Soaking up the sights in Athens doesn’t have to break the bank. Even with its huge number of top-flight, world-class sights, the Greek capital is a very reasonably priced city, making it an ideal European bargain destination.
While entry fees to top-tier sights can add up – entry to the Acropolis costs €20, and getting into the Acropolis Museum will run you another €10 – you won’t find yourself shut out even if you’re counting every euro. In fact, there are plenty of ways to experience this historic city without spending a cent.
1. Syntagma Square
Get your bearings in the de facto city center, in front of Athens’ Parliament building on lively Plateia Syntagmatos (aka Syntagma Sq, or “constitution square”). The plaza’s broad stairs provide an excellent informal vantage point for people watching. Keep your camera ready because this is where the iconic evzones (guards) kick up their traditional pom-pom-ed toes every hour in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Planning tip: If your schedule allows, come by on Sunday at 11am, when a whole platoon with a marching band makes the trip from the Presidential Guard barracks to the tomb. Also, peek in on the quiet backstreet of Iridou Attikou, where the evzones go through their rituals 24/7, even when no one’s watching.
2. Ancient Sites
Most Athens visitors will likely pony up for a €30 combination ticket to the Acropolis, covering the citadel and six other top Athens sites. Yet if you’re on a strict budget, you can get an eyeful of these ruins without spending a penny. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is easy to admire from just over the fence. Right next to it is Hadrian’s Arch, a great Roman landmark now looming over a major avenue. In Monastiraki, the Tower of the Winds sits adjacent to the site fence – in fact, the view is better from here, as you’re closer to eye level with the beautiful bas-relief decorations.
The Panathenaic Stadium is another landmark visible from the outside. If you’re feeling very active and organized, you can jog there in the morning for free; stop by the site and ask for the waiver form you’ll need to fill out. Moreover, its prime hilltop location makes the Acropolis visible from all over town – no ticket required. There’s an especially good photo op from the quiet Hill of the Pnyx.
Planning tip: If you’re not satisfied looking in from the outside, plan a visit around one of the official free days at the big state-run sites, including the Acropolis and other monuments and museums.
3. Free Museums
Even though most Athens museums charge for admission and aren’t included in the Acropolis combo ticket, there are ways to see the city’s world-class collections for free. The excellent National Archaeological Museum and the National Historical Museum are both included in the annual free-days program, and the latter is free every Sunday.
Another great museum deal worth planning around is Thursday at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture, when this top-notch collection of all things Hellenic is absolutely free and open until midnight.
Planning tip: A handful of other good museums are free anytime, including:
- Museum of Greek Popular Instruments: Learn all about Greek folk music at this interesting collection; check the schedule for free concerts in the garden.
- Museum of the Athens-Piraeus Electric Railways: Rail fans will enjoy this history of the city’s transportation system.
- Museum of Folk Art & Tradition: Roam around the Plaka mansion of a famous Greek folklore specialist.
- Municipal Gallery: Displaying beautiful paintings by Greek greats.
4. Art, Exhibitions, and Events
Athens features some of the most vivid street art in Europe – look for it especially in the neighborhoods of Psyrri, Metaxourgio, and Exarhia. Additionally, a vibrant gallery scene provides ways to tap into free parties and other cultural events. Top spots to check out include:
- Breeder Gallery: One of Athens’ most commercially successful galleries.
- Romantso: A multipurpose arts space expect exhibitions, installations, and performances.
- Dio Horia: A contemporary gallery with an international slant.
5. Browsing Athens’ Markets
The many street markets in Athens allow you to slip into the flow of daily life, making it cost nothing to look. The vibrant Varvakios Agora, Athens’ central meat-and-fish market, provides a great setting for vendors selling everything from lamb carcasses to still-flopping fish. Across the avenue, it’s all about fresh fruits and local vegetables.
An essential part of Athens life is the laïki agora, the produce market that takes over a main street in each neighborhood for one day every week. Vendors display their best goods, attracting everyone from old folks to families looking for fresh produce.
6. Historic Streets
One easy way to soak up the feel of ancient Athens is to take a walk around the Acropolis. Start in Plaka, where the narrow streets nestle into the northeastern slope of the citadel. Therefore, following the quiet pedestrian promenade created for the 2004 Olympics, you’ll pass by important historical landmarks.
7. A Free Walking Tour
There’s no need to walk alone in Athens; enjoy a city-run program that pairs visitors with enthusiastic locals who’ll share what they love about the city, at zero cost.
Planning Tip: Book at least three days ahead.
This article was first published Feb 10, 2015, and updated Jan 4, 2023.
