Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos"
Greece · Europe
About Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos"
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH IATA) is located approximately 27 km east of Athens city centre, near the town of Spata.
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" travel guide
Understand
Opened in 2001 as part of the infrastructure improvements in preparation for the Olympics. It is now one of the more attractive and efficient major European airports, though some old Athenian hands say they miss the messy atmosphere of the old Hellenikon.
See
There is a small museum on the top floor with interesting history information about Athens, and a space for temporary exhibits.
Buy
The vast majority of shops are located after security in the Schengen departures area and can only be accessed with a valid boarding pass. Duty-free shops are available, but they aren't very attractive to passengers from EU countries. Parallel to the highway, you can walk from the terminal to the IKEA furniture store towards the city (about 1-1.5 km), but this is also possible by bus for the full price of €3.50 (Emporiko Kentro Aerodromiou stop).
Sleep
1 Sofitel (Directly in front of the terminal), ☏ +30 210 3544000, fax: +30 210 3544444, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. The only hotel in the Athens International Airport area, nestled between the terminal and the airport train/metro station. It fits the definition of conservative, rather than modern, luxury, but it does the job very well, garnering positive reviews. Upper-floor rooms offer access to the "Club Millessime," an executive lounge with the usual amenities. If you have time for breakfast, the rates for rooms on the Executive Club floor, including breakfast, are often no more than what you pay for breakfast on top of the standard room rate. €200. (updated Jun 2026)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.