Welcome to Athens

Ancient and modern, with equal measures of grunge and grace, bustling Athens is a heady mix of history and edginess. Iconic monuments mingle with first-rate museums, lively cafes and al fresco dining – and it’s downright fun... Read More

Top experiences in Athens

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Recent articles

Top 10 experiences on the Athenian Riviera

On the southern edge of the Greek capital lies the alluring Apollo Coast, also known as the Athenian Riviera. Still defined as greater Athens, its palm tree–lined esplanades and idyllic beaches dominate a unique slice of Mediterranean coastline – urban shore brimming with laid-back elegance, a history of jet-set glamour and the feeling of spending quality time on a Greek island.

Whether you’re in the mood to hit the beaches and nightclubs, or to explore historic sights and set sail to nearby islands, the Athenian Riviera offers plenty of attractions. Here are our top suggestions for escaping the bustle of downtown Athens.
Marissa Tejada
Lonely Planet Writer

Beyond the Acropolis: a guide to Athens’ neighbourhoods

From the iconic Acropolis rising majestically above the city to charming neighbourhood squares, modern art galleries and lively bars, bustling Athens is a delightfully quirky clash of past and present, a city that confronts and surprises. Visitors are drawn by ancient monuments bathed in the famous light, but it’s Athens’ infectious, creative vibe that enamours and enlivens.

After visiting the magnificent ancient wonders it’s time to experience neighbourhood life. Here’s our guide through the downtown hurly-burly to Athens’ top districts and their quiet shaded cafes, favourite dining haunts, local shopping spots, galleries and bars.
Alexis Averbuck
Lonely Planet Writer

Why now is a good time to go to Greece

By taking a trip to Greece, booking private accommodation, eating in village tavernas and supporting local businesses in many other ways, tourists obviously provide  a much-needed boost to the country’s ailing economy.  So what are you waiting for? From island-hopping between locals’ hideouts and the big hitters, to Athens’ thriving street art and remote hikes in the Peloponnese, here  are our  top tips for those planning their own memorable Greek experience now.

While speculations about an economic meltdown in Greece led to a fall in airfare and hotel bookings in early summer 2015, the travel industry has quickly started recovering and foreign visitors are returning, undeterred by the crisis. After all, the aquamarine coastline, sun-bleached ruins, sumptuous Mediterranean cuisine and traditional festivities beckon, as inviting as ever. And you’ll find that the well-known hospitality has only been enhanced as the locals are all the more grateful to those who decided to give their Greek holiday a chance.
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet Writer
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Travel guides

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Athens adventures

$1399 Small group tours

Sailing Greece - Athens to Mykonos

Our 15m (52 ft) exclusive yacht is the perfect way to see some of the most beautiful islands in the world. This eight-day adventure takes you from the Greek capital, Athens to the famous island of Mykonos. Relax in the sun or try your hand at sailing as your experienced skipper guides you through deserted bays and famous archaeological sites. You will have plenty of time for hiking, snorkelling, exploring and relaxing before digging into some local seafood.
$99.47 Sightseeing tours

Delphi Day Trip from Athens

Visit Delphi – one of the most important archeological sites in Greek history – on this full-day trip from Athens! Traveling with an expert guide, you’ll explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town, home to the Temple of Apollo, and stroll around Delphi Archeological Museum. Learn all about Greek mythology and history while seeing fascinating monuments, and visit the pretty town of Arachova on the journey back to Athens.Ancient Greece is the civilization that existed roughly between the 8th century BC and 600 AD, and Delphi was said to represent the center of it. Reputedly built on the spot where Zeus’ eagles collided when they were released from opposite ends of the earth, the ancient town is littered with intriguing monuments from this fascinating period of history. After meeting your guide in Athens, hear tales about the ancient Greeks and their lives in Delphi while traveling to the town by air-conditioned coach. Pass through the towns of Levadia and Arachova – both famous for their production of brightly colored carpets – and arrive in Delphi around midday.First stop is a tour of the Delphi archeological site – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily one of the most important digs in Europe. As you walk around the evocative ruins with your guide, see famous monuments like the Temple of Apollo. Head inside Delphi Archeological Museum and explore this veritable treasure trove at leisure. Home to countless artifacts and intriguing relics, the museum consists of 15 rooms arranged in chronological order from 15th century BC to 4th century AD. Be sure to check out the bronze Charioteer of Delphi and the Sphinx of Naxos.After eating lunch at a Delphi hotel (own expense), you will return to Athens, stopping in Arachova on the way to stretch your legs or grab a coffee (own expense).
$395.60 Small group tours

3-Day Classical Greece Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi

Visit the three most important archaeological sites from the Classical Greece period on this 3-day tour of Greece from Athens! Traveling with a knowledgeable local guide, passionate about Greek history, your tour includes excursions to Epidaurus, Olympia and Delphi, with overnight accommodation in your choice of 3- or 4-star hotels. See UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments, like the Sanctuary of Asklepios, and explore the incredible Delphi Archaeological Museum.
$597.97 Small group tours

4-Day Classical Greece Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora

Step back in time on this 4-day Classical Greece tour from Athens, seeing all the top attractions that date back to this fascinating era. With overnight accommodation included and an expert guide to accompany you, the tour highlights the country’s most intriguing archeological sites – four of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia and Delphi, and visit 11th-century monasteries perched on the rock towers of Meteora.
$302.99 Small group tours

2-Day Santorini Experience from Athens

Stay overnight on the gorgeous Greek island of Santorini where sweeping sand beaches, volcanic vistas and pretty whitewashed villages await! The trip is independent, meaning no excursions or activities are included — just ample free time to explore at your own pace. Round-trip transport by boat is included from Piraeus Port, as well as overnight 2-star superior, 3-star or 4-star hotel accommodation. Choose between a budget-friendly, 8-hour ferry crossing or upgrade to a 5.5-hour speedboat crossing to enjoy more time on sunny island.
$205.80 Small group tours

2-Day Trip to Delphi and Meteora from Athens

Visit Ancient Delphi and Meteora, two legendary UNESCO World Heritage sites, on a 2-day tour from Athens! With an expert guide, explore the archeological site at Delphi on a walking tour and learn about Ancient Greece while seeing the Sanctuary of Apollo and more. Travel through the picturesque towns of the Thessalian plains, and stay overnight in a 3- or 4-star hotel in Kalambaka, gateway to Meteora. The following day, explore two of Meteora’s beguiling cliff-top monasteries before making the journey back to Athens.
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