Cheap flights to Athens
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Quick summary
Country
Greece
Continent
Europe
Airport
ATH
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+2
Deals already spotted to Athens
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Athens airport
Eleftherios Venizelos, about 33 km from the center
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos
Athens' only international airport lies about 33 km from the center. Metro Line 3 runs to Syntagma in roughly 40 minutes, the X95 express bus takes about an hour around the clock, and a taxi needs 35 to 40 minutes at a flat fare that rises at night. Piraeus, the ferry port, sits 12 km south-west of the center.
A 3,400-year-old capital
One of the oldest cities in the world, still a living capital
Athens has recorded history stretching back more than 3,400 years, and people have lived here since the Neolithic era. It is named after Athena and is known as the birthplace of democracy. What sets it apart is the way ancient wonders and a busy modern capital share the same walk: you can stand beneath the Parthenon in the morning and be eating souvlaki in a lively square by lunchtime.
Ringed by mountains and sea
The city sits in a basin encircled by Mount Aigaleo, Parnitha, Pentelicus and Hymettus. Parnitha, at 1,413 m, is the tallest of them. Athens was chosen as the capital of modern Greece in the 1830s, hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and welcomed the Summer Olympics again in 2004.
The Acropolis
Visiting the Acropolis: the rock that made Athens
The Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Theatre of Dionysus
The Parthenon was built between 447 and 432 BC and crowns the rock alongside the Erechtheion with its Caryatids, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysus. In summer the site is open from 8 am to 8 pm, and until 5 pm in winter. Book a timed slot online and arrive at opening time to enjoy an hour or two before the tour groups. Allow two to three hours for the visit. Entry is free on a handful of days each year, including 6 March, 18 April, 18 May and 28 October.
Free views and other ancient sites
Philopappos Hill, 147 m high and free to climb, gives the best view of the Acropolis. The Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium, where the 1896 Games took place, are both within easy reach. Mount Lycabettus, at 277 m, is reached by funicular for a panorama over the whole basin.
Museums
The best museums in Athens
Acropolis Museum
Opened in 2009, it has a Parthenon Gallery aligned with the real monument, five of the six original Caryatids and a glass floor above an excavated ancient neighborhood. The restaurant looks straight onto the rock.
National Archaeological Museum
Home to the golden Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera Mechanism and the Akrotiri frescoes from Santorini.
More to explore
The Benaki Museum in Kolonaki, the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Byzantine and Christian Museum round out a trail through several thousand years of history.
Neighborhoods
Where to wander: Plaka, Monastiraki, Psyrri and beyond
| Neighborhood | Character |
|---|---|
| Plaka | The oldest quarter, with the whitewashed Anafiotika alleys below the Acropolis |
| Monastiraki | A market and a lively square |
| Psyrri | Nightlife, bars and late dinners |
| Kolonaki | Chic, at the foot of Lycabettus, with galleries and boutiques |
| Thissio and Gazi | Terraces facing the Acropolis and a nightlife district |
| Koukaki | Local and residential, south of the Acropolis |
| Exarcheia | Alternative and artistic |
Shopping, luxury and food
From Ermou Street to Voukourestiou: shopping and eating in Athens
Shopping and luxury
Ermou is the city's largest shopping street, running from Syntagma to Monastiraki. Voukourestiou Street in Kolonaki has been the luxury address since the early 1950s, and Attica Department Store stands a few minutes from Syntagma. Along the coast, Glyfada offers upscale shopping, while the Four Seasons Astir Palace sits on its own estate in Vouliagmeni, with private beaches. The Hotel Grande Bretagne, open since 1874, has views of the Acropolis.
Street food and markets
Souvlaki is best eaten on Mitropoleos Street at Thanasis or Bairaktaris. Krinos has served loukoumades, honey doughnuts, since 1923, and the Varvakios Central Market on Athinas Street is worth a stroll.
Day trips
Day trips from Athens: Cape Sounion, Delphi and Aegina
Cape Sounion
The Temple of Poseidon, built between 444 and 440 BC, still has 15 of its 34 columns standing, and Lord Byron carved his name on one in 1810. It lies about 70 km south-east, 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 by car or about two hours by KTEL bus, and sunset is the favorite time to visit.
Delphi
About 160 km and two hours by car, Delphi is the classic excursion into the mountains, with the Charioteer bronze in its museum. The village of Arachova is 10 km away.
Aegina
From Piraeus, the island is 40 minutes by hydrofoil or 1 h 15 by ferry. It is known for the Temple of Aphaia, PDO pistachios and its sunsets, and it was the first capital of modern Greece in 1828.
When to go
When to visit Athens?
Spring
April to June is the best time for the Acropolis, with pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds than in summer.
Summer
Highs reach about 34 degrees C in July and August, and heatwaves go well above that. Visit sites at opening time and keep museums for the afternoon.
Autumn
September and October bring warm seas, lower temperatures and quieter ruins.
Winter
Lows are around 7 degrees C in January. It is the calm season for museums and ruins.
In pictures
Athens in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Athens
What is the best time to visit Athens?
April to June and September to October. In midsummer the heat makes visiting the Acropolis hard going.
How do I get from Athens airport to the center?
Eleftherios Venizelos is about 33 km from the center. Metro Line 3 reaches Syntagma in about 40 minutes, the X95 bus in about an hour, and a taxi in 35 to 40 minutes.
How many days do you need in Athens?
Three days at minimum for the essentials, five to seven if you want to add day trips to Sounion, Delphi or Aegina.
Do I need to book the Acropolis in advance?
In high season, yes: book a timed slot online and arrive at opening time. Plan two to three hours for the visit.
How much does a flight to Athens usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the period and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Athens drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Athens as your destination and your maximum budget. You're notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected.
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