Athens, one of the most ancient cities of Greece, was named after the goddess Athena. The city, founded before 1600 B.C., was the cultural and artistic center of Greece, the birthplace of philosophy, art, literature, theater and science. It was made capital city of Greece on September 18, 1843, taking the reins from the city of Nafplio. During the Mycenaean era, Athens witnessed a great cultural development through the appearance of men of letters, artists, scientists, philosophers, orators and poets, who contributed to the growth of the city. Afterwards, through the Persian Wars, and as a result of its victories against the Persian armies, Athens gained significant territories and status, inaugurating the Golden Age of Pericles, the leading figure of Athens during that period. The Peloponnesian War that followed, and much later on, the Turkish Rule, led to the decline of Athens. The two World Wars also had a great toll on the city. Nevertheless, Athens managed to recover and reestablish its historical direction. Since 1981, when Greece joined the European Union, Athens has been constantly evolving into a contemporary European capital city.
Book your Flight to Athens with SKY express from €14*
Explore Our Popular Flights to Athens with the best airfares!
Heraklion (HER)to
Athens (ATH)Heraklion (HER)to
Athens (ATH)Heraklion (HER)to
Athens (ATH)Heraklion (HER)to
Athens (ATH)Heraklion (HER)to
Athens (ATH)Heraklion (HER)to
Athens (ATH)*Fares displayed have been collected within the last 48hrs and may no longer be available at time of booking. Additional fees and charges for optional products and services may apply.
Plan ahead your flight to Athens with the Best Deals
From | To | Fare Type | Dates | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
FromHeraklion (HER) | ToAthens (ATH) | One-way / Economy | Depart 12 January, 2025 | From €17* Seen: 2 minutes ago |
FromLarnaca (LCA) | ToAthens (ATH) | One-way / Economy | Depart 18 February, 2025 | From €56* Seen: 49 minutes ago |
FromThessaloniki (SKG) | ToAthens (ATH) | One-way / Economy | Depart 23 January, 2025 | From €35* Seen: 1 hour ago |
FromChania (CHQ) | ToAthens (ATH) | One-way / Economy | Depart 13 January, 2025 | From €34* Seen: 1 hour ago |
FromRhodes (RHO) | ToAthens (ATH) | One-way / Economy | Depart 25 January, 2025 | From €35* Seen: 25 minutes ago |
FromLondon (LGW) | ToAthens (ATH) | One-way / Economy | Depart 30 January, 2025 | From €56* Seen: 11 hrs ago |
FromBrussels (BRU) | ToAthens (ATH) | One-way / Economy | Depart 16 January, 2025 | From €74* Seen: 1 hour ago |
*Fares displayed have been collected within the last 48hrs and may no longer be available at time of booking. Additional fees and charges for optional products and services may apply.
Book your Round-trip to Athens with SKY express!
*Book round-trip and pay less with -10% on SKY joy+ and SKY enjoy fares. Additional fees and charges for optional products and services may apply.
Traveling to Athens? Discover BLISS, your personalized business class experience!
Heraklion (HER)to
One-way
BLISS Business Class
Heraklion (HER)to
One-way
BLISS Business Class
Larnaca (LCA)to
One-way
BLISS Business Class
Larnaca (LCA)to
One-way
BLISS Business Class
Thessaloniki (SKG)to
One-way
BLISS Business Class
Thessaloniki (SKG)to
One-way
BLISS Business Class
Chania (CHQ)to
One-way
BLISS Business Class
Chania (CHQ)to
One-way
BLISS Business Class
*Prices have been available for round trips within the last 48 hours and may not be currently available. The Fare BLISS Business Class includes; 1 personal item, 1 cabin baggage up to 13kg, 2 pieces of checked baggage up to 32kg each, unlimited flight changes (fare differences charged, if applicable), Same-Day Flight Change for free (special terms and conditions apply), SKY Fast Lane, SKY Executive Lounge, free seat preselection, priority baggage delivery.
Explore the city of Athens
Airport
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Check-in counters: 70 - 78
BLISS Business Class: 70
Families and Special Assistance: 78ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT "EL. VENIZELOS" SA, SPATA 19019
Destination
Athens … a city that needs no particular introductions! Being the capital city of Greece, Athens is a perennial attraction for visitors from all over the world: the "heart" of Greece, the birthplace of democracy, modern Western civilization and the Olympic Games. It is a city that will never stop sparking people's interest due to its ability to neatly combine past, present and future. Visit Athens and see its history being revived as you walk among the city's iconic historical monuments. Travel in time and arrive at the present day, admiring the modern architecture of the city and listening to the beat of its everyday life. Culture, diversity and hospitality are some of the elements forming the intoxicating scent of Athens, which will follow you each step of the way. Start your journey from Syntagma Square, in front of the iconic building that hosts the Greek Parliament and the Evzones, the Presidential Guard of Greece, who proudly protect the Parliament all year round. Walk down Ermou Street to do some shopping and go to Monastiraki, taking a slight detour to admire the picturesque Anafiotika neighborhood. Naturally, don't forget to gaze at the impressive hill of the Acropolis. So, if you are looking for a city that blends past and future, serenity and vibrant nightlife, classical and modern aspects, then Athens is your destination of choice!
The history
Sightseeing
Syntagma Square
All roads lead to … Syntagma Square! This historical downtown square, which also happens to be the second greatest square of Greece, was a favorite meeting place for 19th- and 20th-century Athenians, and remains so to this day. Syntagma Square is divided into two segments: the upper square, where you will find the building of the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, and the lower square, which joins with Ermou Street. Don't forget to see the changing of the Presidential Guard, which takes place each hour. Also, if you happen to find yourself in Syntagma Square on a Sunday, at 11:00 a.m., you can see the Evzones dressed in their traditional uniforms, the fustanellas, performing the weekly ritual of the changing of the guard.
Acropolis & Acropolis Museum
It wouldn't be right to travel to Athens and not visit the Acropolis. At its hilltop stands the temple of the Parthenon, built during the period from 447 to 338 B.C. and decorated with impressive columns and sculpted reliefs, which serves as a symbol of Greek civilization even to this day. At the base of the hill of the Acropolis lies the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an amphitheater that hosts musical events and performances by native and international artists. Last but not least, the contemporary Acropolis Museum, open to the public since 2007, gives you the opportunity to wander among exhibits that were uncovered by the excavations of the archaeological site of the Acropolis. Don't miss having a coffee at the museum cafeteria and enjoy the view of the Acropolis hill!
Plaka & Anafiotika
Two neighborhoods that take you on a journey, perhaps to one of the Greek islands – in any case, they are definitively not what one expects to see in a major city. The whitewashed houses, blooming bougainvillea, narrow alleys and smiling people are the elements painting the backdrop of the neighborhoods of Plaka and Anafiotika. Plaka, or "neighborhood of the Gods" as it is sometimes called, is the most scenic and oldest district of Athens, situated right at the foot of the Acropolis. Tucked at its side is the neighborhood of Anafiotika, waiting for you to wander around its narrow streets until you settle in one of the many small coffee houses in the area. It might seem like a scene from a movie, but we can assure you that it's definitely real! Their beauty far surpasses the imagination.
Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)
It is so grandiose that, once you see it, you can't help but shudder with pride. Welcome to the stadium of the first modern Olympic Games! Built around 330 B.C., the Panathenaic Stadium initially hosted track and field tournaments. In 1896, it became the home of the Olympic Games. Built with Pentelic Marble, it is the only marble stadium in the world. You can enjoy a virtual tour of the stadium through recorded materials, which tells the story of the stadium from its creation to the present, guiding you along the perimeter to the bleachers and down to the center of the stadium, making you a part of its history – even if only for a little while.
Local gastronomy
Souvlaki
Souvlaki is a fast food that goes all the way back to antiquity. Yes, you have read this correctly – and if you go through the pages of the Iliad, you will come across passages where Achilles roasts pieces of meat over hot coals. Initially named as "obeliskos", souvlaki is also mentioned in works by Aristophanes, Aristotle and Xenophon. It was officially introduced to Greece in 1924, when Isaak Meraklidis came to Athens from Cairo and opened the first souvlaki grill house, which he named "Aigyptiakon". Afterwards. he opened a second restaurant under the same name, which was originally located at Mitropoleos Street. One thing led to another, building up to the present day, where souvlaki has been established as the national fast food of the Greeks!
Moussaka
Moussaka is not only a symbol of Greek cuisine: Mousaka is a trademark of Greece itself, particularly in the minds of tourists who visit the country each year. Consisting of layers of aubergine, potato, ground meat and bechamel sauce, Moussaka has been for many years a traditional beloved dish for dinners at home and in restaurants alike. The recipe is traced back to the East, and its Greek version was created in the 1920s by chef Nikolaos Tselementes. What's important, however, is not its origin but the fact that you must definitely try it out, if you haven't already done so!
Useful information
Police: +30 210 9200724
Airport: +30 210 3530000
Bus: +30 210 5124910
Taxi: +30 210 5152800
Hospital: +30 213 2088000
Port: +30 210 4172675
Discover best flight deals to Athens
- Flights from Heraklion to Athens
- Flights from Larnaca to Athens
- Flights from Thessaloniki to Athens
- Flights from Chania to Athens
- Flights from Rhodes to Athens
- Flights from London to Athens
- Flights from Brussels to Athens
- Flights from Paris to Athens
- Flights from Warsaw to Athens
- Flights from Istanbul to Athens
- Flights from Kos to Athens
- Flights from Munich to Athens
- Flights from Chios to Athens
- Flights from Alexandroupoli to Athens
- Flights from Frankfurt to Athens
- Flights from Milan to Athens
Â