We figured we would also give folks some tips about visiting Athens and Greece in general.
FOOD & DRINK:
- Souvlaki: Try it from anywhere, preferably in less touristic places. One exception: if you can handle the crowds, go to “Thanasis” on Monastiraki Square. Order pita with kebab. This is their specialty. If you find yourself in Glyfada, “The President” (O Proedros) is also excellent.
- Breakfast or light lunch: Any bakery has savory phyllo-based spinach, or cheese, or ham-cheese, etc., pies. They also make coffee and usually have small tables for a quick rest. “Mpougatsa” is a sweet phyllo-based desert you should also try! Big-chain bakeries include Everest, Γρηγόρης (Gregoris), and Apollonion; You can easily find these, they are everywhere. Smaller neighborhood bakeries are also everywhere and probably better.
- Craft beer in the center: Beer Time (on a nice little square), Barley Cargo, Slowdown Brewing Taproom. Brewklyn for Craft beer in Glyfada.
24 places for scenic drinks and eats: https://www.gastronomos.gr/exodos/eytychos-echoyme-tis-taratses-24-magazia-gia-droseri-exodo-stin-athina/136573/
In restaurants, the server will bring the credit card point-of-sale terminal to your table (you usually do not have to part with your credit card). Like most of Europe, Gratuity is simply rounding up to the nearest Euro or two.
TRANSPORTATION:
The Athens Metro is the quickest way for longer distances within the city. Taxis are also cheap and very easy to get any time of the day/night.
Info on public transportation here.
Official site and ticket info:
You can get the ATH.ENA Card from a metro station (or ticket kiosk if you run into one) and use it on all transportation options (metro, bus, tram, etc.).
Bus from/to the airport: They are frequent and relatively comfortable. A pilot program allows people to pay on the airport bus with Apple Pay or Google Wallet (ask/look for it).
LODGING:
Lodging in Athens: Hotels near Syntagma Sq. and Acropolis offer easy access to the sites. If you are willing to walk or take the metro (or taxi), a much cheaper nearby area is Koukaki. A few example hotels are “Acropolis view” and Philippos.
ATTRACTIONS:
Tickets to Acropolis (and other sites): Book in advance from the official site: https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/english/tap.exe?PM=P1P&place=000000002
Acropolis is very busy with cruise-ship crowds between 8:30am and 2pm. Opt to go either at 8am (be there at 7:45am or so), or later in the day (~an hour before closing time) to avoid the crowds and the mid-day heat.
Go for an evening stroll in the pedestrian promenade around the Acropolis (Dionysiou Areopagitou). Several cafes and ice cream shops are available, or you can get a drink or an ice cream from a kiosk (“Periptero”) and join locals on a bench.
Watch an outdoor movie (https://cine-thisio.gr/en/). Movies are in their original language with Greek subtitles.
Watch a performance at Odeon of Herodes Atticus:
It is a magical experience, you will be sitting on an ancient theater with the Acropolis on your back watching a performance.
GENERAL SAFETY:
Remember that Athens is a major metropolis, and like any major city opportunistic theft can occur. Keep your wits about you as you would do in New York, London, Barcelona, Rome, etc.
Leave your passport and valuables in the hotel safe.
Mind your handbag or backpack, especially in crowded areas, metro, buses, etc.
When eating at a restaurant or café, keep your bag on your lap. Do not hang it behind your chair or on the floor next to you.
Only withdraw cash from major banks in well-lit and busy areas:
In case of a demonstration, avoid the area but do not panic. Athens is a big city and, contrary to how it appears on TV, life goes on a few blocks away.
On the beach: Do not bring valuables on the beach, even at the village. Best to limit to a small amount of cash and/or a credit card to buy coffee/drinks Coordinate with friends so that someone is always near the beach beds/umbrella and can keep an eye on the bags/phones. Some people opt for waterproof cases for their phones, however this is mostly for being to take pictures in the water.