Athens, Greece

Cityscape rooftop view of Athens, Greece, with colorful buildings, a city street, palm trees, leafy trees, and a bright blue sky.

Athens, Greece

Athens, located on the southern mainland of Greece, has played a leading role in the history of the Mediterranean and the world.

Knowing the significance of this ancient city compels you to visit the Acropolis and other family-friendly historical sites. (A bonus is that kids may relate to the ancient Greek history taught in their classes.)

The best time to visit Athens is during May and November, when the weather is mild and the tourist crowds are thinner.

Yet, Athens is not just a city. It’s a gateway to captivating Greek islands and an international hub, brimming with diversity.

If you’re looking for the best neighborhoods to explore in Athens, visit Lycabettus Hill, where you can marvel at the Aegean Sea.

Local restaurants offer cuisine that represents more than just Greek dishes like spanakopita.

On the streets of Athens, you’ll find corner cafés, family shops, laundry lines hanging from apartment balconies, and graffiti. In some places, the graffiti seems like a backdrop.

Athens is a working city where people live close to history. If you explore the entire city, you will encounter immigrant kitchens, anarchist murals, and echoes of Byzantine culture.

Because it celebrates its diversity, Athens has something to offer solo travelers, families, and groups.

Woman in a coral top and black skirt standing beside a mustard yellow phone booth with graffiti, near a historic building in Athens, Greece.
I am standing near history and modern grit on an Athens street.
Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece, appearing peaceful and empty under clear blue skies on a sunny day.
Syntagma Square sits quiet under blue skies.

Next stop: Hersonissos, Greece