Athens, Greece Travel Community

My Athens travel advice: do not drive!!

1 - 6 of 6 Posts
dpappas87

dpappas87

Active member
I know many of us love renting cars during our summer vacations, because it's just so comfortable and convenient. But Athens is not the place to drive! There is so much traffic, and the parking situation is just horrific. Skip the car rental while visiting Athens and just stick to walking, subways, and taxis!
 
  • Like
Reactions: dubai_suzie and Hash
dpappas87 said:
I know many of us love renting cars during our summer vacations, because it's just so comfortable and convenient. But Athens is not the place to drive! There is so much traffic, and the parking situation is just horrific. Skip the car rental while visiting Athens and just stick to walking, subways, and taxis!
Click to expand...
This is so true, driving will waste a bunch of your time and money! I really suggest that you walk around the city anyways so you can explore
 
I think it depends on why type of trip/vacation you are having in Greece.

Going to an island or two for a few weeks and staying in a hotel that is near the busy areas, beach, etc then you will be fine without a car. If you are staying in or around the Athens or Thessaloniki areas and want to explore it is much more cost effective to rent a car and drive.

And if you have lots of family in Greece (if you are Greek) just ask family to take you around LOL. Remember all the times when relatives from Greece visit you and you drive them around everywhere, hahaha...
 
We have a car on the outskirts of Athens and we don't drive in Athens. Drive to the nearest Metro and use it to downtown. Very convenient as long as they're not on strike. Watch out for pickpockets though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cf_fraiser
That sounds like a much more feasible option. I tend to get lost on metros so I usually take taxis when I'm in the city
 
It definitely depends on what you want to do. If you are staying within the city limits, you can get by with taxis, walking, and public transportation. If you want to take extended road trips it's best to rent a car, otherwise you can book a tour that can take you on the excursions.
 
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Is the area near Syntagma a convenient place to stay?

I may be taking a last-minute trip to Athens sometime in September or October, and I’m starting to look at hotel options. I keep seeing places near Syntagma Square, and I’m wondering whether that is a convenient area to stay.

I like the idea of being central and able to walk to a lot of the main sights, restaurants, and neighborhoods, but I also don’t want to stay somewhere that feels overly busy or touristy all the time. How easy is it to get around from Syntagma, especially to places like Plaka, Monastiraki, the Acropolis, and other parts of central Athens?

I’d also love to know what the area feels like in the evenings. Is it a good choice for someone who wants convenience and walkability, or would you recommend staying in a nearby neighborhood instead?

Any hotel-area suggestions would be appreciated too.

Any must-try dessert spots in Athens?

I might be heading to Athens this summer, and I’ve already started making a mental list of all the food I want to try—but I feel like desserts deserve their own plan.

I know about some of the classics like loukoumades and baklava, but I’d love to hear about specific spots that are really worth going out of the way for. Whether it’s a traditional pastry shop, a place known for one standout dessert, or even something more modern, I’m open to all of it.

Also curious if there are any places that are especially good in the summer, something refreshing, lighter, or just perfect after a long day walking around the city.
Would love any recommendations or favorites you’ve found!

Is Kolonaki worth visiting?

I'm planning another trip to Athens and keep hearing good things about Kolonaki. I've walked through Plaka, Monastiraki, and Syntagma several times over the years, but I've never really spent much time exploring Kolonaki.

For those who have visited, is it worth adding to my itinerary? I've heard it's a more upscale neighborhood with great cafés, restaurants, shopping, and a different atmosphere than the more tourist-focused areas. I'm wondering if it's the kind of place where you can spend a relaxed afternoon wandering around or if it's mainly for luxury shopping.

If you recommend visiting, what shouldn't I miss? I'd love suggestions for cafés, bakeries, restaurants, viewpoints, or any hidden gems nearby. I'd also be interested in hearing what makes Kolonaki stand out compared to other neighborhoods in Athens.

Is the Acropolis Museum Worth It?

I might be planning another trip to Athens and, oddly enough, I've never actually visited the Acropolis Museum. Every time I've been there, I've spent most of my time exploring the Acropolis itself, wandering through Plaka, or fitting in other sites, and somehow the museum has always ended up getting skipped.

This time I'm wondering if I should finally make time for it. I've heard great things, but I'm curious whether it's something that really adds to the experience of visiting the Acropolis or if it's better suited for people who are especially interested in archaeology and history.

For those of you who have been, did you feel it was one of the highlights of Athens? How much time would you recommend setting aside, and is there anything in particular that really stood out to you?

What to Do on Cruise Stop in Athens (Piraeus)?

I’ve got a cruise stop coming up in Piraeus with about five hours, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to spend it.

I’ve been to Athens quite a few times and have already done most of the major sights, so I’m not looking to rush back to the Acropolis of Athens or museums again.

I’m more interested in something different this time, maybe a great local area to wander, a good food spot, or even something closer to the port that still feels worth it.

Is it better to stay around Piraeus and explore there, or head into a specific neighborhood in Athens for a quick, focused experience?
Share and discuss your Athens photos, questions and experiences!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top