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Athens

Greece

Athens travel guide

The Acropolis above the city, sunny squares and the sea just 30 minutes away.

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Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0
Best time to visit
April-June and September-October
Flight from the Gulf
Direct flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha (about 5 h); from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain direct in some seasons or with one stop
Airport
Athens International Airport (ATH), about 40 min from the centre
Time difference
Same time as Riyadh, Doha and Kuwait in summer, 1 h behind in winter; 1 h behind the UAE in summer
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Greek; English is widely spoken
Visa
Greece is in the Schengen area - most Gulf passports need a Schengen visa; UAE citizens do not for short stays

Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world. The Parthenon still stands on the Acropolis hill above the modern city, and from almost every rooftop terrace you can see it lit up at night. Around it, the old quarter of Plaka has small streets, cafés and shops that are easy to explore on foot with children.

Plan three or four days. Spend one morning on the Acropolis and in the Acropolis Museum, one day in Plaka, Monastiraki and Syntagma, and one afternoon on the coast road to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion for the sunset. Athens is also the start of most trips to the islands: Santorini is a 45-minute flight away.

The best months are April to June and September to October. July and August are very hot in the city: visit the sights early in the morning and spend the afternoons by the sea on the Athens Riviera.

Things to do in Athens

The places our guests love most, with the time you need and how to avoid the queues.

The rock of the Acropolis with the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and its famous Caryatids, and views over the whole city. A UNESCO World Heritage site and…

2-3 hours

A modern museum with the original statues and sculptures of the Acropolis, glass floors over an ancient neighbourhood and a café terrace facing the Parthenon. Air-conditioned…

2 hours

The oldest quarter of Athens, with neoclassical houses, small squares and souvenir shops. Walk up to Anafiotika, a hidden village of white houses that looks like…

2-3 hours

In front of the Parliament, the Evzones guards in traditional uniform change every hour. The big ceremony with the band is on Sunday at 11:00. Next…

30 minutes - 1 hour

A marble temple on a cliff at the southern tip of Attica, famous for its sunsets over the Aegean. The coast road passes the beaches of…

Half day

The highest hill in the centre of Athens. A small funicular takes you to the top for a 360-degree view of the city, the Acropolis and…

1-2 hours

Hotels in Athens

Hotels we know and recommend. Send your dates: we book the best rate for you and confirm on WhatsApp.

Summary

Athens ★★★★★

Syntagma Square, city centre

Syntagma Square · Acropolis views

Best priceon request
Summary

Athens ★★★★★

Vouliagmeni, Athens Riviera, 30 min from the centre

Private beaches · Kids club

Best priceon request
Summary

Athens ★★★★★

Mitropoleos street, near Syntagma

Rooftop pool · Walk to Plaka

Best priceon request
Summary

Athens ★★★★★

Vasileos Alexandrou avenue, near Kolonaki

Family rooms · Rooftop pool

Best priceon request
Summary

Athens ★★★★★

Syntagma Square

Syntagma · Spacious rooms

Best priceon request
Summary

Athens ★★★★★

Syngrou Avenue, 10 min from the Acropolis

Rooftop pool · Family rooms

Best priceon request
Summary

Athens ★★★★

Rovertou Galli street, next to the Acropolis Museum

Roof garden · Acropolis views

Best priceon request
Summary

Athens ★★★★★

Dionysiou Areopagitou, Acropolis

Acropolis walk · Terrace restaurant

Best priceon request

All hotels in Athens

Tours, packages and transfers in Athens

Private day trips with your own driver and guide, complete holidays, and airport transfers at a fixed price.

Where to stay in Athens

Plaka and SyntagmaThe historic centre below the Acropolis, with car-free streets, cafés and the main shopping street (Ermou). Best for a first visit.
Acropolis (Makrygianni)Quiet streets next to the Acropolis Museum, with hotels that have rooftop views of the Parthenon.
KolonakiThe elegant district of designer boutiques, galleries and cafés at the foot of Lycabettus Hill.
Athens Riviera (Vouliagmeni and Glyfada)Seaside resorts 30 minutes south of the centre, with beaches, marinas and luxury hotels. Ideal in summer for families.

Where to eat: restaurants and cafés

Places we like and recommend to our guests, from local classics to cafés and sweet stops.

Fish tavernas of Mikrolimano Seafood & veggie Fish and seafood · Mikrolimano harbour, Piraeus, 20 min by car A small harbour full of yachts, lined with fish tavernas and tables by the water. Choose the fresh fish of the day,… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Varoulko Seaside Seafood & veggie Fine dining, seafood · Mikrolimano, Piraeus A Michelin-starred seafood restaurant by the sea, by chef Lefteris Lazarou. Creative Greek dishes with fish and shellfish - book ahead for… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Arab and Lebanese restaurants around Omonia Halal Arabic grills and shawarma · Omonia and Menandrou street, city centre The streets around Omonia Square have Arab, Syrian and Lebanese restaurants with halal shawarma, grills and mezze. Simple places at good prices… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Kuzina Modern Greek · Adrianou street, Thiseio A modern Greek restaurant on the pedestrian street below the Acropolis, with a roof terrace facing the Parthenon. Good fish and vegetable… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Little Kook Café and desserts · Psyrri, near Monastiraki A fairy-tale café whose street and rooms are decorated with a new theme every season. Children love it - come for cakes,… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Lukumades Greek doughnuts · Aiolou street, near Agia Irini square Small hot Greek doughnuts made in front of you, with honey and cinnamon, chocolate or pistachio, and ice cream on the side. Reviews on Tripadvisor
Turkish and Pakistani kebab houses Halal Kebab and grills · Omonia, Kypseli and Victoria Turkish and Pakistani restaurants serve halal kebabs, chicken tikka, biryani and fresh bread. Good for a quick family dinner after a day… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas Greek meze · Mitropoleos street, near Syntagma A cheerful restaurant styled like an old grocery store, with Greek meze to share - fried cheese, grilled vegetables, meatballs and salads. Reviews on Tripadvisor
Ergon House Greek food hall and café · Mitropoleos street, near Syntagma A bright food hall with a Greek deli, bakery and restaurant under a glass roof with an olive tree. Good for breakfast… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Strofi Greek taverna with a view · Rovertou Galli 25, below the Acropolis An old taverna with a roof terrace facing the Parthenon, lit up at night. Classic Greek dishes and grilled fish. Reviews on Tripadvisor

Halal status is what the restaurant tells its guests and can change. When you book with us, we check it again before your trip.

Tips for your trip to Athens

  1. Book Acropolis tickets online with a time slot and go at opening time - it is cooler and much less crowded.
  2. Wear flat shoes with a good grip. The marble paths on the Acropolis are slippery.
  3. Stay in Plaka, Syntagma or near the Acropolis Museum to walk to the main sights.
  4. In summer, plan the sights for the morning and the sea for the afternoon - the Riviera is 30 minutes by car.
  5. Taxis and Uber work well. For the airport and day trips, a private car with driver is more comfortable for families.
  6. Many shops close on Sunday, except in Plaka and Monastiraki.

Questions

How many days do we need in Athens?

Three or four days are enough for the Acropolis, the museums, Plaka and a sunset at Cape Sounion. Add a few days on an island such as Santorini.

Is Athens good for families with children?

Yes. The centre is easy to walk, children love the changing of the guard at Syntagma, and the beaches of the Riviera are close.

Do we need a visa for Greece?

Greece is in the Schengen area. Most Gulf passports need a Schengen visa (apply to the Greek embassy if Greece is your main destination). UAE citizens do not need a visa for short stays.

Can you organise Athens and Santorini together?

Yes. We book the hotels, the flight or ferry to Santorini, airport transfers and a private driver in Athens.

Read before you go to Athens

Plan your trip to Athens with us

Hotel, car with driver, tours and restaurants: tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply in Arabic or English with a full plan and one price. No payment until you confirm.

  • Reply within a few hours
  • Family rooms and halal restaurants checked for you
  • Support on WhatsApp during the trip
Travel dates
Travellers

Photo credits

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under their free licences.