Booking the right hire car

In Greek towns and villages it is often quite crowded. It’s better to take a small and manoeuvrable car to get around everywhere.

But before booking, think about how many pieces of luggage you want to take on the trip. Otherwise, when you pick up the car, you may find that the trunk of the car you booked is too small.

Insurance

Even if you are on the road with your hire car in the traffic chaos of Athens, a small accident has happened quickly. Protect yourself and take out a comprehensive insurance without deductible.

When it comes to liability, you should make sure that the sum insured is at least one million euros. If your rental company’s coverage is too low, you can take out a Mallorca policy for further protection. Your insurance company will be happy to advise you.

Accessories

When you’re in Athens by hire car looking for your hotel, you’ll appreciate a navigation device.

You should always reserve this and other accessories as soon as you rent the car. This is the only way you can be sure that it will be available on the day of the rental.

Language barrier

Although many employees at rental stations speak English well, some employees may still experience communication difficulties.

If you have the phone number of your rental company’s Greek headquarters saved in your cell phone, you can ask them for translation assistance.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most customers are quite satisfied with the rental companies in Athens. Some complain about the refuelling arrangements already mentioned. And some find fault with the external condition of the vehicles.

If you notice any defects such as dents or scratches on your hire car, you should always have them confirmed in writing immediately. Then you can prove when returning the car that you are not responsible for the damage.

Sights in Athens

Athinás Street: Colourful market hustle and bustle
The first stop on your stroll could be Athinás Street, where a large market is held daily in the morning. At countless stalls the merchants sell really everything what the inhabitants of the city need for living. Especially the halls where the fish and meat traders advertise their wares offer unforgettable impressions.

Acropolis: Fantastic view
A historical monument of world renown, which promises a fantastic view over the city and the surrounding countryside to boot, is what you will experience when you climb up to the Acropolis. Largely built between 467 and 406 BC, you will find the oldest monuments of the city there. Most of the Acropolis was designed under Pericles. Your tour could begin at the mighty column-supported Parthenon, built between 447 and 438 BC. This is a temple to the city goddess Pallas Athena Parthenos. Another temple worth seeing is the Erechtheion, built between 420 BC and 406 BC. The six kores, figures of girls that support the porch instead of columns, are particularly eye-catching.

Dionysos Theatre: Ancient Site
A large amphitheatre can be visited if you direct your steps to the Dionysos Theatre, which was built around 330 BC in its present form. In the immediate vicinity there are many other sights waiting to be seen, own Acropolis guides provide detailed information here. The site is open from April to October from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm. On Mondays, the Acropolis does not open until 11:00 am. During the winter months, you can view the historic site daily from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. The entrance ticket costs twelve euros.

Pláka: Picturesque Old Town
Back in Athens, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the picturesque streets of Pláka. A variety of small shops and cosy tavernas tempt visitors to shop or stop off in this part of town. For something a little more sophisticated, you can walk to Ermou Street. This pedestrian zone on the northern edge of Plaka is home to numerous exclusive boutiques.

Discover a good hotel

There is no shortage of good hotels in Athens either. Pampered visitors make reservations at the Hotel Grande Bretagne to experience stylishly furnished rooms and perfect service.

Suggestion of a round trip

Marathon: Journey to Antiquity
The first destination of a round trip could be Marathon, place of origin of the marathon race. Your hire car will take just under an hour to cover the 45 kilometres. In the neighbouring village of Vranas, you will find the archaeological museum with ancient finds, some of which date back to the Neolithic period.

Lávrio: Lively market hustle and bustle
Next stop on the trip is Lávrio. With your hire car, the drive will take you about an hour. Once the city lived from the mining of silver. And this apparently helped the inhabitants to prosperity, as you can see from the neoclassical town hall and numerous magnificent villas in the town. In Laviro, it is especially worthwhile to observe the hustle and bustle in the market halls, where, in addition to vegetables and meat, primarily fish is offered.

Vouliagméni: a sophisticated seaside resort
Before you drive your hire car back to Athens, you can stop off in Vouliagméni. The drive takes about three quarters of an hour. In Vouliagméni wealthy Athenians meet when it gets too hot for them in the summer months in the Greek capital. There you can stroll along the palm-lined waterfront and enjoy a cool drink in one of the many cafés. A drive of just under half an hour now separates you from Athens, where you can plan your next round trip by hire car.