What to do in Athens in June?

Hmm, what to do in Athens for a week? Well, there's the obvious of course: one day could be spent just walking around and shopping in the Plaka and around Monastiraki, and if you don't spend too much time shopping, on the same day you can also swing by Akropoli (if you go on a Sunday admission is free, by the way). Another day you can go to Syntagma to watch the changing of the guard, as well as working you way up to Kolonaki and Lykavittos. You could spend another day going to museums. So there's a solid three days or stuff to do. You could make a day trip out to Delphi, home of the oracle in ancient times. A trip up to Thessaloniki is really a two-day jaunt if you wish to spend more than 6 hours in the city, as you'll spend several hours just travelling each way. If you want a small excursion to an island, you can go to Pireaus and take a boat to Aegina or Agistri, which are about 60 - 90 minutes away each way.

If you want to experience life as a Greek, then you definitely should spend a minimum of 3 hours each day sitting in a cafeteria sipping on an iced coffee. I'm not being ironic with you either...

I can't answer your question about churches, as I only go to church for Easter and maybe one or two other occassions per year. Definitely haven't tried going during the summer. But I'd imagine if you were in quite small towns, there probably are only one or two priests, and if you swung by the church mid-day, the priest was probably off taking siesta.

Okay, so costwise, of course it's difficult to say. I'd plan to spend about 20 euro per meal if you're going to tavernas. Sitting at a cafeteria drinking a coffee will probably set you back 3 to 5 euro per coffee. Going out at nights could be where you spend the most money. It's not uncommon to find beer costing 6 euros, and cocktails 7 to 10 euros. Many clubs charge a cover, but often included in the cover is one drink. If you go out and order a bottle, expect around 100 euro per bottle (based on whiskey, which is what's most ordered by Greeks).

Pretty much has been said before my answer - however I'd like to add that Athens night life in summer kind of moves towards the coastline - along Leoforos Posedonios right up to Voula/ Vouliagmeni (Glyfada was and is a favourite of mine) - that's where you'll find the 'in' bars and clubs as well as Bouzoukia. Be warned all this 'coolness' comes at a cost - the clubs are also face controlled - you have to fit in to get in!

When I lived in Athens for 10yrs I used to spend a few days on the island of Poros every so often - great fun and not very far from Pireaus - you can even take a regular 'dolphin' (hydrofoil) or flying cat there and get there super fast - stay over night there.

I agree one week is too long in Athens if you don't know the area and I wouldn't bother going up to Thessaloniki for such a short time - the journery is too long for only one or 2 days.

Hi,

It would be good idea to visit Thessaloniki, I'm sure you'd like it, it's a city with very elegant people, great shopping.

Just bear in mind that accommodation is rather expensive there. You can find some affordable hotels near Antigonidon square (which is in the city center and will permit you won't have to use transportation frequently, for ex. 'Acropolis' hotel).

I hope you have a nice time, June is a very good time of the year to visit Greece.

The general cost of a stay in Athens (for a week) may vary. A good idea would be to eat at home and or in gyros shops and avoid restaurants, especially in Plaka (a very nice region in Athens, expensive though). You could spend from 15 Euros, let's say, to 150E.

3-6E for a Museum ticket.

3-... E for a coffee.

2E for a gyros sandwitch (it's enough for your evening launch, I think).

Bus tickets? I don't know, but it's considerably cheaper than in other capitals.

(It would be...1E for an hour ticket?)

Taxi services are cheap in Greece, but better ask the driver in advance, if you have to use a taxi.

I hope you enjoy your stay.

Thessaloniki just for one day? I don't think so.You need to spend at least a weekend there.

Other places you could visit is Nafplio, and Epidauros in Argolida, or Evia, or Volos etc. all that in the mainland, not far from Athens.But since you're going to Thessaloniki too, pay a visit in the areas near the city, like Chalkidiki for sure.

Well when it comes to money-talking, it all depends on your lifestyle. Some touristic sights might be expensive (naturally) but worth visiting.

Usually, at the islands, as far as i know, many churches can be visited by getting the keys..from the locals in 'siesta' time.There is always someone who is responsible for it.Some islands are hard to reach though (especially in winter time, not so much due to weather but the lack of ships. you see, in summer time,tourism is a good 'excuse' for changing the ships route towards their islands) .The hundreds of churches and chapels all over Greece, as you may have seen, makes reasonable the locked doors.Uncountable key-keepers! hahahah

Of course if you go to Tinos (especially on 15th of August) the doors are always wide open for all, filled with people around the country and many other parts of the world as well.

Have fun!