AthensCapital
Greece · Country profile
Athens is the ancient cradle of Western civilisation stretching beneath the Acropolis, whose Parthenon still crowns the city from its floodlit hilltop. The Plaka’s maze of lanes, the National Archaeological Museum and the ancient Agora put three thousand years of history at your feet, while the vibrant neighbourhoods of Exarchia and Koukaki brim with modern cafés, street art and life. It’s also the springboard to the islands — Athens fly-cruise connections will ferry you off to Greek holiday bliss within hours. Sunny, archaeological and wonderfully hospitable, Athens is both a deep history lesson and a lively modern capital.
About Athens
Athens is the capital of Greece. The city's documented population is around 643,452 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Greek is spoken; the dialling code is +30. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Athens International Airport.
The Acropolis, the Plaka and Three Thousand Years Underfoot
Athens is the ancient cradle of Western civilisation, its classical ruins woven into a liveable modern capital. The Acropolis crowns the view, and the archaeological sites, museums and the old Plaka quarter sit within easy walking reach of the modern centre. It is surprisingly vibrant and informal, with lively neighbourhoods of cafés and street art beyond the ruins. The city is also the classic springboard into the Greek islands — the port of Piraeus and the airport point visitors onwards within hours. It is a place where three thousand years of history and a contemporary, laid-back Greek life coexist on the same streets.
Go at Opening to Beat the Heat and the Queues
The Acropolis and the major archaeological sites are busiest in the summer months and early in the morning — go at opening time and consider a combined ticket for the main sites. The summer heat is intense and the crowds can be thick, so the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are the most comfortable. The city is walkable at its core, with a metro connecting the airport, the centre and the port. English is widely spoken and the locals are famously welcoming. The flea and open-air markets are a highlight, and a little cash helps at smaller vendors.
The Metro, the Lanes and the Ferries to the Islands
The metro is modern, fast and the easiest way to reach the city from the airport and to move between the archaeological core and the islands' ferry port. The historic centre — the Plaka, Monastiraki and the ancient Agora — is a compact, walkable maze best explored slowly. For island travel, the port of Piraeus and the airport offer frequent connections, so your onward journey is well-served. The neighbourhoods of Exarchia and Koukaki are lively and full of modern cafés and street art, a counterpoint to the ancient sites. Tipping is modest. Summer nights are late and lively, and the ruins are magical after dark.
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- Country
- Greece
- Population
- 643,452
- Coordinates
- 37.9364, 23.9445
- Capital
- Athens
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Greek
- Calling code
- +30
- Country code
- GR
Entry requirements for Greece
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Greece for tourism.
Getting to Athens
Airports we list for Athens:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Greece
Other cities we cover in Greece:
Frequently asked questions
Is Athens the capital of Greece?
Yes — Athens is the capital of Greece.
What currency do I need in Athens?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Greece include Greek.
What is the dialling code for Greece?
The international dialling code for Greece is +30.
Which airport should I fly into for Athens?
Athens International Airport (ATH) is the airport we list for Athens.
How far is Athens from the nearest airport?
Athens is about 299 km from Thessaloniki Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Greece?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Greece visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Athens? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.