What Can You Visit in Athens for Free

Athens is a city with a unique vibe, where the classic and modern blend harmoniously. Although it is extraordinarily crowded and sometimes noisy, it is neither oppressive nor tiring.

Most importantly, it has a fantastic positive energy. On the streets of Athens, it smells like coffee and cinnamon. Athens wakes up late and seems to never sleep. I spent three full days that confirmed it is a destination worth visiting more than once in a lifetime.

The tourist attractions in Athens, the museums, and the archaeological sites are numerous, and the ticket prices are not exactly low. However, there are many places you can see for free in Athens throughout the year and others that can be visited for free at certain times.

Exhibitions at the International Airport

The first thing you should do before leaving the airport is to grab a free city map. It will be useful for your wanderings around the city, helping you easily find tourist attractions, transportation, and restaurants.

On the first floor, right above the entrance to the "Departures" terminal, there are three permanent exhibitions worth seeing.

Archaeological Discoveries in the Area of Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport - The permanent exhibition comprises 172 artifacts discovered in the Mesogaia area during the excavations for the construction of the airport. The artifacts date from the Neolithic, early Hellenistic, and post-Byzantine periods.
The Permanent Exhibition of Eleftherios Venizelos - The establishment of the first aviation ministry in Greece by Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos was a landmark in the development of civil aviation in Greece.The permanent exhibition of Eleftherios Venizelos pays tribute to this eminent politician and presents to visitors the role he played in shaping the history and social evolution of Greece. Both his personality and political career are documented through a series of photographs highlighting the most significant events in his life and showcasing the political experience and legacy of this key figure in modern Greek history.
Permanent Exhibition at the Acropolis Museum - If you plan to visit the Acropolis Museum, the airport offers you a beautiful preview. The exhibition includes fragments of the Parthenon frieze and a replica of the famous "Kore" statues that adorned the Acropolis. Visiting hours are daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Filopappou Hill

Located next to the Acropolis, it is considered the site of the battle between Theseus and the Amazons. In the 6th century BC, a fortress was built to prevent the Macedonians from attacking the city.

The complex includes the Hill of the Muses, the Hill of the Nymphs, and Pnyx – the birthplace of democracy. The first meeting of the Democratic Assembly took place here in the 5th century BC.

Hidden behind the pine trees is Socrates' Prison. The place where the philosopher was imprisoned and died was the best location for hiding artifacts from the Acropolis during World War II.

At the highest peak, on the Hill of the Muses, stands a monument erected in the 2nd century AD in honor of the Roman consul Julius Antiochus Filopappos.

Areopagus or Hill of Mars

Also located near the Acropolis is the Areopagus or Hill of Mars, the place where trials were held in ancient Greece. On this hill, Ares, the god of war, was tried by the gods for killing Halirhothius, the son of Poseidon. Ares was acquitted because the one he killed had raped his daughter.

It is noteworthy that in ancient Greece, criminals were not killed but exiled. The name of the condemned person was written on a piece of pottery called an ostrakon. Following the sentence, the person was ostracized, excluded from the community, and sent to a distant territory.

Metropolitan Cathedral

The largest church in Athens, the Metropolitan Cathedral, is also known to locals as the cursed church. Construction began in 1842 when the first king of Greece, Otto, laid the foundation stone. The work took 20 years, and stone from no fewer than 72 demolished churches was used in its construction.

The Athenians did not welcome this and considered the church cursed, a belief "confirmed" during the great earthquake when the church collapsed. The church is dedicated to the Annunciation and, after an extensive restoration process, was reopened in 2006. Next to the cathedral is the Church of St. Eleftherios, also known as the little metropolis.

Changing of the Guard

One of the most moving moments that takes place daily in Athens is the changing of the guard at the Parliament Palace in Syntagma Square.

The history begins in 1842, with the enthronement of the first king of Greece, Otto.

The first thing the Greeks asked the king for was a Constitution. As soon as the Constitution was adopted, the square where the Royal Palace (the current Parliament Palace) was located was named Syntagma (Constitution).

At the same time, the king established the Royal Guard, composed of Evzones (light infantry soldiers). After World War II, the Royal Guard became the National Guard, and the service is conducted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In Greece, military service is mandatory, and every young man hopes to complete his service in the National Guard. It is perhaps the most challenging military service, but both the soldier and his family enjoy the respect of the entire country.

Returning to the moment of the changing of the guard, some may find it a ridiculous spectacle performed by young men in equally ridiculous costumes. I have indeed heard such remarks from people who were disappointed by what they saw. And this is only because no one explained to them what is actually happening there.

The Evzones Uniform

The Evzones uniform, inspired by the attire of the haiduks during the Ottoman rule, is not chosen randomly and contains many symbols. The red represents blood, while the black in the tassel of the fez symbolizes tears. The white silk fustanella has 400 pleats, symbolizing each year of Ottoman domination.

The tsarouhia, the clogs they wear, are made of wood and each weighs 1.5 kg. The pompon on the tip serves a dual purpose: symbolic and pragmatic. While the Turks wore the pompon on their turban, the Greeks wore it on their foot, where they wanted to place all the heads of the Turks.

During the War of Independence, each pompon concealed a dagger that could be used when soldiers were captured and disarmed.

The Movements of the Evzones

As I mentioned, in Athens, the old and the new blend harmoniously, and symbolism is present everywhere. The movements of the Evzones are no exception. Of Prussian origin, King Otto introduced the marching step and, being a great lover of horses, had horseshoes mounted on the clogs of the Evzones.

The second movement executed is the raising of the knee in the shape of the number 4 followed by throwing the heel back. This step represents trampling and leaving behind 400 years of submission to the Ottoman Empire.

Every day, on the hour, the "Small Changing of the Guard" takes place. On Sundays at 11:00 AM, the "Grand Changing of the Guard" occurs.

If you want to secure a good spot on Sunday morning, it is advisable to arrive at least 15-20 minutes in advance.

Plaka, Anafiotika, Monastiraki

The pulse of a city is felt on the street. Plaka is the most frequented neighborhood by tourists, where taverns, cafes, and small shops line up like beads on an endless necklace.

It is a labyrinth of narrow streets with neoclassical buildings, featuring arcades and columns. Occasionally, in the courtyards of residential buildings, you come across unclassified archaeological sites.

The most picturesque spot in Plaka is the tiny Anafiotika neighborhood. When you enter here, you feel like you've stepped out of the metropolis and teleported to an island in the Cyclades archipelago. However, from this height, you don't see the Aegean Sea, the volcano of Santorini, or the windmills of Mykonos. The extremely narrow streets are actually stairs bordered by white, cubic houses covered in bougainvillea.

The Neighborhood

The neighborhood was built by craftsmen from the island of Anafi and other Greek islands who were called to restore the royal palace.

Until 1922, the population was predominantly islanders. Then, refugees from Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey) settled there.

Currently, the neighborhood is inhabited by elderly people who don't particularly appreciate the hordes of tourists passing by their homes. If we respect their peace and do not photograph them without their permission, they are actually quite friendly.

Monastiraki

Monastiraki is the main shopping destination in Athens. On Ermou Street, which connects Plaka to Monastiraki, skirting around Anafiotika, we find stores of famous brands of clothing, footwear, and perfumes.

Right next to the metro station is the entrance to the flea market, a long street filled with souvenir shops, trinkets, clothing, footwear, handbags, and backpacks at the lowest prices. At the end of the street, if you still have the energy to walk, you will find all sorts of antiques: from coffee pots to rugs, from jewelry to porcelain and furniture.

It's often said that it takes 10 minutes to walk from Plaka to Monastiraki if you're alone and 3 hours if you're with your wife.

When You Can Visit Museums and Archaeological Sites for Free in Athens

Besides these, there are many museums and archaeological sites worth visiting, not only for their exhibits but especially for the stories they tell. If you want to climb the Acropolis, see the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Library, the Archaeological Museum, the Acropolis Museum, or the Panathenaic Stadium, you will need to spend around 70-80 euros.

You can pay half the price if you are a citizen of a European Union country and over 65 years old. Young people up to 18 years old, regardless of their country of residence, benefit from free admission.

Museums and archaeological sites can be visited for free by everyone on the following days: