Timed tickets are required all year. Book on hhticket.gr, the official site, and bring the QR code on your phone.
Shoes with grip
Ancient marble is polished smooth by millions of feet. Flat soles with grip make the hills far safer.
Use the metro
Three clean lines link the airport, the centre and Piraeus. Tap a contactless card or buy an Athena ticket.
Taxis and apps
Yellow taxis are metered; FREENOW and Uber call them to you. There is a fixed fare from the airport to the centre.
Watch your pockets
Pickpockets work the metro, Monastiraki and crowded sites. Keep phones and wallets in front.
Siesta hours
Smaller shops may close in the afternoon on some weekdays; big stores and malls stay open.
Sunday rhythm
Most shops close on Sundays except in tourist areas; museums and sites stay open.
Dress for churches
Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches and monasteries.
Water is safe
Tap water in Athens is drinkable; refill a bottle at your hotel.
Cards everywhere
Cards are widely accepted. Keep a few euros for kiosks, bakeries and the flea market.
Pack a layer
October evenings can be cool and breezy, and early rain showers come and go quickly.
Clocks go back
Summer time ends on Sunday 25 October 2026; sunset arrives an hour earlier after that.
Athens is generally safe and welcoming. Take normal city care at night around Omonia, and check the entry rules for your passport, including the EU’s new Entry/Exit System at the border.