When most people think of Greece they think of summer vacations spent at a beach on a beautiful island. But Greece in winter can be interesting as well, especially Athens.
In fact, traveling to Athens in winter means you will find cheaper flights and accommodation. As it’s the off-season, there will also be fewer tourists. But the weather is still more pleasant than in many other European cities. What’s more, museums and sights are free to enter on the first Sunday of every month from November to March.
If you’re heading to Athens in winter you may wonder about the best things to do in Athens during this time of year.
As an expat, I have spent six winters in Athens so here’s my list of the best things to do in Athens during this season.
What to Do in Athens for Christmas
Christmas isn’t a big deal in Greece. But that makes Athens a perfect destination if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
You can still find Christmas lights in Athens but on a much lower scale than in most Western countries. But if you do want all the Christmas decorations go to Christmas Factory, the Athenian version of a Christmas market. And because the winters are much milder you will feel less cold than in another European city.
If you’re curious you can experience a Greek Orthodox Christmas at one of the many churches in the Greek capital.
Be aware that the 25th and 26th of December are public holidays, and most museums and sights will be closed. Those are perfect days to go for walks, but you won’t be able to visit any museums or the Acropolis.
Visit the Acropolis Museum
If it gets a little bit too cold to be outside, the Acropolis Museum is a great way to stay warm for a few hours. Here, you’ll learn all the history of the Acropolis and ancient Athens.
Even if you’re not usually a fan of museums, the Acropolis museum is a must if you’re in Athens in winter or in summer. Be prepared for a lot of information, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Don’t forget that entrance will be free on the first Sunday of every month between November and March.
Head to the Other Museums
There’s more to Athens than the Acropolis. Lovers of archaeology will have to visit the National Archaeological Museum. It houses some of the most important Greek archaeological artifacts.
But you won’t only find museums dedicated to ancient Greek history. There’s the Jewish Museum, the Museum of Greek Folk Art, or the Museum of Greek Popular Musical Instruments.
There are so many museums you can take shelter in if it gets too rainy or cold to walk around outside.
Indulge in Delicious Food
Food is always a good idea, no matter the season. Restaurants are a perfect way to stay warm, but stay away from the touristy spots around Monastiraki.
Due to Greece being a nation of emigrants, Greek food is known in many parts of the world nowadays. You’ve probably had some Greek food before, but here’s your chance to get a taste of very authentic dishes.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian there are also several vegan restaurants in Athens that you should visit.
Marvel at the Colorful Street Art
Athens is an excellent city to visit if you love street art. And because it gets so hot in summer you will enjoy walking around much more in winter.
Psyrri, Exarcheia, and Kerameikos are the best neighborhoods for seeing street art. And you can even take an organized street art tour to find out more about the meaning behind each piece.
Enjoy the Greek Carnival Season
If you’re not Greek chances are you didn’t even know that Greece celebrated carnival. These three weeks of dressing up and partying fall directly before Orthodox Lent.
While Athens is not the center of Greek Carnival, there are still some events you can attend. You will see many people wearing costumes during this time.
As the date changes every year, make sure to plan accordingly if you want to experience the Greek Carnival season.
Hike up Lykavittos Hill
Hiking up Lykavittos Hill is not fun in the Greek summer. This hill is the highest point in Athens (perfect for sunset watching!) with great views all the way to the sea!
But, of course, hiking up there can get quite strenuous in the Greek summer heat. That’s why hiking up Lykavittos is the perfect thing to do if you’re in Athens in winter.
There’s a tiny church at the top which adds so much atmosphere to this wonderful viewpoint of Athens.
Go on a Day Trip to an Island
If you have time consider taking a day trip to one of the Saronic islands. While winter is not the time to go swimming, the islands are just as beautiful in the winter – minus the crowds.
While Aegina is the closest island to Athens and the most popular, I suggest going to Agistri. This smaller island is less than two hours from Athens by boat and absolutely gorgeous.
Agistri is perfect for walking along its beautiful beaches. But bike rentals are also very popular on this green island.
The islands close to Athens get extremely busy in the summer when Athenians try to escape the city heat. But in the winter, you will have the dreamy views over the Mediterranean Sea all to yourself.
If you have more time in Athens you can even consider taking a weekend trip from Athens somewhere else. There is definitely something for everyone in the south of Greece.
Enjoy the Acropolis With Fewer Crowds
Visiting the Acropolis in winter is an amazing experience for two reasons. First of all, it’s much less exhausting to climb up there when temperatures are not 40°C!
But there are also fewer crowds in Athens in winter so you’ll get much better pictures of the most famous Greek piece of architecture.
You can enter the Acropolis for free on the first Sunday of every month from November to March. Of course, there will be more people taking advantage of this. But if you go early you can still enjoy the off-season atmosphere.
Visit More Ancient Sites
The Acropolis isn’t the only thing to see in Athens. There are several other ancient sites that you might like to visit in Athens.
You can access the most important ones by getting the special Acropolis ticket which includes the Roman and Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Kerameikos cemetery, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Lykeion.
As entry prices are 50% off in the winter, the combined ticket is only worth it if you want to visit all of these sites.
Get Cozy in the Hammam
Greece doesn’t like to positively display anything that reminds you of its Ottoman history. But due to interest by tourists, the city now has a total of three hammams or Turkish bathhouses.
They’re all quite small and not located in traditional bathhouses. But they’re the perfect way to warm up if you get cold in Athens in winter. The Ottomans paid a lot of attention to personal hygiene so regular visits to the hammam were a must.
You can book a self-service appointment or include an exfoliating massage after your time in the hot steamy marble room.
Be aware that unlike traditional hammams the hammams in Athens are mixed. But at Hammam Baths in Thisseio Tuesdays are women-only.
Go for a Stroll Through Plaka and Anafiotika
Plaka and Anafiotika are some of my favorite neighborhoods in Athens. Here you will find the old town of the Greek capital.
There are colorful neoclassical buildings in Plaka as well as white houses that remind you of the Greek islands in Anafiotika.
The neighborhood is perfect for a stroll in the winter because there are fewer tourists around. You will find lots of cozy cafés to relax in. And there’s an array of souvenir shops where you can find everything from cheap products made in China to beautifully crafted olive wood items.
Observe the Changing of the Guards
Of course, the changing of the guards is one of the main things to do in Athens no matter the season.
There’s the regular changing of the guards procedure every hour which you can easily catch if you’re in the area. But on Sundays at 11 am there’s a special ceremony that includes an orchestra. For this, the guards wear the official uniform which is a lot prettier than the regular outfit.
You can take pictures with the guards, but you’re not allowed to touch them so please respect the rules.
Get to Know the Other Side of Athens in Exarcheia
I have a soft spot for Exarcheia. This anarchist neighborhood is where I lived for the first three years after moving to Athens.
If you get bored with museums and ancient sites Exarcheia is the perfect place to see the young and modern Athens. There’s a lot of street art, food, bars, and bookstores here. Exarcheia is a colorful neighborhood that will brighten up any winter day.
Some Greek people will tell you that Exarcheia is dangerous. But unless you get involved in a political protest, you don’t have to worry about your safety here any more than in other parts of the city. Do check if any protests are planned during your time in Athens so you can avoid the area during that time.
As you can see, there are lots of things to do in Athens when it’s a little bit colder outside. I hope you enjoy your winter trip to the Greek capital.
