Tips For Staying Cool This Summer In Athens

Visiting Athens during summer often means having to cope with high temperatures. Whether you’re only visiting Athens or are just planning a short stay before escaping to the islands, here are some tips for staying cool in an Athenian summer.

Visit a museum or cultural center

With its collection of ancient sites, museums and cultural centers, Athens is a sightseer’s paradise. Plan your visits the smart way. Drop by outdoor archaeological sites early in the morning and reserve museums and galleries for the afternoon. That way, when the heat is strongest, you can be indoors enjoying the heaven-sent air conditioning. The Benaki, the Museum of Cycladic Art and the National Archaeological Museum are perfect places to stay cool while getting some culture. Also check out the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, by the sea, which always has a activity-filled agenda, with events suitable for every age.

Visiting the Acropolis is best done in the early morning to avoid the summer heat.

Go down south

Hit the outdoor pools

Can’t be bothered driving to the beach? Take advantage of Athens’ outdoor pools instead. Several hotels open their pools to the public for a fee. Grab your towel, order an iced coffee and relax by the pool.

Visit the countryside

Sometimes, escaping the heat during the day is as simple as leaving the city. There are a number of good day trip options that will allow you to see the countryside and enjoy some fresh air outside the city. Whether you choose to visit a nearby island or an ancient site, a little escapade outside the capital will be worth it.

Hit the movies

Take advantage of one of the many open-air cinemas in Athens. There is something magical about watching a movie under the stars. You might even be lucky enough to be in town while the Athens Open Air Film Festival is on, when there are free screenings all around town. Alternatively, choose an indoor cinema complex for the free air conditioning.

The Athens Open Air Film Festival where anyone can access outdoor screenings for free

Go green

Athens is not known as a green city, but there are several green spaces and parks here where you can enjoy the shade of the trees. Stop by the National Gardens in Syntagma, or venture further out to the Diomedes Botanical Garden on Iera Odos, or even Mount Hymettus.

Become a night owl

Athens has a vibrant nightlife scene, and summer is actually the best time to fully experience it. Bars are set up with the summer heat in mind, with outdoor terraces or patios to enjoy, or even better: rooftops with a breeze and night views of the city.

Thea Terrace Bar at Central Athens Hotel

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.