Europe's oldest capital city that's rich in history
There are few places where the past comes to life in quite the same way as in Athens. Often referred to as the cradle of Western civilisation, it’s a city bursting at the seams with culture, intrigue and beauty.
It’s not just a place for history buffs – it’s one of the liveliest European capitals. A thriving café culture ensures you’re not left waning in between all the sightseeing and you’ll never have to venture far to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
A sophisticated bar scene will keep you hydrated and if you visit in summer, the party spills out onto rooftop terraces and garden courtyards. Foodies needn’t worry with everything from Michelin-starred cuisine to more traditional taverns.
Taking in Athens’ impressive sights has never been easier thanks to the pedestrian-only archaeological promenade, a tree-lined walkway that links the city’s major archaeological sites. You’ll journey back in time, taking in marble temples, Byzantine churches, ancient theatres and neoclassical museums.
No trip to Athens would be complete without taking in the Acropolis, towering above the city and taking on a different character over the course of a day. See it bathed in the early morning light, the soft glow of the evening, and lit up in all its golden glory at night.
Athens isn’t a city stuck in the past, however, and there are plenty of modern galleries including the National Gallery of Contemporary Art and the Technopolis, a restored complex of furnaces and industrial buildings in the city’s former gasworks.
One of the cultural highlights is the Athens Festival, a summer programme of open-air theatre, opera, classical music, and dance staged at venues across the city, including the second-century BC Odeon of Herodes Atticus, carved into the rocks below the Acropolis.
Highlights
Explore the incredible Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit the National Gallery of Contemporary Art
Immerse yourself in the vibrant café and bar scene
Walk the archaeological promenade
Discover the city’s numerous byzantine churches and ancient theatres
Wander old Athens
Relax in the National Garden of Athens
Luxury accommodation in Athens
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip Inspiration
Whatever you want from your Athens tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Explore more of Greece
Mykonos
Mykonos might be one of the smallest islands in the Cyclades complex but it makes up for it in character. Its reputation as a glamorous party destination has stuck since the 50s and while it’s true people here know how to have a good time, the island is incredibly beautiful, its beaches and secluded corners offering refuge to those who seek it.
Discover moreParos
Paros is an idyllic Greek island, which decorates the already beautifully mesmerizing Aegean seas, as part of a group of islands known as the Cyclades. It is the second largest island here and is famous for its bright sandy beaches which are lapped by perfectly turquoise waters, as well as its quaint yet traditional villages, connected by unrivalled Byzantine footpaths.
Discover moreSantorini
Sheer cliffs hundreds of metres high shield coves and beaches made up of red, white and black sand, while pretty villages of limewashed cubic houses creep up the sides, nestled into every nook and cranny.
Discover morePeloponnese
The southern peninsular of Peloponnese, separated from the mainland by the Corinth Canal, encapsulates everything that is wonderful about Greece. It is both rich in culture and naturally beautiful.
Discover moreCrete
Crete was home to Europe’s earliest civilisation, the Minoans, and the legendary birthplace of Zeus. That’s quite a claim to fame but not content to just be historically interesting, the island also has a wealth of natural beauty and some of the country’s best beaches.
Discover moreSpetses
Despite this rather diminutive size, it has a rich history dating back millennia and has been a favourite of well-to-do Athenians for over a century, now hosting a handful of wonderful boutique hotels.
Discover moreMilos
The southwestern-most of the Cyclades, it encapsulates the beautiful beaches, rustic white-washed houses, cyan waters, great food and rich history of its neighbours without the crowds of Santorini or Mykonos.
Discover moreFolegandros
Positioned in the southern reaches of the Cyclades and surrounded by the glistening blues of the Aegean Sea, Folegandros is a beautiful and largely undiscovered island, currently emerging as a rewarding and laid-back haven.
Discover moreMeet your Europe team
When to visit
Greece is known for glorious summer weather, blazing sunshine and clear blue skies from May to September. This is typically the best time to visit Greece – the country is full of life and temperatures reach the late 30s. It’s also peak season, though, so many tourists descend on the small island.
Beach Break
June - September
Religious Celebrations
March - April
Plan your trip to Athens
Whatever you want from your adventure in Athens, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
We just returned from a wonderful trip to Greece. Our experience with Jacada was great from the start. They listened to our wish list. Provided some good feedback, and helped us put together a wonderful itinerary customized to our preferences. Once in Greece, our transportation was on time and very comfortable. Our guides for excursions were engaging and knowledgeable. Restaurants…
Murray and Symmone planned an unforgettable trip to Greece. Our favorite locations were by far Crete and Paros. Athens and Santorini were worth visiting just once, but a bit crowded for our liking. Murray planned some wonderful spots off the beaten path and paired us with top-of-the-line expert, private tour guides. The food, accommodation, and experiences were priceless. I didn't…
From start to finish, everything was taken care of. The choice of accommodations was amazing. The guides were all really knowledgeable and friendly. The drivers the same. Every transport was prompt. The couple times we had to call the on site number for assistance, it was answered immediately and our concerns addressed. If you are looking for a luxury trip,…
The Jacada customer service planning and execution was outstanding. The service at each location superb and the hotels were first class. The guides were exceptional and well versed in the country history. A tremendous experience and would highly recommend Jacada as a travel agency. They do it the right way!!
We have taken two trips arranged by Jacada and both have been amazing. They pick the best hotels, restaurants and guides. This summer Melania and her team pulled together a 10 day trip in the Greek isles with only three weeks advance notice! Nothing about our itinerary felt rushed or not up to the standards of our previous trip. We…
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When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.