Athens

Greece·Europe

Currency

EUR

Language

Greek

Timezone

Athens

Continent

Europe

Our guide

Discover Athens

Athens is looked at from below and understood from above. The Acropolis dominates everything, and the Parthenon crowning it — finished in 432 BC — stays visible from almost anywhere in the centre. Coming down, the Areopagus, the Panathenaic Stadium and even the site of Plato's Academy are reminders that this is not an open-air museum but a working capital built on ruins.

When to go

April to May, September to October. July and August regularly pass 35 °C and the Acropolis, which has no shade, becomes hard going — if you come in summer, climb it at opening. Winter is mild and the sites are empty.

Getting around

The metro is modern, clean and cheap, and several stations are archaeological sites in their own right: what the excavation turned up is displayed on the platforms. The historic centre, from Monastiraki to Plaka, is walked end to end.

Where to eat

Karamanlidika is a deli and a table at once, built around Greek cured meats and cheeses. To Kafeneio, in Plaka, serves traditional bistro cooking. More broadly, the neighbourhood taverna remains the best value in Europe for eating properly.

Good to know

The combined ticket covering the Acropolis and six other ancient sites costs considerably less than paying separately. Seven halal addresses are listed, which is few — plan ahead if that matters to you. Bring water and a hat: the Acropolis rock offers no shade at all.

Smart Planning