Athens is a lovely place on Earth most people wish to visit at least once in their lives. If you are such a person, as well, you have come to the right place. In this helpful blog post of ours, we will provide you with all the essential details you should consider when traveling to Athens for the first time. The place has so many attractions, and tourists will definitely need more than a week there to catch a glimpse of them all. No matter how long your trip will be, we promise that you will find the upcoming paragraphs super useful. We will not only mention the most prominent destinations you should visit, but we’ll also mention the things you should be careful about. Without further ado, allow us to present to you our virtual guide for first-time travelers to Athens.
Things You Should Know Before You Get on Your Plane to Athens
Visiting a new place surely is exciting. You create a listing with the things you need to carry and a bucket list with all of the attractions and restaurants you wish to visit. Nonetheless, every tourist should also spend some time exploring the country’s legal regulations, as well as any potential dangers they may face during their trip.
We all know that there are numerous pickpockets in large cities. Such destinations are excellent for criminals because non-residents are too busy enjoying the view, and they often don’t keep an eye on their belongings. Unfortunately, Athens is no exception. The places where you should be extremely cautious are flea markets. Both tourists and thieves love going to these markets. Thus, to avoid having your vacation ruined, please, make sure you keep your money and phone in an anti-theft travel bag. Check out the following paragraphs to learn more about the things every first-time visitor should know.
Make Sure You Choose A Good Place to Stay
One thing we don’t recommend is booking a hotel once you get to Athens. Instead, make sure you do thorough research about the best and most affordable hotels or hostels in Athens. It is vital to read previous visitors’ reviews to ensure that the place is as good as it says in the description. Some of our top proposals are the following:
- Ivis 4 Boutique Hotel
- Evripides Hotel
- Phidias Hotel Athens
- Acropolis Select Hotel
All of these are super reasonable in terms of price, and their location is excellent. You will be able to get to the city’s main square within a few minutes, and you will be surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants. Whether you travel alone, with friends, or with family, all of these places are excellent picks.
Choose the Right Season
If possible, visit Athens somewhere between March and May. That is definitely the best time to pay the city a visit simply because the weather is suitable for long walks. If you go there during the summer, you risk getting tired pretty swiftly due to the hot weather. Nevertheless, if you’ve already planned your summer vacation in Athens, we promise you that you will still enjoy your trip. Just make sure you wear a cap and bring a fan with you. Some of the best destinations to visit no matter what the season is are:
- The National Archeology Museum
- The Acropolis
- Plaka Neighborhood
- The Byzantine Museum
Don’t Rely Solely on Debit Cards
Tourists love using debit cards when traveling. It is not only super convenient, but you won’t have to worry about losing your coins and banknotes all the time. However, sometimes, bringing cash with you may turn out to be quite useful. You never know when the POS terminal will stop working. In such instances, you may end up being unable to buy that souvenir you liked so much. Thus, having a backup plan is always a good idea.
Bring A Dictionary
If Greek is not someone’s native language, there’s a high probability for them to understand absolutely nothing when they see a sentence written in it. Considering this, we strongly encourage you to spend some time learning a few basic Greek words and phrases. That will not only help you read some of the signs in Athens, but you’ll also understand what a merchant is trying to tell you. An even better idea would be to bring a small travel dictionary with you. They are pretty affordable and contain the most essential sentences you may have to use or translate while in Athens. If you are not confident enough in your Greek pronunciation, simply point to the thing you wish to say or ask, and the person in front of you will most likely do their best to answer in an understandable manner using lots of mimics.