With some reason, you are solo-traveler and a can-do woman, or an alien from Western culture, here are some Essential tips for your first Athens traveling. As I am fed up with reading and SEO-website, I re-create this series of fast-track travel tips to some cities I have visitted.
Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war – the patron of Athenians.
1. Must of the must-visit places
Athens is the most famous for ancient history – archaeological sites/museums from 3000 BC. Among them is Patheon (dated mid-5th century BCE) – the iconic dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos.
2. Is it worth visiting other archaeological sites? What about museums?
Most tourist order archaeological site combo ticket (30 €) for 6 sites. Except Acropolis & The Agora, you can see 4/6 archaeological sites from outside. Because they are not too big, and I think you need to prepare knowledge enough before entering or your accumulation is a bit plain.
I am impressed with the Acropolis Museum (10 €)– another iconic architecture of Athens so far.
Instead, you can buy combo tickets to museums (15 €)at the entry. The National Archaeological Museums and Byzantine and Christian Museum are my favourites, they are super informative and rich of ancient Greek antiquities (6th millennium to 1050 BC dated). Museums in Athen closes on Tuesday normally.
Buying tickets online saves your time queuing up for a fast admission. Unfortunately I cannot find any other better site online and cheaper than Getyourguide. Or you can buy at any archaeological site for 30 €
3. How many days in Athens is enough?
However, mainly visitors just stay in Athens for a couple of days before spending a day out city, or to an island or even travelling to a third country. Favourite day trips include:
- Delphi (182 km) & or Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon (62 km) with guided tours for time-saving & better history understanding ofc
- Saronic islands from Aegean Sea such as Aegina (2-3 hours of ferry) – tourist normally travels themselves by ferry
4. What are city central points in the capital?
- Monastiráki is the central market heading to Acropolis that is the hub of tourist, restaurants & bar; flea market, public transportation. It’s near to Syntagma Square.
- Whereas Syntagma Square is the national square, in front of Parliament & high shopping street and National Garden.
5. What is the weather like in Athens?
End of April, May sounds a good time as it’s cool, not too hot, not too cold. Temperature ranges 10°C -20°C (Met office)
Summer is from late May till September with temperature ranging 15°C – 33°C. It’s cool at the beginning of the day and late night while hot in the noon
6. What to wear?
It is better to wear layers, some most essentials:
- Linen, summer colorful short sexy dress pleasee my ladies
- cardigan, jumper/sweater (Winter a cashmere please)
- light jackets
- sunglasses/hats
7. Where to stay?
If you are solo traveler, some popular central places such as Bedbox hostle or Bedway hostel or Central hostel for solo traveler. I tested staying first 2 hostel and relatively happy with services – no bad comment. There’s a new one looks really cool, worth trying at least one night to view Patheon named Mosaikon Glostel
However, if you travel in 2, hotel is the better choice. I am more than happy to spend more on cozy more private room with amenities. As I haven’t experienced I cannot tell you which one I prefer.
8. How about public transport?
Choose a 3-Day Tourist Ticket that can be purchased by ticket machine, ticket kiosks anywhere. (€20) is valid for unlimited travel (including tram, bus, metro & 1 round trip to/from Athens International Airport).
You not really need public transport in city centre as all most-visited tourism attraction is around one mile square. However it saves you a bit time and effort in summer as it’s pretty hot out there. Or when you are tired after a long day walking, bus or metro helps.
9. Do I need cash there? What about sim card/ mobile data?
This question is mainly not for European as bank card can be used Europewide. But it’s better to back up 20-30 €/£/$ for emergencies or tips.
For other Asian countries like Vietnam, please exchange cash for better transaction. After every essential bookings (accommodation, transportation..), you need at least 30-50 €/day.
Buy a sim if your sim card is ineligible for data roaming. 10 € for 5-10 GB, Vodafone, Three, O2 is enough for a week use. Please remember to bring travel plug in Europe.
10. Where to eat?
Restaurants and souvenir shops all surround Acropolis, near Monastiráki or Syntagma Square. Eating out in Athens is very affordable around 10 €/meal. Come there and search, take it easy.
My fun facts:
- As said, Acropolis is the MUST VISIT, ICONIC tourism attraction, you have to visit EARLY at 8AM or LATE afternoon 3PM to get rid of a big flow of visitors and have beautiful pictures.
- ONLY seek ASIANS’ help to take photos for you 🙂
- From Acropolis you can see the The Odeon of Herodes Atticus which is closed now for restoration. (It costs 10 € for admit).
- Across city, there are a few tiny churches around 10 sqm dated back 12th centuries proving how small Athens was.
- Personally speaking, thanks to metro building (late 19th century), archaeologists have excavated a lot of sites across city, from National Bank to City Hall and even under metro stations, on the streets.
- Athens is the biggest city in Athens with 4M population. Greece’s population is 10M (Europa) . The city urban surrounds Acropolis with high density of population.
Hope you have a safe and enjoyful trip.
UK 05.2023
Hai Phong