Holidays to Athens
At 5,000 years old and still going strong, Athens is a truly iconic city break destination. Here you can explore ancient monuments, lounge on sun-soaked beaches, kick back with a coffee and party the night away!
Temple-tastic
The Greek capital isn’t short on world-famous ancient sites, but if you only have time to visit one on your Athens holiday, make it the Acropolis. This rocky hill has been home to folks since the Stone Age – talk about prime real estate! At the top is the Parthenon, a marble temple dedicated to Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom. Go early or late in the day to enjoy a bit of extra elbow room.
For even better views, visit the Acropolis Museum at the base of the hill. Its restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows and a spectacular terrace. It’s the perfect spot for a seriously scenic lunch.
Weekend edition
Athens city breaks are awesome. All it takes is a quick flight, and you’ll be surrounded by staggeringly old historic sites and some of the best museums and galleries in the world.
Don’t even bother trying to see it all in one weekend – pick a couple of temples or museums and commit the rest of your time to wandering. Take long coffee breaks at pavement cafes with the locals (the perfect spot for a bit of Greek philosophising) and browse the markets for leather sandals or backgammon sets.
Bay watch
With a bunch of stunning Aegean beaches around 30 minutes from the city, a trip to Athens doesn’t have to mean non-stop urban sightseeing. Keep aside a morning or two to chill under an umbrella and dip your toes in the sea. This is Greece, after all, so it’d be rude not to!
Edem Beach’s golden curve of sand is one of the closest to the city centre, ideal for a quick stint by the sea. Further along the coast, Limanakia is a wild stretch featuring lots of cute little coves as well as a nudist beach popular with LGBTQ+ community. Kavouri is all about those hashtag-no-filter sunsets.
Sneak Peek
Best for... Mini breaks packed with ancient history 🇬🇷
Go... In spring or autumn for fewer crowds and milder weather ☀️
You have to... Leave room for loukoumades – trust us! 🤤
Athens holiday deals
Acropolis Hill
4.4
Excellent
- 13 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Heathrow
Prices from
Athens Cypria Hotel
4.4
Excellent
- 13 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Room only
- From Heathrow
Prices from
Athens Center Square
4.4
Excellent
- 13 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Heathrow
Prices from
Athenaeum Intercontinental
4.6
Excellent
- 13 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Room only
- From Heathrow
Prices from
Details
Currency
Euro
Language
Greek
Time difference
GMT +2
Cost of a beer
€4
3-course meal
€20
Flight time
3 hours
Culture and history: Ancient attractions
Start at the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Dating back to the 6th century BCE, this monument took 638 years to build and was once the biggest temple in Greece! Along pedestrianised Dionysiou Areopagitou, you’ll pass the 6th-century BCE Theatre of Dionysus and the Roman-era Odeon of Herodes Atticus – just a couple of entertainment OGs, no biggie. Make time to watch the changing of the guard outside parliament. It’s been a daily ritual since 1868, as reliable as Athenians’ morning coffee habit. And check out what’s on at the brand new (unusual for Athens!) Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre.
Food and drink: Greek treats
After Greek coffee (obvs) and a cheese pie for brekkie, head out of the city centre for a seafood lunch along the Athens Riviera. Or just grab some grub on the go at a souvlaki stand. For dessert, you’ve got to order fried loukoumades dough balls covered in honey and cinnamon (the Lukumades chain is a local favourite). When it comes to an evening tipple, it’s ouzo all the way. Take the liquorice-y drink mixed with water on a rooftop bar. Yamas!
Nightlife: Rooftop or basement?
The Monastiraki neighbourhood is chock-a-block with rooftop bars for drinks with a view. For bars open ‘til late, wander along super-cool Kolokotroni Street until you find something that suits your vibe. Microbreweries, inventive cocktail bars and live music seshes are just the start. But forget about going home while it’s still dark – Athens is an all-night city and a lot of the action happens underground, tucked away from that pesky sunrise. Check out the clubs in the historic centre, like EKEI, which is known for its wild nights and a hit with Athenian 20-somethings.
When to go to Athens
Summer’s peak season brings festivals, blazing hot temperatures and equally high hotel rates. If you can travel outside summer, you’ll be more comfortable, both physically and financially! April, May, September and October are ideal. The weather is generally still warm, but there are fewer tourists around. One big exception to the rule is Orthodox Easter (avoid or book way ahead!).
For cheap Athens holidays, look at the quiet winter months. The city’s an awesome winter-sun destination. Although it’s not super hot at this time of year, it’s still significantly warmer than back home.
