Athens Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

The Greek capital of Athens occupies a unique place in history. In many ways, it was here that Western civilization was founded, back in the days of Pericles and famous philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle. This ancient history can still be seen throughout the city in the wealth of buildings that remain from this period, and it's one of the main aspects of Athens that brings visitors from around the world.

But alongside all that ancient history, Athens is a vibrant modern city. As the capital of Greece, it is home to many of the country's top cultural institutions. Blessed with abundant sunny weather and incredible cuisine, Athens is a great place to visit even for those with no interest in history. And as the capital of Greece, it's also a great base for exploring the rest of this interesting country.

10 Best Ways To Experience Athens, Greece, In 2024

Sightseeing ruins and browsing around countless museums can become tedious even when you're in a city where the national monuments and ancient artifacts are world-renowned. By using the companies listed below, you'll make sure your visit to Athens, the capital of Greece, will be as refreshing as a dip in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea and as equally memorable as watching the fireworks display over the Acropolis on New Year's Eve.

Best Historical Walking Tour Of Athens – Tours Of Athens

Be shown around Athens by a personal guide on a walking tour of the city which takes in all the main sights as well as a few more obscure ones. All the private tours with Tours of Athens are customized to suit your personal requirements with a half or full-day agenda including the sights which interest you most and some spots only your local guide will know about.

Organize your personal tour by contacting Tour of Athens by calling them on 30-694-429-4320 or emailing them at info@toursofathens.com.

Best Wine Tour Of Athens – Athens Shore Excursion

If Athens Shore Excursion crammed anything else into their intensive eight-hour history and wine tour, it would take a week to complete. After taking in all the main city sights like the Parthenon, they'll whisk you away to see the Corinth Canal before heading to the vineyards of Nemea. There you'll discover the secrets of Greek winemaking and get to taste some of the final product.

For more details contact Athens Shore Excursion on 30 21 0451 6106 or email them at info@athensshoreexcursion.com.

Best Way To See Athens With Kids – Be A Greek

It's often said that travel broadens the mind, so taking your kids on holiday to give them new experiences is great. With a Be A Greek tour they'll find out all about the local culture, what it's like to be Greek, and learn about the city's fascinating ancient history through games and activities led by a qualified child-oriented guide.

To take your kids on a voyage of discovery contact Be A Greek by email at info@beagreek.com or call them on 30 694 833 2630.

Best Cycle Tour Of Athens – Athenian Tours

While cycling around the inner streets of Athens is a total no-no because of the heavy traffic and lack of cycle lanes, you can still enjoy time on two wheels with Athenian Tours by heading out to the coastal area. Set off in the cool of the morning and pedal along the promenade cycle path for several kilometers with frequent stops for photos. If you prefer a walking food tour of Athens or want to go bar hopping instead, Athenian Tours will organize that for you too.

To join Athenian Tours on a cycling morning or walking food tour of the city call them on 30 21 4687 8850 or email them at info@atheniantours.gr.

Best Way To See Athens For Cruise Passengers – Athens Tour 365

When you've only got a limited time to see Athens because you're on a cruise, you need to pack as much into a day as you possibly can. Book your day out with Athens Tour 365 and they'll show you Athens, then take you out to Lake Vouliagmeni before having a fish dinner while watching the sunset over the Cape of Sounion.

Organize your shore excursion with Athens Tour 365 by calling them on 30 690 949 5460 or emailing them at info@athenstours365.com.

Best All-Round Tours Of Athens – Deep Blue Tours

Go to Deep Blue Tours for the best all-round tour of Athens led by quality private guides. They'll tailor-make the day to suit your requirements as they have in-depth knowledge of all the historical sights and the most interesting scenic locations. They also know the easiest and quickest way to get from A to B so no part of your day out is wasted by being stuck in traffic.

Get on an all-round tour of Athens with Deep Blue Tours by contacting them on 30 693 258 7843 or emailing them at contact@deepblue-tours.com.

Best Trikke Tour In Athens – Scooterize

If you've ever had a problem getting to grips with a Segway and given up, don't despair. When you don't want to walk around Athens, do it on a three-wheeled trikke instead. Scooterize provides trikkes for self-guided explorations of the city as well as organizing guided group outings if you don't want to go it alone. Hit the roads for a half or full day on an easy-to-handle trikke and it'll be fun all the way.

Get in touch with Scooterize by emailing them at reservations@scooterise.com or calling them on 30 21 6700 3277.

Best Day Tour Of Athens – Athens Insider

You can do and see a lot in just a day. Athens Insider knows exactly how to pack a few hours full of interesting things so it makes the most of your time. Go on one of their pre-arranged itineraries or if you prefer, you can customize a tour with them so it includes food tastings, street art, the major city sights and even a museum or two if that's what you enjoy doing.

Plan your day out with Athens Insider by calling them on 30 21 1790 9879 or emailing them at hello@athensinsiders.com.

Best Catamaran Cruise From Athens – Sailing Athens

Escape the sultry heat of the busy city streets by hitting the waves on a catamaran cruise along the Athens coastline with Sailing Athens. Go either in the morning so you can sunbathe on deck and jump in for a swim or sail out in the late afternoon to sip a glass of champagne while watching the sun go down on the distant horizon.

Chat to Sailing Athens about a catamaran cruise by calling them on 30 21 5525 9494 or by emailing them at info@sailingathens.com.

Best Cooking Class in Athens – Cook In Athens

One way to keep your vacation memories alive is to make the same food once you get back home. You can learn the intricacies of Greek cuisine by attending a cooking course with Cook In Athens. Classes are held in their cooking studio which overlooks the Acropolis and they'll teach you how to prepare traditional mezedes like tzatziki and meatballs as well as main meals like moussaka or pastichio.

Get in touch with Cook In Athens to organize your Greek cooking class by calling 30 694 587 2793 or emailing them at booking@cookinathens.com.  

A weekend in Athens

A weekend in Athens isn’t much, but it should allow you to see some of the city’s top attractions. With only a couple days, you’ll need to focus on the most iconic locations in the city. Drop off your bags at an Athens luggage locker and start exploring.

• The Acropolis dominates the city to this day. On a high hill overlooking Athens, this complex of ancient temples contains the Parthenon, probably the best-known example of ancient Greek architecture. One of the world's most famous buildings, the Parthenon is a true must-see location.
• Lose yourself in the busy streets of Monastiraki. One of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, this has been the center of city life for thousands of years. You'll find lively bars, delicious restaurants, and a bustling flea market.
• Take a break from the city's frenetic pace on Lycabettus Hill. One of the highest peaks in this hilly city, the hill is home to a church, a restaurant, and an open-air theater. But best of all, there are plenty of forested trails where you can reconnect with nature and get some fresh air.

Athens lockers

As a city that long predates motor vehicles, Athens is extremely walkable. Although the city and its suburbs are very large, most of the historic attractions are well within walking distance of one another. Athens also has a handy subway system that can help you get around. Make things easier on yourself by dropping off extra bags at an Athens suitcase storage before you go exploring. You can travel light while your belongings are safely looked after and pick them up when it's convenient for you.

Off the beaten path in Athens

Athens receives millions of tourists every year. As a result, the main attractions, such as the Acropolis, can get incredibly busy. But if you're willing to explore a little, you can also find plenty of things to do that remain relatively undiscovered. Escape from the crowds at these lesser-known locations.

• Take a break in Diomedes botanical garden. Run by the University of Athens, this is the largest garden in Greece and is home to thousands of species of unusual plants. Drop off your bags at an Athens luggage storage service and enjoy the serenity.
• See the former home of Greece’s royal family at the Tatoi estate. Outside the center of Athens, this former palace has been left to nature since the 1960s. As a result, the dilapidated building makes a fascinating place for photos.
• Explore the up-and-coming neighborhood of Metaxourgio. Outside Monastiraki, this formerly working-class neighborhood is now home to art galleries and trendy restaurants that are part of the city's revitalization. Wander through the charming streets and appreciate one of the most interesting areas of modern Athens.

What to do alone in Athens

Athens can be a great place to explore by yourself. The tourist-crowded streets and monuments are easy to navigate by yourself, and you'll find lots to do in the city even without companions. Drop off your bags at an Athens bag storage shop and see the city solo.

• Greek cuisine is famous throughout the world. You won't struggle to find good food in Athens, but to really understand the best the city has to offer, take a food tour. As well as trying plenty of delicious foods, you'll get to hang out with other travelers.
• Learn more about the history of Athens at the Acropolis Museum. This state-of-the-art Museum explains the complex history of the buildings of the Acropolis and houses many of the best art and sculpture from the iconic site. You could easily spend hours in this institution.
• Seeing a play was a popular entertainment in ancient Athens, and it remains so today. Often, plays take place in the same theaters the ancient Greeks used. Indulging in this cultural tradition is a great way to spend an evening by yourself in Athens.
  

The best souvenirs in Athens

In a tourist city like Athens, you won't struggle to find souvenirs. Shops around Monastiraki will happily sell you a keychain or a vase decorated in ancient Greek style. But if you're after something a little more authentic, consider a demitasse cup set. This is how the Greeks take their coffee, and these tiny cups can be found all over the city. One good place to shop is Ignatios Romios Touristika Eidi. You could also pick up a komboloi, a set of beads that you will often see Greek men toying with. This classic Greek item can be found at Kombologadiko Exclusive. Olive oil also makes a great gift from Greece, and you can even pick up olive oil soap and shower gel from Notos Gallery.