Athens, although the oldest city in the world, has some of the best culture and history you NEED to explore. With everything from rooftop bars, to shop lined streets, endless museums, historical sites, and an array of delicious food options you will never run out of things to do here in Athens. However, the more you do, the pricier it can be. I understand you may be on a budget when travelling, and honestly, if budgeting is what you need to do to explore more of the world, then good for you. However, just because you may be visiting on a budget, doesn’t mean you should miss out on any of the wonderful things that Athens has to offer. In this blog I have put together some of my tried and tested tips and tricks on how to have a successful visit to Athens on a budget. Lets get into it!
There are a huge amount of things to do / excursions both in and around the city. One website I love to use to book my excursions is Viator. You can use their buy now pay later option which enables you to reserve your place, with the payment being taken from your account a few days before your excursion, and most offer free cancellations too. If you have an account with Viator you can also earn money back with each successful booking, which you can save up and you can redeem at a later date and maybe even get an excursion for free. We used Viator for our whole USA/ CANADA trip, and we ended up earning around 50 pounds each on our accounts, so we combined them, and purchased two ceramic making classes when we went back to Greece! I love this hack because not only does it save you money, it also gives you more for your money the more consistent you are with Viator!
Take cash. Some places offer cheaper prices if paying cash. This is because some businesses get charged per card transaction, so they will offer a discount if paying with cash. Most places, unless you are off the beaten track, will definitely accept card, so not to worry If you don't carry cash, this is just something to consider if wanting to save a few extra euros.
If grabbing coffee and a pastry and are en route elsewhere, get it to go and you won’t pay for table service. In some places it is cheaper to order to go than sit in. I got a coffee in one place for 1.20euros, whereas for table service it was 2.90euros so more than double!
Consider getting a weekly metro ticket instead of a one time use, if it is worth the money. It cost me 12euros for a weekly ticket. Athens is extremely walkable and it is very likely you won’t even need a metro ticket, but if you are getting out the city, and want a ticket, consider this to save you some money. If you plan on doing numerous single journeys then this will definitely save you money.
Walk everywhere. - potentially look at staying closer to the city such as in the Monistiraki or Syntagma area when booking your accommodation. Despite hotels in this area being a little pricier, you will save money by not having to use the metro, and you will save time by being central. It is also worth noting that by staying in the more central areas you will be in a busier and safer part of the city. (You can see me video on You Tube at Georgia Louise Travels on solo travelling tips for more about this!)
Street food vs restaurants. Athens has some of the best street food, with establishments still feeling very local and family run. These options can be much cheaper than eating out in a restaurant if you are on a strict budget. I made a TikTok back in 2023 so you can go watch that if you want to! One of the best gyros I have ever had was from a fast food place on Ermou Street, I ate the most delicious loukamades in the street, and the Greek fries I ate whilst sitting at a shared table in the square were also delicious and none of these broke the bank.
If you are wanting to visit all the main archaeological sites during your visit, you can purchase a city pass, which allows you entry into most of them, all under the same price of the ticket. This saves you having to pay for each entry individually. I recommend looking at the prices for each site before you travel (remember the prices change depending on the season), and add it all up, and see if it is worth spending your money on the city pass. If travelling out of season for example, and only visiting say the Acropolis then that will only cost 10euros per person; however it may be nearer 25 euros each in mid summer and it may therefore be cheaper to get the city pass as it will allow you to enter some of the other historical sites as well - it really depends on what you want to see and when you are visiting.
Did you know that there are many things you can see for free. There are some rocks on the way up the Acropolis which give you a great view of the Parthenon. This is a great viewpoint and ideal for pictures and is free. Similarly, Hadrians Arch is free to view, have your picture taken in the archway, all for free. How about walking through the National Gardens (again for free) and take a look at the Panatheatic Stadium - you get a perfect view of the stadium from across the road, for free. Hike up to the top of Mount Lycabettus - again for free. Wander the flea market just off of Monistiraki Square; wander the cobbled streets of Plaka; take a walk through the pretty neighborhood of Kolonaki and check our the cute shops and cafes or perhaps stop and watch the changing of the guard at Ssyntagma - all free!
Save on some restaurants/hotels. If a place has a view of the Acropolis, they may charge more for your visit simply because of this view. The hotels or food will be so similar, but just without the view. If you are not too bothered about the view you can easily save some coin. For example, I am staying in Victoria square for 8 nights and it cost me £370. In Syntagma the same duration would have cost m over £1000. But a weekly metro ticket costs 12euros and its only 2 stops on the metro, a 10 min journey from door to door, or a 20 min walk max. So if I was on a stretch budget, I would deffo stay here again. It’s also lovely to get a hint of more local life,,, seeing the school buses, kids finishing school, the commuters in the mornings, etc.
Last but not least, remember, you are in Athens. You are on vacation. Don't forget to treat yourself and allow yourself to go a little over budget if it means you will have a good time. Money will always come back, Time doesn’t. So make the most of your time in the city and enjoy every second.
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