee. They spend hours at cafes, turning a simple freddo into an all-afternoon social event. Athens has everything from century-old kafeneia to cutting-edge specialty roasters.
Here’s your guide to Athens coffee culture and the best cafes in the city.
Understanding Greek Coffee # Before diving into the best spots, let’s decode the menu:
Coffee What It Is How to Order Ellinikos Traditional Greek coffee (like Turkish) “Sketo” (no sugar), “Metrio” (medium), “Glyko” (sweet) Freddo Espresso Iced espresso, shaken frothy Order with sugar level preference Freddo Cappuccino Iced cappuccino with cold foam The quintessential Greek coffee Frappe Instant coffee shaken with ice Classic but fading in popularity 💡 Pro tip: The freddo cappuccino is Greece’s gift to coffee culture. Cold espresso topped with thick, creamy cold foam — perfect for hot Athens days. Order one and you’ll understand why Greeks sit at cafes for hours. Best Specialty Coffee # 1. Taf Coffee (Multiple Locations) # Athens’ pioneering specialty roaster. Serious about beans, unpretentious in vibe.