When planning your vacation in Athens, it’s important to allow a certain budget for visiting the sights and museums. In general, it doesn’t cost that much to visit museums but when you add the cost, you might be a little overwhelmed with the outcome.

More and more travelers look for free things to do while still enjoying culture and interesting sights. That’s why, in this post, I’m sharing some great free things to do in Athens that I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

See the changing of the Guards in front of the Parliament

The ceremony takes place every day but every Sunday at 11 a.m. you can watch a larger number of Evzones performing the changing of the guard in the Syntagma Square. The Evzones dress in the traditional uniform worn by the mountain fighters in the War of Independence.

As the ceremony begins, the incoming soldiers march on Vasillis Sophias street from their barracks located at the edge of the National Gardens. The soldiers arrive in the square and wait to take the place of their fellow soldiers who start a routine of stomping and swinging their limbs. Then, the tired soldiers proceed to the barracks while the fresh ones take the guard duty. The entire ceremony takes 15 minutes and it’s free to watch.

Spend time in the National Garden

Sprawling over 15.5 hectares (38 acres), the National Garden is a public park in the center of Athens. When you get tired of visiting the popular sites, you can plan for some down time to relax here (it’s right behind the Parliament).

It started its life as the “Royal Garden”, commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838. It was designed by the German agronomist Friedrich Schmidt who imported over 500 species of plants.

In the 1920s, it was opened to the public and the name changed to the National Garden. In honor of the queen, the entrance was moved to the 12 palms she planted. At the same time, the street in front was renamed to Queen Amalia Avenue.

Visit the Museum of Popular Musical Instruments

Address: 1-3, Diogenous Str., Plaka

Opening hours: Mon- closed; Tue, Thu-Sun: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Wed: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Located in the Plaka neighborhood, close to the Roman Agora, this is a fun museum to visit. The permanent exhibition is spread over 3 floors and contains four sections. There are about 1200 Greek popular musical instruments on display, dating from the 18th century until the present day.

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Take a walk in Anafiotika

Photo credit: Eberhard Kern

A tiny, charming, and scenic neighborhood of Athens, Anafiotika is part of the historical Plaka. It takes the name from the first houses built here by workers who came from the island of Anafi.

It has typical Cycladic architecture, with white-washed houses and colorful shutters. Tiny streets team with colorful flowers and a lot of cats.

You can spend quite a bit of time here but try to avoid visiting when it’s wet outside (the stairs can get very slippery).

Check out the Railway Museum

Address: 4 Siokou Street

Opening hours : Mon –closed; Tue -Fri: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat-Sun: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Inaugurated in 1979, the museum features interesting examples of the technological developments related to the means of transport in Greece. Among the displayed items we can see a steam locomotive from 1884, Athenian tramways from the past decades, steam locomotive from France, tickets, photos and other items.

War Museum

Address: 2, Rizari Street & Vasilissis Sofias Avenue

Opening hours: Tue –Sat 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The museum was inaugurated in 1975 and comprises exhibitions of war mementos and struggles of freedom of the Greek nation from ancient times until present days. The permanent exhibition comprises 9 rooms depicting Greece’s history from Ancient times until the German invasion (1940s). You can see anything from very old weapons to new helicopters and airplanes.

“Window shopping” in Monastiraki Flea Market

Just by the Monastiraki metro exit, you can find the Flea Market. Bustling and filled with various objects, it can be a fun way to discover what someone could pick up from Athens.

Each time I visited I left with a trinket or two including bracelets and rings. It’s quite likely you’ll part with a few euros, but just looking is free!

Enjoy the Hellenic Children’s Museum (temporary closed)

Address: 14, Kidathineon Street

Opening hours: Mon- closed; Tue – Fri: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sat & Sun: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

If you decided to take your kids for vacation in Athens, this is the best place to take them to. Here, children can observe, investigate, play, experiment and create. There are exhibits and educational programs created for the children to keep them entertained while learning new things. There are also programs for the adults.

Explore the Municipal Gallery of Athens (temporary closed)

Address: 51 Piraeos Street

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat- closed. ; Sun 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Almost all Greek artists are represented with some of their most important works. The collection of engravings is one of the most interesting items on display in the museum. A large number of paintings and drawings are also on exhibit. In total, the gallery comprises 2,355 works of art.

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>>read more about The Neighborhoods of Athens

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