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The Acropolis of Athens seen from Philopappos Hill

No. 25 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Athens

Greece

The Acropolis and the birthplace of democracy, with lively neighbourhoods and tavernas.

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Photo: A.Savin, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Athens is No. 25 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Greece's capital is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its Acropolis, crowned by the Parthenon, built in the 5th century BC, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Ancient monuments sit alongside lively neighbourhoods, rooftop bars, markets and tavernas. Athens is also the gateway to the Greek islands, with ferries from the port of Piraeus.

The Plaka district below the Acropolis, Athens
The Plaka district below the Acropolis, Athens. Photo: George E. Koronaios, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to go

April to June and September to October are the best months, with warm weather and fewer crowds than in summer.

July and August are very hot, and during heatwaves the Acropolis may close in the middle of the day. Winter is mild and quiet.

Top sights

  • 1

    Acropolis

    The Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Propylaea stand on the rock above the city. Book a timed ticket and go at opening time or late in the day.

  • 2

    Acropolis Museum In our Top 100 Museums

    A modern museum at the foot of the rock, displaying sculptures from the Acropolis, with a top-floor gallery facing the Parthenon.

  • 3

    Ancient Agora

    The marketplace of ancient Athens, with the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos.

  • 4

    Plaka and Anafiotika

    Old lanes of neoclassical houses, shops and tavernas below the Acropolis, with the island-style houses of Anafiotika above.

  • 5

    National Archaeological Museum

    Greece's largest archaeological museum, with the Mask of Agamemnon and the Antikythera mechanism.

  • 6

    Panathenaic Stadium

    The marble stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

  • 7

    Mount Lycabettus

    Walk or take the funicular to the top of the hill for views over the city to the sea.

Getting there

Athens International Airport (ATH) is linked to the centre by Metro line 3 to Syntagma (about 40 minutes) and by express buses.

Ferries to the islands leave from Piraeus, which is on Metro line 1, and from Rafina.

Getting around

Three metro lines, trams and buses cover the city. Many sights in the centre are within walking distance of each other.

Practical tips

Currency
Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted.
Language
Greek. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Safety
Athens is generally safe. Watch for pickpockets on the metro and in crowded places. The emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
Greece is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records non-EU travellers' entries and exits at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow. Check the official EU site travel-europe.europa.eu and your own government's travel advice before you go.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.

Official information: This is Athens (official city tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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