Athens is a city that offers visitors many interesting and exciting things to do from Archaeological Sites, Top Class Museums to great shopping and lovely food.
In my travels abroad I have used myself but also have seen that a lot of people use tourist cards to save money. I am happy to say that finally, Athens has its own card called Athens City Pass
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Let me tell you a bit more about the Athens City Pass. It is offered in many different options, the Mini Pass, the 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, and 6 days pass.
Depending on what City Pass you choose you are entitled to a number of advantages. Free access to the public transportation of Athens that includes the route from and to the airport. Free entrance to a handful of different attractions around the city of Athens and many discounts in shops, bars, restaurants, museums, and tours.
There are two main advantages of using a City Pass:
First of all, by purchasing the city pass, you are saving a considerable amount of money. Secondly with the city pass, you have to skip the line entrance to the attractions. Athens is a very popular city especially during the high season and the queues for the Acropolis, and the museums are big. You don’t want to wait for hours under the sun and also lose your limited time. Last summer I wanted to visit the Acropolis to take some photos and when I saw the lines I decided to go months later during the low season.
Moreover, if you add the public transportation option you no longer have to figure out how to purchase a ticket for public transport while in Athens. You just validate on your first ride, and you are ready to go.
You might be interested in a 3 day Athens itinerary.
Here is an overview of what each city pass offers:
- Skip the line entry to the Acropolis Museum
- Hop on Hop off open bus with audio commentary for 2 days in three different routes
- A free walking tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon incl audio guide (May to October)
- A free walking tour of the National Gardens and Parliament incl audio guide (May to October)
- 12, 5% discount One Day Cruise to the islands of Hydra, Poros & Aegina with lunch buffet including pick up round trip service to the harbor and back – direct bookable through your pass
- A number of discounts for museums, shopping and tours.
Athens City Pass 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 day
Free entry to the Acropolis and extended area sites:
- The Acropolis with Parthenon and North and South Slope Areas
- Ancient Agora
- Stoa of Attalos
- Roman Agora
- Hadrian’s Library
- Aristotle’s Lyceum
- Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Kerameikos Archaeological site and museum
Free admission to the following Museums
- Skip the line entry to the Acropolis Museum
- Herakleidon Museum – the art and technology museum
- Ilias Lalaounis – jewelry museum
- Kotsanas Museum – Ancient Greece and the origins of technologies
- Kotsanas Museum – Ancient Greek musical instruments and games
Other advantages:
- Hop on Hop off open bus with audio commentary for 2 days in three different routes
- A free walking tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon incl audio guide (May to October)
- A free walking tour of the National Gardens and Parliament incl audio guide (May to October)
- 12, 5% discount One Day Cruise to the islands of Hydra, Poros & Aegina with lunch buffet including pick up round trip service to the harbor and back – direct bookable through your pass
- A number of discounts for museums, shopping and tours.
Now let me tell you a few things about the attractions that are included in the city passes to help you decide which one is for you.
Hop on Hop off bus:
It is valid for two days and offers visitors the opportunity to see many attractions in Athens and Piraeus. I find that these open buses are the best way to get an orientation of the city.
Free walking tours:
There are two tours available to choose from; the Acropolis walking tour and the National Garden & the Parliament walking tour. They are available between May and October. The tour also offers audio commentary in many languages.
Acropolis Museum:
The New Acropolis Museum is considered one of the best museums in Greece. The museum houses the findings of the Archaeological Site of the Acropolis. It also offers great views of the Acropolis.
The Acropolis with North and South Slope:
The Acropolis of Athens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the top of a rocky hill overlooking the city of Athens and offers one of the best views of the city. Famous sites on the Acropolis include the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. On the Slopes of the Acropolis, you will have the chance to admire among others the theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
The extended ticket to the Acropolis:
If you are a lover of History and Archaeology like me, then that is for you. Apart from the skip the line entrance to the Acropolis and the North and South Slopes, it includes entry to some of the most interesting sites in Athens. Some of them are the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Agora with the temple of Hephaistus, one of the best-preserved temples of antiquity, and the Archaeological site of Kerameikos.
For more information: Athens City Pass
You can buy your Athens City Pass online and have it delivered to your door or pick it up at the airport. Note that if you choose the mini-pass, you can download it straight away, print it or use it on your mobile phone.
I think that the Athens City Pass is entirely worth it.
Not only do you get free admission to the city’s major attraction, but you skip the line as well and if you buy the free transportation option, you also get free transportation around Athens and not to mention the many discounts in attractions, shops, and restaurants all the passes offer.
The city pass offers an incredible value for money and saves you a lot of time.
For a hassle-free visit to the Greek capital, I totally recommend buying the City Pass of your choice.
Do you use City Passes when visiting a city?
Nice post, Chrysoula. I totally agree. City passes are the way to go if you know what you want to see! I also used one in Stockholm and it was great.
Really useful post! Great way to see everything you wish in such a rich city
Great info Chrysoula, thanks for such a great website. We’re thinking about a holiday in Greece for about 12 days and hope to spend time in Athens, the Cyclades, and my husband wants to go to Corfu. I’d rather spend the time in Athens and the Cyclades but not sure how we’d make that work if we want to spend a night or two on a few islands. We’re not big party people but love great beaches, food, clear water for snorkeling or swimming or diving, and history. Will read your site and possibly purchase your e-book to see how to make it happen! Best wishes to you.
Hello Mary,
Thanks for your kind words. Unfortunately, 12 days is not a long time, but I suggest three days in Athens, then head to the Cyclades. Milos ticks all the boxes, food, history, and the best beaches. If you want to visit Corfu, I suggest that you take the ferry from Milos to Santorini and fly with Easyjet to Corfu or fly from Milos to Athens and then fly to Corfu. Corfu is big and you will need at least 4 days there so I am not sure if it is a good idea to head there on this trip. For 12 days I suggest Athens plus 2 islands of the same group. Like Milos and Naxos. Let me know if you have any questions.
Hy Chrysoula, My husband and I are visiting Athens in late November 2022, is the City Pass of value during this period as it seems many of the benefits run out in October. Are there any other options available for the winter period? Your post is very informative, thank you, Doreen
Hello Dorren,
I wouldn’t recommend the pass during winter as all attraction entrances are much cheaper.
Hello: I’ve just found your site and it’s very helpful thanks. We’re hoping to visit Athens at the end of March 2023. The City Pass is good to know about. Blair