First-time tourists and repeat visitors will be especially interested to discover "Bus 400" a new special bus hitting most of the major landmarks of Athens. The bus departs every 30 minutes and stops at 20 major Athenian monuments. By Athens bus standards, it's expensive - 5 Euro a head - but it is still a great deal because your ticket gives you an almost unlimited use of public transportation in Athens, excluding airport routes, for 24 hours.
The full route takes 80-90 minutes if you want to just kick back and wave at the monuments through the window. But don't forget that you can hop off and on as many times as you want.
For those of us who determinedly travelled through the "old" Athens, this is an almost delirious breakthrough.
Note: admission to the sights is not included in the price of the bus ticket. This just gets you there.
Also, the ticket can't be bought in advance. It can only be purchased on the bus itself - so it's not impossible you may have to wait for the next bus if it is full.
The bus runs all year round but on a more limited schedule in the off-season. In spring and summer, it runs every half-hour; in winter, it's every 60 minutes.
The Bus Stops in Athens
National Archaeological Museum
One of the true must-sees of Greece, just off the Omonia Square hub.
Psyrri
Another fast-reviving district of Athens.
Kerameikos
Famous cemetary with many marble tombs.
Thissio
Up-and-coming rival to the Plaka area with great, cheaper shops and restaurants. Free summer concerts are often offered here, and it gives easy access to the Hephaistion, the best-preserved temple in Greece.
Monastiraki
Fascinating shopping district, a great place to find unusual souvenirs.
Market
Where all of Athens really goes to shop.
Klafthmonos Square
Syntagma
The heart of Athens, with several deluxe hotels such as the Grande Bretagne, located near the pleasant National Gardens, and the Zappeion Center.
Benaki Museum
One of the best "small" museums of Athens, with a renowned collection of Cycladic art.
National Gallery
Large collection of historic paintings and other artworks pertaining to the modern history of Greece.
Ampelokipi
Panathinaikon Stadium
The revived ancient stadium that was used for Olympic events, ancient and modern.
Plaka
Fun, touristy, lively district under the watchful gaze of the Parthenon.
Akropoli (Acropolis)
The world-famous hill crowned with the Parthenon.
Greek Parliament
Panepistimio University
The educational icon of Athens, also the venue for some interesting events.
Omonia Square
Back to the Museum area.
For more information, visit the OASA website or download the official "Bus 400" brochure which includes connection information for several of the stops and provides a map of the route.
Like buses? You should know about the Airport Express buses - just 3 euro or so from the airport to central Athens and Piraeus.
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