The economy in Greece is struggling. People living there pay 60% of their wages to the government. More than half! But that doesn’t mean you’re going to get a break on the price of vacationing there.
It’s not one of the priciest countries to visit, but if you’re pinching pennies, here are seven ideas that will help you save money while traveling there.
- Free Walking Tour — You’re in Athens for a reason. The city offers 3,000 years of history at your feet. Get a feel for it all during a free walking tour. AthensFreeWalkingTour.com provides you with a choice of two times. You’ll join history experts as they give you their take on the city. The tour is free, but you do have to register to learn where to meet. Tipping your guide is encouraged. Keep in mind that this tour does not visit the Acropolis.
- FreeTour.com — This tour doesn’t take you to the Acropolis, but this company offers several different tours. There’s the traditional walking tour, but the company also offers an urban tour as well as an evening tour.
- Free Audio Tour — If you’re more of a DIY’er, but don’t want to miss any of the history you’re passing, an audio tour may be the answer for you. Rick Steves offers all kinds of downloadable tours — for free. Take your pick of four different tours for Athens alone.
- Changing of the Guard — This is a must if you’re in Athens. And it’s free to watch. It takes place in front of Parliament on Syntagma Square. Every hour members of the military’s ceremonial unit make their way to the square to change posts during a complex, choreographed, ritual.
- National Garden — After you’re finished watching the changing of the guard, head nearby to Athen’s National Garden. It offers a break from the concrete. You’ll find a botanical museum, a zoo and a pond … along with a lot of grass and trees.
- The Acropolis — If it’s the first time you’re visiting Athens, the Acropolis is a must. But you are going to have to pay to get in. Depending on the time of year you’re in the city, a ticket may cost you 20€. If you happen to be in Athens during the winter, it will cost you half of that. There are ways for you to maximize the ticket, however. If you plan on taking in some of the other sites, check out this article in Archaeology Travel by Thomas Dowson. It will tell you all about the combo ticket offered. The article also includes a map showing where the sites included in the combo ticket are located.
- Museums — If you’re planning a trip to Athens to see the Archaeological sites, you may want to consider traveling between November and March. The crowds aren’t as large and it’s cooler. Plus, sites such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Angora, Roman Angora, and others are free on the first Sunday of those months.
- The View — Grab your camera and start climbing. Athens is surrounded by hills. Head up one for a fantastic workout … and picturesque views. Snap as many shots as you’d like to remember your trip after you return home.
- Go Underground — If hiking isn’t your idea of a vacation, head underground to some of Athens Metro stations. There’s a ton of history in the city. That means when crews start digging, they usually find something. The city’s metro is a perfect example. When the city started developing the metro, crews found all kinds of archaeological artifacts. The city decided to put what they found on display. You’ll find them located on the upper levels of the Syntagma, Panepistimio, Acropolis, and Monastiraki stations. Find a map of the metro here.
- Pireaus — Ready to cool off following a hot trek through Athens’ ancient ruins? Head to a beach, or the city’s ancient port of Pireaus. You can follow the directions found here in post #12 and reach it by train. The port is one of the largest in the world. Wander the streets or pop in at one of the many restaurants. If you’re lucky, there could even be a concert in the open-air theater.