24 Essential Tips to Visit Athens in 2026
Calling all history buffs, foodies, and adventure seekers! Are you finally jet-setting to the birthplace of democracy, the land of myths and moussaka, the glorious Athens? Buckle up, my anxious traveler, because you’re in for a treat! But before you get swept away by the Acropolis’ grandeur and the aroma of freshly grilled souvlaki, let’s sprinkle some super-organized magic on your trip.
Imagine ancient ruins whispering secrets from every corner, all waiting to be explored. Picture friendly locals welcoming you with open arms, making you wish you had booked an extra week (don’t worry, I have tips for that, too!).
But hold on, wanderlust warriors! Remember that a well-planned trip is stress-free before you get swept away by the Athenian whirlwind. And that’s where I come in, your friendly, super-organized travel guru!
Follow my essential tips for visiting Athens, and you’ll ditch the travel anxiety monster faster than you can say, “Opa!” So, grab your sunhat and sense of adventure, and get ready to unlock the magic of Athens like a seasoned pro.
Let’s make this Greek getaway unforgettable, shall we? Now, onto the tips!
Hi! I’m Valentina
I help travelers avoid travel anxiety by providing all the necessary info and tips to plan the most organized trip. Be part of my super-anxious travelers to receive my 42-page guide to becoming a super-organized traveler, weekly travel discounts, detailed itineraries, and more. Let’s fight travel anxiety together!
24 Essential Tips to Visit Athens
1. Plan to spend more than one day in Athens:
If you are also visiting Athens in your Greece itinerary (as many travelers do), please remember that the capital of Greece was also the heart of Ancient Greece, a very famous empire. Therefore you should give yourself more time to explore it because there are plenty of things to do in Athens. It is a beautiful city, full of history, charm, and unique places to see.
Many tourists plan only to visit the Acropolis, which stands on a hilltop right in the middle of the city, and trust me, it is worth it, but Athens is not only the Acropolis. Athens has many fascinating museums, ancient ruins, and neighborhoods to lose yourself exploring every little street.
Also, restaurants in Athens offer fantastic, typical food you must try. Check out my article about where to eat locally in Athens (for every budget)!
2. Be aware that Athens and the most famous islands are extremely busy and crowded during the high season (July-August):
I went to Athens, Santorini, Paros, Ios, and Mykonos in the middle of September. They weren’t crazy busy, but still, I could not walk freely and take pictures in the evening on the main street cause there were too many people passing by.
I visited the Acropolis and the Parthenon right at their opening. I was there before it opened, and it was so lovely. There weren’t so many people at the beginning, but it got crowded very soon, so if you fancy some pictures where only you are around, get there when it opens, as I did.
European Travel Alert! If you are from the US and want to travel to Europe starting at the end of 2026, you must complete an ETIAS visa waiver form before your trip and pay the €7 ($7.25) fee. This easy-to-complete form should give you instant approval, but it’s recommended that travelers plan and submit their forms a few weeks before their departure date.
3. The Metro works very well:
Athens metro is very simple, so you cannot get lost. It is very cheap and takes you to the central tourist locations. You will admire old artifacts in some metro stations, like in a museum; not bad for a metro, right?
If you wish to plan your trip to Athens in the best way, don’t miss to read my complete guide on how to plan a trip to Athens.
4. Make sure to book accommodation in a safe area:
Unfortunately, it is not enough for you to book accommodation in a central location in Athens to be safe. Some neighborhoods are unfortunately not so friendly for walking in the evening. I learned it by booking in one of them. I honestly believed all the areas were okay with staying in the city center, but this is far from the truth.
Monastiraki, Plaka, Koukaki, Psirri, Kolonaki, and Syntagma are safer areas. The areas to avoid are Omonia (where I booked my hotel, silly me), Exarcheia, Kolokotroni Square, and Vathi.
5. Taxis are very cheap:
Even in the middle of the night, you will be surprised by how cheap taxis are in Athens (compared to other big capitals). You can find them in the central streets or use the app “Beat” as I did.
It allows you to book the driver you want (you can choose an English speaker) and choose the payment method, which is not bad at all!
Athens Travel Tip: I highly recommend exploring the city on foot and using public transport, which is an excellent way to visit Athens on a budget. But if you plan to stay out late, the taxi could be a fast and safe way to return to your accommodations.
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6. Make sure to learn some essential words:
I know the Greek language might be intimidating for some of us. Still, you have no idea how hospitable Greeks are. Locals will appreciate the effort, so learn some essential words on Duolingo (a great free app to learn new languages I use), like good morning, good evening, thank you, etc.
You might become friends with some locals simply by saying a few Greek words, showing them how much you like their country and culture.
7. Always apply good sunscreen:
Sun can be scorching and damage your skin during the Greek summers, so be smart and buy a mineral sunscreen or an excellent natural and reef-safe aloe vera sunscreen, and please do not forget to apply it more times a day to avoid getting a terrible sunburn (in case you get it, I have a complete guide on the best natural homemade sunburn remedies for you).
It is essential to avoid looking like a lobster and spend the rest of your holiday indoors and in pain. Also, never forget to apply an aloe vera aftersun lotion to give your skin all the nutrients it needs after a day at the beach.
8. Bring your sunscreen from home or buy it at the airport before you leave:
You have no idea how expensive sunscreen can be in Greece, mainly on the most popular islands. Maybe you can find it cheaper in Athens, but why risk it?
A regular sunscreen that you might pay 5/8 euros/pounds at home in Greece can cost you even twice the price, so plan and save money and avoid one of the biggest mistakes to avoid in Greece.
9. If traveling with friends, please share your meal:
And by saying this, I mean there are so many delicious foods in Greece; you cannot just order a starter and a main course for yourself and try only two things a restaurant in Athens offers.
Unless you are traveling alone, share all the food with your travel mates, order different dishes, and share everything.
In this way, you will try most of the options on the menu, still feeling satisfied but not fully ready to explode (or maybe yes. Greek food is so good you won’t be able to stop eating everything), and you will try most of the delicious food Greece has to offer.
Travel Tip: Most phone providers charge extra fees to use your data plan abroad. If you don’t want to end up paying a fortune to use the internet in Greece, buying an eSIM for Greece on Airalo is the fastest and easiest way to have all the data you need while traveling. Check it out here!
10. Eat local:
Greek food in Greece is much different from what you might have eaten in your own country at a Greek restaurant. And don’t make me start talking about the unmissable sweets to try in Greece; they are delicious! My advice is always to research the local cuisine, and when you get to a restaurant, ask your waiter what the local dishes are.
Every region has different delicious local foods, including gyros, Greek salad, and moussaka (which are tasty). Trust me, there is much more to try while exploring Greece.
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11. Avoid Athens tourist traps:
Athens is a very famous capital that attracts tourists during the high season. There are different types of tourist traps and mistakes to avoid in Athens. It can be souvenir shops where they will sell you “made in China” items telling you that “it’s made in Greece,” or they can be restaurants where the prices are high, and the food standard is low (because they know you are not going to go back there anyway).
Unfortunately, some of these “tourist traps” have great reviews on Google or Tripadvisor, but it is just because the people who dined there had no idea how to recognize real Greek food.
So, do your research and don’t follow the crowd. When in doubt, ask at your accommodation or pop into a shop and ask the people working there where they eat with their friends.
Locals always know the best spots. Check out my article “Where to eat local food in Athens” to plan where to have all your meals.
Travel Safety Tip: As soon as you book your next adventure, buy good travel insurance in case you need to “unfortunately” delay, extend, or cancel your trip. I usually find good deals on VISITORSCOVERAGE for up to 1 month of trip length and SAFETYWING for longer trips. They are insurance companies that cover everything related to your travel.
12. Buy local products as souvenirs:
I think the best way to bring your holiday back home with you and give it to your family and friends (if you used to bring back some souvenirs for them) is by buying local products.
There are many things to do in Athens, including shopping. In Athens, you can find delicious infused olive oils, olives of every kind and color, dry herbs, infused honey (I bought delicious Thyme honey on Ios island, for example), almond cookies, and much more.
But there is not only food to buy; for example, I also bought many handmade soaps with olive oil, lava sand, or propolis (perfect for my oily skin face), aloe vera body creams, and many face creams (some of them with donkey milk) perfect to have a little bit of Greece even when you will be back home.
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13. Take your time while eating at a restaurant:
While in Athens, take your time to enjoy your holiday, do not rush running up and down, eat fast, and pretend that your waiter will give you the bill even before you have finished your meal.
Enjoy an excellent cold espresso and maybe a glass of Ouzo or one of the other typical drinks after your meal (in some restaurants, they will give you a complimentary drink with your bill, so please leave a tip). Greece is a place to relax, so enjoy every little detail of your holiday.
14. People are allowed to smoke inside restaurants and bars:
In Greece, most people smoke, and local owners let them do it inside their bars and restaurants. So if you cannot eat where people are smoking at the table next to you (I honestly hate it too), I highly recommend you choose a location with a garden or a terrace.
Also, check if the people at the table next to you are smoking or have an ashtray at their table. In that case, you can still ask to be seated somewhere else (if they hopefully still have a free table).
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15. Be aware of pickpockets and thieves:
Unfortunately, they are everywhere, wherever there are tourists. So please be careful: do not leave your bag open, don’t keep your wallet inside your back pocket (choose the front one instead), and get a good handbag or backpack with a deep internal pocket to keep it safe.
I highly recommend buying a stylish crossbody purse or anti-theft backpack when traveling in a big city.
Travel Tip: If you arrive in Athens too early for your check-in or your departure time is too many hours after your check-out, and you need a place to store your luggage, check out Radical Storage in Athens, a website that shows you all the safe places to keep your bags while still exploring Athens.
16. Leave a tip at the restaurant:
If you eat and like the food and the service, please leave at least a 10% tip. It is essential to show appreciation (it is also part of their salary because hospitality salaries are relatively low). Even if many travel bloggers say you don’t have to leave a tip in Europe, please don’t be rude.
Hospitality jobs are not easy, and the best way to make them feel appreciated is by leaving them a tip. Most of the restaurants on the Greek islands and some in Athens work mainly during the summer season, and they also work very hard thanks to the affluence of tourists, so let them know you appreciate their work and service by leaving a tip.
You might also get a complimentary glass of Ouzo as a thank you, so why not?
17. Gyros can be incredibly cheap:
If you are on a budget or not, you will be surprised at how cheap Gyros can be. And they are also delicious. I ate them a lot while traveling around Greece. They are fast to get, and you can eat them everywhere to save time while traveling.
You will find different kinds of Gyros, with varying types of meat, and vegetarians, with delicious falafel inside.
18. Always bring cash with you:
Many small bars, tavernas, and shops still do not accept card payments, so keep that in mind and always have some cash with you. Also, if you are not sure, ask the waiter before ordering if they accept card payments so you can withdraw some money before enjoying your meal.
19. Cash machines are everywhere:
And I mean it, everywhere. They are very well signposted, but if you don’t see one, don’t be shy, enter a shop and ask where you can find one.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak Greek; in tourist places, most locals who work with tourists understand a bit of English (otherwise, always have it with you in your phone Google translator; it can save your life while traveling abroad).
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20. Book your accommodation a lot in advance:
Athens is a top-rated summer destination, so book as soon as possible to get the best deal for the best accommodation that suits all your needs. Athens accommodation can get fully booked very soon, so keep that in mind.
21. Check also some Hostels, even if you are looking for a hotel:
Are you traveling with some friends and want to save money? Why not look for a room to share with them in Athens? Hostels also have small rooms for four people, so if you are planning to travel with three friends, why not get a room for all of you to stay together and save money?
Of course, looking for suitable accommodation in Athens and saving money at the same time will take some time, but I think it is worth it because you will have more money to spend during your stay.
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22. Bring with you an international driver’s license:
If you plan to visit only Athens, you will not need to rent a car; you can walk around and use public transport and taxis. But if you are planning to also move outside the significant capital, don’t forget to check if your rental car company requires you to bring an international driving license.
Otherwise, you might not be able to rent a car without an international driver’s license, so check how to do it in your own country (it is just a translation of your driver’s license, which is usually valid for one year).
If you are from Europe, you won’t have any problems but plan if you come from a country outside the EU.
I always check out Rentalcars and EconomyBookings to look for a rental car in Greece.
23. Strikes happen everywhere, so be prepared to plan more time than you need to leave the country:
It can be a train or a ferry strike, so imagine you have to leave Athens by ferry to get to Mikonos. If there is a ferry strike, you will be in trouble. So plan to have plenty of time; plan one or two days extra, if you can, to make sure you have enough time to explore and enjoy your holiday.
To check out Ferry prices and routes, check out Ferryhopper, Greece’s most famous ferry website.
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24. Parties start quite late:
Check when your party starts because people usually arrive after midnight, not earlier. After all, you are on holiday, so you can plan to spend all night out having fun. Just make sure to plan enough days so you won’t miss anything.
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My final thought
And there you have it, my super-organized travelers! This is your essential cheat sheet for conquering Athens and making it the vacation of your dreams. Remember, organization is our secret weapon! By following these tips, you’ll ditch the travel anxiety monster and unlock the magic of Athens like a seasoned pro.
Explore ancient ruins without feeling lost, indulge in delicious food without blowing your budget, and navigate the city like a local (minus the wrong turns and awkward tourist moments). So, what are you waiting for? Grab your sunhat and sense of adventure, and implement these tips.
Remember, every Athenian adventure starts with good planning, and I’ve got you covered. So remember to check out my Guide to Athens Page, where you will find all my articles. With them, planning the best vacation to Athens will be easy, like ordering a Gyros!
With my tools in your travel belt, you’re guaranteed to create memories that’ll have you saying, “Opa!” long after you return home. Now, go forth and conquer Athens, my fellow travel lovers! The Acropolis awaits, and the souvlaki smells divine. Bon voyage!
Your super-organized travel blogger
Xoxo Valentina
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