A city with a thousand-year history, the capital of Greece – Athens – is still a great tourist destination and will always be. Everyone has dreamed at least once of climbing the Parthenon, of visiting its rich archaeological museums, but also of wandering through its colorful streets in the evening, among excellent restaurants and “sirtaki” to dance on the spot. But even to experience a beautiful holiday in Athens you need to follow some practical advice. Athens is not just a destination, it is also a starting point for a thousand other beautiful places in Greece.
Best period to visit Athens
The best period in the year for a trip to Athens is spring, and precisely the months of April and May. In this period, in fact, the climate is perfect for enjoying a large and very populated city such as the capital of Greece … temperatures never exceed 25°C. These months are not rainy and – most important thing! – museums and restaurants are not too crowded with thousand tourists!
Travel documents
Greece is also a member of the Schengen Agreement Area. The nations belonging to this agreement allow their own citizens to travel free from one country to the other, as if they were traveling their own homeland. In this case, ID paper is enough. But if you belong to non-Schengen nations, though, you shall show your passport as soon as you arrive at the local airport.
What to pack for your trip to Athens
When you pack your bags for your Athens trip, you shall make a wide choice of light, short-sleeved and cotton clothes. Also bring some jackets and never forget hats and caps. As for shoes, a pair of sports shoes and a pair of elegant ones will be enough … do not forget that Athens is an important capital full of events, including theater. Swimsuits are highly recommended too! Do not forget photo-camera, chargers, sunscreen, sunglasses.
How to get to Athens
The best ways to get to Athens are: by airplane, by ship. All airline companies of the world land at Athens International Airport (ATH) which is very well connected to the city and the regions alla round. The airport also offers domestic flights that will allow you to reach the many small islands of Greece.
If you arrive by ship, Athens’ main tourist port is in Patras. Patras is a city set 210 km away from the capital and it takes a 2.20-hour drive to get to Athens from there. Athens does have its own port, but it is mainly used for trading ships or for local ferries. Most part of cruises and international ships arrive in Patras and then you can get to Athens by bus.
A trip to Athens by train is NOT recommended! Trains in Greece are not the fastest and best means of transportation you might use!
How to move through Athens
The most interesting quarters and monuments in Athens can be explored by just … walking! There is a lot to see and admire, and you better do it at slow pace. But the capital’s urban area is very large, so you will need means to move from one point to another.
You can use local metro trains, city buses, city taxis and the lovely tramways. Athens also has many tourist buses and you certainly should try a ride by Trolley Bus. If you need your independence and freedom, hire a private company (such as Transfeero) and enjoy your chauffeur or your private shuttle. There are rent-a-cars everywhere in Athens, but driving in this chaotic city is not a good idea, especially if you are a foreigner!
What to see
Athens is the cradle of European and Western civilization. Here were born those laws, those ideas and those mythical stories that have shaped our being Europeans over the course of four millennia. Exploring Athens means rediscovering our deepest roots.
Who wouldn’t want to climb Mount Olympus at least once? Or sit under the columns of the Parthenon imagining of conquering the world? By wandering through the city center, you can admire the Acropolis Museum, the National Museum, the Byzantine-Christian Museum, Syntagma Square, Plaka, the Monastiraki district, the Temple of Hephaestus. Then you can move to the coast to enjoy the sun on beaches as old as the world (Glyfada, Alimos, Ellinikò, Nea Falirou …) or go to Nikaia, Piraeus, explore the nearby island of Salamina, the ancient city of Megara, the National Forest of Tatoi. In just over two hours of travel you can also visit Mycenae and Sparta.
What to do and NOT to do in Athens
You will certainly walk, and take photos and have fun in Athens. What you must do is taste the delicious local food and wine, which you can do in so many popular and Michelin-starred restaurants. You must admire Athens’ sunsets… possibly from the Acropolys … and visit the museums.
What you better DO NOT DO in the Greek capital city is:
- wear jewels and leave precious object unattended while you walk in very tourist places or sit in restaurants;
- stop and look at demonstrations and protests that are the order of the day in the city – often with violent actions;
- underestimate the speed and crazy driving style of the locals;
- drink too much wine (Greek wine can stun you right away!);
- touch old stones;
And pay attention!! Never ever say “hi” by showing your open hand: this, in Greece, is a very bad gesture and people can get badly offended!