Experience Athens
The Greek capital has been a cultural hotspot in the past and has developed into a modern one in the past years again. Thus, there is so much to discover in this vibrant city and it is worth a trip for all different kinds of travelers! Of course, there are a lot of ancient buildings and historical sites like the Acropolis, the Partheon or the famous Temple of Olympian Zeus to be discovered and admired. But did you know that the new generation brought modern culture into the city, making it one of the hotspots for arts, theatre, music and gastronomy in Europe?
Enjoy a stroll through the city and admire the relicts of Ancient Greece, and after you can visit a pop-up store or enjoy a delicious meal on a terrace accompanied by street music. This is Athens for you! Make sure you plan a few days in Athens to really get to know the city and don’t miss out on the beaches that can be easily reached with public transport, where you can relax in the sun and refresh yourself in the crystal-clear waters.
Language and Currency in Athens
The currency used in Athens and Greece, in general, is the Euro. This is great if you come from anywhere else in the EU because you don’t have to worry about exchanging money. ATMs can be found everywhere around the island, and you can also easily exchange foreign money at the airport or in different locations in the city.
The official language in Athens is Greek. Locals speak very good English though, so no problem getting around only with English! Especially in the tourist areas you will find that English is even the predominant language, which makes the communication very easy.
Getting around in Athens
There are many ways you can get around in Athens. The easiest way to get around the hotspots in Athens is the Metro. There are 3 main Metro lines in Athens, the green, red and blue one. They connect the main parts of the city with each other and you can even get to the airport with the blue one. If you use the Metro, make sure to stop at Syntagma station once to admire the museum that was built inside the station.
If you are looking to visit the tourist attractions and historical sites Athens has to offer, you can use the suburban railway. This is also rather easy to use and the fares differ from the distance you wish to travel. You can also use buses to get around in Athens, however, this can be a lot more tricky than the Metro and you should already know your way around the city a little bit.
To visit the coastal area around Athens, you can use the Tram which goes along the coast. It is quite cheap and you can really explore the coast of Athens in one of the 3 lines. Just jump on the tram in the city centre and enjoy the ride along the seaside!
Best things to do during your holidays in Athens
Athens is famous worldwide for its historic remainants of the ancient Greek high culture. If you’re on holidays in Athens, visiting the most important ones is definitely a Must-Do! The Acropolis of Athens is one of the best things to do in Athens. It was built in the fifth century BC and is located on a hilltop overlooking Athens. If you visit the Acropolis, you will feel the powerful connection to the ancient history and culture that surrounds these ancient ruins.
If you are visiting the Acropolis of Athens, you can also tick off two more Must-Dos during your stay in Athens: The Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum! The Parthenon is a temple located on the Acropolis, and was once dedicated to the goddess Athena. The Parthenon remains relatively intact and is a symbol for the high culture of Ancient Greece. Admire the beautiful sculptures in this temple, that have survived since the fifth century and still impress people from all over the world.
Another one of the best things to do in Athens is a visit to the Acropolis Museum. The Museum is not located very far from the Acropolis, and for the price of 5€, you can really dive into the history of the Acropolis and Athens. Find out more about how the life of Ancient Greece was and be surprised about how advanced they were.
If you stroll along the city center of Athens, another thing to do is to visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It can be admired right in the city centre, so you can combine it with your shopping trip. The temple was built between the 6th and 2nd century BC, and like any other of the historic attractions in Athens it is an impressive artefact that reflects the rich culture of Ancient Greece.
The best watersports in Athens
There are many beautiful beach destinations not far away from Athens.
Nea Makri is one of them, located just around 45 minutes by car away from Athens. In Nea Makri you have some great options to explore the warm and calm waters of the
Aegean Sea.
If you would like to
try scuba diving for the first time, you can do so from Nea Makri. For those of you who want to take it a step further and do their PADI Open water course at the same time, it is also possible with this
diving course. Of course, there is also the option to just do some
snorkeling in Athens, to be able to enjoy the underwater world without having to deal with all the heavy diving equipment. Snorkeling is especially great for families with kids or group of friends looking for a refreshing and fun activity.
Adrenaline-junkies can join the
cliff jumping from Nea Makri! This includes a boat tour as well as snorkeling equipment. But the highlight of this fun watersport in Athens will be the cliff jumping right into the blue sea!
The best boat tours in Athens
Did you know that there are
many islands located just off the coast of Athens? The best way to explore the coastline and the surrounding islands is a cruise in Athens. We’ll help you find the best boat tours in Athens! One of the great boat tours in Athens you can choose from is this
10-hour tour on a sailing boat through the
Saronic Gulf. During this tour, you will be able to get to know the
islands Agistri, Moni and Aegina island. This full-day cruise also includes a delicious lunch on board and you can use the snorkel equipment and water noodles to relax in the warm salt water!
Another great boat tour in Athens is this 12-hour
cruise. On this boat tour, you will visit the islands
Hydra, Poros and Aegina. The great thing about this tour is that you can even go on land on all three islands to really explore them. Lunch is also included onboard, and at the end of the day, there will even be a traditional
Greek folk show for you!
These are some of the best boat tours in Athens we have for you. But did you know that in 2020, you can even join one of the famous
sailing weeks in Greece from Athens? On the Sailing Week, you will spend a full week out at sea, exploring different Greek islands and party with new friends! Just send us an e-mail if you would like to know more about the sailing week.
What and where to eat in Athens
Greece is known in the rest of the world mainly for Gyros! But did you know that Greek cuisine is a lot more versatile and has many different tastes to offer? Some of the best things to eat in Athens are for example a fresh Greek salad with Feta cheese, or a delicious Moussaka, which is like an eggplant lasagne!
Vegetarians can enjoy a lot of delicious meals without meat, like for example the Briam, a selection of Mediterranean vegetables with herbs and fresh tomato sauce. For delicious Briam, you can go to the Acropolis Museum and enjoy a fantastic view together with your meal. Cheese lovers shouldn’t miss out on the Saganaki, an appetizer of fried cheese with a soft spot in the middle! Sounds delicious, right? For typical Greek food in Athens, you can visit Vlassis Restaurant and choose one of the many yummy dishes.
If you like seafood and also enjoy some luxury, you should head over to Hotel Grande Bretagne and try the delicious fish soup. While gorging on the rich tastes of the Aegean Sea you can also enjoy the fantastic panoramic view over Athens.
Enjoy the beautiful beaches around Athens
About 18km away from the city centre you will reach the Athens riviera, a stretch of sandy beaches. One of the most popular beaches in Athens is Edem Beach. You can get here by public transport within 20 minutes from downtown Athens. Relax in the sun and refresh yourself in the crystal-clear waters, and enjoy a delicious drink at the waterfront.
Legrena is a beautiful and remote beach that can be reached within 90 minutes from Athens. It sounds like a long ride, but it is definitely worth the trip! The water around the stunning bay of Legrena is turquoise and invites you to relax for hours without many people around. Given the remote location, it even gives you an island-like feeling on the Greek mainland. A great escape from the busy city life for a day.
Yabanaki beach is one of the hot spots for all hip travelers looking for a unique beach experience. To visit Yabanaki beach, you pay an entrance fee of 5€ but it’s worth it if you would like an organized beach with beds, fancy bars and good service! You also have bathrooms at the beach and the sand is very clean, so you can be assured to have a great and safe experience.
Talking about paying to enter a beach - the famous Astir beach, popular destinations among celebrities and rich people from all over the world, takes an entrance fee of 20€-75€, depending on the season. Safe to say it is one of the most luxurious beaches in Athens! But if you don’t mind paying this amount, you will be rewarded with emerald blue water and comfortable sunbeds where you can really and fully relax!
Whatever you decide to do during your holiday in Athens, we promise you will love the boat tours and watersports. Sunshine and a lot of fun are guaranteed! For any further tips or requests, feel free to contact us anytime.