Top things to do in Athens
Attractions, tours and activities in Athens
Recommended museums in Athens
Where to discover culture and the arts in Athens
Athens: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Athens
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Plaka
0.3 miles from city centre
Plaka’s appeal lies in its village-like atmosphere. Its small lanes are lined with 19th-century houses, enticing cafés – and a fair few tourists. The Acropolis is the area’s showstopper, but spare some time for the smaller spots. The 4th-century Monument of Lysicrates is worth a stop, as is Hadrian's, and an amble through the National Gardens.
Places to stay from £11 per night
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Glyfada
7.3 miles from city centre
Welcome to glitzy Glyfada – home of the chic and distinctly international. The area’s shops and restaurants once catered for a now long-gone US military base, but the spoils are great – TGI Fridays and an array of swanky fashion outlets are in the vicinity, as are sizzling nightspots along the beach facing Posidonos Avenue. Get ready to splurge!
Places to stay from £24 per night
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Psiri
0.6 miles from city centre
Psiri is a quiet inner-city suburb with little to do during the day. However, the volume goes from mute to full blast at night. Locals roll in and out of low-lit bars onto the expansive terraces, and live music fills the air. For a bite to eat, try the typically Greek mezes at Mavros Gatos – think octopus, tzatziki, eggplant, cheeses and more.
Places to stay from £12 per night
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Koukaki
0.9 miles from city centre
Below the Acropolis, Koukaki's Dionysiou Areopagitou promenade is a welcome escape from the city's rumbling automobile traffic. The area underwent a facelift with the arrival of the ultra-modern Acropolis Museum, but Koukaki retained its unpretentious feel. To this end, try the fresh grilled fish from taverna To Kati Allo right behind the museum.
Places to stay from £6 per night
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Metaxourgeio
1.1 miles from city centre
Metaxourgeio is getting Athens hot under the collar. This powerhouse of trendy bars and galleries attracts a young crowd, and is a hipster hang-out par excellence. Wander past its gardens, warehouses and tavernas to get a taste for the area's mish-mash of styles. Bohemian and industrial, it's a tight bundle of all things alternative.
Places to stay from £20 per night
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Chalandri
4.9 miles from city centre
Chalandri has developed quite the reputation among the northern suburbs. This modern area is a burgeoning leisure hub, with the new Golden Hall Mall and hip hang-outs, like Theory Bar or Ancho Mexican Grill. Head here for the cluster of shopping streets around Dourou Square, and enjoy the open-air concerts at the Theatro Rematias.
Places to stay from £27 per night
About Athens
Including tips for the best time to visit Athens
Greece's ancient capital is an open-air museum of history and stunning sights dating back over 2,500 years. Once home to Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum, Athens is often referred to as the cradle of Western civilisation.
While the Acropolis towers above to serve as a reminder of Athens’ ancient origins, the modern-day city below offers a huge variety of contemporary comforts. You’ll find a wide range of trendy cocktail bars and nightclubs dotted throughout the centre, as well as the National Museum of Contemporary Art and the unique Technopolis complex.
Other points of interest include the beaches of Attica and the scenic National Garden just behind the Greek Parliament Building. This combination of age-old monuments, enticing cultural landmarks and natural scenery make the city a major hotspot for holidays.
Greeks also take an immense amount of pride in their cuisine, and once you've had a taste of their delicious dishes, it's easy to see why. Take a seat in a traditional taverna and order up some grilled souvlaki and anise-flavoured aperitif Ouzo. The centre is easily reached from the airport by metro, railway or express bus, but you'll also find plenty of taxis outside the terminal.
Tonight
From £8 per night
This weekend
From £17 per night
Next weekend
From £17 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.43 |
| Language | Greek |
| Average weekend price | £99 per night |
| Average weekday price | £98 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Athens
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Athens
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Acropolis
0.5 miles from city centre
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Syntagma Square
In the city centre
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Ermou Street-Shopping Area
0.2 miles from city centre
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Omonia Square
0.7 miles from city centre
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Parthenon
0.5 miles from city centre
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Monastiraki Flea Market
0.6 miles from city centre
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Monastiraki Square
0.5 miles from city centre
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Gazi - Technopoli
1.2 miles from city centre
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The Mall Athens
5.7 miles from city centre
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Panathenaic Stadium
0.6 miles from city centre
Latest articles featuring Athens
Inspiration and insider tips for what to do in Athens
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With a warm climate and Mediterranean sensibilities, Athens shines no matter the month.
Athens’ contemporary arts scene: A photo journal
Glimpsing the venues that are bolstering Athens’ contemporary art renaissance.
Athens reviews
What other travellers say about Athens
We love Athens!
8 August 2022
We love Athens! The Acropolis is incredible of course, as is the Acropolis museum. The markets are great and we enjoyed the vintage/ retro clothes shops. The other museums and archaeological sites are fantastic and there's so much to see just wandering the streets and knowing how much history there is with every step.
We must admit that Athens central was very sad, run down,...
7 August 2022
We must admit that Athens central was very sad, run down, dirty and quite a disappointment. We were constantly being warned to be careful and were very aware of our safety, or lack of. Out of the city centre, it is a different story.
Ancient City and lots of ruins to explore.
4 August 2022
Ancient City and lots of ruins to explore. Walking through history is made easier with a quick, clean and efficient Metro ride. If you are visiting the Acropolis an early morning visit is recommended before the cruise ship tours show up.
Such a great city!
4 August 2022
Such a great city! We chose a hotel right by the Plakka (the main tourist area) with views of the Acropolis. The red open hop-on hop-off bus stop was just down the street. We booked our tickets for the Acropolis and the museums online before we arrived so that we didn't have to wait in a queue. Would definitely recommend the red open hop-on hop-off bus for seeing the essential historic sights and getting to know the city. Would recommend the Acropolis (obviously) but go as early as you can and also the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, Monastiraki Square, the Ancient and Roman Agoras to start with. There is so much to see in this vibrant and exciting city.
M Greece, in general, is a beautiful country and its people...
3 August 2022
M Greece, in general, is a beautiful country and its people are kind and respect the guests, and are ready to help them. The archeological sights of ancient Greek civilization are amazing and well worth a visit... Restaurants, cafes, and bars are everywhere and the traditional Greek food is delicious and varied. Prices are generally moderate, there is no cheating or hidden additional costs. Transportation is available, whether by taxi, metro, or bus. The visitor can choose the hotel, restaurant, and transportation according to his budget ... The majority of tourists, whether in Athens or on the island of Santorini, are young people and of all nationalities, whether from Europe, North America or the Middle East ... In general, Greece is a country worth visiting.
Sometimes taxi fares were inconsistent.
3 August 2022
Sometimes taxi fares were inconsistent. Athens has a lot to see. Although this time of year it was very hot, carry water, hat and sunscreen and you should be ok. There are great restaurants in the city. Views are wonderful. Overall, it's a great city to explore.
Popular places to stay in Athens
Stay in some of the best accommodation Athens has to offer
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SV Acropolis Residence Koukaki, Athens
From £400 per night
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Hellenic Hospitality House Athens City Centre, Athens
From £79 per night
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BED in Athens Psiri, Athens
From £104 per night
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Still Athens Athens City Centre, Athens
From £80 per night
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Other accommodation in Athens
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Athens
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Apartments
From £6 per night
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Villas
From £51 per night
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Cabins
From £46 per night
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Serviced apartments
From £10 per night
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Holiday homes
From £25 per night
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Guest houses
From £13 per night
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Hostels
From £7 per night
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B&Bs
From £19 per night
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Homestays
From £8 per night
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Boats
From £57 per night
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Self catering accommodation
From £6 per night
