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Athens

Greece

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Acropolis, Greece - May 2025.

Marco Argüello for Lonely Planet

Overview

Equal measures of grunge and grace, Athens is a master of reinvention, serving up an anarchic mash-up of architectural gravitas, urban grit and infectious creativity.

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Dreams of Greece: 12 Days in Athens and the Cycladic Islands

highlights

  1. 1Adventuring through antiquity on a guided visit to the relics and ruins of the Acropolis
  2. 2Cruising on a catamaran to the saturated blue waters of Galazia Nera
  3. 3Witnessing an ethereal Naxos sunset from the iconic Portara gate
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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Piraeus is the largest Mediterranean port in terms of passenger traffic and commercial activity, and most of Athens' visitors simply consider it a transit…

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Best Time to Visit

Whether you're after the beach or a bargain, here's when to go to Athens, Greece.

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Transportation

Tangled streets. Troublesome traffic. Athens can be tricky to navigate. This is how to get around.

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Free Things to Do

Roam Athens’ ancient streets, then take in cost-free museums, markets and art. Here’s our guide to the best free things to do in Athens.

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Best Neighborhoods

Learn the difference between Kolonaki and Koukaki, Psyrri and Gazi, in this tour of central Athens’ most visited districts.

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Day Trips

From ancient ruins to beaches a short boat ride away, here are nine ways to escape the bustle of Athens for the day.

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Traveling with Kids

From wandering ancient sites to catching waves at Kyma Surf School, here's how to see Athens with kids.

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