As soon as I arrived in Athens, I became immediately enchanted by the city’s genial charm. From the bustling streets filled with quaint artisan markets to the ancient ruins standing tall and proud, I knew it wouldn’t be long before this beautiful city captured my heart.

There are also plenty of cheap things to do in Athens. Athens is also perfect for solo travellers.

So in this post, I will recommend free things to do in Athens, ways to meet people in Athens as a solo traveller, and simple tips for practising sustainable travel.

Cheap and sustainable things to do in Athens 

When you are bombarded with recommendations on booking.com, you may understandably believe that a good time in Athens is unaffordable. That is untrue. There are plenty of free things to do, and ways you can travel on a budget.

If you want to reduce your costs and environmental impact, I’d recommend staying in a hostel, with a recent report showing that hostels emit three-quarters less CO2 compared to hotels. Athens has plenty to choose from, which are mostly located in the city centre. 

Eating out in Athens can be expensive depending on where you go, but there are also plenty of locally run street food outlets that are much more affordable. 

There are also plenty of free and cheap activities in Athens, many of which are sustainable.

1. Book a free walking tour with a local in Athens

Athens offers a vast range of free walking tours. The person I went with had extensive historical and cultural knowledge, and I certainly learned more from interacting with an insider. He happily answered any questions and didn’t mind it if I got a little confused. At the end of the tour, he even sent links to different recommendations in Athens, ranging from bars, eateries and places with the best views. 

There is an option to tip the guide at the end of the trip. I would recommend tipping as much as you can, knowing that the money goes directly to the local, rather than through a third party. 

2. Street art in Athens

As soon as I arrived, I was mesmerised by the city’s street art. From impressionist people and animals, conspicuous pieces of ‘pop art’, to political art. There is such a great variety, even when you saunter away from the city centre.

But once I had thought that I’d seen the best of it, I was proven wrong. On my last day, I was contemplating what to do. But, as I got out Google Maps, I noticed an area titled ‘street art’. At first, I was perplexed because there’s street art everywhere. But I decided to head in that direction, in case there was anything to see. 

As it turned out, a little wander through the side streets took me to a place where the walls were fully coated with flamboyant artworks. And how had I not noticed this before, with it being just a short meander from the city centre?

It is perfect for solo travellers, as well as those wanting time away from the crowds. Although if you are a female solo traveller, I would not suggest going there at night. Some of the side streets still looked a little sketchy, but it was perfectly safe during the day. 

3. The National Botanic Garden

Located just a couple of minutes away from their central parliament, this place is easily missed. Yet it provides the perfect escape from Athens’s haste and heat. There are plenty of elaborate water fountains, cute ponds, and beautiful flower beds to explore. Covering a vast area, it serves as the perfect scenic route if you wish to visit other places nearby.

4. Cheap or Free Museums in Athens

Many churches and places of architectural interest allow people to simply walk in. The insides of the churches are ostentatiously decorated, which is classic in Greek Orthodox Christianity. 

5.  Piraeus 

Getting to Piraeus by tram and on foot

To get to Piraeus, you can either take two trams or call an Uber. The trams are cheap, and you can either get a weekly pass or pay as you go. They were also very frequent, until the ones from Piraeus stopped operating after 6pm. 

I took the tram to Kalamaki beach. But rather than getting the second to Piraeus, I stubbornly chose to walk. Before I reached the stadium, the walk was daunting as I found myself trundling along innumerable tram platforms. 

But after passing the stadium, I stumbled across a tranquil river. Anyone would have guessed you were in a quiet little fishing village, rather than a suburb of Greece’s prodigious capital.

Piraeus Marina: Boats and food 

Piraeus’s marina is the perfect place to go for a meal, to stop for some gelato, or to simply admire the myriad of impressive boats. Both the food and gelato were incredible. Piraeus is also perfect for a quiet night out, featuring plenty of bars. 

Piraeus Beach

A 15-minute walk from the marina takes you to a public beach coupled with an outdoor swimming pool. 

If you like swimming, you will love the beach because the surrounding scenery is immaculate. There is also plenty of space to swim, and lifeguards are available.

6. Athens Museums and Galleries 

Most museums and galleries in Athens do have an entry cost, although many are free, have free entry days, or are free for certain groups of people. 

7. Mount Lycabettus

Having solely relied on Google Maps, I initially began by climbing up the wrong way, which didn’t lead to the peak. As I headed back down, I spotted two police cars at the bottom of the entrance. For a moment, I was worried that I had broken the law. But thankfully, neither seemed at all bothered by my presence, so it must have been something else.

Once I embarked on the correct way up, I instantly forgave myself for my previous mistakes because the views were absolutely breathtaking. At the top, there was a traditional Greek church, which added to the atmosphere, and there was also a little cafe and souvenir shops. 

There is also the option of getting to the top via cable car, if you want to avoid the torrid heat. And to avoid getting lost on your way, here is how you can reach it. 

8. Local markets 

Maybe this activity isn’t cheap. But the local markets are certainly worth visiting. From the flea market located by Monastrika square, to the dozens of markets lined up as you walk from the Acropolis to the city centre. 

Most of the produce is handmade, and again, directly benefits the owner of the business. Sometimes, the souvenirs may be more expensive, although I did manage to purchase a painting for 15 euros, and something handmade will always be treasured. Also, spending time in these markets provides a more authentic experience compared to shopping for generic souvenirs.

Activities that are perfect for solo travellers

Athens is perfect for solo travellers. The options that I mentioned above can easily be done alone, but Athens also provides numerous opportunities to meet people. For a start, staying in a hostel is not only a more sustainable and affordable option, but it also makes it easier to meet people. However, there are other ways to meet people if staying in a hostel doesn’t take your fancy.

1. Athens bar crawl

Signing up for a bar crawl alone might seem incredibly daunting. Since it was an event hosted by one of the hostels, I decided to give it a go. I told myself that the worst thing that could happen would involve me being alone, which would make me feel incredibly awkward and leave.

Thankfully, that did not happen. I certainly wasn’t the only person who had gone alone, and I made friends pretty quickly. We literally met up the following day! 

I understand that you won’t always ‘instantly make friends’. But it is still worth putting yourself out there, and sometimes really good things do come of it. 

A takeaway for solo travellers would be to join events hosted by hostels. Often, other local hostels open events up for all travellers, so don’t be afraid to join. 

2. Use an app to meet people

There is a wide range of apps available to meet fellow travellers. I use Hostelworld and Nomatable. 

Hostel world is excellent for finding events nearby, and for chatting with fellow travellers. You need to stay in a local hostel to access it. 

Nomadtable enables you to connect with travellers and to join or create events nearby. I have found it impossible to use on the Greek Islands, although it is much easier to find events and connect with people in Athens. 

Huge tip: if you are creating an event, ensure that you allow people to join the chat. Only because I made an event, then multiple older men joined. And, in the nicest way, why would I want to hang out with men whom I don’t know, who are in their 50s?

3. Join a locally run art/cooking/hiking/hobby workshop

This is an excellent way to meet new people, and having ‘something to do’ can take the pressure off ‘making a good impression’.  Learning and experiencing something new together also makes it easier to connect. 

I did a bit of digging and found a locally run ceramic art workshop, but there are plenty of other locally run activities to choose from. Moreover, there were only I and two other people at the workshop, who had both come by themselves.

So if you are anxious about the activity being filled with friends, couples, and families, this is not always the case. And on other short ‘workshops’ or ‘tours’, there have been other solo travellers, and even people in groups are often happy to chat.

I’d choose to do a locally run tour because it means you are directly supporting local businesses, learning about the culture, and broadening your perspectives. Interacting with locals has been something that I have enjoyed when solo travelling, and I have found that locally run tours tend to be a little cheaper.

4. Visit the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, and the Architectural Museum

This will not necessarily enable you to make friends when travelling, but these are three experiences you simply cannot miss out on when in Athens! 

If you are interested in art and history, consider setting aside half a day, or even a day, to see the Architectural museum. And if you are like me and have a short attention span, then you can head down to their cafe for a little break. The layout of the cafe is incredible in itself, and it features even more works of interest. 

I also booked the Acropolis for 6pm. By then, it was no longer boiling hot, and I stayed until just before 8. By the time I headed down, it was ‘golden hour’, enabling me to take some photos of the Acropolis in the sunset.

Have you ever been to Athens? If so, are there any experiences that you enjoyed during your stay? I would like to hear from you in the comments.

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