Is Athens worth visiting?
Yes, Athens is worth visiting for a number of reasons. This is a city that everyone should explore, and we loved our time here. During our first trip to Athens in 2011, we fell in love with the historical buildings and influential archeological sites. We've been back several times since then to experience it even more.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this city has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the great museums and amazing food.
It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in Travel and Leisure's Best Places to Visit in 2023 - Food and Wine.
Athens is the capital city of Greece and it is a world class travel destination. It's filled with ancient historical landmarks and an amazing culture. The city's food and welcoming atmosphere make it one of the most fascinating and fun places to explore.
The Acropolis, Athens
5 Reasons to Visit Athens
1. Museums
As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.
2. Food
Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.
3. Nightlife
There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.
4. Historical Sights
The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.
5. Shopping
Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.
Is Athens worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Athens, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open. Athens is hot and crowded in the summer, but this is also the peak season to visit.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 27°C (81°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 32°C (89°F).
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums, discover the big city activities, and browse around the old town. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Athens
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| September | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Is Athens worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Athens. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 19°C (67°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the historic old town, and the famous sights and museums. Also, you can soak up the big city atmosphere.
Autumn Weather in Athens
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| November | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| December | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Is Athens worth visiting in the Winter?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 10°C (51°F).
The low season for travel in Athens is during the winter. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices. Things are quieter in Athens during the winter season.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can check out the nightlife and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in Athens
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| February | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| March | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Is Athens worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Athens. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 16°C (60°F).
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to browse around the old town and dance the night away.
Spring Weather in Athens
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| June | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Athens
Not As Romantic
For couples, this destination does not have a great vibe for romance compared to other places.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Athens might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Athens here or see if Athens is expensive here.
Related
What is Athens most famous for?
Athens is most famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. People visit this impressive city for its great museums, food, nightlife, and historical sights. Many people love the shopping, too. It is often described as historic, ancient, vibrant, and energetic.
What is the most famous sight in Athens?
The most popular sight in Athens is The Acropolis. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Athens on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Acropolis and other attractions here.
How touristy is Athens? Is it a popular city to visit?
Athens is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- The Greek Food Experience (Max 8 persons): $109
- Try Scuba Diving, Beginners' Experience: $84
- Half Day Tour: $89
- Private Full Day Athens Tour: $251
- Athens Instagram Photo Tour: Most Instagrammable spots & Hidden gems: $45
- Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Nafplio and Epidaurus Private Tour from Athens: $212
- Private photo tour in Athens: $100
- 3 Hours Sunset Cruise in Athens with Mamma Mia Disco Party: $98
How long should I spend in Athens?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Athens is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Athens has a variety of activities such as historical sights, museums, dining, and nightlife, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Athens?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Athens?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Athens?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Athens.
Why would you recommend Athens to budget travelers? Or, why not?
We passed through Athens when we were flying from one Greek island to another. We only had a night and stayed near the airport, but there was a cheap airbnb and it was really convenient.
What makes Athens a budget-friendly destination? Or not?
It's incredibly affordable if you eat where the locals eat and find an affordable hotel or hostel.
How can you save money during your time in Athens?
We found Athens to be pretty cheap compared to much of Europe. The food is a great and cheap. The hotels are varied with a huge range of prices.
I stayed in a budget hotel that was still modern and clean even though it didn't have a lot to offer. It was just a basic room, but I was able to see so much around the city. I found a free walking tour with tons of great info, and it was also free to walk around the historic Plaka area.
What was your favorite thing about Athens?
We always find affordable places to stay in Athens, which can save us a ton of money.
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