Greece may be home to some of the most expensive destinations in Europe, but Athens isn’t one of them. The capital city is a great affordable stop for travelers visiting Greece – especially for those heading onwards to pricier Greek islands like Santorini. If you’re after money-saving tips in Athens, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s my guide for visiting Athens on a budget!
What to See and Do in Athens on a Budget
A trip to Athens really doesn’t need to be expensive. There are a number of attractions that are worth paying for, and some that are free to experience.
The Acropolis
Of course, you can’t come to Athens and miss a trip to the Acropolis. This ancient citadel, perched on a rocky hill overlooking the city, is one of the significant Ancient Greek sites still in existence. The Parthenon, the most famous building within the structure, simply can’t be missed on a visit to Greece. The Acropolis is absolutely worth visiting. 
You can buy a combination ticket (€30 during the summer months) which also gives you entry to six other sites: Hadrian’s Library, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Aristotle’s School, and Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery. I found this well worthwhile, as entry to the Acropolis was €20, and I visited four other sites – so I easily made my money back. Note in winter (November to March), buying the combination ticket is not worth it. Admission to the Acropolis is only €10, so it’ll work out cheaper to buy individual tickets.
I really loved my visit to Hadrian’s Library – it’s right by Monastiraki. I also really enjoyed wandering among the columns at the Roman Agora. I felt that the Temple of Olympian Zeus, while a huge site, didn’t have all that much left still standing.
The Ancient Agora is a huge, sprawling site. There are so many different places to see here, but I especially loved the Temple of Hephaestus. The view here over to the Acropolis is one of the best!
I actually ended up visiting Athens during the last weekend of September, which is European heritage days. All the state museums/attractions had free entry!! While I got super lucky with this, there are a number of other free days throughout the year. In the winter months (November to March), there’s free admission on the first Sunday of the month.
Acropolis Museum
If you are in any way remotely interested in history, including Greek history, you definitely need to visit the Acropolis Museum. I learned SO much about the history of the Acropolis, how the structure was built, and what it actually looked like back in the day. It was so cool getting to see so many statues up close. I recommend visiting the Acropolis Museum before you visit the Acropolis – that way, you’ll understand more of what you’re actually seeing when you get to the Acropolis. The museum also has reduced price admission during the winter months.
National Archeological Museum
This is the largest archeological museum in Greece, with the best collection of Ancient Greek artifacts in the world. Again, if you are interested in history/archeology/Ancient Greece, you need to visit. I could easily have spent half a day here – there really are so many different exhibits and objects on display. If you’re planning a visit here, I’d recommend at least 2 hours so you can take your time.
Panathenaic Stadium
This stadium was built on the site of a racecourse, and rebuilt in marble in 144 CE. After excavation and renovation in 1869, it hosted the first modern Olympic opening and closing ceremonies in 1896. The admission fee includes an audio guide, which is well worth it. I learned so much about the site from this. If you’re not a fan of the Olympics, you can probably skip this – although I did enjoy it.
Changing of the Guard
Watching the Changing of the Guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is completely free – try to time your visit on Sunday, when they do a more elaborate ceremony at 11am. Sundays do get very busy, but watching the guards do their high-kicks in their unique uniforms is a must in Athens.
National Garden
This huge park, right next to Syntagma Square, is completely free to visit! It makes for a breath of fresh air after watching the Changing of the Guard nearby. Stroll around the paths, admire the different trees, plants, and flowers, and relax by the small lake in the center. It’s one of the best free things to do in Athens.
Wander around Psyri and Plaka
Athens is a great city to just be. The atmosphere in the Psyri and Plaka neighborhoods is amazing for just walking around, window shopping, people watching, and snapping photos. Psyri was by far my favorite neighborhood in the city – although I did stay there, so maybe I’m just a bit biased!
Catch a sunset – for free!
There are several top-notch spots around Athens for watching the sunset. This is a completely free thing to do, and the sunsets here really are spectacular.
Aeropagus Hill
This is one of the most popular spots for sunset, as it’s right next to the Acropolis and easy to get to on foot from the center of Athens. You’ll get amazing pictures of the Acropolis bathed in that perfect golden hour/sunset light.
Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus Hill is a little further outside of central Athens – you’ll need to walk or get the Metro to the bottom of the hill. While there is a cable car that will take you up to the top, you can also walk up – a great choice for budget travelers. The top tier of the hill will likely be crowded for sunset (get there early if you want a spot), and there’s a tiny chapel you can visit, too. I actually walked down the switchbacks a bit and didn’t have trouble finding a less busy spot.
Philopappos Hill
Another hill, another amazing view of the Acropolis. There are an extraordinary number of historic monuments and sites around this park, with the Philopappos Monument the crowning glory at the top of the hill. If you’re coming here for sunset, plan on spending a half-hour or hour wandering around the other historic sites first.
The Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion is meant to be one of the best places in Greece to watch the sunset. I didn’t have a chance to go, but it’s one thing I’d love to do next time! You can visit by public transport, but that will take a while from central Athens. If you’ve rented a car, you can drive there. If you’re just wanting an excursion, take a look at the below options.
Where to Eat and Drink on a Budget in Athens
Greek food is delicious, and you definitely can’t visit Athens without sampling some of the best dishes! Eating and drinking is very affordable in Athens, if you know where to go – here are my top picks.
O Thanasis
This popular restaurant, right by Monastiraki, serves up tasty and authentic Greek food. But if you’re wanting something quick, opt for a takeaway. I had a souvlaki kebab for €2.80 and it was delicious!
Stou Mamma
Stou Mamma does some of the best moussaka in Athens – I was super impressed! It’s quite affordable and my meal cost just €12. They have plenty of outdoor seating, perfect for those warm summer nights!
Taverna Mantra
There are a lot of great restaurants and places to eat in Psyri, most of them offering up traditional Greek dishes. I enjoyed a tasty late lunch at Taverna Mantra, where my Greek salad (with a giant block of feta) was just €7.50. Plus, they give a little slice of lemon-y cake at the end of your meal for free!
Kokkion and Scoop
These were my two favorite stops for ice cream in Athens. Both had delicious ice cream, with plenty of choices for flavors. The guy working at Scoop even gave me a free bottle of water for some reason!
Little Kook is an experience in and of itself, and is one of the top-rated cafes for dessert in Athens. While I loved seeing the street decked out with their Halloween celebrations, I found the menu to be much more expensive than other cafes in Athens – you really pay for the atmosphere and Instagram opportunities here!
Liosporos
I loved this small jazz bar in Psyri – it’s right on a busy street, next to a buzzing square. It’s a great options for affordable drinks in Athens. My glass of house wine was just €4!
Flint
If you can, snag a spot at Flint’s outdoor seating – it’s a great spot for people watching. Prices for both drinks and food/bar snacks were really affordable, and the staff were super friendly. Their happy hour deal is €1 off most drinks. They actually gave me the happy hour price all night as I was traveling on my own!
Couleur Locale
This is an amazing rooftop bar – and there are so many good ones in a city like Athens. There’s a cracking view of the Acropolis, and both food and drinks are really reasonably priced. My glass of wine was €6, and my portion of loukoumades (Greek donut balls) was €7. I can’t recommend it enough!
A for Athens
A for Athens is probably the most expensive rooftop bar in Athens – but that’s because it’s the best. The view over Monastiraki to the Acropolis is one of the best in the city! Much better than MS Roof Garden, just next door. While it’s not the cheapest place in Athens, you’re paying for the view – and it’s worth it.
Getting Around Athens on a Budget
The best – and cheapest – way to get around Athens is on foot. If you’re staying around Psyri or Plaka, you’ll likely be able to walk most everywhere you want to go. The Acropolis is about a 20-minute walk from most places in Psyri. You can also save money by walking up Lycabettus Hill, instead of paying for the cable car to the top. The Metro is also fast and easy. Tickets to/from the airport are more expensive – it’s €16 for a return airport ticket. Athens has one main airport – I use Skyscanner to book my flights. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Where to Stay in Athens on a Budget
I stayed at two hostels in Athens, both of which were affordable and well within my budget. I spent three nights at City Circus Hostel in a 6-bed dorm, which had everything I wanted: plugs by the bed, individual lights, and good-size lockers. There was a cozy common room, kitchen (with free drinking water), and a rooftop terrace with a view of the Acropolis! You can book City Circus Hotel here – check their website though, as you might get a better price by booking direct.
I spent one night at Bedbox Athens in a 6-bed dorm. The best feature of the dorms were the absolutely massive lockers! My bed also had an individual light, plugs, and curtain. There was a very light free breakfast in the morning in the kitchen, and the reception/common area was great when I needed to do some work. You can book Bedbox Athens here. I really enjoyed my stay in both hostels, and I’d return to both of them again! Search below for more accommodation options in Athens.
Athens is a perfect location for budget travelers – especially if you’re coming to or from the more expensive Greek islands. There are some interesting free attractions around the city, food and drinks are affordable, and accommodation won’t break the bank. I hope this post helps planning a budget trip to Athens!
Have you visited Athens before? What were your favorite budget-friendly things?
You might also like my posts:
Santorini on a Budget: A Thrifty Guide to the Greek Island
A Quick Guide to Paros, Greece: How to Spend 36 Hours on Paros
Hiking the Byzantine Trail on Paros: Lefkes to Prodromos
How Much Does it Cost to Travel the Balkans for 2.5 Weeks?
The Budget Travel Bible: 101 Tips for Cheap Travel
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