Athens is where most Greek holidays begin — a night or two before the ferry, a quick visit to the Acropolis, then on to the islands. That is a mistake. Athens in 2026 is one of the most exciting cities in Europe: a place where 3,000 years of history sits alongside a food scene of extraordinary quality, neighbourhoods of genuine creative energy and a warmth and openness that makes it one of the most welcoming capitals on the continent.

Give it more than a night. It will reward you.

The City

Athens is large — a sprawling metropolitan area of nearly four million people — but its historic heart is compact and walkable. The Acropolis dominates everything, visible from almost every neighbourhood. Around its base, the ancient city unfolds: the Agora, the Kerameikos, the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The neighbourhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki and Psyrri cluster at its foot. Further out, Kolonaki is the elegant, upmarket district; Exarcheia is bohemian and creative; Koukaki and Metaxourgeio are the new frontiers of Athenian cool.

Sights and Attractions

The Acropolis is one of the great monuments of human civilisation — the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Propylaea together constitute an architectural achievement that has never been surpassed. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and crowds. The Acropolis Museum at its foot is outstanding — one of the finest archaeological museums in the world. The National Archaeological Museum in Exarcheia is the greatest collection of ancient Greek art in existence. The Ancient Agora — the civic heart of classical Athens — is less visited than the Acropolis and deeply atmospheric.

Neighbourhoods

Plaka is the oldest neighbourhood — charming, touristy and worth an evening stroll. Monastiraki has the flea market, the street food and the best views of the Acropolis from ground level. Psyrri is where Athenians eat and drink — a tangle of small restaurants, bars and live music venues. Kolonaki has the best boutiques and the most elegant cafés. Koukaki, south of the Acropolis, is the neighbourhood we recommend for staying — quieter, more residential and full of excellent small restaurants.

Food and Drink

Athens has undergone a culinary revolution in the past decade. Diporto in the central market is a legendary, no-menu lunch institution. Seychelles in Metaxourgeio is one of the most creative restaurants in Greece. Tzitzikas kai Mermigas in Syntagma is excellent for modern Greek cooking. The central market (Varvakios Agora) is unmissable for its atmosphere and its produce. For coffee — which Athenians take seriously — the cafés of Kolonaki and Koukaki are outstanding.

Practical Tips

Athens is best explored on foot. The metro is clean, cheap and connects the airport to the centre in 40 minutes. The hop-on hop-off bus is useful for a first overview. Avoid driving in the city centre. The best time to visit is April–June and September–October — warm, uncrowded and at its most beautiful.

How to Get There

Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) has direct flights from most UK and European cities. It is also the main hub for onward ferries to the Greek islands from Piraeus, 30 minutes from the city centre.

Best For

Athens suits first-time visitors to Greece who want to understand the country's history before heading to the islands, city-break travellers who want culture, food and energy, history lovers at any level, and anyone who has dismissed Athens as a transit stop and is ready to give it the time it deserves.

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Thinking about Athens? Talk to us — we always recommend at least two nights in the capital as part of any Greek holiday, and we know exactly how to make the most of them.