How to get to Athens Throwdown 2023 venue, what to do during the event, and the nearby activities you should not miss!
The Athens Throwdown is the most significant event for CrossFit athletes in Greece and one of the largest in Europe.
If you are visiting Athens for the competition, here is everything you need to know:
- The Athens Throwdown was organized for the first time in 2015.
- It consists of online qualifiers and live finals in individual and elite team events. Conversely, in the scaled team event, the teams compete directly in the finals.
- Registration remains open between December 1st and January 14th.
- The online qualifiers take place every year between January 15 and 31. About 2,000 athletes from all over the world are participating.
- The final live phase of the event takes place in May and lasts for three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The dates vary each year and depend on Orthodox and Catholic Easter dates. Athens Throwdown 2023 finals will take place on May 5, 6, and 7.
Participate as an athlete
By visiting the official website, you can complete your individual or team elite event registration up to January 14th, 2023.
There are six divisions in individual event based on age criteria: Masters 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, and Teens. Moreover, there are two individual categories without age limits, the Scaled and Elite.
All divisions are available for men and women athletes.
Watch Athens Throwdown 2023 with a spectator’s ticket.
As a spectator, you can buy a daily or a three-day ticket.
The price for the daily ticket is 10 euros, while the three-day ticket costs 20 euros.
It’s a pretty fair deal if you consider the top athletes participating and the non-stop action from 8:00 in the morning until 21:00 each day.
Again, you can get your tickets on Athens Throwdown’s official website.
In addition, there is a sporting goods exhibition inside the stadium and a restaurant with quality local food.
Remember to try the freddo espresso coffee and the Greek yogurt with strawberries – you are in Greece, after all.
Athens Throwdown 2023 Venue
The event’s venue is the Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex.
It was built for the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and is located in the Palaio Faliro area by the sea.
It’s close to the city center and easily accessible by public transport and car.
How to Get from Athens Airport to the Stadium
Τhere are four different ways to get from the airport to the Athens Throwdown 2023 venue; bus, metro, taxi, and car.
1) By bus. You will notice the multiple exit gates as soon as you pick up your luggage and proceed to the airport’s exit.
The bus stops are located at Gate 5. Therefore, the most suitable bus to go directly to the venue is the X96 Athens Airport Express – Peiraias.
You will get off at Gephyra Station, and the stadium is less than a 10-minute walk away.
The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and the ticket costs 5.5 euros. Moreover, buses operate 24 hours a day in contrast to the metro.
2) By metro and tram. There are many different ways to get from the airport to the stadium, using the metro and tram.
Here I mention my favorite; as soon as you leave the airport, follow the subway signs.
You will have to use the blue line to Monastiraki stop (16 stops), then the green line to Faliro (6 stops), and finally, the tram to Delta Falirou (4 stops).
The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and you get off just off the stadium.
You can use the Regular Athens Metro Airport ticket (9 euros), the 2-way Athens Metro Airport ticket (16 euros), or the 3-day tourist ticket (20 euros).
The last ticket option is the best if you plan to use public transportation during your stay in Athens.
It includes a 2-way Airport Travel fare and is valid for 72 hours for all public transport means.
Taxi or Car
3) By taxi. The taxi station is located outside gate 3.
The journey takes about 45 minutes, and the cost is around 50 euros, depending on traffic.
However, I recommend you pre-book your taxi with a service like Welcome Pickups to avoid the hassle.
Even though their flat rate is a few euros more expensive, they are worth it.
They use only top-rated, English-speaking drivers and have numerous positive reviews on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot.
Also, keep in mind that up to 4 passengers can board at no extra charge.
4) By car. If you plan to rent a car, the easiest way to rent one is to pick it up at the airport.
In the Athens Airport Car Rental guide, you can find all the necessary information on where to pick up your vehicle and what to look out for when you drive in the city.
Your Daily Transportation
Your daily commutes largely depend on where you choose to stay.
The area around the venue is very safe, so if you stay close, you can go and come on foot.
If you stay in the city center, it is better to use public transport. Right in front of the stadium, there is the Delta Falirou tram stop which is very convenient.
Alternatively, you can always rent a car. There is parking at the stadium, and a car will be handy if you want to visit nearby beaches.
Nearby Activities
Several activities are worth enjoying within walking distance of the Athens Throwdown 2023 venue.
1) Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Your first choice should be Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).
Here you can wander in the unique Stavros Niarchos Park, the new facilities of the National Library of Greece, and the Greek National Opera.
Moreover, several food and drink service points operate daily to add to your visit.
You can easily spend three-four hours in the surrounding area.
2) Flisvos Marina
Your second choice is Flisvos Marina.
It features a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafés, making it ideal for a relaxing walk by the sea; do not forget to grab an ice cream or an iced coffee for your stroll here, as the locals do.
In addition, you will find international chains such as TGI Fridays and Haagen Dazs, as well as local restaurants.
Nearby, there is also one of Athens’s best Open Air Cinemas, “Cine Flisvos”, to enjoy a movie under the night sky.
3) Tour the world-famous Acropolis
It’s certainly not as close as the last two destinations, being about 20 to 30 minutes away from the stadium.
However, you cannot leave Athens without seeing the Acropolis, the largest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, and the Acropolis Museum.
To say that Acropolis is a “must-see” is an understatement.
Being here, you will feel the unique spirit of the ancient world and enjoy the place where democracy was born.
Take your time to climb to the top, walk through the archaeological remains, enjoy unforgettable views of Athens, and fill your soul with joy.
Then continue to the nearby Acropolis Museum to complete the experience.
To get the maximum out of your visit, I recommend booking a guided tour like this, as you will be able to explore the sites with an archaeologist.
Extend your stay in Athens
You can always combine Athens Throwdown 2023 with a trip to the 2.500 years old city of Athens.
So, if you want to extend your stay, you can always plan your visit effortlessly with step-by-step itineraries.
The “How Many Days In Athens?” guide will help you decide how many days you should spend in the city.
Make Your Trip Easier
Airport Transfer
If you want to get to and from Athens Airport with peace of mind, I recommend pre-booking your taxi with Welcome Pickups. Their flat rate is a few euros more expensive than random taxis, but it is totally worth it. They use local, English-speaking drivers, who will wait for you even if your flight is delayed and introduce you to the city during your ride.
Accommodation
I always book my accommodation with a reliable service like Booking.com. They offer a price guarantee and 24/7 support in case of any problems with your hotel. Always make sure you read reviews from other guests before booking.
Activities
From day trips to Greek islands to Acropolis Guided Tours, GetYourGuide will help you find some unique ideas for your trip.
Car Rental
If you decide to rent a car while in Athens, check Rentalcars. It compares the most reliable companies and returns the best prices with free cancellation.
Free Athens Tours
If you have limited time or want a local guide to introduce you to the city, check GuruWalk. They offer free tours, and at the end, you give them the amount you think is fair.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you if you get sick or injured while abroad, or if you lose your luggage or your flight is delayed. On my trips, I use SafetyWing as it’s affordable and has a simple claims process.
Sunny Athens is reader-supported. Some of the links above may be affiliate links for which I may receive compensation if you click, at no cost to you. This does not influence my evaluations. Learn more in Advertise Disclosure.
