Attica is the historical region of Greece that surrounds Athens, the country's capital, encompassing ancient monuments, stunning Mediterranean coastline, and verdant mountains. Home to some of the world's most iconic ancient sites including the Acropolis and Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, Attica blends millennia of history with a vibrant modern city culture.
Local currency: Euro (EUR).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Attica.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- €18-30/night (dorm bed)
- Budget
- €45-75/night (budget hotel)
- Midrange
- €90-180/night (3-4 star hotel)
- Luxury
- €250-600+/night (5-star hotel)
Food
- Street
- €2.50-5 (souvlaki, pie, koulouri)
- Local
- €8-14 (neighborhood taverna meal)
- Midrange
- €15-30 (sit-down restaurant, 2 courses + wine)
- Fine
- €60-160+ (Michelin-starred tasting menu)
Transport
- Bus
- €1.20 (single metro/bus ticket)
- Taxi
- €3.50 base + €0.74/km (city taxi)
- Airport
- €40 taxi / €9 metro / €5.50 express bus
- Daytrip
- €10-25 (bus to Cape Sounion/Marathon)
Activities
- Museum
- €6-12 (most Athens museums)
- Sites
- €20 Acropolis / €30 combined 6-monument ticket
- Tour
- €15-30 (guided walking tour)
- Excursion
- €35-70 (organized day tour to Cape Sounion etc.)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Attica costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
€315-380 for 7 days
Midrange traveller
€770-1050 for 7 days
Luxury traveller
€2,450-3,500+ for 7 days
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy the €30 combined 6-monument ticket instead of individual site tickets — it covers Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Kerameikos, Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Hadrian's Library
Athens City Pass includes unlimited public transport and museum discounts — check current offers online
Eat your main meal at lunchtime when many restaurants offer set lunch menus (menu tou imerou) for €8-12
Use the Athens Metro and buses (€1.20/ride) rather than taxis for most city travel
Stay in Monastiraki, Makrygianni, or Exarchia for lower accommodation prices with excellent location
Book Acropolis tickets online — queues at the ticket office can waste hours
Buy produce, cheeses, and olives directly from the Central Market (Varvakios) or street markets
Free walking tours depart from Monastiraki Square daily — tip-based, excellent for orientation
Afternoon ferry connections from Piraeus to nearby islands can be cheaper than organized day tours
Many popular Athens viewpoints (Filopappou Hill, Areopagus Rock) are completely free
Tap water is safe to drink in Athens — carry a reusable bottle to save on bottled water
Use Google Maps walking directions — Athens center is very compact and most sites are within 30 minutes on foot
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Explore Plaka and Monastiraki
The historic neighborhoods beneath the Acropolis are entirely free to wander for hours
Watch the Evzone Guard Ceremony
Free ceremony every hour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; full ceremony Sundays at 11AM
Hike Mount Hymettus
Over 200km of free hiking trails accessible from multiple Athens neighborhoods
Athens National Garden
Beautiful 15-hectare public garden behind the Parliament, free to enter daily 7AM-dusk
Monastiraki Sunday Flea Market
Browse antiques, vintage items, and street food at Athens' most colourful free market
Syntagma Square people-watching
Free spectacle of Athenian daily life with the Parliament as a backdrop
Piraeus Harbor Walk
Stroll the waterfront from the main port to Mikrolimano for free views and atmosphere
Anafiotika Quarter exploration
Hidden whitewashed Cycladic village in upper Plaka — free to explore anytime
Hike up Lycabettus Hill
30-minute free hike to Athens' highest viewpoint with 360° panoramas
Free museum Sundays
Many major museums offer free admission every first Sunday of the month (Nov-Mar) and on national holidays
Glyfada Beach (public section)
Public beach sections are free to use — just bring your own towel and umbrella
Thissio walk along Apostolou Pavlou
The pedestrianized street from Monastiraki to Thissio offers stunning Acropolis views for free