Athens: by plane, car or ferry
The Acropolis, neighbourhoods full of tavernas and the Athens Riviera beaches a tram ride away. A city where a long weekend naturally stretches into a few days by the sea.
What does a trip to Athens cost this year?
The calculator compares flights from several airports, driving with real ferry prices, and shows the weather for every date.
You'll see these everywhere
The Acropolis
The Parthenon above the city costs 30 € since April 2025, with a mandatory time slot and a 20,000 a day cap. In summer go right at eight; during heatwaves the site closes over midday.
The Evzones on Syntagma
The presidential guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier changes every hour, with the full Sunday ceremony and band at 11. The pompommed tsarouchia shoes weigh three kilos each and the fustanella kilt holds 400 pleats.
Koulouri from the cart
The sesame bread ring is the Athenian breakfast, sold from carts on every corner for 0.50 to 1 €. The most famous bakery in Psyrri never stops baking.
Freddo espresso
Iced espresso whipped to a foam is the national drink, sipped year round. One glass lasts hours; it's a café ritual, not a quick coffee.
Anafiotika
A miniature Cycladic village of white houses right under the Acropolis, built by 19th century masons from Anafi island. The lanes are just about an arm span wide.
The periptero
The yellow tin kiosks on street corners sell everything from water to tickets, often into the night. They belong to the city's fabric, even as they dwindle.
The cats
Semi wild cats are the unofficial mascot of Plaka and the archaeological sites; locals and charities feed and neuter them. They pose on the Agora columns better than the tourists.
The Lycabettus view
The centre's tallest hill (277 m) goes by foot or the funicular from Kolonaki. The panorama of Acropolis, sea and Piraeus peaks at sunset.
Local prices
Guide prices for a typical tourist area in high season (as of 2026-07). Accommodation and rentals are sampled automatically, the basket is a curated estimate.
When to go
Athens works all year, but July and August mean 35 °C in the city and a hard climb up the Acropolis. The best mix is late May, June, then September and all of October: comfortable for the sights, with the sea off Glyfada and Vouliagmeni still above 24 °C. Winter Athens is cheap and queue free, just not for swimming.
| Month | Daily high | Sea | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 25 °C | 19 °C | ~5 |
| June | 30 °C | 24 °C | ~5 |
| July | 34 °C | 27 °C | ~2 |
| August | 33 °C | 27 °C | ~3 |
| September | 28 °C | 26 °C | ~3 |
Averages from the last 8 years (Open-Meteo). The calculator shows your exact week in more detail.
What to taste
Souvlaki and gyros
The national street food: grilled meat, tzatziki and chips in a pita for about 4 €. A taverna main runs 10 to 15 €.
Spanakopita
The filo pie with spinach or cheese from the bakeries, the classic quick breakfast at 2 to 3.50 €.
Saganaki
Fried cheese in its little pan, the classic taverna starter at 6 to 9 €.
Loukoumades
Hot honey doughnuts with cinnamon, these days also chocolate or ice cream versions. A portion runs 4 to 5 €, the cult shop sits by Monastiraki.
Freddo cappuccino
Iced coffee under cold milk foam at 3 to 4.50 €, more downtown. Come evening it yields to retsina or Greek craft beer at 4.50 to 6 €.
Return flights from Prague or Vienna
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Cheapest fares found per person (Aviasales, last ~48 h). Click a month to open the calculator with those dates.
Three trips worth taking
The Acropolis and its museum
The Parthenon, the Erechtheion with its caryatids, and below them the modern museum with a glass floor over the digs. The Acropolis costs 30 € with a mandatory online slot, the museum 20 €; the old seven site combo ticket is gone, the Agora now charges separately.
Cape Sounion
Poseidon's temple on a cliff 70 km from town, the cult sunset spot over the Aegean; entry 20 €. The coastal bus takes two hours, but the last one back leaves before sundown: for the sunset you need a car, taxi or tour.
The Athens Riviera
The tram from the centre to Glyfada costs 1.20 €, buses continue to Vouliagmeni. The thermal lake at a year round 22 to 29 °C charges 17 €, the organised beaches gate 10 to 19 €, and Kavouri under the pines swims free.
Beaches and the sea
The Riviera runs 60 km from Glyfada through Vouliagmeni and Varkiza to Sounion, alternating paid organised beaches with free stretches. The luxury end is Astir at Vouliagmeni, entry from 10 € and parasols from 80 €; ordinary organised beaches gate 10 to 19 € plus 10 to 30 € for a sunbed set, a third more at weekends. Kavouri, the Limanakia coves and sandy pine backed Schinias by Marathon swim free. The oddity is Lake Vouliagmeni, thermal at 22 to 29 °C all year. The water is surprisingly clean with many Blue Flags; the sea peaks around 26 °C from late July into September.
How to get there
Flying is fastest: direct routes from Prague and Vienna, and metro line 3 gets you from the airport to the centre in about 45 minutes. A car in the city is a liability and parking a sport. Driving from Central Europe means nearly 2,000 km through the Balkans, or a ferry from Ancona and Bari to Patras and Igoumenitsa. Ferries from Piraeus reach the islands, which makes Athens a natural gateway to the Aegean.
Airports
- ATH · Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (Athens)
Car ferries
No ferry needed when driving here.
Distance
1,534 km from Prague as the crow flies. The calculator computes the real route, tolls and fuel.
Tip
The sea near Athens stays above 24 °C into late October, with flights and hotels notably cheaper off-peak. Ferries to the islands leave from Piraeus next door.
Good to know
- The metro reaches Syntagma from the airport in 40 minutes for 9 €; in town a single 1.20 € ticket covers metro, bus and tram for 90 minutes. A taxi downtown runs a fixed 40 € daytime.
- July and August routinely hit 35 to 40 °C, and declared heatwaves close the Acropolis from noon to 5 pm. Do the sights in the morning, with water and a hat.
- Pickpockets work the airport metro line and Monastiraki. Bag to the front, valuables split; violent crime stays low.
- Classic Uber doesn't operate here, the app only books licensed taxis; the local standard is FreeNow. Cabs are cheap, just insist on the meter.
- Athens tap water is excellent and tested daily, unlike most of the islands. Carry a bottle to refill.
- Transport and sites occasionally strike: check the news the day before. There is a tourist police line, 1571, in English.
- Tipping isn't required; round up or leave 5 to 10 % for good service.
Frequently asked questions
When is the sea warmest?
The sea is typically warmest in August, around 27 °C. Daytime air averages 33 °C.
What is the place known for?
Local signatures include The Acropolis, The Evzones on Syntagma, Koulouri from the cart, Freddo espresso, Anafiotika, The periptero, The cats, The Lycabettus view.
How much are food and drinks locally?
As a guide: espresso at the bar ~3.5 €, main dish at a casual place ~12 €, beer (0.5 l) out ~5 €, scoop of ice cream ~3 €, sunbed and parasol per day ~20 €, an hour of parking ~3 €, litre of petrol ~2 €. High-season prices as of 2026-07.
Which airports serve it?
Nearest airports: Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (Athens) (ATH). The calculator compares fares to all of them at once, from Prague and Vienna alike.
Car or plane, which pays off?
For a stay in Athens flying wins by a wide margin: you need no car here and the drive costs two days. The car ferry only makes sense if Athens is the first stop of a longer trip around the Peloponnese or the islands.
What does a trip to Athens cost this year?
The calculator compares flights from several airports, driving with real ferry prices, and shows the weather for every date.