Athens

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Greece, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

Greece is a tourist destination beloved worldwide, and summer is the most crowded season of all, especially in July and August. Spring is, perhaps, the best season to travel to Greece, as the main cities such as Athens are not so crowded and the prices are a little lower. June and September are the best months to visit Athens when the beaches around the capital are full of entertainment. If you love hiking, don't miss Athens in autumn.

In Athens, the metro stations are kept spotlessly clean. At the Syntagma and Acropolis stations you will find a large collection of antiquities on display. There is a tram from the centre, Syntagma, running along the coast to Glyfada, 50 minutes, and Voula, 60 minutes. Buses, trolley buses and the metro run until around midnight. The tram runs between 5:30am and 1am, and until 2:30am on Friday and Saturday. Airport buses all run 24/7. The airport bus tickets are not valid for other public transport services, but only for a single journey. Ferries out to the island leave from the harbour in Piraeus or from Rafina.

There are lots of taxis, but it is normal to share one with other tourists, so don't be surprised if the driver picks up additional passengers along the road who are going in the same direction. The drivers have taximetres and fixed prices. Uber and another app called Freenow also work in Athens.

Country code: +30 Area code: 210

– Is it safe to go to Athens? Athens is visited by millions of people every year and is considered to be a safe destination, even for solo female travellers. Most visits are trouble-free, but be weary of pickpockets on the metro and close to crowded tourist sights. – Is Athens expensive for tourists? As most most other European capitals, Athens is certainly not cheap, but it is not very expensive either. How much you should budget strongly depends on your preferences and needs. One way to save money is by buying combo tickets to museums and planning ahead. – Is Athens walkable? The historical centre of Athens is very walkable. A pedestrian grand promenade snakes around the Acropolis and links key archaeological sites. The city also offers affordable public transportation. – Best Areas to Stay in Athens? The best neighbourhoods in Athens are Plaka, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Syntagma, Kolonaki, and Psyrri. They are very walkable, offer great hotels and short-term rentals, plenty of restaurants, cafes and nightlife.