Cheap things to do in Athens
Ancient ruins, street food, rocky coves and local wine for not much money.
This is Athens for people who want the real thing without spending much: coffee with Acropolis views, cheap mezze, free archaeological sites, a coastal afternoon, and a neighbourhood wine bar. Days move at a natural pace, on foot where possible. It suits anyone happy to eat standing up, swim off rocks and drink the house wine.
Day 1: Monastiraki, Psyri and the Acropolis
Start with rooftop coffee above the ancient Agora, work through the Acropolis in the afternoon light, then wind down in Psyri with deli food and a glass of local wine.
- 9:30 AM
Couleur Locale
Rooftop café with Acropolis views, perfect first coffee stop in the neighbourhood.
Map - 10:30 AM
Ancient Agora of Athens
The Stoa of Attalos and the Temple of Hephaestus on one site; the combined ticket saves money.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 2:00 PM
Acropolis of Athens
Walk up the Acropolis in the afternoon light, the unmissable Athens landmark.
Map - 7:30 PM
Zarkadian Delicatessen
Top-rated deli with serious Greek produce, cheap, unpretentious and delicious.
Map - 9:30 PM
Day 2: Coast road south to Vouliagmeni
A day out of the city along the Attic coast: rocky coves for a free swim, a seafood lunch at the water's edge, and a slow walk back along the shoreline.
- 9:30 AM
Apollonia Beach Vouliagmeni A Paralia Apollonies Voulas Α
Voula's organised beach with sunbeds and calm water; there is a small entry fee.
Map - 11:00 AM
Second Limanakia Β' Λιμανακια
Second Limanakia rocky coves, a classic free local spot for a swim or a wander before lunch.
Map - 12:30 PM
Avra Bar
Casual Greek lunch in Vouliagmeni at a fair price; grilled fish, salads and a cold beer.
Map - 2:30 PM
- 7:30 PM
Fish & Seafood | Varkiza Ψαράκια & Θαλασσινά | Βάρκιζα
A simple fish taverna on Varkiza's seafront; order the catch by weight and a Greek salad.
Map
Day 3: Kerameikos, market and Philopappos
Kerameikos in the morning, Varvakios market and lunch at Diporto, Anafiotika in the afternoon, sunset from Philopappos Hill and dinner at Karamanlidika tou Fani.
- 9:30 AM
Kerameikos Archaeological Site
The ancient city cemetery, with grave reliefs in a small museum; quiet, shaded and cheap to enter.
Map - 11:00 AM
Varvakios Central Market
Athens' covered meat and fish halls, loud and free to walk through; mornings, Monday to Saturday.
Map - 12:30 PM
Diporto
Basement taverna with no menu, just chickpeas, fried fish and retsina for very little; lunch only.
Map - 3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
Philopappos Hill
Free paths up to the monument for sunset over the Acropolis and the sea toward Piraeus.
Map - 8:00 PM
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani
Cured meats and grilled sausages at a Psyri deli taverna; a few meze plates make a cheap dinner.
Map
Where to stay
Athenian Foss
The cheapest option in the Monastiraki cluster, a short walk from Day 1's coffee stop and everything in Psyri.
Ergon Bakehouse Athens
A bakehouse-hotel in the same block, good value at $$, and you start every morning with decent bread already downstairs.
Make Athens your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Acropolis of Athens: weeks ahead
- Acropolis Museum: weeks ahead
- Acropolis and Acropolis Museum private guided tour: weeks ahead
- Temple of Poseidon: a few days ahead
- Archaeological Site of Delphi: a few days ahead
- Hydra: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Plaka and Adrianou view restaurants with a tout and photo menu: you pay for the view in food quality. Eat in Koukaki, Psyrri or Pangrati.
- Three island in a day mega cruises to Hydra, Poros and Aegina: hours in transit for an hour ashore per island.
- Temple of Olympian Zeus as a standalone paid visit: the columns are visible from the fence and Hadrian's Arch.
- Lycabettus funicular queues at sunset: walking up or a taxi is faster, and Philopappos gives the better Acropolis view free.
The full Athens travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around