Athens holidays
Athens has always been able to captivate an audience. See sunbaked temples topping craggy hills and classical statues bathed in hazy sunsets. Listen for the hoot of an owl as you stare down at a glittering metropolis from a hilltop. Then listen to the stories told on stages at open-air amphitheatres and over little tables in courtyard cafes. Dig into the Greek capital’s myths, its ancient history, its tales about the beginning of Western civilisation as we know it… and, of course, its souvlaki.
Our cheapest holidays to Athens
City of storytellers and sunlit terraces
The Acropolis, an ancient citadel on a sacred rock, rises from the centre of the city. Back on street level, the all-marble Olympic stadium stands where Socrates and his students once sought shade – as well as the answers to life’s most abstract questions – under riverside trees.
If your group can’t agree where to go for dinner, head to the Agora to do as the ancient Greeks did and take a vote. This is the birthplace of democracy, after all – where better to settle the debate of gyros versus moussaka?
Wise Athenians will tell you to give in to spontaneity. Wander narrow streets to stumble upon graffiti murals and bustling tavernas. Let neoclassical buildings catch your eye and the sound of a bouzouki’s steel strings catch your ear. When your feet tire, pull up a chair on a balcony overrun by flowerpots and breathe in a sweet summer breeze. Or enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant and toast to the Parthenon’s mighty columns glowing beneath the stars. Book your flights to Athens now.
Carefully selected Athens hotels
Best hotels in Athens for all types of traveller
Stay at the Plaka Hotel to gawk at monuments. You’ll be in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, surrounded by ancient temples and bars oozing with ouzo. You’ll also be able to see the Acropolis illuminated under a cracking sunset from the hotel’s rooftop. Grecotel Pallas Athena is another centerally located option close to the best things to visit in Athens. The rooms in this avant-garde hotel are stuffed with art and handcrafted furniture – expect plenty of bold murals and neon sculptures.
Alternatively, stay away from the city centre and surround yourself with coastal views on the Athenian Riviera. Grand Resort Lagonissi resembles an island getaway with waterfront bungalows and private beaches. At Grecotel Cape Sounio, rooms feature large doors that open out onto majestic vistas of the mountains, the Aegean Sea or the Temple of Poseidon. Meanwhile, seaside boutique The Margi is remarkably chic. Stay here for spellbinding views of beaches and pine forests, as well as rustic dinners by olive trees.
Athens holiday FAQs
Athens’ airport is around 35 to 40 minutes away from the city centre. The metro is right by the airport’s entrance, and children under six can travel on it for free. It connects to the central stations but doesn’t run after midnight, so if you’re travelling after this time, hop in a cab or on one of the city’s buses. The service is the cheapest way to travel around Athens.
You can also hire a car with British Airways if you want to get out of the city and see more of what Greece has to offer. You’ll receive great benefits, with all mandatory charges included and 24-hour customer support, plus you’ll collect Avios points on every rental.
In general, prices are usually at their highest during the summer months. Search for flights in spring or autumn to pay less but still enjoy balmy weather when you’re exploring ancient ruins and enjoying delicious dishes.
Why choose British Airways Vacations?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We offer carefully chosen hotels, resorts and villas in the most amazing places, and car rental with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your vacation taken care of.
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