Flights from London Gatwick to Athens

Athens - A classic destination for all ages

Iconic landmarks like the Parthenon and a modern lifestyle attract a variety visitors to Athens. An exciting nightlife, culture, shopping facilities and free WiFi in public places such as in public squares and metro stations ensure that visitors will have plenty to do and can easily find their way around.

Best time for Athens visit

Summers can be hot and dry, and there is rainfall and occasional snow in winter so it is best to visit in spring or autumn. The city has numerous annual events and these include the Feast of Saint Basil on 1st January and the Carnival from February to Easter. The Easter procession and Epitaph are popular with visitors; Easter in Greece is celebrated a week later than the UK and many archaeological sites and museums close for the weekend.

Useful tips for travellers

Travellers should be aware that like many popular destinations, Athens has pickpockets in crowded areas or the metro. Many smaller establishments don't accept credit cards. Visitors will find that it is easy to get by in English in Athens. Athens is cheaper than London; a basic meal might be about €10 while dining in a taverna may cost €18 to €25 per person. Souvlaki is cheap at about €3.

Local information for visitors to Athens

Getting from the airport to the city centre is easy. The metro station is close to Exit 3 in Arrivals and across the road and over the bridge. A single ticket is valid for 1.5 hours and costs about €8. Passengers must validate tickets before boarding. The suburban train costs around €5 and is a little slower. An express bus is available to several destinations - also for about €5. Taxis from outside Exit 3 might cost about €35 in the daytime and €50 at night.

Accommodation is readily available including in the form of shared rooms in cheap hostels for about €10 or double rooms in hotels for about €80. Look for cheap hostels in Plaka, pensions and mid-range accommodation in the Acropolis district, and upmarket luxury hotels around Syntagma. Book in advance for July or August.

A 5 km taxi trip costs about €14 with a possible extra fee for heavy luggage, and passengers should ensure that the driver has started the meter. A single ticket costing around €1.20 can be used on buses, trams, trains and the metro and is valid for 70 minutes after purchase. Day tickets are available for about €14 and valid for 5 days for about €10.