7 Free Places To Visit in Athens, Greece
Athens is a city which lives and breathes history, after all, it’s home to the Acropolis.
Our travel writer, Tamara, visited Athens on a solo trip, exploring this historic city on a budget.
Despite being a top destination amongst tourists, there’s many hidden gems AND visiting Athens can be done on a budget! In just a few days, she explored the city’s tourist hotspots and hidden gems, which you can scroll through and save for your very own Athens trip.
1. Areopagus Hill
Directly opposite the Acropolis, Areopagus Hill offers one of the best views in the city. This rocky outcrop was once a meeting place for ancient leaders and is now a favourite spot for locals and visitors to watch the sunset.
The short climb is worth it for the panoramic views across the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the rooftops of Athens - although be careful of the slippery rocks!
I’d recommend heading late morning or just in time for sunset!
2. Central Market (Varvakios Agora)
A taste of the everyday.
In the heart of Athens, the Varvakios Agora is a lively food market filled with energy and colour. If you want to feel like a local, this is the place to go. You can wander through rows of stalls selling fresh fish, meat, fruit, herbs and spices while listening to traders calling out their offers. I could’ve taken home all the spices on these stalls; they looked and smelt incredible.
3. Church of Panagia Kapnikarea
On Ermou Street, you will find the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, one of the oldest churches in Athens. Since the surrounding areas of Athens has become more built up, it’s quite uniquely placed amongst the city centre shops.
Built in the 11th century, it sits quietly among the shops and crowds.
4. Philopappos Hill
Philopappos Hill is a peaceful green space a little walk away from the Acropolis. Depending on the route you take up, it can be relatively steep so be prepared.
The paths lead through pine trees and past ancient ruins, ending at the Philopappos Monument and a flat opening in which you can see a beautiful view of the Acropolis on one side, and the sea on another.
The view of the Acropolis is slightly further away than the one at Areopagus Hill, so bear this in mind when planning your trip.
5. Psiri District
The Psiri District, near Monastiraki, is one of Athens’ most vibrant neighbourhoods. It’s known for its street art, independent shops and local cafés. This is an ideal spot if you want to take a break to grab a drink or snack.
6. Syntagma Square
The place to be if you want to see the changing of the guard, it happens every Sunday at 11am, or a 2 in 2 out every hour, on the hour every day.
In my opinion this is a must see, I saw the ‘2 in, 2 out’ change completely by chance which was incredible.
7. National Garden
If you’re looking for shaded peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle, I’d recommend The National Garden. It provides the perfect balance of tranquillity with the palm trees and small ponds, whilst still being a stone’s throw away from the city centre.
City Girl Recommendation
Athens is a great place to visit; there’s always something going on and plenty of history to immerse yourself into. Despite being a tourist hotspot, you truly can visit on a budget, and I’d highly recommend investing that money into immersing yourself into the culture.
If you only visit 2 things on this list, make it Areopagus Hill for the Acropolis viewpoint and Syntagma Square for the changing of the guard.
Words and Photography by Tamara Lawrence (@tamarabreeze)