Athens, Greece

Athens Greece

Athens gets its name from the goddess of wisdom Athena, who is honoured by the magnificent Acropolis, which towers over the modern, cosmopolitan city that Athens is today. Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world and it is the birthplace of western philosophy, democracy and theatre. To this day, the Greek capital remains a major global centre of culture, with its historic centre, iconic classical sites and museums brimming with artefacts from ancient Greece. The Acropolis, topped by the emblematic Parthenon, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cars have been banned from the historic centre, which has become the most striking pedestrian promenade in Europe. In this archaeological park, visitors will see the contrasting nature of this ancient metropolis, with the opportunity to visit the New Acropolis Museum, a high-tech modern structure with light and airy exhibition spaces, as well as the National Archaeological Museum, the largest archaeological museum in Greece, built in the 19th century and dedicated to ancient Greek art. The Acropolis and Mount Lycavittos, the city’s highest points, are used as landmarks as they can be seen from most places in the Plaka, the old historical neighbourhood. The Plaka is under the Acropolis and stretches almost to Syntagma, home of the Greek Parliament. For a taste of the hedonistic Athenian lifestyle, one should visit Monastiraki, where locals go to eat, drink and socialise. The night belongs to Psirri, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its bars, live music venues and lively nightclubs. Southeast of the city centre, a glorious stretch of coast offers dreamy views over the shimmering blue Aegean Sea. Surely few European capitals can boast sandy beaches and clean water for swimming within such easy reach. Athens therefore offers the best of both worlds – a fantastic city break as well as a lazy beach holiday. Athenians are surprisingly friendly and outgoing and their enthusiasm for life’s pleasurable pursuits is so infectious that even the most reserved traveller will take time out for endless coffees and evening strolls, dine out until late and enjoy the city’s nightlife, long after the rest of Europe has gone to bed.
Recommended airport
Eleftherios Venizelos Intl (ATH)
Points of interest
  • Panathenaic Stadium
  • Metropolitan Expo
  • Temple of Hephaestus
Nearby destinations
  • Saronic Islands a 28.38 km
  • Pefki a 11.01 km
  • Piraeus a 8.20 km

Our ideas

See all ideas

Turkish Tour Start in Athens (2026)

18 Destinations 12 Nights
Holidays package
Image - Turkish Tour Start in Athens (2026)
From
US$4,484
US$2,242 Per person
See
Destinations: Athens, Rhodes Island, Marmaris, Dalyan, Antalya, Belek, Side, Konya, Nigde, Cappadocia, Aksaray, Konya, Isparta, Pamukkale, Selcuk, Kusadasi, Izmir, Bursa, Istanbul

Viajando por la costa de Croacia a Grecia (2026)

16 Destinations 13 Nights
Holidays package
Image - Viajando por la costa de Croacia a Grecia (2026)
From
US$6,378
US$3,189 Per person
See
Destinations: Dubrovnik, Ston, Split, Brac Island, Bol, Hvar Island, Jelsa, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Budva (Svetti Stefan), Tirana, Struga, Ohrid, Bitola, Delphi, Athens

Amazing Turkey Start in Athens (2026)

14 Destinations 10 Nights
Holidays package
Image - Amazing Turkey Start in Athens (2026)
From
US$3,772
US$1,886 Per person
See
Destinations: Athens, Rhodes Island, Marmaris, Dalyan, Antalya, Belek, Side, Konya, Nigde, Cappadocia, Safranbolu, Zonguldak, Eregli, Istanbul

Suspiros del Egeo (2026)

10 Destinations 15 Nights
Holidays package
Image - Suspiros del Egeo (2026)
From
US$8,256
US$4,128 Per person
See
Destinations: Istanbul, Selcuk, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Rhodes Island, Heraklion, Santorini Island, Mykonos, Athens

Rome, Puglia, Meteoras and Greek Islands (2026)

13 Destinations 15 Nights
Holidays package
Image - Rome, Puglia, Meteoras and Greek Islands (2026)
From
US$8,154
US$4,077 Per person
See
Destinations: Rome, Rocca San Giovanni, Termoli, Bari, Brindisi, Igoumenitsa, Metsovo, Delphi, Antikyra, Athens, Rhodes Island, Heraklion, Santorini Island, Athens

Rome, Puglia and Meteoras (2026)

10 Destinations 8 Nights
Holidays package
Image - Rome, Puglia and Meteoras (2026)
From
US$3,444
US$1,722 Per person
See
Destinations: Rome, Rocca San Giovanni, Termoli, Bari, Brindisi, Igoumenitsa, Metsovo, Delphi, Antikyra, Athens

Rome, Complete Greece, Heart of Italy and Sorrento (2026)

26 Destinations 15 Nights
Holidays package
Image - Rome, Complete Greece, Heart of Italy and Sorrento (2026)
From
US$6,717
US$3,358 Per person
See
Destinations: Rome, Rocca San Giovanni, Termoli, Bari, Brindisi, Igoumenitsa, Metsovo, Delphi, Antikyra, Athens, Corinth, Poros, Epidauro, Nauplia, Tripoli, Olympia, Patras, Igoumenitsa, Igumenitsa, Brindisi, Alberobello, Matera, Naples, Capri Island, Sorrento, Salerno, Pompeii, Naples, Cassino, Rome

Rome, Complete Greece and Sicily (2026)

35 Destinations 20 Nights
Holidays package
Image - Rome, Complete Greece and Sicily (2026)
From
US$8,783
US$4,391 Per person
See
Destinations: Rome, Rocca San Giovanni, Termoli, Bari, Brindisi, Igoumenitsa, Metsovo, Delphi, Antikyra, Athens, Corinth, Poros, Epidauro, Nauplia, Tripoli, Olympia, Patras, Igoumenitsa, Igumenitsa, Brindisi, Alberobello, Matera, Naples, Capri Island, Sorrento, Salerno, Paula, Messina, Taormina, Sicily, Catania, Sicily, Siracusa, Sicily, Agrigento, Sicily, Marsala, Sicily, Trapani (Province), Palermo, Sicily, Monreale, Naples, Pompeii, Rome