First-timers to Athens should stay in one of the walkable, central neighborhoods with easy access to the Acropolis, Agoras, and museums. Monastiraki, Plaka, Syntagma, Psirri, Makriyanni, and the City Center are just about perfect.
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Athens is a walkable city and its historic center is easy to navigate, while public transport is affordable.
Athens is generally a safe place to be at night, but it is always advisable to take precautionary measures. The center of Athens and the neighborhoods around it are known for their vibrant nightlife since many people can be seen on the streets even after midnight.
The best way to get around Athens is on foot and by metro; most of the city's major attractions are located within walking distance or a short metro ride of one another. In fact, renting a car is little more than a nuisance, as traffic is heavy and parking is hard to find.
The long history and rich culture of Athens have made this city an interesting destination in Greece, particularly for its fine archaeological sites. In brief, it is recommended to stay at least 3 full days in order to visit the most impressive and significant sights, taste the traditional cuisine and shop leisurely.
Metro Line 3 connects the airport to the city centre (Syntagma Square). The journey time is approximately 40 minutes. Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm. One way tickets cost €9 (€4.50 for children, teenagers, over 65), return tickets cost €16.
Although Athens is not an expensive city, the prices are similar to other European nations. It's good to have some tips & tricks to save some cash. Buy Tourist Cards: Tourist Cards are usually cheap and come in handy for visiting different monuments & museums in the city.
Peak season is summer, when Athens is packed with tourists, and hotel prices can be high. July and August are the hottest. The best time to visit is late spring (May) and fall (Sept–Oct). It's pleasant, with comfortable weather, no rain, and smaller crowds (except during holiday weekends).
If you have less than 24 hours here, the Acropolis should be your priority. But you can easily spend up to five days getting to know the city, with options for day trips including important sites like Delphi and the nearby wine region in Attica.
If you enjoy exploring cities, and if you're interested in historical sites, I think you will love Athens, and a full week is a good length of time to get into it properly.
That said, the Acropolis tops most lists of things to do in Athens for good reason. It's not just a world-renowned monument and eternal symbol of the city, but its most recognisable feature, the Parthenon (dedicated to the goddess Athena), gave the city its name.
Though modern Athens extends from the sea to the mountains, the city's core, where most of the ancient sites cluster around the Acropolis, is compact and very walkable. Visitors without mobility issues on short visits may find they can get around the sights entirely on foot.