Athens Guide for Budget Travelers
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The Greek capital with Acropolis high above the city has plenty to offer for the budget traveler. From 2€ gyros on every corner, ancient ruins all over the city, antique shops lining the major streets and beautiful beaches, Athens has a wide range of things to do and places to eat. Athens has turned into a sophisticated metropolis with major changes to the physical beauty of the area. Talented street artists and the younger generation has made this city a more hip place to party, live and enjoy life. Even with its struggling economy, Athens is a great place to have an authentic Greek experience.
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Price of Services in Athens
Hostels - Hostels in Athens are reasonable priced for being the largest city in Greece. The summer will be more expensive than the fall and winter months as expected. The starting price for a 5-15 dorm room in the fall or winter will start from 8€ ($9USD). Anything in the summer time for a 5-15 bed dorm will cost upward up of 25€ ($22USD). Anything under 5 beds will usually cost more. Expect to pay 11€ ($13USD) or more for 2-4 person dorm room in the fall or winter. Summer prices for a 2-4 bed dorm will start at 25€ ($28USD). Private dorm rooms in the fall or winter will start around 13€ ($15USD). Summer prices for a private will be anywhere from 45-60€ ($50-67USD). Weekends will also effect prices. The most expensive days to rent a hostel bed is Friday and Saturday night.
Food Costs - Food in Athens is reasonable priced if you go for delicious gyros. Greece is known for a being a reasonable priced country for food. Starting prices for a budget breakfast will be 2.50€ ($3USD), 2.50€ ($3USD) for a budget lunch and 5€ ($6USD) for a budget sit-down dinner. Upper scale restaurants will cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay 2€ ($2.50USD) or more for a light beer (.5L).
Transportation - Transportation in Athens can be expensive in certain situations. Taxis will start at 2€ ($3USD). For 3km, be prepared to pay at least 6€ ($7USD). A taxi from the airport to the city center will set you back 34€ ($38USD). A metro from the airport to the city center will be a better option at 7€ ($8USD). The public bus from the airport to the city center is the best options at 4.50€ ($5.50USD). Metro and buses are a good option at 1.15€ ($1.29USD) for any stop in the city limits.
Activities - There are dozens of museums in Athens for you to see. To see the famous Acropolis, you'll have to pay 11€ ($13USD). With that ticket, you can see the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Roman Agora and the Olympieion for free as of winter 2015. From what I have heard, the prices of all attractions in Athens will be increased for 2016.
Food Costs - Food in Athens is reasonable priced if you go for delicious gyros. Greece is known for a being a reasonable priced country for food. Starting prices for a budget breakfast will be 2.50€ ($3USD), 2.50€ ($3USD) for a budget lunch and 5€ ($6USD) for a budget sit-down dinner. Upper scale restaurants will cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay 2€ ($2.50USD) or more for a light beer (.5L).
Transportation - Transportation in Athens can be expensive in certain situations. Taxis will start at 2€ ($3USD). For 3km, be prepared to pay at least 6€ ($7USD). A taxi from the airport to the city center will set you back 34€ ($38USD). A metro from the airport to the city center will be a better option at 7€ ($8USD). The public bus from the airport to the city center is the best options at 4.50€ ($5.50USD). Metro and buses are a good option at 1.15€ ($1.29USD) for any stop in the city limits.
Activities - There are dozens of museums in Athens for you to see. To see the famous Acropolis, you'll have to pay 11€ ($13USD). With that ticket, you can see the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Roman Agora and the Olympieion for free as of winter 2015. From what I have heard, the prices of all attractions in Athens will be increased for 2016.
Best Ways to Save Money
Book in Advance - To save some added dough, always book your transportation, hostels and tours in advance. Doing this can save upward of 40-50%.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 1€ ($1.08USD) per bottle (.5L). Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 10€($11USD) a day if you budget right.
Couchsurfing - Staying with a local instead of a hostel will save a ton of money. But don't use this site solely to help your wallet. It's a great way to make new friends who can show you the "local" spots that tourists don't know about. Couchsurfing hosts tend to ignore abusers of the system. Offer to cook a meal or two in exchange for their gratitude.
Hitchhiking - This method is always a great way to save extra cash wherever you go.
Camping - Be sure to have a sleeping bag or tent on you at all time if you want to save more dough. This is a great way to see the world for free.
Expensive Bars - Bars aren't cheap in Athens. Buy a bottle of heap wine form a kiosk and head to Anafiotika Neighborhood to enjoy the city views of Athens.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 1€ ($1.08USD) per bottle (.5L). Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 10€($11USD) a day if you budget right.
Couchsurfing - Staying with a local instead of a hostel will save a ton of money. But don't use this site solely to help your wallet. It's a great way to make new friends who can show you the "local" spots that tourists don't know about. Couchsurfing hosts tend to ignore abusers of the system. Offer to cook a meal or two in exchange for their gratitude.
Hitchhiking - This method is always a great way to save extra cash wherever you go.
Camping - Be sure to have a sleeping bag or tent on you at all time if you want to save more dough. This is a great way to see the world for free.
Expensive Bars - Bars aren't cheap in Athens. Buy a bottle of heap wine form a kiosk and head to Anafiotika Neighborhood to enjoy the city views of Athens.
Red Flags
Watch Your Back - Athens isn't the safest city in Europe. Be sure to always watch your back late at night. Don't walk alone down a dark alley.
Hidden Gems
Plaka Neighborhood - This neighborhood is the oldest in Athens. Cars aren't allowed in the streets giving pedestrians freedom to walk about. Personally, this is the most beautiful area of Athens. However, this comes with plenty of touristy shops, restaurants and tourists themselves.
Anafiotika Neighborhood - This neighborhood sits right below the Acropolis on the north side. The hill has tiny houses with small corridors that weave through lush greenery and flowers. It's one of the best sites to see during the evening. Locals go up to the top to smoke joints and drink.
Athens' Street Art Gallery - Take a free self-guided tour of the famous street art gallery. Be sure to bring your camera!
Doctor's Burger Bar - This small burger bar near Monastiraki Square has giant hot dogs with french fries, spicy chili sauce and onions for 2€. It's a must try for hot dog lovers.
Walk the Hills - The seven hills of Athens are a significant part of the city. On the weekends, locals take homemade wine to the top to watch the city at night.
Exarcheia Neighborhood - This area has a significant piece of history. The extremely liberal part of the city is police free. Young adults smoke marijuana in the park as they converse with friends. It's a unique place with a sad history. Take a look at the extended story here.
Anafiotika Neighborhood - This neighborhood sits right below the Acropolis on the north side. The hill has tiny houses with small corridors that weave through lush greenery and flowers. It's one of the best sites to see during the evening. Locals go up to the top to smoke joints and drink.
Athens' Street Art Gallery - Take a free self-guided tour of the famous street art gallery. Be sure to bring your camera!
Doctor's Burger Bar - This small burger bar near Monastiraki Square has giant hot dogs with french fries, spicy chili sauce and onions for 2€. It's a must try for hot dog lovers.
Walk the Hills - The seven hills of Athens are a significant part of the city. On the weekends, locals take homemade wine to the top to watch the city at night.
Exarcheia Neighborhood - This area has a significant piece of history. The extremely liberal part of the city is police free. Young adults smoke marijuana in the park as they converse with friends. It's a unique place with a sad history. Take a look at the extended story here.
Top 9 Things To Do in Athens
#9 Monastiraki SquareMonastiraki Square is in the main part of the city. Most backpackers will meet in this area because of its easy maneuvering and large open space.
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#8 Plaka NeighborhoodThis neighborhood is the oldest in Athens. Cars aren't allowed in the streets giving pedestrians freedom to walk about. Personally, this is the most beautiful area of Athens. However, this comes with plenty of touristy shops, restaurants and tourists themselves. Be sure to eat at one of the many restaurants on the strip. Authentic Greek food awaits you!
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#7 Antique StreetRight off the Monastiraki Square to the west, the Antique Street starts. Walk along as you see number shops selling old nicknacks for sir cheap prices. Late at night, some of the older items get thrown out. Take your time sorting through the "trash." There may be some treasures awaiting you!
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#6 Lantern StreetRight off of Monastiraki Square to the North, Lantern Street at night is one of the cooler things to see in Athens. Each lantern is a different size, shape and color. To add to the lanterns, local graffiti artists have decorated the buildings on this particular street.
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#5 Athens' White BeachThis beach is right on the outskirts of Athens, making it a local destination in the summer time. Locals flock to local beach to escape the heat while enjoying the multiple beach bars, volleyball nets and sun-bathing areas. Be sure to catch a tan.
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#4 Temple of Olympian ZeusTake a step back in history with this monument. Walk the around this massive marble structure, which was dedicated to the famous Olympian Zeus. There's plenty of rich history in the link below.
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#3 Athens' Street Art GalleryTake a walk down the streets of art in Athens. There are hundreds of fantastic graffiti, paintings and sketches in the buildings in this neighborhood.
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#2 Anafiotika NeighborhoodAnafiotika is the perfect neighborhood to represent the Greek culture. With small corridors, smooth tiny white houses all intertwined and lush greenery throughout the area, Anafiotika is the best example of an ancient neighborhood. It's one of the cutest areas of town. Don't forget to look up. Acropolis is right above you!
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#1 AcropolisThe Acropolis is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It's a must see when in Athens. There's no need to actually pay to see this beautiful masterpiece. There are numerous hills and hiking spots that one can climb to to watch the sunset behind the Acropolis. The inside of the structure is under continuous construction. It's not worth buying a ticket until it's finished.
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