Athens
Travel destination popular things to do or visit in Athens include standing in the shadow of marble stones, counting the stray cats (they will not mind), or simply sitting at a table where Plato maybe spilled a drink. The best hotel in Athens might not have a view of the Acropolis, but you can always pretend you do by squinting at a white wall. Locals enjoy coffee that requires patience, and you may find yourself playing chess with a stranger who claims to be a philosopher. Bring shoes for climbing, not for fashion. The metro is a puzzle and the answer is almost never "get off at Syntagma" unless you enjoy crowds.
Local weather in Greece
SPRING
mild & temperate
SUMMER
warm & sunny
AUTUMN
mild & temperate
WINTER
cool
Accommodations in Athens
Discover the best accommodations for Athens and start planning your holiday.
Experience Athens beyond the postcard
Everyone talks about the Parthenon, but nobody mentions the time a pigeon landed on my head while I tried to snap a photo. The most popular things to do or visit in Athens change with the hour—mornings can be for wandering ancient markets, afternoons for dodging motorbikes on cobbled alleys, and evenings for listening to the sound of plates (sometimes) breaking. If you forget your map, just follow the scent of grilled meat; it works better than GPS, unless you are vegetarian, in which case, follow the sound of laughter.
Seeking the best hotel in Athens is like searching for the perfect olive: some are big, some are small, all have pits. A rooftop with less view but more company might beat a fancier lobby. Inconsistently, some hotels offer breakfast at midnight and call it brunch. When the sun sets, locals gather in places tourists rarely find, where the Wi-Fi signal is weak but the stories run strong. And if you ever see a dog with a blue scarf, that’s probably George, the unofficial mayor of the city, or maybe it was a cat—I forget sometimes.
Other cities around Greece
These popular destinations have a lot to offer for you next holiday or city break.
