Athens, Greece is one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful cities, which with its ancient structures, spectacularly beautiful landscapes, rich culture and unique islands like Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos and Crete to name but a few draws millions of tourists annually from all over the world. Like most tourist meccas, Athens offers plenty of opportunities for both luxury and budget travelers, whether considering accommodation or places to visit. However, for those who do not want to break the banks, here are some smart ways to enjoy Athens on a budget.
When to visit
One of the most important things when considering a budget travel is to visit the very getaway in the off-season. In Athens, it begins in November and continues through March. Low season is best described as progressively cold and rainy (winter temperatures don’t drop below zero, but Athens does experience occasional snowfall), but the advantage of this season is that one will find truly low prices. This is the season when the tourists are gone, there are no crowds and life has returned to normal. You can experience Athens during the Christmas and Apokreas (Carnival), visit numerous museums, which are freely open to public year-round, and if the weather is nice, explore the islands and the numerous archaeological sites that make the city a must-be destination.
Where to stay
Accommodation options in the city of Athens include everything from good Athens apartments to luxury 5 star hotels, catering to both budget and high-end travelers and all with simple-to-ultramodern amenities to ensure guests’ pleasant and comfortable stay. The 2 star Hotel Economy is one of Athens’s favorite choices, and as its name suggests, this is where guests can truly save money, while staying in well-appointed guestrooms, just minutes away from prominent landmarks and public transport facilities. Other budget options include: Acropolis Select Hotel, Cecil Hotel and Arion Hotel.
Make sure to do some research before booking a hotel room in Athens, because very often, luxury hotels come with great discounts, especially during the low season, allowing guests to have a luxury never-to-be-forgotten stay paying just a little sum of money.
Free Things to Do in Athens, Greece
Visit Acropolis
The heart and soul of ancient Greece, Athens is a living open-air museum that grew out from and around the rocky hill known as the Acropolis, the highest peak in the city and today’s most popular attraction in Athens, as much for its views of the city and beyond as for its splendid ruins of ancient Greece. On Sundays, there is no admission fee for Acropolis, but do not expect to have the place to yourself and go as early as possible to beat the crowds.
Explore the Museums
Athens is home to a wealth of interesting museums and it seems like there are new museums and branches of old museums opening every week. Most museums offer free admission days, especially on Sundays and on all Greek national holidays. The National Archaeological Museum, for instance, ranks among the top ten museums in the world with its impressive collection housed in a beautiful neoclassic building near the juncture of Alexandras Avenue on Patisson Avenue. Several free museums include: the popular yet small Museum of Greek Musical Instruments; as well as the War Museum, an ideal getaway for history-buffs, featuring uniforms and weapons from ancient times through the present.
Monastiraki Flea Market
Let me not forget to mention about the shopping opportunities in Athens, as the city has a great many shopping venues selling everything you could wish for and in affordable prices especially during the January and February sales, when travelers will find staff for prices that would make it worth a trip every year. One of my favorite shopping venues is the bustling Monastiraki Flea Market, literally meaning ‘little monastery,’ where more than bargain goods, including handicrafts, jewelry, fresh fruits and stacks of soccer jerseys are to be found.
From witnessing the changing of the guards and strolling through Plaka, Athens’s oldest district, to watching the sunset at Cape Sounion and hiking Lycabettus hill for a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Athens, to having a picnic in the Natioanl Gardens and exploring the city on foot, Athens has all the ingredients for a truly budget holiday sure to delight!
