Athens in March

[Lotusgone]

The history of this place appeals, and going in late March should avoid - I assume - the worst of the temperature, smog and crowds.

Has anyone been recently? Does this time of year sound like a good idea? How much enforcement/disregard on the buses and metro is there on face masks?

Any information would be gratefully received.

[stevethegreek]

March can still be quite unpredictable weather wise, so you could get wet, windy weather down to low teens, or some bright sunny days up in the very early twenties. Generally, the temps will drop to around 10c (or a little less) overnight. Personally, I would be inclined to go later in April.

Regarding enforcement of masks, this is almost non existent now. I certainly haven't seen any need in the last few times I've been there this year.

There are some great museums and places of interest - all located around the Parthenon, with the Acropolis Museum being a very worthwhile visit (there's even space for a couple of missing marbles!!!)

Happy to provide further information, just ask.

[Lotusgone]

Thanks Steve, that does indeed help. The late April idea is worth a thought.

The plan was to stay centrally and walk or metro to places. Potentially silly question given it's a city...but does that mean a lot of noise from the street until gone midnight?

[stevethegreek]

Staying centrally is a good idea, the metro is generally good for getting around and walking is great as you get to see much more.

It is a noisy city, there is no getting away from it, the nightlife is just that - all through the night. You could minimise the noise, depending on where you decide to stay. I've stayed in a couple of the larger central hotels and have not been bothered at all, but try and request a room on the higher floors and to the back of the property. You'll miss out on some views, but it is quieter. Alternatively, there's loads of smaller boutique style places in the back streets which will be much quieter.

I always tend to stay around this area, great location and there's plenty of varied accommodation nearby - https://goo.gl/maps/eCUMZbgMURoCafw28

[lyricalgangster]

We've just got back from a four day trip to Athens.

Stayed just a minute away from Plaka, with views of the Parthenon.

Was hot, but manageable, people very friendly, decent food, and lots to see.

I found it quite expensive - but we could have done it cheaper if we wanted to, so can't complain!

Would recommend!

[Doesitdrive]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Go for it, might be hot though, look at Glyfada to base yourself.
Wander down to the beach for that great tradition of fish and chips lol,

Take the coast road away from Athens for fantastic fishing villages with fish restaurants.

Do the history out of season lol.

[stevethegreek]

If you can handle the heat, go for it!

A lot of Athenians will start their holidays from this Friday/weekend as there is a major festival in the Greek Orthodox calendar on the 15th, so should be quieter in the centre.

Do bare in mind that the Athens coast (from Glyfada to Sounion) will be quite busy because of the above. The Metro is quite good to get you there, and the coast road to Sounion has some great stops too.

[some bloke]

We were there the last week of July for a couple of nights after few days on Sifnos. We stayed at Neoma Hotel by Philopappos Hill, but it was 39c a lot of the time with a breeze like a hairdryer. We spent quite a bit of the time in the rooftop pool gazing out at the Acropolis. We'd both grown up in hot places but struggled with the heat, and could only handle an hour or so out and about before needing AC somewhere.

[peter tdci]

I went for a long weekend in the middle of June. As others have said, it was hot, but manageable. Stayed at St. Bjur Hotel & Suites - not luxurious, but comfortable enough. On the north side of Monastiraki Square and next door to an entrance to the Metro station (handy for getting to & from the airport).

Nice enough wandering round the neighbourhood (plenty of places to eat), but my highlight was a day trip to Piraeus on the Metro and then getting a ferry to Aegina - about a 70 minute journey each way.

[some bloke]

peter tdci said:

I went for a long weekend in the middle of June. As others have said, it was hot, but manageable. Stayed at St. Bjur Hotel & Suites - not luxurious, but comfortable enough. On the north side of Monastiraki Square and next door to an entrance to the Metro station (handy for getting to & from the airport).

Nice enough wandering round the neighbourhood (plenty of places to eat), but my highlight was a day trip to Piraeus on the Metro and then getting a ferry to Aegina - about a 70 minute journey each way.

Yep - we stayed down near the port for a trip to Sifnos, I remember sitting in a rooftop bar watching a huge flock of swifts darting all over the place while the sun set. It was a lovely evening.

[DT1975]

peter tdci said:

but my highlight was a day trip to Piraeus on the Metro and then getting a ferry to Aegina - about a 70 minute journey each way.

Aegina was our first holiday with the missus back in 1986. It was magical back then, hardly any tourists. We could walk from the town up to the Temple of Aphaia, no entrance fee just nothing, just us. I recall its part of an isosceles triangle with the Parthenon and somewhere else. We hired a moped and explored, just a lovely little Island. We were in Piraeus for the day in May, we really should have popped back over.