How much does a day in Athens cost?

Roughly $45-70 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-170 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Athens?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Athens without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Athens travel guide

Greece

The Acropolis watches over a sprawling, energetic modern city of rooftop bars and neighbourhood tavernas. Athens is also the jumping-off point for ferries to the Greek islands from Piraeus.

Essentials

Language: Greek; English is widely spoken in central Athens
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Plugs: Type C and F, 230 V
Emergency number: 112
Tipping: Appreciated but not obligatory; rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 per cent at a taverna is normal.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $45-70, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $110-170, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Athens

Plaka: the old quarter under the Acropolis, all stepped lanes, neoclassical houses and tavernas.
Koukaki: a relaxed residential area beside the Acropolis Museum with good local cafés.
Psyrri: next to Monastiraki, with street art, small bars and late-night food.

Getting around Athens

The metro is clean and simple, and line 3 runs to the airport. A tram heads down to the coast, and most central sights are within walking distance of each other.

Best time to visit Athens

April to early June and late September to October; July and August can be fiercely hot.

Top things to do in Athens

Visit the Acropolis Museum, where glass floors show excavations beneath your feet
Walk the Ancient Agora and see the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved Greek temples
Watch the Evzones change guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Syntagma Square
Climb Filopappou Hill or Lycabettus Hill for sunset over the city
See the gold Mask of Agamemnon at the National Archaeological Museum

What to eat in Athens

Souvlaki: grilled pork or chicken skewers, often wrapped in pitta with tzatziki
Spanakopita: spinach and feta pie in flaky filo pastry
Koulouri: a sesame-crusted bread ring sold from street carts for breakfast
Loukoumades: small fried dough balls soaked in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon

Day trips from Athens

Cape Sounion: the Temple of Poseidon on a clifftop above the sea, about 1.5 to 2 hours by coastal bus
Aegina: an island known for pistachios and a hilltop temple, roughly 40 minutes to 1.5 hours by ferry from Piraeus
Delphi: the ancient sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, around 2.5 to 3 hours by road

Local etiquette

Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches and monasteries. The open-palm gesture with fingers spread towards someone, the moutza, is an insult, so wave with care.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from the main networks are sold at phone shops and the airport with ID, eSIMs are widely available, and Wi-Fi is common in cafés.

Staying safe

Pickpockets work the metro, especially line 1, and around Monastiraki and Omonia, so keep bags closed. Summer heatwaves are serious: carry water, rest at midday, and note that the Acropolis can close during the hottest afternoons.

A local tip

Be at the Acropolis gates when they open to beat both the heat and the tour groups.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Athens on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Athens for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Athens, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Athens

What currency is used in Athens?: Athens uses the Euro (EUR).
What is the emergency number in Athens?: In Athens, call 112.
When is the best time to visit Athens?: April to early June and late September to October; July and August can be fiercely hot.
How much does a day in Athens cost?: Roughly $45-70 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-170 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Athens?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Athens without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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