As the capital of Greece, historically Athens was the heart of an ancient and powerful civilization and empire. Today, Athens travel still tops the bucket list of countries to visit, with its historic landmarks including the iconic Acropolis and Parthenon. Ready to visit? Read on for our guest author’s simple tips and Athens travel guide to plan your visit.
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Athens Travel Guide & Tips
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As the capital of Greece, the colossal city of Athens spreads out more than 1,131 square miles (2,929 square kilometers). Established in 508 BC, Athens is home to more than 664,000 residents. What’s more, it is one of the most popular regions in Greece! Saturated with a rich history, Athens has the absolute largest assortment of Greek artifacts and ancient ruins on the planet.
The city makes for the ideal start or end of a vacation or excursion as you’ll need to fly out of the city if you plan to travel internationally. This Athens travel guide will help you get around the city and get the best experience!
How to Get Around Athens
The city has an affordable and dependable public transportation network that covers practically the entirety of the city and its rural areas. The quickest method to get around the city is by metro, with three lines linking with the cable car, suburban railway, and the bus.
Exploring Athens’ chaotic traffic can be overwhelming. Consider bicycle rental is an enjoyable optional way to get around. You can also take a taxi – the base fare in Athens is currently $4 (€3.50).
Book a Tour
If you need to find Greek culture and become familiar with Athens like a local, avoid the regular tours and book an experiential tour offered by a local tour company. City tours are the ideal method to learn the historical background of Athens and experience the way of life of its people.
Another fantastic way to get to know the city of Athens is by booking a storytelling tour with a local. This will give you a memorable experience and you will have many stories to tell when you get back home.
Private tours, such as this Athens full-day tour, offer an insider’s look at the city with just you and your family. Another tour worth looking into is Skip the Line Acropolis of Athens and New Acropolis Museum Tour.
Carry Cash
Even though card payment is accepted in the greater part of the areas you visit in Athens, there are still some places that accept just cash. For those preferring to explore and experience Athens like a local, small markets, stands, vintage markets, and supermarkets oftentimes will not accept credit cards. that’s why carrying some cash will make your life easier in Athens. (Do keep your cash close to you to avoid pickpockets and stay safe when traveling!)
Where to Stay in Athens
Always the question of where to stay in Athens? That really depends on you and your family’s preferences and how important it is to stay close to tourist attractions.
Hotel beds can cost about €24 ($27) every night for a room with four-six beds. A dormitory with eight beds or more costs from €18 ($20) every night. A standard twin private room with en-suite bathroom costs about €60 ($65) every night for one person. A standard double room with an en-suite bathroom is about €68 ($75) for two occupants.
Budget-friendly hotels nightly rates for a budget two-star lodging with a private ensuite bathroom start at about €91 ($100). And of course, you’ll pay more for luxury hotels and hotels located closer to tourist destinations.
Find Airbnbs in most places in Athens, with shared accommodation starting at €27 ($30) every night. For a private room, you can expect to pay from €55 ($50) every night, while a full apartment costs about €92 ($102) every night.
Legal Assistance in Athens
Many things can go wrong while you are having an amazing vacation in Greece and purchasing travel insurance can alleviate some of those concerns.
However, one common issue that tourists face is a lack of understanding of Greek laws and regulations. Many visitors break the law and end up ruining their holiday. There are also many cases of accidents, failure to obey traffic laws, and others. If you find yourself in a tight situation requiring legal assistance, Oikonomakislaw.com is the best law firm in Athens to help solve your legal issues.