Athens Greece: Travel Guide 2026

EXPLORE ATHENS!

With a history of over 3,000 years, Athens is a monument by itself and one of the liveliest European cities that one can visit. It is located on the peninsula of Attica and offers incredible landmarks, from ancient sites and museums to verdant hills and parks. It has both picturesque and modern neighborhoods and an intriguing coastal area.

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know for your trip to Athens, Greece.
Discover the best things to do, exciting tours & activities, gorgeous beaches, top hotels and restaurants, as well as a wide selection of breathtaking photos!
Athens has an international airport that connects it to other big cities of the world and other regions of Greece. In addition, its three ferry ports (Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrion) are well-connected to several islands.

How to Get There?

Best Hotels

Top sights(50+)

Where to swim?(30+)

Guided Tours & Experiences(35+)

Where to Eat & Drink?

OUR TRAVEL SERVICES IN ATHENS

Plan your trip to Athens with Greeka, the top travel agency to Greece! Every year, we help thousands of travelers design unforgettable, stress-free holidays.
You can independently book your tours & experiences through our online booking engines to get an insight into the Greek capital, rent a car to explore the mainland and purchase ferry tickets to reach the islands. Alternatively, let us organize your vacation with our island-hopping packages and tailor-made tours. We provide everything you need for a smooth and memorable experience in Athens, the mainland and the islands.
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MORE ABOUT ATHENS GREECE

Located in the central part of the country, on the eastern side of the mainland, Athens is the capital of Greece.
It is not only known for being a transportation hub for the islands, but it is one of the country's top destinations as well. Many ferries leave from the ports of Athens, and the city has an international airport.

Famous all over the world as the birthplace of democracy and the Olympic games, Athens is considered the historical capital of Europe!

Thanks to its long history and rich culture, abundant sights are situated in the city!
The Acropolis, Herodes Atticus Theatre, the temple of Poseidon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium are among the best attractions.
As for the museums, the Greek capital is home to numerous, including the New Acropolis Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Benaki Museum, and many more.

Except for the archaeological monuments and museums, the history of Athens is reflected in its cityscape, too. Neoclassical buildings, squares, statues, and picturesque alleys, create a magical atmosphere you just want to enwrap in!
The best way to explore the city is by wandering its beautiful streets. Visit Syntagma Square, Ermou Street, Keramikos, the National Garden, Plaka, Koukaki, Mets, Thissio, Kolonaki and Lycabettus Hill, Monastiraki Square, and many other neighborhoods. Don't forget to visit the Riviera, as well!

However, Athens is not all about the past. In the multicultural center, the past harmoniously coexists with the present. A great selection of fashion boutiques, sophisticated restaurants, cool bars, and traditional taverns create a seductive atmosphere!
Overall, the capital of Greece is a city full of flavors, aromas, amiable people, colors, and surprises.

Let the magical aura of Athens entice you!

• Map • Weather • Ancient sites • History

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PHOTOS OF ATHENS / SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES

Explore Athens Greece through the lens of the talented members of the Greeka community.
Share your experience with us or tag us #greekacom on your favorite social media.

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HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

Being the capital city of Greece, Athens provides all types of accommodation facilities, from luxurious suites and boutique hotels to budget-friendly apartments, regular hotel rooms, hostels and more!

The most beautiful areas to stay are located in the center, such as Acropolis, Plaka, Koukaki, Monastiraki, Psiri, Syntagma, or Vouliagmeni, at the Riviera of Athens. At these locations, you will find many luxury hotels.

Some of the most popular hotels are:
COCO-MAT • The Foundry Suites • Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel • Grande Bretagne • Divani Apollon Palace

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HOW TO GET THERE & MOVE AROUND?

There are many ways to reach the city of Athens in Greece throughout the year, whether you are traveling from another part of the country or from abroad.
Athens has an international airport that connects it to major cities around the world as well as other destinations in Greece. The city is also well connected by bus and train, and there are three ferry ports in the region—Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrion—that offer routes to many Aegean islands. You can even visit nearby islands such as Aegina, Poros in the Saronic Gulf, or Kea in the Cyclades for a day trip.

Ferry tickets!

Discover more about the different ways to get to Athens & how to move around.

• Flights • Ferry • Trains • Move around

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HIGHLIGHTS: BEST OF ATHENS

Discover the highlights of Athens! From sightseeing to activities and from tours to restaurants, we present you the best recommendations for the ultimate holiday experience!

Acropolis
The Acropolis of Athens is among the most impressive monuments in Greece. Constructed in the 5th century BC and with serious damage over time, this is the symbol of ancient Greek culture.
Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum of Greece is located close to Omonia Square. It hosts interesting collections from all historical periods of the country.
Tours & Activities
Due to the many monuments dating from all historical periods, this city is the best place for sightseeing. The easiest and quickest way to see all the sights in the city is to take a tour. Sightseeing tours are many and take place all year round.
Acropolis Museum
Frequently ranked among the most interesting museums of the world, the New Acropolis Museum is located right opposite the Acropolis Rock. It hosts exhibits from excavations on the rock and some other regions of Attica.
Plaka Neighborhood
Although located in proximity to the busy city centre, Plaka is the quietest quarter in the Greek capital. It charms visitors with its picturesque style.
Herodes Atticus Theatre
The Theatre of Herodes Atticus, also known as Herodion, is located at the foot of the Acropolis. With a seating capacity of 6,000 visitors, this theatre hosts drama performances, musical concerts and other events in summer.
Temple of Poseidon
Cape Sounion lies about 70 km away from the city center, on the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula. According to the myth, this is the site where Aegeus, king of Athens, fell into the sea because of a misunderstanding.
Riviera
The Riviera is the coastal area between Piraeus and Sounio. It is located about 16 km from downtown, stretching from the southern suburbs to the southernmost point of Attica, Cape Sounio.
Koukaki Neighborhood
Koukaki is a beautiful neighborhood located under the Acropolis, just a breath away from the city center. Built on the southeast part of Filopappou Hill, it is a very nice neighborhood for your stay.
Best Restaurants
Being the capital of Greece, the city offers an abundance of culinary delights for every taste and budget level. One thing is for sure: Foodies won’t be disappointed!
Best Coffee shops
Cafe are numerous and spread all around the city. Most picturesque cafes are found in Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thission, the three most tourist quarters in the city center. But nice coffee shops can be found in other part of the city.
Open air cinema
Watch a movie in an amazing open-air cinema in the centre of the city. Some offer amazing views over the Acropolis.
Shopping
The city is modern and, as such, it has a multitude of shops, malls and shopping centers. Here are some of the most famous shopping places and areas.
Ancient Agora
Ancient Agora was the place where Athenians used to gather and talk about politics. The place still hosts interesting monuments, like the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos.
Roman Agora
According to archaeologists, the Roman Agora was constructed in the 1st century BC with the funds of Julius Ceasar and Augustus. It consisted of a large, open-air courtyard, surrounded by colonnades on all four sides.