Top 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Athens this Winter

Athens is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece and a popular stopover destination before setting sail to the Greek islands. But have you ever considered visiting Athens in winter? Is it worth taking a trip to the Greek capital off-season? Are there any things to do in Athens during the winter?

In this article, we’re sharing the top 7 reasons you should visit Athens this winter. Believe us, there are so many things to do in Athens during winter that you might end up preferring it to summer!

1. Explore the fascinating street art scene
2. Visit the world-famous Acropolis of Athens
3. Discover the city’s food scene
4. Explore Athenian neighborhoods off the beaten path
5. Do museum-hopping
6. Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Athens
7. Go shopping and discover vintage treasures

1.   Explore the fascinating street art scene

The streets of Athens are adorned with beautiful murals and stunning graffiti, bringing a touch of art to the urban scenery on the walls of tall buildings. If you’re someone who enjoys street art, head to the central neighborhoods of Athens, such as Psyrri, Gazi, Plaka, and Monastiraki, and take your time wandering around and discovering the captivating graffiti. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your camera with you; we guarantee you’ll capture some very Instagrammable photos!

2.   Visit the world-famous Acropolis of Athens

What better time to visit the Acropolis than in winter, when the crowds are thin, and the weather is still pleasant? Most of the time, Athens experiences good weather during the winter, allowing you to choose a sunny day for a hike to the top of the Acropolis hill to marvel at the stunning Parthenon. Whether you’re a history buff or just eager to cross visiting the Acropolis off your bucket list, wintertime is the best season to do so. Alongside exploring the Acropolis, be sure to visit the Acropolis Museum. There, you’ll have the chance to witness the findings of the excavations carried out on the Acropolis hill, as well as many fascinating artifacts!

3.   Discover the city’s food scene

There’s no denying that Greece’s food scene is amazing. For many, this alone is reason enough to visit! There is a wide variety of places to eat in Athens, from stunning rooftops where you can enjoy delectable dishes and cocktails, such as the Art Lounge in New Hotel, to Asian restaurants, like Nobu Matsuhisa. So, whatever your taste might be, there are plenty of dining options. And if you want to try popular local delicacies, such as souvlaki, moussaka, and Greek salad, the taverns in Monastiraki and Psirri are your best bet. To say that Athens is a foodies’ paradise is an understatement!

4.   Explore Athenian neighborhoods off the beaten path

Syntagma, Monastiraki, Psirri, and Kolonaki are arguably the most popular neighborhoods in Athens, but there’s a whole lot more to explore off the beaten path! Every neighborhood in Athens has its personality and charm, as well as many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. So, if you want to explore the city off the beaten tourist trail, head to Mets, Pangrati, Koukaki, Kallithea, and Exarcheia districts. The places you will discover are going to fascinate you!

5.   Do museum-hopping

If you love visiting museums, Athens will amaze you! In the city center, you will find a large number of top-notch museums covering everything from archaeology to modern art. In addition to the Acropolis Museum, which we have already mentioned, some other must-visit museums in Athens are:

• The National Archaeological Museum
• The Museum of Cycladic Art
• The National Gallery of Athens
• The National Museum of Contemporary Art
• The Museum of Islamic Art
• The War Museum
• The Byzantine and Christian Museum
• The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
• The Goulandris Natural History Museum
• The Museum of the City of Athens
• The Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation
• The Numismatic Museum of Athens

Extra tip: If you want to visit as many museums as possible during your stay, we highly recommend choosing a hotel in Kolonaki or Syntagma. This way, you will be just a few minutes away from most museums in Athens!

6.   Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Athens

One of the best reasons to visit Athens in winter is to experience its vibrant nightlife scene! From nightclubs to cocktail bars and everything in between, the Greek capital is full of places where you can have fun and meet new people. Monastiraki, Keramikos, and Psyrri offer endless nightlife options for every taste, many of which boast all-encompassing views of the city. The cosmopolitan Athens Riviera is also lined with a plethora of nightclubs, where you can dance along with locals until the crack of dawn. Nightlife in Athens has so many unique experiences to offer!

7.   Go shopping and discover vintage treasures

Traveling is always the perfect excuse to shop, right? In Athens, you will find a wide variety of shops that sell everything from local products to clothes and handmade jewelry. To explore them, all you need to do is get lost in the narrow streets of Plaka and Monastiraki. You will discover so many unique items that choosing will be hard! However, if you want to embark on a shopping spree, Syntagma and Kolonaki are brimming with designer boutiques and popular retail shops! And if you are a vintage lover, you will find many interesting second-hand knick-knacks along Ifestou Street in Monastiraki!

Contrary to popular belief, there are tons of things to do in Athens in winter! From museum-hopping and shopping to tasting local delicacies and sightseeing, Athens offers numerous experiences for visitors. So, plan your winter visit to Athens and get ready to create memories that will last forever!