Athens
Athens is the capital of Greece, home to the Parthenon on the Acropolis and more than 3,400 years of recorded history. Visitors come for the ancient sites, the old streets of Plaka and Monastiraki, and ferries to the Aegean islands from Piraeus.
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Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece, on the southern mainland of Europe, and the capital of the Attica region. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with recorded history of more than 3,400 years. The Parthenon stands on the Acropolis, the best-known ancient site in the city. Athens also has the medieval Daphni Monastery, the second of its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The main tourist district is the old center: Plaka, Thiseio and Monastiraki. Dionysiou Areopagitou is a pedestrian route under the Acropolis's southern slopes, from the Temple of Olympian Zeus to Thiseio, with views of the Parthenon and the Agora. The National Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum are two of the main museums. Winters are mild, and most rain falls from October to April. July and August are the driest months, but summer heat is intense and often tops 38 °C during heatwaves. Ferries from Piraeus reach many Aegean islands.
Athens in five
- Book an Acropolis time slotEntry is by timed slot, and summer mornings sell out. Buy on the official ticket site, not from resellers.
- Go at opening in summerThe rock has little shade. In heatwaves the site can close in the middle of the day, so go first thing.
- Take metro line 3 from the airportThe metro reaches Syntagma in about 40 minutes. The X95 bus is cheaper but slower in traffic.
- Check your ferry portIsland ferries leave from Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio. Check your ticket, since the ports are far apart.
- Pair the Acropolis with the museum and AgoraThe Acropolis Museum sits at the foot of the rock and the Ancient Agora lies north of it. Start at opening on the hill, then spend the hot hours indoors and finish in the Agora.
Things to do in Athens
See all attractions in Athens
Need to know
- Airport
- Athens (ATH), about 40 min to Syntagma by metro line 3
- Getting there
- Ferries to Piraeus from the islands; train from Thessaloniki about 4.5 hours
- Getting around
- Metro, trams, buses and walking in the center
- Best base
- Plaka or Koukaki for the sights, Pangrati for food and value
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Mild, rainJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Spring, mildMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, EasterAprilClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, Easter
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, idealMayClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, ideal
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot, busyJuneClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low24°Very hot, heatwavesJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, heatwaves
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Very hot, quieterAugustClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, quieter
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Hot, calmerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, calmer
- OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Warm, clearOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Mild, rainNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Athens, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jun Athens Epidaurus Festival · Jul Athens Epidaurus Festival · Aug Athens Epidaurus Festival
Right now in Athens
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 60%
Saronic Gulf Islands
10:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°13°60%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Tue21°15°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed21°11°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu17°10°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri15°8°3%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat15°7°5%Saturday: Fog. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun16°6°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 07:46 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–AugAthens Epidaurus FestivalAthens
Day trips by train
- Cape Sounionabout 1.5 hours by busThe Temple of Poseidon on a headland; go for sunset.
- Delphiabout 2.5–3 hours by busThe sanctuary of Apollo on a mountainside; a long day or a night.Read the guide
- Aeginaabout 40–75 minutes by ferry from PiraeusAn island with pistachio orchards and the Temple of Aphaia.Read the guide
- Nafplioabout 2 hours by busA Venetian port town, near Mycenae and Epidaurus.Read the guide
Before you go to Athens
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Rules for Athens, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU visitors may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check current EES guidance before you travel.
- Buy a ticket before you board Athens metro, tram and buses, and validate it at the gate or when you board. Check current fares and rules at oasa.gr.Source
- Check opening days and ticket rules for the Acropolis and other archaeological sites on the Greek Ministry of Culture site (culture.gr).Source
Plan around Athens
Islands, ferries, entry rules and money
Read the guideDelphiThe sanctuary of Apollo, a long day or a night
Read the guideNafplioA Venetian port near Mycenae and Epidaurus
Read the guideAeginaThe nearest island, by ferry from Piraeus
Read the guideBest time to visit GreeceWhich months suit islands and cities
Read the guideFerries, buses and trainsGetting around Greece by sea and land
Read the guideAthens FAQ
Do I need to book the Acropolis in advance?
Yes in the busy months. Entry is by timed slot, and early slots sell out. Buy on the official site of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
How do I get from Athens Airport to the city center?
Metro line 3 runs to Syntagma in about 40 minutes. The X95 bus goes to Syntagma too, and taxis charge a fixed fare to the center.
How many days do I need in Athens?
Two days covers the Acropolis, its museum, the Agora and a neighborhood or two. Add a day for Sounion or Delphi.
Is Athens too hot in summer?
July and August often pass 35 °C. Visit sites at opening, rest at midday, and go out in the evening.
What is the best month to visit Athens?
April to early June and late September to October are warm and clear, with much easier mornings on the Acropolis than in July and August.