Athens airport: in transit for a few hours, what to do?

Are you in transit at Athens airport before leaving for an island or another destination? You only have a few hours left? One day? One night? And you wonder what to do. So, here are some ideas.

Do you have some time? Take the opportunity to visit Athens!

If you have a few hours, don’t hesitate to visit Athens. If only to see the Acropolis and the famous Parthenon.

To make your life easier, here are our tips:

1 – Book a cab that will wait for you at the Athens airport and take you directly to where you want to go. For this, we recommend the company Welcome PickUps. Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport and will drop you off directly where you want (we advise you to ask for the Acropolis if you want to see this site or Monastiraki if you want to walk around Athens).

No time wasted looking for and waiting for a cab, no risk of being cheated on the price because everything is paid in advance… a real saving of time and energy!

2- A tailor-made tour of Athens with a private driver.

You want a turnkey solution? We suggest you to go through our partner Welcome Ride who works with english speaking drivers. First of all, your driver will be waiting for you at the Athens airport. And it can keep your luggage in the trunk of the vehicle all day (a real plus, no need to look for a locker or walk around with your suitcases).

Then, it proposes you to visit Athens by making stops at the points of interest of the city or according to your desires: the Acropolis, Plaka, Monastiraki, the Lycabette mount, the central market or simply a tavern by the sea… It’s up to you! The formula exists for one day (325€, total price for a group up to 4 people), a half day (207€ total price for a group of up to 4 people), and Best of Athens in 2 hours (120€ for 4 people). You can book online.

For a few hours: take advantage of the airport’s services

Athens airport has been recently renovated, which makes it pleasant: spacious halls, contemporary design, new shopping area. There was also a real desire to “Hellenize” the place. The focus was on Greek stores. A souvlaki restaurant has even been created.

• To be lighter In the arrivals hall, you will find a luggage lockers Care4Bag (tel: +30 210 3530352). Very practical. Prices and conditions on the following link.
• For children There are baby areas that allow them to be changed and fed in a calm environment. As for the little ones (up to 7 years old), they can enjoy the next to the Burger King. It is free of charge, open every day from 9am to 9pm, accessible to children between 1.5 and 7 years old .
• To educate yourself: Your cultural experience begins (or ends) at the Athens airport. Located in the departure area, a small museum presents archaeological pieces (some dating from the Neolithic period). Open from 06h to 23h. Right next door, don’t miss the permanent exhibition dedicated to Eleftherios Venizelosa key figure in modern Greek history.
• To eat : you will find a wide choice of catering services. All styles, all prices.
• For shopping: if you didn’t have time to buy your souvenirs during your stay, don’t panic. You will find several stores: 100% Greek and natural cosmetics at Korres and Apivita, last minute gifts at The Greek Designers Store, traditional Greek products. Major international brands are also present (fashion, cosmetics, jewelry).
• To take care of yourself: The Fairy Nails Institute (Departures Hall) offers manicure, pedicure and body care services. Ideal to relax before the trip.

For half a day: shopping, beach or zoo, make your choice!

You have three hours or more but you don’t have the time (or the desire) to go to downtown Athens. In this case, we suggest you leave your bags and suitcases in the luggage lockers of the Athens airport and leave:

• At the beach The best thing to do is to enjoy the sea and the sun, with a fresh orange juice or a coffee-frappé, immediately after landing at the Athens airport. Or on the contrary, to extend your vacation until the last minute before getting back on the plane. We recommend for example the beach-bar Albatross in Artemida (17km from the airport, 15 mins by car, count about 30€ by cab). Or the beach of Avlaki in Porto Rafti (23km from the airport, 30 minutes by car, about 30€ by cab) or Vavrona (about 15 kilometers from the airport, 25 minutes by car, near the archaeological site of the same name).
• At the zoological park The only zoo in Greece is located only 17 kilometers from the airport (20 minutes by car, about 30€ by cab). This zoological park, whose owner is French, is absolutely superb and will delight young and old.
• At McArthurGlen Brand Village in Spata More than a hundred international brands at outlet prices all year round (from 35% to 70% off). Enough to make all the shopaholics lose their minds! There is also a large children’s playground next door (in the area called “Smart Park”). With giant bouncy castles!

For one night: hotels near Athens airport

Although it is not very complicated to get from the Athens airport to the city center (or vice versa) at any time of the day or night, staying at a hotel near the airport can be convenient, especially in case of late arrival or early departure. Unfortunately, the choice is limited because there are only two hotels in the Athens airport.

• The first is the Sofitel Athens Airport located directly in the terminal building across from the main airport terminal (2 minute walk). This 5-star hotel offers 345 rooms, all soundproofed and air-conditioned. But also a gym with indoor pool and sauna, two restaurants. On the other hand, the rooms are very expensive (from 200€ per night in low season). Tel : +30 210 354 40 00
• The second hotel, Holiday Inn Athens Airport is a little further away. It is located a few kilometers from the Athens airport, not far from the McArthurGlen Designer outlet and the zoological park. It is connected by shuttle (about ¼ hour). Rooms start at 130€ per night. Tel: +30 210 668 90 00 – www.hiathens.com .
• Personally, we advise you to stay at the Galotel Agnoudas, in Markopoulo . It is run by a French woman, Gaëlle, who is particularly friendly (she loves to receive French guests). It is a ten minute drive from the airport and Gaëlle and her husband can organize a “VIP check-in / check-out” by picking you up directly at the airport.

Laure M.