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Hayley on Holiday

A Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Athens in November

June 22, 2022 in Europe, Greece
Acropolis views from Athens' Anafiotika neighbourhood (Athens is one of the more surprising places to travel alone in Europe).

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my guide to visiting Athens in November. I cover everything from the best things to do in Athens, my top foodie recommendations and where you need to stay in Athens if you’re on a budget.

I didn’t know what to expect when I visited Athens in November 2019. But it was such a fascinating city that I can’t wait to return… someday. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that there were so many ancient sites throughout the city centre. Like you could visit an ancient attraction and then pop into H&M 10 minutes later. Here are some of the best things to do in Athens in November, plus some additional Athens travel tips.

Table of Contents Show
1. How to get to Athens
2. Where to stay in Athens in November
3. Why is November a good time to visit Athens?
4. What to pack for Athens in November
5. Best things to do in Athens in November
5.1. Go on a walking tour
5.2. Do a Greek Islands cruise from Athens in November
5.3. Stroll through Plaka, Athens
5.4. See the sunset from Lycabettus Hill
5.5. Go shopping in Athens
5.6. Join the Athens Marathon
5.7. Visit the Acropolis
5.8. Spot street art in Anafiotika
5.9. Visit a museum
6. Where to eat in Athens in November
6.1. Oven Sesame
6.2. Etnico Street Food
6.3. Mama Roux
6.4. Meliartos
6.5. Lukumades

How to get to Athens

Athens is located right at the end of Europe, so the best way to get there is by plane. I flew into Athens from Munich and flew out of Athens to Singapore via Scoot. I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest flight deals, then buy tickets on the airline’s official websites. Scoot is 100% a budget airline, but you can’t argue with the price.

Once you arrive in Athens, you can follow my lead and hop on the metro from the airport, which will take you directly into the city centre. From memory, it cost about €10 for the ticket. The one downside is that the train only comes every 30 minutes. But otherwise, the metro is a great way to get around Athens. Honestly, any metro with luggage racks wins points in my book.

The infamous Plaka Stairs in Plaka, Athens

The infamous Plaka Stairs

Here are a few other cheap cities to visit in Europe and my tips for travelling across Europe on a budget.

Where to stay in Athens in November

If you’re a fellow solo or budget traveller, I highly recommend staying at Mosaikon. Firstly, it’s in a very central location. It’s walking distance from Monastiraki Square and its metro station, as well as the main shopping street and the Plaka neighbourhood. Secondly, the staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly. I chatted to a couple of the girls who were so lovely and helpful.

Now, onto the hostel itself. It’s a very modern facility, with a kitchen and a rooftop with Acropolis views. I stayed in a four-bed female dorm and each bed came with a shelf, light and privacy blind. The ensuite bathroom was also incredibly spacious and clean. Definitely check out Mosaikon when looking for budget accommodation in Athens, as it’s one of the top-rated Athens hotels on Booking.com, TripAdvisor and Hostelworld (I found Booking.com had the cheapest price when I booked).

Acropolis views from Mosaikon, one of the best Athens hotels

Acropolis views from Mosaikon’s rooftop

If you’re interested in other Athens hotels, other top-rated properties on my beloved Booking.com include Acropolis Stay: modern rooms, great location and hello, nine breakfast menus. Then there’s the reasonably-priced Ederlezi Boutique Hotel and Still Athens, which is a bestselling hotel.

By the way, here are my top hostelling tips

Why is November a good time to visit Athens?

I believe November is a good time for visiting Greece and Athens because the weather is great and there are fewer crowds. Honestly, the November weather in Athens was perfect. The temperature was warm but not too hot, so I could comfortably walk around central Athens in the sunshine in jeans and a t-shirt. The average rainfall for November is only 2 inches too. November is also one of the best times to travel to Greece as it’s in the shoulder season, which equals fewer people than the summer months, good weather and cheaper prices. Other shoulder season months: April, May, September and October.

What to pack for Athens in November

If you’re wondering how to dress in Athens in November, I just wanted to reiterate that I was comfortable wearing jeans and a t-shirt and it seemed to be what most people were wearing (tourists and locals). I paired my outfit with my beloved Allbirds, a.k.a the best travel shoes ever. I also wore my light jacket on the Greek Islands day trip mentioned below, as the breeze on the deck was a little brisque at times. Hopefully, that helps you decide what to wear in Athens in November.

What to wear in Athens in November

Basically the only selfie I took in Greece. But hey, I’m wearing my favourite Footloose t-shirt!

My autumnal packing list & my travel essentials

Best things to do in Athens in November

Ok, now you’re set to visit Greece in November, let’s dive into what to do in Athens in November. I just wanted to note that Athens is home to a plethora of ancient attractions and I haven’t mentioned them all below because nobody has time for that! However, you can easily view many of them, including Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Library, for free just by walking around the city.  

Things to do in Athens in November - visit all of the attractions.

Go on a walking tour

Soak up that perfect Athens weather on a walking tour, which is one of the best ways to learn more about Athens. I joined Athens Free Tour and my guide was a lady affectionally known as Princess. I chatted to her as we walked between stops and she was an incredibly interesting woman in general. But her tour was also fantastic. Starting from Hadrian’s Arch, she told us so much information about Athens, the military and the current political climate. We passed through the National Garden (definitely visit even if you don’t do a free walking tour), stopped to see the changing of the guards and then finished in Plaka. This is hands down one of the best things to do in Athens.

A restaurant in Plaka, Athens

Pretty restaurants spotted in Plaka on the walking tour

Do a Greek Islands cruise from Athens in November

I did a Greek Island day tour from Athens and it was awesome (a long day, but awesome). You can read more about the tour in this blog post, but we visited three islands and my favourite was Hydra. Although heading from Athens to Santorini is a popular route, unless you fly you can’t really do a day trip to Santorini. I also think Athens in November is superb, but you will want to visit the Greek Islands in warmer weather because that also equals warmer sea temperature. 

View of white homes stack on a hillside in Hydra, a Greek island.

Docked in pretty Hydra

Stroll through Plaka, Athens

Plaka is one of Athen’s most photogenic neighbourhoods. Its main thoroughfare, Adrianou Street, is home to lots of shops and is the perfect place to go souvenir shopping in Athens. Its adjacent streets are also overflowing with restaurants. For photos, I recommend heading to Lisiou Street, as it’s home to the Plaka Stairs and colourful buildings with overhanging bougainvillea and wrought-iron balconies.

Shops and restaurants in Plaka

Strolling around Plaka

See the sunset from Lycabettus Hill

Lycabettus Hill is the city’s highest point and you can reach the summit by walking or taking the funicular. With a restaurant and church at the top, Lycabettus Hill looks towards the Acropolis and apparently sunset is the best time to visit.

Sunset views from Mosaikon, one of the top-rated Athens hotels

Sunset views from the rooftop at Mosaikon

Go shopping in Athens

Besides Plaka, the city’s other popular shopping street is Ermou Street. Running through the city centre, it’s home to popular shops like Flying Tiger, H&M and Zara. I did go for a wander through the Athens Flea Market at Monastiraki Square, but the stalls here are mainly filled with cheap souvenirs, knock-off designer accessories and randomly, a lot of camouflage paraphernalia.

Things to do in Athens in November - go shopping along Ermou Street

Ermou Street

Join the Athens Marathon

The Athens Classic Marathon is an annual road race held annually in early November since 1972. There’s no qualifying time so anyone can participate.

Visit the Acropolis

Sitting on a hill overlooking the city, the Acropolis is one of the top places to visit in Athens. It’s known for being home to several ancient landmarks and archaeological sites, but its most famous resident is the Parthenon. Purchase tickets in advance and head here first thing in the morning to try and beat the crowds.

Acropolis views from the Anafiotika neighbourhood

Acropolis views from Anafiotika

Spot street art in Anafiotika

One of the best free things to do in Athens is wandering up towards Anafiotika. This was a random place I found through Pinterest research, but I highly recommend taking a detour to Anafiotika. Located next door to Plaka, it’s a small neighbourhood nestled under the Acropolis. It’s incredibly photogenic and there’s random street art everywhere. I kind of felt like I was trespassing to see some of the street art, but there was no one else around so I happily wandered and took photos. Alternatively, you can also take a street art tour that’s guided by a local street artist.

Street art in Anafiotika

Colourful street art in Anafiotika

Visit a museum

Athens is home to several museums, with the most popular being the Acropolis Museum. The archaeological museum was built to house all artifacts uncovered on the Acropolis itself, so it’s a must-visit Athens museum for ancient Greece history lovers. Other museums to check out include the National Archaeological Museum, Benaki Museum (with eight different buildings and museums under its umbrella) and the Museum of Cycladic Art.

Here are my top tips for travelling solo in Europe & my favourite solo travel destinations

Where to eat in Athens in November

Food-wise, I found Athens to have both cheap snacks and more expensive restaurant meals. There are also a lot of restaurants to choose from, so don’t be alarmed if servers try and tempt you to stop at their establishment. Here are the best places to visit in Athens in November. Let’s just say, I ate very well.

Oven Sesame

Located just down the street from my hostel, Oven Sesame is a great place for a quick bite. They specialise in inexpensive toasted sandwiches in these delicious sesame pockets. I had the vegetarian Mozza Melt, but there are lots of sweet and savoury options. You also get a casual view of the Acropolis while dining outside. Did I mention Athens is cool?

Where to eat in Athens - Oven Sesame

Trying to take a photo of the view…

Etnico Street Food

This is another eatery near Mosaikon that does a range of street food from countries like Mexico, Korea and India. I was craving Mexican and a burrito from Etnico Street Food seriously hit the spot. It also cost about €5 and the staff were very friendly. 

Mama Roux

I ventured over here from my hostel because it had good Google reviews and it’s such a cute and colourful place. Like Etnico, it’s a multi-ethnic restaurant that does breakfast, Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner. I went with the homemade pink lemonade and the Chicken and Parm Burger – fried chicken with tomato sauce, rocket, two different kinds of cheese and caramelised onions. Yes, it was as good as it sounds. With indoor and outdoor seating and friendly staff, I recommend visiting Mama Roux when in Athens.

Enjoying a delicious burger and chips at Mama Roux.

Meliartos

This bakery and cafe on Ermou Street has a cabinet stocked with Greek pastries. I personally grabbed a spanakopita for a snack one day, because when in Greece, right?

Lukumades

Oh. My. Goodness. I still dream about the amazingly decadent and delicious loukoumades I had at Lukumades in Athens. Named the world’s most unique doughnuts, the freshly-baked and crispy dough balls are an authentic Greek delight. You can get them the traditional way with honey and cinnamon. However, I chose to get mine topped with ice cream, nuts and a chocolate sauce.

Loukoumades from Lukumades

This is what dreams are made of… 😂

Other recommendations I didn’t get to check out include Noel, a year-round holiday-themed bar and Little Kook, which is a fairytale-inspired cafe.

I hope this post helps you plan your visit to Athens in November.

It truly is an interesting place, where modern and ancient landmarks harmoniously coexist. I was unsure about visiting Athens solo, but I would now wholeheartedly recommend it. I felt safe at all times and every local I spoke to was very friendly and welcoming. If you’re looking for more Europe content, head to my archive. 

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Comments

  1. Laura says

    June 16, 2023 at 12:42 am

    Hi,
    I’m curious, so many have said Greece shuts down in November, late October. I’m gathering by your blog, there’s still a lot of places open?.

    Reply
    • Hayley Simpson says

      June 26, 2023 at 6:24 pm

      I definitely didn’t have this experience in Athens. Maybe this relates to certain Greek islands?

      Reply
  2. Marguerite Anderson says

    September 5, 2022 at 4:01 am

    Hello Hayley

    Thank you for your blog. I am visiting Athens for a day in November 2022, as part of a cruise. The information you gave was both useful and Interesting.

    With Best Wishes
    Marguerite

    Reply
    • Hayley Simpson says

      September 29, 2022 at 3:56 pm

      Thanks so much for leaving a comment, Marguerite. I’m so glad you found the post useful. Have a great time!

      Reply
  3. Nisch says

    August 1, 2022 at 7:31 pm

    Hi Hayley,
    Thank you for your blog.

    I am planning a trip to Athens and Istanbul in Nov 2022.
    Please advise how many days you would recommend for Athens (incl day island trips)

    Reply
    • Hayley Simpson says

      August 10, 2022 at 4:33 pm

      I had two full days in Athens and one full day on an island day trip, which was enough time for me.

      Reply
  4. Hayley Simpson says

    June 24, 2020 at 11:42 am

    Writing this post made me want to fly back there as well 😅. But this food tour sounds amazing for the price – thanks for the recommendation!

    Reply
  5. Claire @ TallGirlBigWorld says

    June 23, 2020 at 7:15 pm

    This post makes me want to fly back to Athens ASAP! I’d also highly recommend doing a food tour if it’s within your budget. My mom and I did a private food tour and it cost something crazy cheap like $15 per person (plus money for food along the way). We had the best time, and we learned so much about Athens’ history through its food.

    Reply

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Hi 👋🏻. I’m Hayley, an Australian who’s been solo travelling around the world for 10 years. 40+ countries and two working holidays in Canada later, Hayley on Holiday is my one-stop resource for solo and budget travel. I hope it inspires you to take the leap and explore this wonderful world we live in.

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Uber and Grab are also present in Bali, but drivers are prohibited from entering many of the main tourist areas. As for public transport, the only option is the Kura-Kura public shuttle bus service. It travels between Bali’s most popular tourist attractions and destinations. I’ve never used this bus network, but I have seen them travelling around Bali. Travelling around Bali alone On my last solo trip to Bali, I also travelled from Kuta to Ubud and back again. In the first instance, I got my family’s driver to drive me as I wanted to stop at a few different places along the way. He’s fantastic, isn’t pushy like some drivers and speaks great English. If you’d like his details, let me know. On the other hand, from Ubud to Kuta I paid 60,000 IRP to travel on a shuttle bus with other people backpacking Bali alone. I just booked it at the travel desk outside my homestay in Ubud. If you’re a fellow budget traveller, this is a good option.  Money tips When I visit Bali, I travel with my Citibank debit card as I don’t get charged any international fees. I also predominantly use official bank ATMs. If you prefer, you can also bring cash in your local currency and change it at a money exchange. Although a few high-end restaurants have card facilities, cash is king in Bali. Tipping is also always appreciated at both restaurants and spas.  What to pack for solo travel in Bali As luck would have it, I’ve already written a post that highlights the 10 things I highly recommend packing for a trip to Bali. Check it out here. How to avoid Bali Belly on your solo trip to Bali We have to get real for a second because Bali Belly is a menace I am, unfortunately, all too well acquainted with. It’s essentially an upset stomach or travellers’ diarrhea that you can get while travelling around Bali. Predominantly caused by contaminated food and water, stay away from Bali’s tap water as it isn’t potable. Although experts say to not drink the ice in Bali, it’s government-regulated now and safe to drink.  I also take Travelan before lunch and dinner in Bali and it seems to be the magic ingredient. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited as I was when I travelled around Bali for one month without getting sick. Life goals, friends 😂. If you do inevitably get struck down by Bali Belly, make sure you stay hydrated, take rehydration drinks (available from convenience stores) and stick to a bland diet. Bali Belly is also why I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your solo trip to Bali.  Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? This is probably one of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to solo travel in Bali. In my option, Bali is safe for solo female travellers. Personally, I’ve never felt afraid while walking around Bali alone. On my last trip, I stayed […]

Tower Bridge in London, England

My Complete Solo Traveller’s Guide to Lovely London

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. My latest solo travel guide focuses on lovely London. Keep reading to find out where I stayed in London, solo London travel tips and the best things to do alone in London. It’s about time I wrote a guide on solo travel in London. I’ve spent nearly a month in London overall, so I’m basically a local 💁‍♀️. It’s one of my favourite cities to visit – there’s just so many cool neighbourhoods to visit and attractions to see. It’s also a great city to visit as a solo traveller. So here’s my guide to visiting London by yourself, including the best things to do alone in London. If you’ve ever wondered what to do alone in London, I have you covered. Solo London travel tips First up, here are a couple of travel tips for fellow solo travellers visiting London alone. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings in busy places as there are pickpockets in London (like every other major city in the world). I also found I felt safe walking from the tube back to my hostel at night alone, as it was located on a busier street and there were always people around. However, I only did this on a couple of occasions. As always, do what feels right to you. All of the amazing things to do alone in London listed below are daytime activities anyway. How to get to London alone Hello, my name is Hayley and I am now a pro at travelling to London alone. So far I’ve arrived and departed from London by plane, train and bus. I’ve flown in and out of London from both Vancouver and Australia – check Skyscanner for the best flight deals. I’ve also taken the Eurostar from London to Paris and FlixBus to Bruges. Within the UK, I have taken National Express buses and the train from London as well. So yes, there are plenty of ways to get to and from London. How to get around London Public transport is fantastic in London, so take advantage. I used the tube most days and even caught a few buses. I simply relied on Google Maps to figure out which tube line or bus would take me to my destination. The best hostel in London for solo travellers In my opinion, the best hostel in London for solo travellers is Wombats City Hostel. I’ve now stayed there multiple times in a six-bed female dorm room (with an ensuite). It’s conveniently located 10 minutes from both Tower Bridge and Brick Lane in East London. The hostel is also within walking distance of two tube lines and two grocery stores. I like the large common areas at the hostel and the onsite bar. The bar hosts weekly events as well, which is the perfect place to meet other solo travellers in London. I’ve also stayed overnight at the Astor Victoria as it’s walking distance from Victoria Coach Station. Let’s just say, Wombats is 100 times better. I had to walk up seven flights of narrow stairs to my female dorm, which isn’t the easiest with a nearly 20kg suitcase. I also thought the shared bathrooms weren’t the cleanest and the common areas at Wombats are so much better.  Here are my top hostelling tips & travel essentials for fellow solo travellers Fun things to do alone in London  Here are lots and lots of things to do in London on your own. You won’t be bored in London after reading this list! 1. Walk along the Thames to see the best London attractions If you’re wondering where to go alone in London, here are several ideas. On my first day in London in 2017, I ended up walking from my hostel near Tower Bridge to Oxford Street. It was a lot of steps, but I passed so many beautiful London attractions on the way. Firstly, there’s Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I haven’t been to the Tower of London yet, but I’ve heard it’s worthwhile. Then there’s St Paul’s Cathedral before you make it to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was pretty quiet until I got to Big Ben, which is always overflowing with tourists. Don’t forget Westminster Abbey either. On another day, I walked on the other side of the River Thames to visit some Christmas markets. This is where you’ll find the Shard, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. A final, but nonetheless awesome option, is to take a cruise along the River Thames.  2. See the Queen at Buckingham Palace Can you even say you’ve been to London if you don’t visit Buckingham Palace? It’s fortunately located in central London, so there are other things to see and do nearby. If you happen to visit in autumn like me, don’t miss seeing all the falling leaves in St James’ Park and Green Park. It’s magical! While we’re on the topic, check out my autumn packing list 😉 3. Do a free walking tour Can you believe I’ve never done a free walking tour in London? I’ve done one in like every other country in Europe, but not London. Anyway, don’t be like me and join a free walking tour. It’s one of the best things to do alone in London (and any place for that matter). 4. Go shopping along Oxford and Regent Streets Oxford and Regent Streets are hectic, no matter when you visit. But Oxford Street is home to all of my favourite English stores (a.k.a. Primark), so it’s always on my personal list of things to do alone in London. If you end up visiting London at Christmas, you also must see the Christmas decorations along Oxford and Regent Streets. While you’re in the area, head to Carnaby Street, which has more independent stores. I loved the handmade products and unique London souvenirs inside We Built This City. Here are […]

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