Become a Hertz Gold+ member and unlock even more rewarding perks:
Hertz car rental in Athens, Greece
Car rental in Athens is your gateway to the phenomenal capital of Greece - and beyond.
As the birthplace of democracy, the home of Socrates and site of the sacred Parthenon, you might think Athens is all about the past. But this is also a city full ofvibrant modernity as well as history. One that was given a fresh input of energy when it hosted the Summer Olympics in 2004 –bringing an iconic piece of the nation's heritage stylishly back to its home.
In Athens you’re surrounded by the wonders of the ancient world – with the Acropolis looking down on the whole city – but it’s making new history with its modern, forward-thinking culture as well.
Rent a car in Athens to see all this legendary location has to offer and explore the many treasures hidden outside of the city. With numerous pick-up locations across Athens, including at the airport, we’ll make arriving and departing as convenient for you as possible.
Driving in and around Athens
Whether you’ve arrived at the airport or are coming from somewhere else, a car is key to getting around Athens. The main roads and avenues are the best way to move through the city and, helpfully, road signs are in English as well as Greek.
Road laws are similar to most of Europe – you drive on the right, overtake on the left and the driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts. Be wary of bus lanes and cyclists, who get right of way.
Speeds are displayed in kph and are limited to 50kph in towns, 110kph on main roads and 130kph on freeways. The Attiki Odos beltway was built to ease congestion and serve the airport, and is a toll road – you can pay in cash. An unusual system called ‘Daktylios’ governs the entry of cars to the very heart of Athens. On even days of the month, only cars with even license plates can enter, odd license places can only enter on odd days – to ease congestion in the city. For more information, please speak to our local team.
When the time comes to leave Athens, you’ll find safe and well-maintained freeways and also more scenic but more rugged and winding minor roads. The freeways often have local names, as well as ‘E’ names, which mean they’re part of a larger European route. For example, the A8 which runs west from Athens to Corinth, is also the E94.
For a truly memorable day out, drive north then west on the E75. After two hours, you’ll come to Delphi and Mount Parnassus. Here lies the Temple of Apollo, an incredible amphitheater whose ruins rival anything Athens has to offer.
A quick guide to Athens
Even if you planned to visit Athens just to see the latest developments in art, food and music, you’d be hard-pressed to ignore the ancient monuments that dominate the city. From the Acropolis on high, to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the incredible museums, this is a place that screams history. That said, it’s fun to explore the modern side of the city too, whether it’s outsider art in derelict buildings or chefs putting a new twist on old Greek food classics.
Towering temples
It can be hard to tell as you tread through the ruins, but the Acropolis was once a city on a hill, built by Pericles in the 5th century BC. Much of what he built has since fallen, but the Parthenon stands reasonably proud. You’ll also discover the Temple of Athena Nike, the dramatic amphitheater known as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and much more. To save them for posterity, many of the statues and artifacts have been taken to the Acropolis Museumon site while other parts remain abroad, controversially possessed by countries that plundered it in the past.
Down in the center of Athens stands the Temple of Olympian Zeus, or what remains of it. It took 700 years to build, started by Peisistratos and eventually finished by Hadrian. 15 columns remain from the original 104, although one did blow down in the mid-19th century.
Finish your ancient tour with a visit to the Agora, where Socrates used to deliver speeches. It was a key site from the 6th century BC and is packed with the remains of several temples, an odeon, gymnasium and statues.
The Athens revival
Of course, Athens boasts its fair share of striking new buildings too. The Acropolis Museum was a notable addition to the city in 2009, while the Renzo Piano-designed Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center was gifted to the city in 2017. Solar-powered and airy, it has outdoor vegetable gardens, a sea-water canal and concert space. Most of the events here are free and it has proved a huge hit with locals.
The Onassis Cultural Center was opened in 2010, with nine of its 16 floors underground. It houses concert halls, art spaces, an open-air theater and more. It’s another sign of how the city is refreshing itself in the wake of the financial crisis.
A feta accompli?
There’s little finer than the Greek cuisine classics, whether it’s moussaka, stuffed vine leaves or a fresh salad of tomatoes and feta cheese eaten in the sun. But if you fancy a break from the norm, it’s not hard to find places adding a twist to these tried-and-tested recipes.
For a real treat, push the boat out at the innovative Funky Gourmet, which has two Michelin stars. Anyone for Greek fish roe tart with white chocolate, or their signature ‘Greek Salad’? The latter is a wonder of molecular gastronomy – a scoop of snow that somehow tastes of feta, olives, cucumber, tomatoes and olive oil. It’s just more proof of how Athens shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Enjoy car rental in Athens and tick off these must-see sights, or set your own agenda and head out in the hills, valleys, olive groves and vineyards of gorgeous Greece.
