What to see, do, and visit in Athens and its surroundings with your rental car.
Athens Airport:
The Athens airport, whose official name is Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, is located 34 kilometers from the center of the capital. Athens is connected by air with major European cities such as Rome, Milan, Madrid and Barcelona and has connections to other parts of the country such as Heraklion, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Corfu and Kos.
Before you visit Athens it is most convenient to find out about the transportation options; in view of the road network and road accesses, driving your own car seems the best option. Choosing a car hire at the Athens airport will allow you to get to the city center in half hour, driving through Attiki Odos/A6/E94 and A/D PAThE A1/E75, exiting from the latter through the Peristeri exit.
Car hire in Athens
Driving on this journey allows us to take in what of ancient Greece is preserved in Athens, one of the most important cities in history. We will see monuments and beauties of ancient civilizations, and traveling by car will allow us to move freely so as not to miss any of its charming corners.
Athens Information
What to see in Athens
The Acropolis is undoubtedly the most iconic and indispensable place in Athens. Located at the top of the hill, there are buildings as relevant as the Temple of Athena, the Erechtheion and, of course, the Parthenon. We also have the Acropolis Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, 500 meters away.
Other places to visit are the Roman Agora and the Ancient Agora. The first constituted a power center of the Roman Empire; the second was at the time a place where commercial and social activity brought citizens together.
Highly recommended are also the neighborhoods of Monastikiri, Psiri (the hip neighborhood) and Plaka, the oldest in Athens at the feet of the Acropolis. All of them will help us to tune into the life of the city.
The 4 hills of Athens, the four cardinal points to visit:
- Philopappos or formerly hill of the Muses, with the monument of the same name, is the highest hill of Athens, with a good view of the acropolis, where you can get a good view of the city.
- Ares or Areopagus Rock, from here you can contemplate the Olympic stadium, the Sintagma and Omonia squares, the ancient agora or the temple of Zeus.
- Mount Lycabettus allows you to enjoy the views of the port of Piraeus and the Acropolis.
- Acropolis, the most iconic highlight of the city, gives you a 360º panorama of Athens.
Driving route around Athens and surroundings
Through the cities of Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus you can drive on a beautiful one-day route. Following the A75 motorway heading north, you will reach Corinto in less than an hour, whose canal is a great work of engineering. Then, along the Peloponnesian Peninsula we will arrive in about 31 kilometers to Mycenae, you can enjoy its acropolis and the magnificent tomb of King Agamemnon. About 35 kilometers further by car we find Epidaurus, whose main attraction is a theater of the 4th century BC.
Athens gastronomy
The two most important dishes are the moussaka, a type of lasagna made with eggplant, and the gyros, pita bread with roasted meat, onion, tomato and sauce. On the other hand, one of the most popular desserts that we recommend trying is the bougatsa cake, made of filo pastry and filled with cheese, custard or meat.
Weather in Athens
The climate throughout the year is Mediterranean: hot summers of around 33.5ºC and minimums of about 21ºC, with little rainfall; mild winters with an average of 18ºC, never under 5ºC, very rainy.
The best time is spring and autumn: a pleasant climate and many sunny days. Although the weather can change, if you choose a car hire at the Athens airport your trip will be pleasant whatever the forecast.
