Athens in Summer

Athens in Summer

There is no doubt that Athens is at its best in Summer when life moves out into the open air with cafes, restaurants, and bars serving customers on roof gardens, courtyards, and even on sidestreets, allowing you to savor the balmy weather and moonlit sky.

The months of June, July, and August average at the very hot temperatures of 30-38 °C in Greece, so be fair-warned not to make long-drawn plans for exploring central Athens during this time of the year.
 

June is considered the beginning of the high-season for tourism in Greece. Most visitors only stay in Athens for a few days before heading off to any number of beautiful islands or land-locked destinations. Therefore, the "must-sees" are obviously the Acropolis and its acclaimed museum. Beside them, the Herodion theater offers unforgettable nights with concerts and varied shows and performances. Another non-starter is a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Athens and then the viewing the changing of the guards at Parliament. Approaching Plaka from Syntagma, get away from the loud streets and stroll down the charming island-like alleys of Anafiotika to explore its cryptic cul-de-sacs and rustic taverns.

Summer is also when a festival frenzy takes over the city. Plan your trip around any of these exciting events. Art Athina is held for 4 days around the Summer Solstice and this international contemporary art fair is one of the oldest in Europe. Originated in 1993, it showcases artists, cultural institutions, as well as Hellenic and international art galleries. June is also the month of Pride for the LGBT+ community that includes a parade through the streets, ending with a free concert on Syntagma Square. Treat yourself to a week-long Summer Nostos program of free music, dance, and theater, all performed outdoors at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

Continuing in July, our favorite annual Rockwave and Ejekt music festivals arrive featuring the biggest names in the world! Most visitors are now down at the seaside venues for either a swim during the daytime or a refreshing cocktail at night. This is also the time of year when many well-known DJs make their appearances at these beach clubs. Treat yourselves to a port-side fish dinner in Piraeus or head to Glyfada's open-air cinemas to enjoy a special feature under the stars. Keep in mind that the Athens and Epidaurus Festival is continuously presenting events.

The August full moon is a particularly popular event for those who have remained in Athens. Soak it in either under the Acropolis or at the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. The August Full Moon Festival is held every year in Athens and throughout Greece, the year's most impressive luna is celebrated with a variety of events. A series of sites and monuments will be open free of charge, and other festivities like free concerts are held in museums around the city. The Day of Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15th is a national holiday and the second most important holiday after Easter that celebrates Saint Mary's ascent to heaven and her reunion with Jesus. Most businesses will be closed, with processions and feasts encompassing the entire country, including Athens.

Moreover, throughout the Summer, the Athens Open Air Film Festival transforms the city into a colossal movie theater with free screenings of classic and contemporary cinema in archaeological sites, museums, and parks. Also, Athens boasts a cool amusement park proper for both adults and youngsters. Check out 'Kidom' which is a mini theme park created just for children and Allou Fun Park itself which has scary and thrilling rides. We recommend riding the Ferris wheel at sunset to get the most dramatic view of Athens. Lastly, if the heat gets to be too much try reading a book in the Old National Library and take a trip back in time. These hallowed halls provide a rare experience of the classical Athenian spirit.

Furthermore, faithful to the motto "See more, Sweat less", private and guided tours on the electric Trikke vehicles organized by Scooterise are a truly unique experience. It is not only the revolutionary technology that excites both young and old, but it also offers and an amazing opportunity for visitors, families, and companies to experience and alternative means of transportation around the city. The Athens Complete Tour is a characteristic example: a 2-hour tour that introduces visitors to the city center in a fun and eco-friendly way, suitable for children and professionals, as it is a specially designed tour without riding along with cars and motorcycles. Starting from the company headquarters and following a brief introductory tutorial to driving the electric tricycle, the tour begins from the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian, traverses the Zappeion, the Panathenaic Stadium, and the Presidential Palace, and after taking a breath of fresh air at the National Gardens, heads towards Syntagma to admire the Evzones (Presidential Guard) and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tour continues with a visit to the commercial area of Monastiraki and the fleas market before arriving in Plaka and the historic center to drive past Hadrian's Library, the Roman Agora, the Tower of the Winds, and the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. The company also organizes innovative team building activities all year and the visitors can watch case studies on the scooterise website.

Tips:

  • Trikke is the safest vehicle in the city with 3 point support.
  • The best times are 9-11 in the morning and 5-6 in the evening.
  • Keep a living souvenir with professional videos of the route.