Athens is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities — if you know where to look. While tourists pay €15 for mediocre moussaka in Plaka, locals eat incredible souvlaki for €3.50 around the corner.
Here’s how to experience Athens on a budget without missing the highlights.
Daily Budget Breakdown#
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €15-25 | €40-70 | €80-120 |
| Food | €15-20 | €30-40 | €50+ |
| Transport | €5 | €8 | €15 |
| Activities | €10-15 | €25-40 | €50+ |
| Daily Total | €45-65 | €100-160 | €200+ |
Yes, you can absolutely visit Athens for under €50/day if you’re strategic.
Free Things to Do in Athens#
Free Every Day#
Changing of the Guard (Syntagma Square) Every hour on the hour, watch the Evzones perform their ceremonial guard change. The elaborate Sunday 11 AM ceremony is especially impressive.
Anafiotika Neighborhood This hidden village tucked beneath the Acropolis feels like a Greek island. Whitewashed houses, bougainvillea, cats everywhere — completely free to wander.
Mount Lycabettus Hike The highest point in Athens offers panoramic views of the city and Acropolis. The hike up is free (funicular costs €10 round trip).
Athens Central Market Wander through the bustling Varvakios Agora where locals buy fish, meat, and produce. No charge to explore — bring your camera.
Street Art in Psyrri & Exarchia Athens has world-class street art. Self-guided walking tours through these neighborhoods cost nothing.
Ancient Agora of Athens (exterior) While the interior has an entry fee, you can see impressive ruins from the perimeter fences.
Free Museum Days#
Several major sites offer free admission on specific days:
| Site | Free Entry |
|---|---|
| All archaeological sites | First Sunday of the month (Nov-Mar) |
| Acropolis | March 6, April 18, May 18, Sept 27, Oct 28 |
| National Archaeological Museum | Free days vary — check website |
| Benaki Museum | Thursdays |
Cheap Eats in Athens#
Best Budget Meals#
Souvlaki/Gyros (€3-4) The ultimate Athens budget meal. A pita stuffed with meat, fries, and tzatziki is filling and delicious. Best spots:
- Kostas (Syntagma)
- O Thanasis (Monastiraki)
- Elvis (Psyrri)
Tiropita/Spanakopita (€2-3) Cheese or spinach pies from local bakeries make perfect cheap breakfasts or snacks. Find them at any neighborhood “fournos” (bakery).
Koulouri (€0.50-1) Sesame bread rings sold from street carts. Grab one for breakfast with Greek coffee.
Supermarket Meals (€5-8) Sklavenitis and AB Vasilopoulos have excellent prepared food sections — salads, grilled chicken, and fresh bread at supermarket prices.
Ouzeri/Mezedopoleio Small Plates (€3-5 each) Share several small plates (meze) instead of ordering individual mains. More variety, lower cost.
Where NOT to Eat on a Budget#
- Restaurants with photo menus on the street
- Any place with aggressive hosts trying to seat you
- Rooftop restaurants (view premium)
- Plaka main strip restaurants
Budget Accommodation#
Hostels (€15-30/night)#
Athens has excellent hostels with great locations:
- City Circus — Rooftop bar, central location
- AthenStyle — Near Monastiraki, social atmosphere
- Bedbox Hostel — Capsule-style pods, very affordable
Budget Hotels (€40-70/night)#
Look in these neighborhoods for affordable hotels:
- Psyrri — Central, artsy, good value
- Koukaki — Local feel, metro access
- Metaxourgeio — Up-and-coming, cheapest central option
Money-Saving Tips#
- Book directly with hotels for potential discounts
- Visit shoulder season (April-May, September-October)
- Consider apartments with kitchens to cook some meals
- Look outside the Plaka/Monastiraki tourist core
Transportation on a Budget#
Free Walking#
Athens’ main attractions are surprisingly walkable. The Acropolis, Plaka, Monastiraki, and Syntagma are all within 15-20 minutes of each other on foot.
Metro/Bus/Tram#
| Ticket | Price | Valid For |
|---|---|---|
| Single journey | €1.20 | 90 minutes |
| 24-hour pass | €4.10 | Unlimited rides |
| 5-day tourist ticket | €8.20 | Metro, bus, tram |
| Airport metro | €9 | One-way to city |
Skip These#
- Taxis from the airport (€40 vs €9 metro)
- Hop-on hop-off buses (walk instead)
- Private transfers (public transport is easy)
Cheap & Free Activities#
Under €10#
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Acropolis Museum | €10 (reduced €5) |
| National Archaeological Museum | €6 (winter) |
| Ancient Agora | €8 |
| Benaki Museum | €12 (free Thursdays) |
| Filopappou Hill sunset | Free |
Free Experiences#
- Watch sunset from Areopagus Hill
- Explore Monastiraki Flea Market (window shopping)
- Walk through the National Garden
- Visit churches (Kapnikarea, Panagia Gorgoepikoos)
- People-watch in Exarchia’s plateia
Money-Saving Hacks#
1. Get the Combo Ticket#
The €30 archaeological sites combo ticket covers:
- Acropolis
- Ancient Agora
- Roman Agora
- Hadrian’s Library
- Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Kerameikos
- Aristotle’s Lyceum
Buying separately would cost €50+. Valid for 5 days.
2. Drink Greek Coffee#
Greek coffee (€1.50-2.50) costs half what a cappuccino does. Plus, it’s a cultural experience.
3. Fill Your Water Bottle#
Athens tap water is safe and good. Refill stations are everywhere. Skip buying bottled water.
4. Happy Hour Drinks#
Many bars offer 2-for-1 drinks between 6-8 PM. Sunset drinks without sunset prices.
5. Picnic in the Parks#
Buy fresh bread, cheese, olives, and fruit from local shops. Picnic in the National Garden or Filopappou Hill.
6. Visit on Shoulder Season#
April-May and September-October offer:
- 30-50% lower accommodation prices
- Fewer crowds at attractions
- Perfect weather
- Lower flight costs
Sample Budget Day#
Here’s a full day in Athens for under €40:
| Time | Activity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Koulouri + Greek coffee | €2.50 |
| 9:00 AM | Acropolis (combo ticket) | €30 ÷ 5 days = €6 |
| 12:00 PM | Souvlaki lunch | €4 |
| 1:00 PM | Walk through Plaka & Anafiotika | Free |
| 3:00 PM | National Garden stroll | Free |
| 5:00 PM | Freddo espresso break | €3 |
| 7:00 PM | Sunset at Filopappou Hill | Free |
| 9:00 PM | Meze dinner with beer | €15 |
| Total | €30.50 |
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is Athens expensive for tourists?#
No — Athens is one of Europe’s most affordable capitals. It’s significantly cheaper than Paris, Rome, or Barcelona. Budget travelers can manage on €40-60/day.
How much money do I need per day in Athens?#
Budget: €40-60 | Mid-range: €100-150 | Comfortable: €200+
Is the Acropolis worth the price?#
Yes. At €20 (or €6 with the combo ticket spread over 5 days), it’s excellent value for a world-class ancient site. Don’t skip it to save money.
What’s free in Athens?#
Changing of the Guard, Mount Lycabettus hike, wandering neighborhoods, street art, parks, and many museums on free days. Plus, the best views are all free.
Is it cheaper to eat out or cook in Athens?#
Eating out is often cheaper than cooking, especially souvlaki and bakery items. If you’re staying in an apartment, cook breakfast and eat out for other meals.
The Bottom Line#
Athens rewards budget travelers. The best experiences — sunset views, street food, neighborhood wandering, people-watching — cost little or nothing.
Splurge on the Acropolis combo ticket (€30) and spend the rest of your budget on incredible cheap food.
Planning your trip? Check out our 3-day Athens itinerary and best souvlaki guide.
