What comes to mind when most people think of Athens? Ancient ruins, traditional Greek food, theatre and mythology…. Most foreigners will be surprised to find a buzzing modern metropolis with as much in the way of nightlife as museums. Athens has grown in popularity as a holiday destination for young travellers in recent years and hotel and restaurant prices have grown accordingly. It is still possible to visit Athens on a budget though and hopefully the tips below will help you on your way.
Accommodation near to the Acropolis is readily available and a real treat, especially if you get views of the Acropolis itself but you will pay for the luxury. There are a variety of cheap hostels in Athens for the more budget conscious traveller who doesn’t mind saving on frills and location in order to extend their stay or have a little extra cash to spend on meals out. These hostels or B&B’s are often small, family-run establishments which will give you an insight into how modern Greek families live.
“Tavernas” are the place to head for if you want a reasonably priced traditional Greek meal that won’t cost a fortune. The starters and main dishes are primarily made with very healthy Mediterranean ingredients, so you don’t have to feel made about tucking into the obscenely sweet Baklava that most places offer for dessert.
As far as sightseeing is concerned, you will make considerable savings if you travel to Athens outside of the peak season. The Acropolis, for example, is free to visit on Sundays between November and March. The Filopappos Hill is another famous ancient ruin which is free all year round. Your best bet is to choose just a couple of major sights to visit and spend the rest of your time strolling around the historical city centre, which has now been transformed into a pedestrian area, and stumbling across monuments with the help of a good guide book to tell you a little about them.
Last of all, I’d like to say that, although you can cover a lot of Athens on foot, it is well worth hopping on a metro at some point, even if you don’t really need to, as it is one of the world’s most stream lined and beautiful metro systems in the world and took so long to build due to the extensive archaeological finds that were uncovered every time the builders started digging!
