What NOT To Do In Athens

Updated: Jun 11

Athens has over 7 million visitors a year. Known for its deep-rooted history, the oldest city in the world has come a long way. It is now an extremely popular city of its own, and not just a place for a layover, before flying to visit one of the Greek islands. Over the years, Athens has really adapted to be a versatile city for everyone, with its archaelogical sites, to its roof top bars, local tavernas with traditional Greek music, and its bustling shops. I have been lucky enough to visit Athens numerous times, with family, friends and even on solo trips. So naturally, I have acquired a bit of knowledge on the do’s and don’t when visiting this beautiful city. These are just a few things to take into consideration when visiting the city.

Don’t leave the Acropolis until the afternoon! The heat is scorching and the queues can be mental! Go early in the morning around opening times for a cooler, less busy experience.

Dont drive when coming to Athens. By all means if you are road tripping out of the city, get a car in the morning and return that same evening. The streets in the city are extremely busy and you will waste so much time in traffic! The smaller roads are not equipped for cars and parking is hard to find. Car theft/damage is also extremely common in Athens, so it’s really not worth the risk if you are driving a rental car. Use public transport.

Don't let the strikes/protests (especially around Syntagma) stop you from visiting. You have to remember that Syntagma is a government building and that real people live in Athens, with real issues that they want to fight for or protest about. If you are visiting and there is a protest, come back later, or better yet… ask about it and even join in! I visited in January and there was a huge demonstration going on to do with the train crash that happened where many many students were killed.

Don’t worry if you don't speak Greek when coming to Athens. Everyone who works in the tourism industry will speak some grade of English. The menus are mostly in Greek and English too. but remember, trying to speak the language is always appreciated by the locals, so give it your best shot!

Don't drink the tap water. You are much better to stick to bottled water. It’s not too bad here but even some of the locals will not drink the tap water. Unless you have a super sensitive stomach you will be completely fine with the ice in your drinks and washed salads etc. My advice is just stick to bottled water especially if you are drinking water in higher volumes.

Don't forget to pack long trousers and a shirt to cover your chest, shoulders and stomach if visiting the churches. Some don't mind as much, but others won’t let you in if you are dressed inappropriately. It really is a matter of respect so as a minimum I always ensure that my shoulders are covered.