Travel guide · Greece

Athens

view of brown ruin during daytime — Photo : Spencer Davis / Unsplash

Why visit Athens?

Athens layers more than two thousand years of history into a city that is very much alive: the columns of the Parthenon rise above streets where people linger at outdoor tables well into the evening. Between ancient sites, flower-lined lanes and neighbourhood tavernas, the Greek capital is also the gateway to the Aegean islands.

Not to miss

people walking near brown concrete building during daytime — Photo : Josh Stewart / Unsplash

Acropolis and Parthenon

Crowning a rocky hill in the heart of the city, the Acropolis holds the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Propylaea, with wide views over Athens.

a woman standing in front of a bunch of statues — Photo : George Platakis / Unsplash

Acropolis Museum

Set at the foot of the hill, this modern museum displays sculptures and artefacts found on the Acropolis, including the famous Caryatids.

a white building with a red shuttered window — Photo : Liza Zhukovska / Unsplash

Plaka and Anafiotika

Plaka is a maze of lanes, Byzantine churches and tavernas, while Anafiotika, tucked just above it, feels like a Cycladic village of whitewashed houses.

white concrete columns — Photo : Sylvain Hauser / Unsplash

Ancient Agora and Monastiraki

The Ancient Agora, home to the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus, sits right next to Monastiraki Square and its lively flea market.

a group of birds sitting on top of a lush green field — Photo : George Girnas / Unsplash

National Archaeological Museum

This major museum traces ancient Greece through bronze statues, pottery and the gold treasures of Mycenae, including the so-called Mask of Agamemnon.

city buildings near black and brown mountain peak — Photo : Klāvs Taimiņš / Unsplash

Mount Lycabettus

Reached on foot or by funicular from Kolonaki, Lycabettus looks out over the city, the Acropolis and the Saronic Gulf.

When to go?

Spring and autumn bring mild, bright days that are pleasant for walking between ancient sites. Summer is very hot and almost rainless, so sightseeing is best done early in the morning, leaving the long evenings to enjoy. Winter days stay mild, but this is the wettest season and nights can turn chilly.

The warmest month is Jun (around 43 °C by day), the coolest Jan (-2 °C at night); the driest is Aug and the wettest Dec.

Month	Day / night	Rain	Flights from Brussels	Flights from Quebec City
Jan	20° / -2°	66 mm	US$179	US$838
Feb	21° / -2°	58 mm	US$187	—
Mar	26° / 1°	53 mm	US$185	—
Apr	29° / 4°	30 mm	US$189	US$876
May	35° / 9°	21 mm	US$189	US$900
Jun	43° / 14°	20 mm	US$175	—
Jul	42° / 19°	11 mm	US$189	—
Aug	41° / 19°	8 mm	US$169	—
Sep	38° / 14°	29 mm	—	—
Oct	31° / 8°	49 mm	—	—
Nov	27° / 4°	69 mm	US$217	US$802
Dec	21° / 1°	86 mm	US$185	US$813

Climate: 1991-2020 normals (NASA POWER), daytime highs and night-time lows. Prices: the lowest round-trip fares Voly saw in recent months for a departure that month; they change all the time.

Practical tips

The metro runs from the airport to the city centre and reaches most sights; from there, the historic core is easy to explore on foot. Plaka, Koukaki and Monastiraki are handy bases with the Acropolis just a short walk away. Try souvlaki, spanakopita, moussaka and loukoumades, and wander through the Central Market on Athinas Street.

At a glance

Country : Greece
Currency : euro (EUR)
Languages : Greek
Time zone : Europe/Athens (UTC+2) — difference with Montreal: +7 h, with Paris: +1 h (varies with daylight saving)

Entry requirements (passport, visa) depend on your nationality and change: check them with your government before booking.