Athens Travel Guide

Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína) is the capital city of Greece with a metropolitan population of 3.15 million inhabitants (2025). It was a major cultural, political and religious centre of Classical Greece, a place that deeply influenced the course of Western civilization. Don't come expecting a philosopher's theme park; contemporary Athens is the graffiti-coated, fast-beating urban heart of the country, where modern Greek culture, business and social life flourish amidst ancient monuments.

Athens airport is a major hub in the Aegean, Balkan and East Mediterranean regions. American, Air Canada, Air Transat, Delta, Emirates, Norwegian Air Shuttle and United maintain non-stop flights from North America (some are only seasonal), while a large number of European carriers fly direct into Athens.

Visitors should always carry their passport or identity documents, especially if they may be perceived as an African, Middle Eastern or another darker-complexion ethnicity.Such persons should be especially wary when encountering police and, if detained, demand to speak to their consulate immediately (a right all persons have under international law).

Athens has a wide variety of accommodation options, from camping and hostels, right up to 5 star luxury hotels.