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Looking for Flights to Athens?
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Looking for Accommodation in Athens?
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Flights to Athens: Where history and modernity meet
With its multitude of idyllic islands, exciting cities and ancient monuments, it's unsurprising that a Greek vacation is an all-round favorite for US visitors. And Athens, the country's capital, is often seen as the gateway to it all - and it's the perfect destination for an extended city break.
Firstly, Athens is famous for its ancient marvels, like its Acropolis that looks over the city, but there's so much more to discover here. Spend time in the city to discover its excellent food scene, buzzing nightlife, and wealth of day trip opportunities.
Check out our guide for the best Athens vacation deals and for everything you need to know about booking flights to Athens and visiting the capital city during your Greek vacation.
Tips and advice for Athens vacations
Ready to hop on a plane to Athens? Before you book, it's a great idea to familiarize yourself with practical information about the city, especially that all-important question: when is the best time to visit Athens?
Find the answer to this - and more - below.
Athens at a glance
Flight duration (from Los Angeles): 14 hours 35 minutes
Main airport: Athens International Airport
Population: 3.6 million
Language: Greek
Currency: Euro
Socket type: Type F (adapter required)
Time zone: Eastern European Time; 7 hours ahead of the EST
When is the best time to visit Athens?
Athens has a Mediterranean climate, which makes it a strong contender as a destination you can visit at any time of year. However, some seasons are more comfortable than others. Here is a seasonal breakdown of Athen's weather conditions.
🌸 Spring: With milder but warm temperatures and little rainfall, spring is one of the most popular times to visit Athens. Keep in mind that Orthodox Easter is hugely popular, so prices for hotels in Athens and flights to Athens Greece will skyrocket.
☀️ Summer: The hottest months, where temperatures can reach 104°F and above. Even though these are the months when tourists flock to Greece, the temperatures can make sightseeing a little bit uncomfortable!
🍁 Autumn: This is another top season to visit, as prices will be cheaper and the temperature will be mild but pleasant. The ideal conditions for outdoor sightseeing!
❄️ Winter: Yes, winter in Athens can mean a little more rainfall, plus some rare snow, too. However, there are also highs of 60°F, making an Athens winter city break completely feasible - and affordable.
Getting to Athens
Most US visitors opt to fly to Athens (although Greece happens to be a very popular cruise destination), with a long flight time of 14 hours and 35 minutes from Los Angeles.
If you’re looking for Athens flights, American Airlines and Delta offer direct flights to Athens, as do some low-cost carriers. There are extra seasonal flights offered during the summer months. If you’re already in Europe or the United Kingdom, you can book direct flights to Athens from nearby cities, such as London or Berlin. You'll be able to catch indirect flights to Athens from most other US airports with stopovers in various destinations.
Getting around Athens
Public transport in Athens is reliable, inexpensive and extensive. You can buy multi-day passes that offer unlimited use of all public transport options.
The Athens Metro is one of the most popular options, running from 5 AM to midnight (with extended hours on Friday and Saturday nights for nightlife enthusiasts).
In addition, there are buses, trolleybuses, suburban trains and trams. A single ticket costs as little as $1.25, and this is valid for up to 90 minutes.
Where to stay in Athens
As the capital city, Athens is a large destination. It may be tricky to know which area is best as the base for your Greek vacation. And there are a lot of options, too, with each neighborhood having its own vibe and sets of pros and cons for staying there. Ultimately, where you decide to stay has much to do with what you're planning to do during your Athens vacation.
Here are some of our top recommendations for the best areas to stay in Athens.
Plaka
Nestled at the base of the Acropolis, Plaka is considered the very best area to stay if you're a first-time visitor to Athens. This is especially the case if sightseeing is your biggest priority, with many of the city's most important historical and cultural attractions within walking distance. It's also a good base for exploring more of Athens since many central neighborhoods are so close by.
It's not just high-end hotels in Athens that you'll find in Plaka. If you book far enough in advance, you can find a wide array of accommodations, even a budget-friendly hotel in Athens. Once there, you'll find pedestrianized streets, loads of cafes and restaurants, as well as plenty of shops.
Monastiraki
Another top contender for a first-timer's Athens Greek vacation, Monastiraki is central while throwing in the additional benefit of being able to shop until you drop. Most famous for its flea markets, there's also the long, pedestrianized Ermou, which is considered to be the main shopping street of the city.
There are plenty of hotels in Athens here. If you want to splash out, opt for an Athens hotel that has a rooftop view of the famous Acropolis. Monastiraki is also a top family vacation spot, thanks to its central location and general safety. After all, Athens' most famous attractions are only a few steps away.
Psyri
Located next to Monastiraki but home to a slightly different vibe, Psyri is a good neighborhood for soaking up a more authentic Athenian experience - especially when it comes to nightlife and eating out! It's still central enough to enjoy the sights by day but ensures that you'll also have plenty to do once the sun goes down.
Many of the older buildings here have been transformed into modern bars, hotels and galleries, but Psyri still manages to have a younger feel thanks to its wealth of colorful street art and murals.
Syntagma
Considered to be one of the most important squares in Athens - where it's even considered to be a landmark in itself - Syntagma Square is surrounded by a number of important monuments. In addition, it forms a hub for the city's public transport options, ideal for anyone who plans to explore Athens widely.
Located right next to Athens National Garden, a major green lung of the city, and Plaka, you're still centrally located. You can find some of the city's most luxurious hotels here, but you'll also find more affordable options in the area.
Kolonaki
For something a little bit different, base yourself in Kolonaki, a wealthy neighborhood set on the slopes of Mt Lycabettus, the tallest of Athens' hills. It's right next to Syntagma, which means that you'll have access to all the public transport options you could possibly need - as well as the funicular that takes you up Mt Lycabettus.
This neighborhood is where you'll find luxury brands for some upmarket shopping, as well as trendy cafes and restaurants, museums and galleries. If you've visited Athens before and are looking for a more luxurious experience, base yourself in opulent Kolonaki.
Piraeus
If your goal is to use the ferries for some island hopping, then a trip to Piraeus is a solid option. Known as the main port of Athens, this is where you'll catch ferries and boats to other islands and coastal locations. However, there's more to this Greek neighborhood than its busy ferry port. There are also cafes, restaurants and a handful of museums.
Plus, if you do want to squeeze in some Athens sightseeing, the city center is about 30 minutes away by Metro, but that shouldn't be the main priority for those basing themselves in Piraeus.
The best things to do in Athens
Climb to the top of the Acropolis.
Enjoy the views from the Temple of Poseidon.
Watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Get some fresh air in the Athens National Garden.
Go shopping at the Monastiraki flea market.
Explore the Plaka neighborhood on foot.
Catch a performance on the top of Mt Lycabettus.
Marvel at the ancient finds at the National Archaeological Museum.
Hit the beach at the Athens Riviera.
Do some island hopping by catching a ferry in Piraeus.
Book a food tour of Athens.
Experience the nightlife in Psyri.
Feel small among the columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Be impressed by the exhibits at the modern Acropolis Museum.
Step back in time at the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea.
Athens vacation FAQs
Q: How many days should I spend in Athens?
A: There's so much to see in Athens that we'd recommend 3-4 days as a minimum. However, if you'd like to include a few day trips and tours, we'd recommend staying for a week or even longer.
Q: Is Athens safe?
A: Yes, Athens is generally considered to be a safe city. However, petty crime can happen anywhere, so it's important to be vigilant in crowded areas. Some spots, like Omonia Square, should be avoided at night due to higher crime rates.
Q: Do you need a visa to visit Greece?
A: No. Americans can visit Greece for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Always stay up to date with the latest entry requirements.
Q: What kind of temperatures should I expect in Athens?
A: Athens has a Mediterranean climate, which means that the city has hot, dry summers and mild winters. In summer, temperatures can reach 95°F and beyond, while, in winter, you can expect temperatures to rarely drop below 40°F.
Q: Are there any day trips that I can take from Athens?
A: Yes, some of the most popular day trips include the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi, the Corinth Canal and the islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina
Q: Do I need to take any health precautions before visiting Athens?
A: Beyond staying up to date with routine vaccinations, no. However, if you have any particular concerns, it's best to take this up with your doctor before departing your flight to Athens.
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