Sprawling across the Attica Basin, Athens is renowned as the city that housed Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum. Notably the birthplace of democracy, it is the capital of Greece as well as its largest city. Teeming with countless monuments of archaeological significance and museums galore to tickle your historical bone, Athens is also a hub for artists owing to its rich heritage. As you immerse yourself in the prolific culture of this historic city, don’t forget to partake of the local delicacies. If you’ve got a penchant for street art, the incredible displays of graffiti are sure to blow your mind. Here’s our take on visiting Athens in the winter, and if you're looking to visiting Athens in January, look no further!
What makes Athens in January Special?
Although the city is chiefly a summer destination, if you were to visit Athens in January, you’ll truly be able to appreciate the city’s charm and the local delights. Since January is typically the coldest time of the year in Greece, it’s a great opportunity to dodge the usual large tour groups and crowds of cruise passengers. Although it snows for merely a few days annually, the snow-covered Acropolis is a rare sight and a wonder to behold. Athens in the winter is an intimate affair, stripped as it is of the sunny spirit that you often see in travel guides or on social media. Moreover, don’t underestimate the range of scrumptious winter delicacies and sweets you can bite into. It’s safe to say that visiting Athens under the mantle of winter winds and chilly charm is the perfect way to glimpse this historic place with a fresh perspective.
Athens Weather in January
You can anticipate average high temperatures around 13°C to 14°C, while the average low temperatures fall to about 6°C to 7°C. Expect rainfall, but don’t be daunted by the prospect of snow. Instead, embrace the experience that most explorers forego - and witness the Athenian winter like a true local.
Visiting Athens in January : Things To Do
1
The Acropolis
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Acropolis is Athens’ most famous landmark and is renowned for housing the Parthenon. To avoid the crowd that begins forming around 11 AM, we suggest visiting the site on a weekday, early in the morning.
January Timings
Open daily from 8 AM – 8 PM
Athens, 105 58
Greece
Getting There ›
2
Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art is home to one of Greece’s most distinctive collections of Cycladic Art. We suggest visiting the display depicting everyday life scenes in Classical Athens. The museum remains closed on Tuesdays.
January Timings
Monday, and Wednesday to Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
Sunday: 11 AM to 5 PM
Closed on Tuesday
Neofitou Douka 4, Athina 106 74
Greece
Getting There ›
3
National Archaeological Museum
Carve out at least 3-4 hours to explore the mother of all Athenian museums. Apart from housing artefacts from all periods of Ancient Greece, the National Archaeological Museum also displays a section on Ancient Egypt. We suggest making this visit early morning and rounding it off with a delicious lunch at the museum cafeteria.
January Timings
Tuesday: 1 PM to 8 PM
Wednesday-Monday: 8 AM to 3 PM
28is Oktovriou 44, Athina 106 82,
Greece
Getting There ›
4
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Situated at a 15 minute walk from the Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus the Temple of Zeus is as impressive as the lore of the Greek God it pays homage to. Although it was pillaged and reduced to ruins just about a century after its completion, a sizeable part of the architecture still remains standing..
January / Winter Timings
Daily 8 AM to 5 PM
Athens 105 57
Greece
Getting There ›
5
Ancient Agora of Athens
The Ancient Agora of Athens was the famed political, social, and commercial centre of ancient Athens. Dotted with ruins, the Agora includes the magnificent temple of Ifestos as well as the church of Agii Apostoli. Now a museum, this was once the equivalent of a modern day shopping mall.
January Timings
Daily 8 AM to 8 PM
Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55
Greece,
Getting There ›
6
Athens Street Food Tour
Taste the history of Athens through the vibrant street food tour. You’ll feel like a true Athenian as you partake of the local winter delicacies, with the best quality ingredients and a hands-on culinary workshop. The tour comprises 60 minutes in the Monastiraki area and 90 min in Psirri.
Pl. Monastirakiou 6, Athina 105 55,
Greece
Getting There ›
7
Hydra, Poros & Aegina: Full-Day Cruise with Lunch
Embark on a journey to three of the most beautiful Grecian islands - Hydra, Poros, and Aegina - on a full day cruise with a well-rounded lunch aboard the high seas! Perfect for a sunny winter day to soak in the sun and warm yourself on deck with your loved ones, this cruise also permits bringing personal alcohol onboard.
January Timings
Depends on the cruise tour
28is Oktovriou 42-44, Athina 106 82
Greece
Getting There ›
8
Take A Day Trip to Mycenae
Traverse the remarkable ruins of Mycenae, the legendary Agamemnon’s kingdom. This tour includes a viewing of the theatre of Epidaurus which was built in the 4th century BC, but is still in use today. The latter is a quaint city, believed to be the dwelling of Asklepios, the healer - Apollo’s son.
Athanasiou Diakou, Athina 117 43
Greece
Getting There ›
Athens in January: Events to Look Out For
International Zeimpekiko Festival in Athens
19 January - 21 January 2024
Get ready to dance your heart out at the International Zeimpekiko Festival in Athens this January! Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just love soaking in the vibrant Greek culture, this festival is a must-attend. Join locals and visitors alike as they celebrate this traditional dance form that beautifully captures the essence of Greek emotions.
Athens January Essentials
LanguageGreek
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+30
Socket Type C & F
CurrencyEuro (€)
Athens Weather in January
The mercury won’t rise above 13°C-14°C, while the average low is 6°C-7°C. It snows for a few days every year; so depending on the window of your visit, pack outerwear accordingly. The Athenian winter is a spectacle that not many witness!
Athens Accommodation In January
There will not be many tourists in this season, so you can rest assured that finding accommodation at this time will not be an issue. Here are some key places to stay in Athens, depending on your budget:
- 5-star hotels - Hotel Grande Bretagne, The Grand Hyatt .
- 4-star hotels - Elia Ermou Athens Hotel, Athens Utopia Ermou, The Athens Gate Hotel.
- 3-Star and Budget Hotels - NLH Fix, InnAthens, Cosmopolit Athens Hotel, Hotel @ Syngrou Fix.
Athens Packing List for January
Given the frigidity, you’d do well to bring along some warm outerwear and cozy woolens. For rainy days, we recommend slipping on some sturdy wellington boots and your favourite raincoat. Packing extra socks never hurts; you’ll thank us when the downpour comes and you’ve got dry socks for days. If you’re someone who’s used to a warmer climate, be sure to incorporate layers in your clothing to trap your body’s heat.
Getting Around Athens in January
Athens offers a range of public transport options including the metro, the suburban railway, buses and trolleybuses and the tram network.
The tickets you can use are categorized as paper tickets, anonymous cards that can be topped up, and personalized cards. These tickets can be used on all forms of public transport. The Athenian Transport department offers a Day Pass ticket, or even a 5-day variant. But only the 3-day Tourist Ticket offers a roundtrip to/from Athens International Airport. While the Metro, and most buses and trolleybuses run from 5 AM to midnight everyday, the operational hours for the suburban railway are 4:30 AM and 11 PM.
Athens in January: Seasonal Delicacies
The iconic paidakia is the Greek version of lamb ribs. Usually, the Greek lamb chops are marinated in olive oil, mustard, fresh thyme, garlic, lemon zest and peppercorn. Typically, potatoes are added into the pan with the meat to best absorb the flavours.
Where to eat: To Steki tou Ilia
Usually served as appetizers, Greece's smoke octopus is cooked in red wine vinegar and dry white wine. It is one of the most popular Greek foods there is and is found in practically every restaurant in Greece.
Where to eat: Varoulko .
The perfect beverage for the nipping cold of January, rakomelo is a combination of raki or tsipouro - two kinds of grape pomace brandy - with honey and flavourful spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and some other regional herbs. This warm, spiced drink is a chief winter staple.
Where to drink: Anafiotika Cafe
This vegetarian soup makes for the perfect Greek comfort food if you’re visiting Athens in January. It is made of white beans and a selection of healthy, rich vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery. Nobody does it like Kitsoulas Tavern! Walk in for the perfect traditional, no-frills dining experience.
Where to eat: Kitsoulas Tavern
Kourabiedes are baked crescents that are like a weightless shortbread - buttery and crumbly, but not too sweet. This dessert is typically made using almonds and is topped with a lot of powdered sugar. Take one bite and everyone will know you’ve been indulgent!
Where to eat: La Maison
Tips for Visiting Athens in January
- An efficient way to make good use of rainy days while staying dry, is by booking visits to indoor sites - such as museums, art galleries, or theaters.
- Make sure you confirm the opening and closing times of different sites since they differ in the winter months, with most being operational between 8 AM to 3 PM or 8 AM to 5 PM.
- The first Sunday of each of the winter months is designated as an Open Day wherein free access is provided to visitors of all archaeological sites, monuments and museums in Greece. We suggest taking advantage of this with an early-morning visit to beat the crowds.
- While the ancient marbles at most sites are already quite slippery, the occasional winter rain makes it important for you to have sturdy walking shoes. We suggest avoiding going up the Acropolis hill if it happens to be raining.
FAQs
Is January a good time to visit Athens?
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Which Greek island is warmest in January?
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