8 Things You Need to Know Before Coming to Athens

Updated: Jun 11

Athens is home to over 640,000 people with over 7 million tourists arriving each year. The capital of Greece is symbolic for its historic sites dating all the way back to 3400 years ago! Despite being one of the world’s oldest cities, Athens is also a hit amongst young people too, thanks to its thriving social scene, top universities, and many job opportunities. Athens has become a place to visit of its own, and not just a stop over when international visitors come to explore the Greek islands. I have been to Athens many times before, with family, with friends, and even on solo trips, and I love it. I love the culture, the history, the museums, the bars, the shops, the food, everything! But the more I visit, the more I realise things I perhaps didn’t know before, and this is what I am going to share with you in this blog.

Pick pocketing is a common thing in Athens. Nothing to worry about as long as you wear a cross body bag, keep an eye on your belongings and surroundings.

If you are staying anywhere between Syntagma and Monistiraki, you will find that the city is so walkable. Unless you are thinking of leaving the city for a day trip, you will not need a metro ticket. Skip the fashion shoes and stick to comfortable, proper walking shoes. The city is extremely walkable but the cobbles can be quite slippery, so be careful. Additionally don't waste your money on a taxi from the airport, the metro is one simple train approx 40 mins on the blue line straight to Syntagma, and costs 9euros.

Take some cash. Just because you are in a big city, don't assume you can Apple Pay your way through life (I do it all the time!). Obviously having a card like monzo is great because you don't get charged for using it internationally, so you can tap it as many times as you like, BUT there are also instances where you might want to have some cash. For example you may need cash to tip, especially if the service has been great. This is not a requirement, however it is a nice gesture. Also, you may wish to watch the buskers in Monistiraki and maybe leave them a tip too. Similarly, churches will generally prefer cash. If, like us you want to go into a church and light a candle, then you will be expected to leave a small donation. This is a great way to enable you to explore the local churches whilst giving back to the local community. Most places do have card machines now, but the smaller churches will always prefer cash.

Try the local cuisine. Try to avoid the chains such as McDonalds, Hard Rock, Starbucks etc and try the local meze, frappe coffees etc. Additionally, try not to get drawn into the chain stores down on Ermou street and shop at local boutiques, in the farmers market or perhaps in the flea market off of Monistiraki Square.

The toilet situation. Like most of Greece, they ask that you do not put tissue into the toilets. There will be bins in every toilet, use these and then just flush the toilet as normal. The pipes in Greece are extremely tight and can be blocked easily. Don’t be that person to ignore it and block the pipes!

Avoid Athens around the 15th August. This is Greece’s biggest national holiday. All the locals have fled to the Greek islands to celebrate and therefore most of the best bars and restaurants will be shut. If it’s that real, authentic local Greek experience you are looking for, then this is not an ideal time to come. If you are happy with Starbucks and McDonalds, then yes, still come, but do not moan if things are not open.

Be careful when crossing the roads. The zebra crossings are not like in the uk. The drivers do not slam on their breaks the second a pedestrian starts crossing. They are known to skip the red lights, drive around the pedestrians (sometimes a little too close) and motorbikes can be down for riding on the pavement to beat the traffic. Don't fear for your safety though, remember you are visiting Athens. This, albeit may be strange to you, but it is totally normal in Athens. Yes accidents happen, but most of the time, they know what they are doing. Just cross on designated crossing spaces, ideally with other people crossing too, and wait for your signal to turn before you walk.

Leave room in suitcase for souvenirs because when you get to Plaka you will want to spend all your hard earn money on Greek themed souvenirs!!!!!