Athens Currency: Euros, ATMs and Money Tips

Athens runs on the Euro, as does the rest of Greece. If you're arriving by ferry through Piraeus port or flying into Athens International Airport, you'll find the city well set up for international visitors when it comes to money. The currency in Athens is the same you'll use across the Greek islands, so whatever cash you sort out here will work everywhere else on your trip. As the country's capital, Athens has more banks, ATMs, and currency exchange options than anywhere else in Greece — making it a smart place to get your finances sorted before heading out to the islands.

Using Euros in Athens

The Athens currency is the Euro (EUR, symbol €), and has been since Greece adopted it in 2002. Euro banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, and €500. In practice, you'll mostly deal with €5 to €50 notes day-to-day — smaller shops and market stalls may struggle to break a €100 or €200 note, so it's worth keeping smaller bills on hand.

Euro coins run from 1 cent up to €2. The 1 and 2 cent coins are technically legal tender but rarely used in Greece — prices are usually rounded to the nearest 5 cents at the register. Keep a few €1 and €2 coins handy for public toilets, small tips, and coin-operated lockers at the port.

What currency does Athens use? Euros, full stop. There's no secondary currency, no widely-accepted USD or GBP payments at shops. Don't bother bringing foreign currency to use directly — convert it to Euros before you travel or once you arrive.

Cash vs Cards in Athens

Cards are widely accepted across Athens. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, larger supermarkets, and most shops on main shopping streets like Ermou will take Visa and Mastercard without issue. Contactless payments work on the Athens Metro, which is convenient if you're hopping between Monastiraki, Syntagma, and Piraeus. American Express is accepted in more places than it used to be, but still less universally than Visa or Mastercard.

That said, cash still matters in Athens — more than in many other European capitals. Street vendors, the small kiosks (known as periptera) you'll find on almost every corner, and family-run tavernas in neighbourhood areas like Plaka, Psyrri, and Anafiotika will often prefer cash or may not accept cards at all. If you're planning to eat off the tourist trail, carry some notes.

Taxis in Athens are now legally required to accept card payments, following a law introduced to improve transparency. In practice, most drivers comply, though you may encounter the occasional one who claims the card machine is broken. Having a backup €20 note avoids any arguments.

Markets — including the Athens Central Market (Varvakios) and the Monastiraki flea market — are almost entirely cash-based. Budget accordingly if you're planning to shop or eat there.

ATMs and Banks in Athens

ATMs are abundant throughout Athens. You'll find them at Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) in the arrivals hall, at Piraeus port near the ferry terminals, in Syntagma Square, around Monastiraki, and throughout the city centre. In tourist areas, you're rarely more than a few minutes' walk from a machine.

The main Greek banks — National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Eurobank, and Piraeus Bank — all have branches and ATMs across the city. These are generally reliable and are the better option over standalone ATMs in convenience stores or tourist-facing machines, which often charge higher fees and push unfavourable dynamic currency conversion rates on you.

Foreign card fees at Greek ATMs typically run around €2.50 to €3.00 per withdrawal, on top of whatever your own bank charges. Some Greek ATMs will offer to convert the amount to your home currency on the spot (dynamic currency conversion) — always decline this and choose to be charged in Euros. The conversion rate offered by the ATM will be worse than what your own bank applies.

Withdrawal limits vary by machine but are commonly set at €300 to €600 per transaction. If you need larger amounts, check your card's daily limit before travelling.

Currency Exchange in Athens

Currency exchange offices are easy to find in central Athens, particularly along Ermou Street, around Syntagma Square, and in the Plaka district. Rates vary between offices, so it's worth comparing a couple before committing — the difference can be meaningful on larger amounts.

Airport currency exchange desks are convenient but consistently offer poor rates. If you need cash immediately on arrival, withdraw from an ATM at the airport rather than using the exchange desk — you'll typically get a better effective rate even after the ATM fee.

Banks generally offer better exchange rates than tourist-facing exchange offices, though they may have more limited hours and require you to queue. If you're exchanging a significant sum, it's worth the extra effort.

For ongoing money management during your trip, Wise and Revolut are both popular options among travellers to Greece. Both offer close-to-interbank exchange rates and low fees for ATM withdrawals. If you travel regularly, setting one of these up before you leave home can save a noticeable amount over the course of a trip.

Tips for Managing Money in Athens

• Always carry some cash. Even in central Athens, you'll encounter places that don't take cards — and it's more common the further you get from the tourist centre.
• Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card terminals. Always pay in Euros when given the choice.
• Athens is cheaper than the Greek islands. Eating, drinking, and getting around cost noticeably less in the city than on Santorini, Mykonos, or most of the popular Cyclades. Stock up on supplies here if you're heading out by ferry.
• Use bank ATMs where possible, not standalone machines in shops or tourist kiosks. The fees are lower and the machines are more reliable.
• Keep small notes and coins for markets, street food, periptera, and tips. Trying to pay €2 for a koulouri with a €50 note won't make you popular.
• If you're connecting through Piraeus to the islands, there are ATMs at the port — but they get busy in peak season. Sort your cash before you arrive at the terminal if possible.

Money in Athens FAQ

What currency does Athens use?

Athens uses the Euro (EUR). Greece adopted the Euro in 2002, and it is the only currency accepted for payments across the country. There is no need to exchange currency if you're already holding Euros from another Eurozone country.

Can you pay by card in Athens?

Yes, cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops across central Athens. Contactless payments work on the Metro. However, smaller tavernas, street vendors, markets, and kiosks often prefer or require cash, so it's worth keeping some notes on you.

Are there ATMs at Athens airport?

Yes, there are ATMs in the arrivals area of Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). They are operated by Greek banks and accessible around the clock. Fees apply for foreign cards — typically around €2.50 to €3.00 per withdrawal on top of your own bank's charges. Skip the airport exchange desks and use the ATM instead for a better effective rate.

Is Athens expensive?

Athens is considerably more affordable than most Western European capitals and cheaper than the popular Greek islands. A sit-down meal at a neighbourhood taverna will run €10 to €15 per person. Coffee is typically €2 to €3. Public transport is inexpensive — a single Metro ticket costs €1.20. Budget travellers can get by comfortably; the city rewards those who eat and explore like a local rather than sticking to tourist-facing restaurants in Plaka.

Where is the best place to exchange money in Athens?

The best exchange rates in Athens are typically found at bank branches, though hours are limited (usually 08:00 to 14:30 on weekdays). Currency exchange offices on Ermou Street and around Syntagma are convenient and have longer hours — compare rates between two or three before exchanging. Avoid airport exchange desks, which consistently offer the worst rates. Using a Wise or Revolut card at a bank ATM is usually the most cost-effective option overall for currency exchange in Athens.