The name is associated with the name of the warrior goddess Athena, the patroness of the city since ancient times. The city arose in the VI century BC. and since then it has been one of the iconic centers of European civilization. The settlement of the city began with the Acropolis - a fortified hill surrounded by defensive structures in order to defend the city. Now the Acropolis is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Athenian philosophical school, represented by Aristotle, Socrates, Plato and their followers, made a huge contribution to science. Theatrical art largely owes its development to the Athenian playwrights Aeschylus, Euripides and Sophocles.
In the 1st century BC, Athens became part of the Roman Empire after the siege. Nevertheless, even in Roman times, the city remained a major metropolis for a long time. Its decline in importance occurred after the sack by the Germans in the 3rd century and the closure of the Athenian schools in the 6th century AD. The city becomes smaller and becomes quite peripheral.
In the XIII - XV centuries, Athens was repeatedly attacked by the Crusaders. In the middle of the 15th century they were conquered by the Turks. Periodically, the Venetians tried to recapture the city, as a result of their attacks, some ancient monuments were seriously damaged.
As a result of the national struggle in the 19th century, Greece was freed from Turkish rule and Athens became its capital. The city began to actively grow, rebuild and restore.
Now it is a major economic and cultural center with a population of about three million people, which is more than a third of the entire country. The official website of Athens is www.accgov.com. Southeast of the city is International Airport.
What to see in Athens?
Athens is a dynamic city with ancient history and vibrant modern life. There are a lot of nightclubs, branded stores, entertainment and tourist places. But the ancient Acropolis, which is still the heart of the city, still dominates modern buildings.
Acropolis
Modern Athenian The Acropolis is an architectural composition on top of a hill 156 meters high. It occupies an area of just under three hectares and is interesting due to the combination of ancient buildings with a rocky landscape. Historically, this is a walled fortress designed to protect the royal palace and temple complexes. Here are the landmark buildings for Athens - the ancient Greek temple of the Parthenon, the Odeon theater of Herodes Atticus, where concerts are still held. Also here is the Acropolis Museum with a collection of artifacts that were found during excavations. Museum website - www.theacropolismuseum.gr.
Agora
Agora is an ancient market place. Such places used to be located near the centers of deity worship. Athens Agora is located at the foot of the Acropolis, northwest of it. Now the streets of the Monastiraki district serve as a trading square, where a Sunday market is held weekly. The atmosphere of the oriental market is mixed with Greek flavor there. The Agora also has a museum with a collection of artifacts.
Constitution Square
This is the square in front of the Parliament building. Every hour there is a changing of the guard of honor. The costumes of the guards, who are called Evzones, are among the most exotic in the world.
Where to go near Athens?
Public transport timetables in Greece are quite inconsistent and unreliable, so For trips out of town it is better to rent a car.
Lake Vouliagmeni
The lake is located 25 km from Athens. It is surrounded by rocks and is very picturesque. The water in the lake is salty and rich in minerals. It has healing and healing properties, thanks to which the lake has the status of a protected natural landmark. The beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, and taverns operate around it.
Nafplio
139 kilometers from Athens. Located in a sheltered bay, in a picturesque and romantic area. According to legend, its founders were the son of the sea god Poseidon and the daughter of King Danae. The city is filled with historical monuments from different eras - these are medieval castles, Venetian palaces and Turkish fountains.
Mycenae
This is a legendary city located 120 kilometers from Athens. It is the cradle of Greek civilization and is richly represented in mythology. The excavations show archaeological fragments dating back to the seventh millennium BC. Now here you can see the ruins of ancient palaces, ramparts and the treasury-tomb of Atreus, built around 1250 BC. e.
Food: the best restaurants in Athens
Greek cuisine is quite simple and yet healthy. Its basis is cheese, olives and various vegetables. Cheeses are used both cow and goat. Olive oil is present in almost all dishes.
There are many local fish and seafood recipes. Mostly they are baked in the oven or grilled.
Let's list the popular restaurants of the city:
Symposio Resto Bar
Address: Apollonos 22, tel. +302114184898
Mediterranean cuisine is presented here, mainly from seasonal products. Direct deliveries from local farmers and fishermen. Traditional recipes combined with fusion.
Thes "Greek Creative Cuisine"
Address: Taki 16, tel. +302103212858
Romantic atmosphere, homemade Greek cuisine.
BiteBox
Address: Veikou 84, tel. +302109237817
A cozy cafe with pleasant music. Coffee with desserts and fresh pastries.
Where to park in Athens
There are plenty of places in Athens where you can rent a car. For example, this is the international company Bookingautos. But it is advisable to use the car only for country trips. There is heavy traffic in the city itself with frequent traffic jams.
Parking is also not so much, and the prices for them vary greatly. You should also pay attention to discounts and promotions.
Trovas Parking 24h
Address: Xenofontos 4. Price: 11 euros per hour
Cityzen Pangrati
Address: 15-17 Tideos. Price: €5 per hour
Cityzen Parking & Services
This parking network has evening discounts from 20:00 to 03:00, with a price 2 euros per hour. Participating car parks:
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Athens is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €24. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Athens is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €24 for a Compact car.
Convertible cars in Athens are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price VW Beetle Cabrio - it will be from €77 per 1 day.
In Athens you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.
In Athens budget cars like Ford Fiesta or Renault Twingo can be booked for €40-€29 per day. This is provided that the contract is concluded on the spot. If you choose the same cars in advance on our website, you will save. Cars with a class: Toyota Camry, Opel Mokka, Audi A4 Estate - will cost an average of €40 per day. You can also find minivans, luxury cars, business class cars and electric cars. Rental costs from €29 up to several hundred euros per day.
Recently, in Athens has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Athens, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Mercedes EQC.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Your guide to rent a car in Athens
Download Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book in advance
Athens is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Athens. It can be Renault Twingo or Ford Fiesta. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Audi A4 Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €31 per day;
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Athens may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Athens - Downtown for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Rent without mileage limit
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Athens, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Athens are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our advantages
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Car rental reviews: Athens - Downtown
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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