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Enchanting and intriguing, steeped in history yet oh-so-current, Athens makes for a fascinating city break, whether as a standalone weekend away or as the start point of a Grecian adventure.
Although this city is dominated by the mighty Acropolis that serves as a near-constant reminder of Athens’ enviable history, Athens is very much in the here and now. While its maze-like streets may have existed for aeons, the bars and cafes that are today’s residents rival the cool factor of any other world-class city.
Delving into Athens’s blockbuster archaeology is a must. You’d be mad to miss the gems of the Acropolis, with the soaring Parthenon keeping a watchful eye over the city while the Acropolis Museum holds the surviving treasures from the archaic period to Roman times.
You could easily spend a week here taking in all there is to see at a slower pace, but two or three days is a good amount of time if you're visiting Athens on a short break or before heading off for a touch of Greek island life.
Speak to our Greece experts today about planning the perfect trip to Athens and beyond.
Athens Hotels
Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Athens
Holidays in Athens
- Athens
- 5 Star
A smattering of low-slung villas and bungalows with rustic-chic interiors, the Grecotel’s design is a nod to the Sounio landscape.
Price based on:
- 3 nights from £961 p/p
- 2 adults
- Bed and Breakfast
- Return flights from London Heathrow
- Transfers included
- Travel on Sunday 19th April 2026
- Athens
- 4 Star
An all-white aesthetic acts as a canvas for the modern artwork and graffiti by local artists.
Price based on:
- 3 nights from £616 p/p
- 2 adults
- Bed and Breakfast
- Return flights from London Gatwick
- Transfers included
- Travel on Monday 9th November 2026
- Athens
- 5 Star
A stylish stay with an Acropolis-facing rooftop in the heart of ancient Athens.
Price based on:
- 3 nights from £565 p/p
- 2 adults
- Bed and Breakfast
- Return flights from London Heathrow
- Transfers included
- Travel on Friday 30th January 2026
- Athens
- 4.5 Star
Jaw-dropping panoramas and top-notch facilities make for a memorable stay in the city.
Price based on:
- 3 nights from £627 p/p
- 2 adults
- Bed and Breakfast
- Return flights from London Heathrow
- Transfers included
- Travel on Friday 30th January 2026
- Athens
- 5 Star
This fully-revived hotel boasts a central location, fabulous facilities and sweeping 360-degree views of the city.
Price based on:
- 3 nights from £580 p/p
- 2 adults
- Bed and Breakfast
- Return flights from London Heathrow
- Transfers included
- Travel on Friday 30th January 2026
- Athens
- 4 Star
Beautiful beachfront hideaway with sparkly sea views and an impressive line-up of facilities.
Price based on:
- 3 nights from £579 p/p
- 2 adults
- Bed and Breakfast
- Return flights from London Gatwick
- Transfers included
- Travel on Tuesday 21st April 2026
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Discover Athens and the Acropolis
Get a great taste of Athens in just a few hours – perfect for first time visitors or repeat travellers who want to get to know the city a bit better. This half-day tour takes you around the city's biggest highlights before heading up to the world-famous Acropolis.
Start of the morning with a panoramic drive through the heart of Athens as you pass highlights like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Greek Parliament, Constitution Square and the historic Panathenaic Stadium. You’ll also see landmarks such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the elegant Athens Trilogy along the way. Next you'll head up to the Acropolis for a guided visit of its star attractions, including the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion. After exploring this incredible UNESCO‑listed site, enjoy a short stroll through the charming old town, with the option to add skip‑the‑line entry to the Acropolis Museum (extra cost) or tuck into a delicious souvlaki lunch in Monastiraki (extra cost).
• Duration: Half day
• Departs: Mondays and Thursdays
• Operates year-round
• Group experience
Athens Gastro Tour
Start your morning with a delicious gastronomic walking tour through Athens, where you’ll taste authentic Greek flavours while soaking up wonderful views of the Acropolis and discovering some of the city’s most interesting modern and historic spots.
With a local guide leading you through charming backstreets and lively markets, you’ll sip Greek coffee in an old‑town café, try ouzo paired with classic meze in the buzzing Central Food Market, pop into a traditional bakery in Psiri, and wander through the colourful old market filled with herbs and spices. The experience finishes in Monastiraki with a warm, freshly grilled souvlaki. Throughout the tour, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of Athenians from the 1960s, discovering long‑standing cafés, shops, and eateries that have been serving the same beloved flavours for decades.
• Duration: Half day
• Departs: Tuesdays and Saturdays
• Operates year-round
• Group experience
Get to know Athens and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.
GMT+2
Euro
3¾ hours
Christianity (majority Greek Orthodox)
Greek
Where is Athens?
Greece's historic heart and capital is on an inlet of the Aegean Sea and the southern part of the Greek mainland.
The Acropolis
Visible from almost everywhere in Athens, the Acropolis — gloriously crowned by the Parthenon – may be faded, but it's not hard to imagine the sheer splendour of what once was. The modern museum dedicated to its stories is further down the southern slope, and the treasure trove of exhibits begin with incredible Athenian ruins beneath a glass floor.
Traces of the past
The intrigue of the Athens’ history goes beyond the Parthenon. Visit the Odeon of Herodes Atticus — an enormous amphitheatre that’s found new life staging concerts and performances and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, where 15 of 104 original Corinthian columns stand stubbornly stoic.
Plaka
The hillside Athens neighbourhood of Plaka has a village-like feel, with Greek tavernas and Byzantine churches lining cobblestone streets.
Monastiraki, Thissio & Psirri
Anchored by a central square, the popular neighbourhood of Monastriaki gives way to Psirri to its north, where regeneration has made this a sought-after spot. Then there are the residential vibes of Thissio, from where you can get one of the best views of the Parthenon and take an invigorating hike up the hillside for sweeping city panoramas.
Filopappou Hill & Koukaki
Southeast of the city, Koukaki vies to be Athens’ most desirable neighbourhood with its indie spirit and café culture. It leads to Filopappou Hill, a popular spot with budding photographs who love a stroll at dusk to get atmospheric shots of the Acropolis and the Saronic Gulf.
Cape Sounio
Ten miles south of the city, Cape Sounio has beautiful beaches and glittering bays with sensational views of the Temple of Poseidon and a pretty National Park to explore.
Getting around
Public transport is extensive and reliable, although you might choose to walk through some neighbourhoods and take the opportunity to get to know them better. Transfers are included between the airport and your hotel, keeping things simple.
Athens Weather
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