5 Things To Do In Athens On A Budget
Athens is definitely one of the best places to visit for a holiday, with its historical and cultural significance, the pretty sculptures and streets, and the delicious food it is definitely a place to be visited by everybody. You can even do that without worrying about spending too much money! Here are 5 things you can do in Athens that will not break your bank and that you definitely need to do once you get there!
1. The Acropolis
Of course, we cannot start without first and foremost mentioning the crown of Athens, which is the world-famous Acropolis! It is situated on a rocky outcrop above the city and it contains the remains of several ancient buildings, one of them the popular Parthenon. When you climb up to the top of the hill you can enjoy a stunning view of Athens which goes on for miles. Alongside the Acropolis, outside the touristy bit, lots of locals gather around during sunset on the rocky hill and have a drink and a chat together, enjoying the view of the changing colours of the sky. Depending on your budget, you may not wish to go and climb to the actual Parthenon, as it can sometimes get up to €40 per person. You can, however, go and enjoy the Acropolis Museum, that is located just a bit further on the side for only €10 or less for students, which contains the actual artefacts found inside the buildings, containing marvellous statues of Greek gods and goddesses!
2. Plaka
Another famous place to visit is the Plaka district in Athens, which is full of shops, restaurants and cafes. Take a stroll around the tiny pretty streets of Plaka, try some traditional Greek food for lunch, grab some ice cream or some coffee, and take many (like a lot) of Instagrammable pictures! You can even go in the evenings for a drink or a nice affordable meal and have a brilliant time in this very typical and beautiful Athenian setting.
3. Visit Syntagma Square
Right in the centre of the city is located the famous Syntagma Square in front of the Greek Parliament building. Over there you can feed the dozens of pigeons gathering round and you can see the popular guards dressed in traditional Greek uniform. You can actually witness the guards changing every hour, starting from 11am, and on Sundays, you can see the actual the traditional ceremony. It’s a cool sight to see and you can do it entirely for free!
4. Visit the National Garden of Athens
One of the very best places in Athens is undoubtedly the National Garden. It is located right by Syntagma Square and it’s the home of over 500 species of plants and animals. You can stroll around under the palm trees and around the little ponds, see some statues, and enjoy the cooler atmosphere of the garden under the shades. It’s open from sunrise to sunset and is entirely free to visit, so make sure to check it out!
5. Monastiraki
Close to the Plaka district, at the foot of the Acropolis, is the Monastiraki square. Surrounded by flea markets and coffee shops, it is definitely one of the most curious and popular places to explore on your trip to Athens! You can try some traditional Greek coffee in the cafes and look around interesting art and antiques that can be found in the pretty little streets of the area.
