If you’re visiting Athens for the first time, a hop-on hop-off bus tour can be a convenient way to see the city’s major attractions without walking between every stop.
We tried the Big Bus Athens hop-on hop-off tour during our trip to Greece. Although we usually prefer exploring cities on foot, our tickets were included in a sightseeing package we’d purchased, so we decided to give it a try.
And honestly, it ended up being pretty useful.
In this Athens Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Review, I’ll share how we used the bus, what the experience was like, and whether I think it’s worth adding to your Athens itinerary.
Big Bus Tours operates open-top, double-decker sightseeing buses throughout Athens, allowing you to get on and off at designated stops along the route.
Unlike a traditional guided tour, you don’t have to stay with a group or follow a fixed sightseeing schedule. You can ride the entire loop, get off to explore individual attractions, or use the bus to travel between different areas of the city.
There are three main sightseeing routes:
We used the Athens Red Route, which is the one I’d recommend considering first if you’re visiting Athens primarily for sightseeing.
I’ll be honest: hop-on hop-off bus tours aren’t something we typically book when we travel.We usually prefer walking through neighborhoods, wandering into shops, and stopping whenever something catches our attention.
But we’d already spent much of the morning sightseeing around Athens, including visiting the Acropolis, and I was VERY ready to sit down for a while.
If you’re planning to visit the Acropolis yourself, my Visiting the Acropolis in Athens: Everything You Need to Know guide covers our experience, including tickets, timing, and what I’d recommend wearing.
We boarded the bus near the Acropolis and headed upstairs to enjoy the views. Rather than treating it as our primary transportation, we spent much of the ride simply looking around and enjoying seeing Athens from a different perspective.
And I actually liked doing it that way.
We could see different parts of the city without worrying about navigating between attractions ourselves. After hours of walking, I was perfectly happy to let someone else do the driving.
For more sightseeing ideas, my Best Things to Do in Athens Greece: 25+ Attractions for First-Time Visitors covers other attractions I’d recommend.
The route map we received listed the full Athens Red Route at approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, with buses running about every 20 minutes. However, traffic was pretty bad in certain parts of Athens, so I wouldn’t rely on those times being exact.
If you’re hoping to use the bus as fast transportation between attractions, you might be disappointed. But for us, speed wasn’t really the point.
We’d already spent hours walking, and I was perfectly content to sit upstairs, enjoy the scenery, and let traffic be someone else’s problem for a while.
Just allow extra time if you’re planning to get off at multiple attractions.
Big Bus offers prerecorded audio commentary about Athens and its landmarks. We didn’t listen to it. Ha.
After walking around Athens all morning, I wasn’t particularly interested in adding another history lesson to my afternoon. I was perfectly happy sitting upstairs and enjoying the ride.
So I can’t personally tell you how informative the commentary is, but it’s available if that’s something you enjoy.
Absolutely, although you’ll still need to walk around individual attractions.
Athens is very walkable around the Acropolis, Plaka, and Monastiraki, but between archaeological sites, hills, and uneven streets, it’s easy to rack up a ridiculous number of steps.
That’s where I think the bus is especially useful. You can explore the historic center on foot, then ride between attractions that are farther apart.
It can also help travelers who have difficulty walking longer distances, although I’d check current accessibility information before booking.
WENDY’S TIP: If you’re visiting the Acropolis in the morning, consider getting on the bus afterward. Your feet may thank you. Mine definitely did.
I wouldn’t use the hop-on hop-off bus as my only way of exploring Athens.
Some of my favorite parts of the city were the areas we explored on foot, especially Monastiraki Square and the surrounding shopping streets.
My Best Shopping in Athens Greece: Streets Squares and Markets to Explore covers some of those areas if you’re interested in shopping during your visit.
I’d walk around the Acropolis, Plaka, and Monastiraki, then use the bus for attractions farther apart, like Panathenaic Stadium or the National Archaeological Museum.
You could also ride the entire loop to get an overview of Athens before deciding where to spend more time.
If you’re working with a short visit, my One Day in Athens Greece: The Perfect First-Time Itinerary can help you organize your sightseeing.
For us, yes. But our tickets were included in a sightseeing package, so I can’t say whether I would have felt exactly the same if we’d paid separately.
If you’re only planning to explore the Acropolis, Plaka, and Monastiraki, I’d probably skip it. Those areas are relatively close together and are easy to explore on foot. But if you want to see more of Athens, visit attractions farther apart, or simply take a break from walking, I think it’s worth considering.
You can compare current ticket prices, routes, and available options here.
Would I book it again? Maybe, depending on the trip. I wouldn’t build my entire Athens itinerary around it, but I was genuinely glad we used it. After a long morning of walking, sitting upstairs and seeing more of the city was exactly what I needed.
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
Start with my The Perfect 3 Days in Athens Greece: A First-Time Itinerary for help organizing your sightseeing, or explore the city’s archaeological attractions with my Athens Ancient Sites Walking Guide: Acropolis Agora and More.
Choosing a central hotel can make sightseeing much easier, especially if you’re planning to explore primarily on foot. My Where to Stay in Athens Greece: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors covers the different neighborhoods.
You can also compare Athens hotels and prices through Booking.com.
Browse additional Athens sightseeing tours and experiences, including guided walking tours and attractions beyond the main historic center.
If you love trying local food, you can also explore Greek specialties with Secret Food Tours.
Athens involves more walking than you might expect, especially around the archaeological sites. My Greece Packing List: Everything You Need for Athens and the Greek Islands covers what I’d recommend bringing for your trip.
The part of European travel nobody puts in the highlight reel.
The blisters, the 20,000 steps before lunch, the train you almost missed, and somehow still saying “this is the best trip ever.” 😂
Thanks for following along on my travels! If you’re planning your own European getaway, you’ll find all my destination guides and itineraries on the blog. Link in bio!
If I could go back to one of the beaches in Hydra, Greece, it would be Avlaki. 🇬🇷
Of the two swimming spots I visited, this one was my favorite because it felt quieter, more private, and had the perfect spot for cliff jumping. It was a little rockier getting into the water, so water shoes are worth bringing, but it was such a fun way to spend part of the day.
If you’re visiting Hydra, add Avlaki Beach to your list!
I don’t even like seafood but @sunsethydra surprised me!
The panko-crusted feta with prickly pear chutney and pistachios was one of my favorites, and the Sunset Salad with fresh oranges and homemade orange-ginger dressing was so good. Even the bread and olive oil stood out!
Brad ordered the fresh catch of the day, sea bass, and loved it. And yes, even I enjoyed a bite!
Comment whether or not you’re a big seafood fan! 👇
Taking a day trip from Athens to Hydra? Here are 3 things to know before you book!
Book a high-speed ferry from Piraeus. Our ride took just 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, giving us almost 7 hours to explore.
Check your ferry options. We took Alpha Lines to Hydra and Magic Sea Ferries back. I personally preferred Alpha Lines for its open outdoor deck!
Plan to explore on foot. Hydra is car-free, and the ferry drops you right at the heart of town, making it easy to explore the harbor, shops, and waterfront restaurants as soon as you arrive.
Hydra ended up being one of my favorite days in Greece! Head to the blog for my full ferry guide, booking tips, and everything I wish I’d known before going.
I had less than 7 hours to spend in Hydra, Greece, and here is how I made the most of it.
From waterfront lunch to swimming at two beautiful beaches, this day trip was one of my favorite parts of Greece.
Read my full Hydra itinerary on the blog and save this for your trip!
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
