Why visit
Athens means the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Agora. Plus Plaka's tavernas, the Acropolis Museum, and the Keramikos graveyard of philosophers.
Athens at a glance
City population
640k
Metro: 3.8 million
Elevation
170 m
558 ft
Time zone
UTC+2 (UTC+3 DST)
Europe/Athens
Airport
ATH
Eleftherios Venizelos
Founded
c. 3000 BCE
Getting around
Metro (3 lines), trams, buses, electric trolleys
Signature dish
Souvlaki, moussaka, Greek salad (horiatiki), loukoumades
Neighborhoods for travelers
PlakaMonastirakiKoukakiExarchia
Greece at a glance
Country center
39.0°, 22.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
131,990 km²
50,962 mi²
Country population
10.3 million
78/km²
Subregion
Southern Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+30
Language
Greek
Demonym
Greek
Internet
.gr
UN
Member state
ISO code
GR / GRC
Where in the world
39.0° · 22.0°
Greece
Open in Google Maps ↗
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- The Acropolis has been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years.
- Greek democracy was invented in Athens in the 6th century BCE: the word means "rule by the people".
- Athens has more theatrical stages than any other city, over 148.
- Greece has more than 6,000 islands but only 227 are inhabited.
- No spot in Greece is more than 137 km from the sea.
Bordering Greece
Traveler notes
- Acropolis combo ticket covers 7 sites
- Rooftop dinners with Parthenon views
- Riviera beaches a tram ride from downtown
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Athens
What currency is used in Athens?
Athens uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Greece?
The primary language is Greek.
What is the international calling code for Greece?
The calling code is +30.
What airport serves Athens?
Eleftherios Venizelos (IATA: ATH).
Other Europe destinations
Iceland
Iceland is raw geology. Golden Circle waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and the Blue Lagoon. Packed into a country you can circle in a week.
Ireland
Ireland rewards slow travel. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, Galway pubs, Cliffs of Moher, and Dublin's literary heritage. Weather changes hourly; that's part of it.
Italy
Italy is endless travel. Rome's ruins, Florence's Renaissance, Venice's canals, Amalfi's cliffs, Sicily's markets, Dolomites hiking. Regional food and dialect identity remains strong.
Kosovo
Kosovo is a destination in Europe known for its cultural identity: local traditions, music, crafts, and a distinctive regional character that differs from its neighbors.
Latvia
Latvia is a destination in Europe known for its cultural identity: local traditions, music, crafts, and a distinctive regional character that differs from its neighbors.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a destination in Europe known for its cultural identity: local traditions, music, crafts, and a distinctive regional character that differs from its neighbors.