Thinking of visiting Athens in October?

While the Greek capital is a popular summer destination, the best time to visit is possibly autumn. The weather is warm but pleasant, the streets are quiet but lively still.

In this guide, I share my top recommendations for visiting Athens in October, including where to stay, things to do, and what to pack.

So, let’s dive right in!

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Athens weather in October

Athens has a warm Mediterranean climate.

If you’re visiting the city in October, you’ll likely get beautiful weather, with temperatures ranging from 23 degrees up to 30 (yes, 30!).

We visited Athens in late October, and it was quite warm and humid, even at night. However, it wasn’t too hot to walk around the city and climb the Acropolis.

However, storms are not unusual at this time of year. In fact, Athens has experienced severe flooding over the last few years.

Therefore, you can expect a mixture of sunshine and rain when visiting Athens in autumn – although you’ll likely get nice weather throughout the entire trip!

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Why October is the best time to visit Athens

There are two main reasons why October is the best time to visit Athens:

• It’s not as busy.
• It’s not as hot.

Athens is one of the most visited cities in the world, drawing over 10 million tourists per year.

As you might expect, summer is peak season in Athens, with cruiseliners bringing in thousands of visitors on a daily basis.

These numbers drop significantly in autumn, although you might still encounter long queues at star attractions like the Acropolis.

Meanwhile, October weather in Athens is quite warm and pleasant. You can walk around the city in a pair of jeans and t-shirt – or your favourite summer dress!

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Where to stay in Athens in October

Athens is a very walkable city, and most attractions are within walking distance from one another.

I recommend staying in Exarchia. This neighbourhood might seem a bit rough at first, mainly due to the graffiti-covered walls, but it’s actually a welcoming and vibrant place.

In fact, Exarchia is teeming with cool bars and restaurants. And it has a large number of bookstores and record shops!

We stayed at PAME Paradiso, a four-star accommodation in the heart of Exarchia.

Our room was super clean with quirky decor, and we had a sizeable terrace with plants and armchairs.

The hotel is very close to the National Archaeological Museum, and you can walk down to the historic centre in just 20 minutes.

Oh, and the best thing about staying at PAME Paradiso? It’s surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Athens!

You can enjoy a lovely Cretan meal at Rakoumel, or a romantic dinner at Salero. There’s even a lovely cake shop right next to the hotel, called I Cake You.

Learn more about PAME Paradiso in Athens.

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Best things to do in Athens in October

If you’re visiting Athens in autumn, you can explore the city more comfortably.

The heat is tolerable at this time of year, and you can do things that you’d probably find impossible in summer – like climbing hills and dining outside at midday.

So, here are some of the best things to do in Athens in October.

1. Visit the Acropolis and the Agoras

The Acropolis is probably at the top of your Athens bucket list. The good thing about visiting Athens in October is that you don’t have to sweat your way up the hill.

This ancient site is home to the Parthenon, a majestic temple built during the 5th century BC and dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.

While the Parthenon is possibly the most famous temple in Athens, there are other things to see on the Acropolis.

These include the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Propylaea (the monumental gates to the temple site).

There’s also the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a large Roman theatre which is still used as an entertainment venue.

As you make your way down the hill, you’ll come across a theatre and temple dedicated to the god of wine, Dionysus.

From the Acropolis, you can head into the Ancient Agora. This was the commercial, political, and administrative centre of the city.

You can explore the ruins of the agora at your own leisure. If you climb up to the Temple of Hephaestus, you’ll get some sweeping views of the Acropolis and its surroundings.

Next, you can make your way to the Roman Agora.

Built between 27 BC and 17 BC, this ancient site houses the well-preserved Tower of the Winds and the Gate of Athena Archegetis.

You’ll also find the ruins of the the East Propylon: an entrance gate with Ionic columns made of gray Hymettian marble.

Oh, and watch out for wild tortoises! You’ll find them roaming around the agoras, which they share with a colony of friendly cats.

2. Walk around the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Library

Another interesting site at the foot of the Acropolis is Hadrian’s Library.

Built by Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, this building served as a library and also held music and lecture rooms.

Here, you’ll also find the remains of two churches built in the 7th and 12th centuries.

If you bought an Acropolis combo ticket, it should also include entry to the Temple of Zeus. This was once the largest temple in Greece, but out of the temple’s 104 original Corinthian columns, only 15 remain today.

Tip: We bought our Acropolis combo ticket from GetYourGuide. It includes entry to the Acropolis and 6 other archaeological sites: Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Zeus, Aristotle’s School, Hadrian’s Library, and Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery.

3. Climb the Pnyx

The Pynx is a hill in central Athens, and one of the most important sites in the history of democracy.

It’s named after the open-air chamber (“pyknos”) where Assembly of Athenians held meetings to decide on local matters.

You can still see the stone platform used by speakers like Aristides, Pericles, and Themistocles, and the steps carved into the rock.

The hill also offers panoramic views of the city and the Acropolis, and it’s a popular spot for picnics and hikes.

There’s a path that starts at road level and takes you all the way up to the top.

While you’re here, you can also check out the Philopappos Monument and the Prison of Socrates.

Also, keep an eye out for green parrots. Although you’re probably hear them – they’re quite loud and chatty.

4. Check out the street art in Exarchia

Exarchia is a gritty yet colourful neighbourhood in the centre of Athens. Throughout history, this area saw the rise of several socialist and anarchist movements.

Exarchia is also a popular base among artists and intellectuals. In fact, you’ll find a lot of meaningful murals in this neighbourhood.

Additionally, Exarchia is a mecca for book lovers and record collectors. Bookstore Politeia and Polyglot have a decent number of books in English.

If you’re looking for vinyl records, head to Le Disque Noir. This place has a large and rather eclectic collection, from classic rock and pop to industrial goth techno and Celtic folk. The guys that work here are very friendly and helpful.

5. Explore the quirky neighbourhood of Psiri

Known for its nightlife, Psiri is possibly the quirkiest place you’ll ever visit.

The streets of this neighbourhood are lined with bars and restaurants, each with its own character and outlandish decor.

Even though Psiri is right next to the touristy hotspot of Plaka, it’s a lot quieter and has a very local ambiance.

Like Exarchia, Psiri is home to beautiful pieces of street art – even the shops are decorated with graffiti.

If you’re looking for a unique gift or souvenir, you’ll likely find it in Psiri. There are a few antique shops, as well as artisan workshops and indie boutiques.

6. Shop at the antique stores

Monastiraki Square is the beating heart of the city. It’s a popular hangout spot among tourists and locals, and hosts a popular flea market.

Further down from Monastiraki Square, you’ll find a quieter area known as Avissinias Square. This place is an antique haven, with shops packed to the rafters with crockery, toys, tools, furniture, and bric-a-brac.

If you venture into the surrounding alleys, you’ll find a few shops selling second-hands books and vinyl records.

7. Wander through the quaint streets of Plaka

Sitting at the foot of the Acropolis, Plaka is possibly the most touristy area in the city.

Fortunately, visiting Athens in autumn means fewer people roaming the streets of this beautiful neighbourhood.

Plaka is like a little village in the heart of Athens. Its narrow streets are lined with shops selling jewelry, clothes, and local ceramics.

This is also a nice place to have lunch or a romantic dinner.

If you head to Lisiou Street, you’ll find the pretty Mnisikleous stairs, where cosy restaurants and taverns stretch as far as the eye can see.

We dined at To Kafeneio, where we had an outdoor table with a view of the Acropolis all lit up.

We also had some lovely brunch at Yiasemi, where they serve traditional Greek coffee and yoghurt.

If you want to splash out on a handmade gift, The Loom in Plaka sells beautiful carpets and throws from Greece, Crete, and Armenia.

Looking for something smaller? Kakadou is a little jewellery shop that sells items created by a local designer.

8. See the treasures at the National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens has one of the richest collections of artifacts from ancient Greece.

Housed in a beautiful neoclassical building, the museum has five main sections:

• The Collection of Prehistoric Antiquities, which includes works of the civilizations that developed in the Aegean from the 6th millennium to 1050 BC.
• The Sculpture Collection, which traces the history of ancient Greek sculpture from the 7th century BC until the 5th century AD.
• The Vase and Minerals Collection, with ancient Greek ceramics from the 11th century BC up to the Roman era.
• The Metallurgical Works Collection, with statues, figurines and miniature works.
• The Collection of Egyptian and Eastern Antiquities, which showcases works of art dating from the pre-emptive period (5000 BC) to the times of the Roman conquest.

Note: If you purchased the Acropolis combo ticket, it should include entry to the National Archaeological Museum.

9. Enjoy a rooftop dinner with stunning views

One of the best things about visiting Athens in autumn is that it’s still warm enough to enjoy dinner al fresco.

If you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to a memorable meal, book a table at Ciel. This rooftop restaurant offers unparalleled views of the Acropolis and the city centre.

It also serves a variety of dishes, including salads, pasta, and pizzas. And the prices are quite reasonable!

10. Go for a romantic stroll in Anafiotika

Anafiotika is a tiny neighbourhood with Greek island vibes. It forms part of Plaka and lies along the northeast slope of the Acropolis hill.

This is a lovely spot for a romantic stroll. It also offers some respite from the crowds in Plaka.

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What to pack for Athens in October

Not sure what to pack for Athens in October? Here are my suggestions:

• Shorts and t-shirts for those warm days
• A hoodie/cardigan and a pair of jeans for the cooler evenings
• A hat and sunglasses for exploring the city in the sun

Other essentials for Athens

Walking boots

Light rain jacket

Anti-theft backpack

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Frequently asked questions

Still not sure about visiting Athens in October? Let’s address some of your questions!

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Recommended Athens tours

Looking for the best tours of Athens? Here are my top recommendations.