Where to stay, how to get to the Olympic Stadium, what to pack, and what to do in Athens during the Lenny Kravitz concert.
It’s official!
16 years and 1 day after his last appearance, Lenny Kravitz is returning to Athens on August 2, 2024.
Almost 2 months after Coldplay’s sold-out concerts, it’s time for the American star to draw thousands to the Athens Olympic Complex.
So, what do you need to know about the concert if you’re coming to Greece from abroad?
Let’s dive into all the essential information!
Discover Athens like a local. Get tips straight to your inbox. Join us now!
Lenny Kravitz in Athens: Best Hotels near Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (or simply OAKA) is located in the northern part of the city, outside its historic center.
As a result, you won’t find many hotels nearby.
The best solution is to choose accommodation near the center of Athens, where there are plenty of options.
From there, you can use the green metro line to get to the stadium – more information on your transport options shortly.
In summary, the best hotels I recommend in Athens, as a lifelong resident and travel enthusiast, are as follows:
- Best luxury hotel in Athens city center: Hotel Grande Bretagne.
- Best hotel in Athens with rooftop pool: Electra Metropolis.
- Best hotel near Acropolis: Coco-mat Athens BC.
- Best luxury hotel in Athens by the sea: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens.
- Best mid-priced hotel in Athens: Amazon Hotel.
- Best budget hotel in Athens: Mosaikon.
If you want more information regarding your stay, then definitely check out the Top 10 Neighborhoods to Stay in Athens for Every Traveler.
How to Get to Athens from the Airport
Your main options for getting from Athens Airport to the city center (about 30 kilometers away) are two:
- Metro
- Taxi
A regular Athens Metro Airport ticket costs 9 euros, and a 3-day tourist ticket, for all public transport means, costs 20 euros.
As soon as you exit the airport, simply follow the signs (they are everywhere), and just before reaching the platforms, you will find automatic ticket machines.
Alternatively, you can use a taxi, with the fare being 40 euros.
Uber operates in Athens, but only the Uber Taxi service. Uber X is not available.
However, I recommend using a pre-booked taxi for trips between the airport and the city center.
And this is because finding a taxi with any application during rush hour isn’t easy.
Drivers prefer to turn off their phones and pick up passengers from the road to avoid paying fees to the apps.
The service I use is the local startup Welcome Pickups.
Even though their flat rate is a few euros more expensive, they are worth it.
They use only top-rated drivers, they wait for you at the arranged meeting point, even if your arrival is delayed, and they have numerous positive reviews on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot.
Uber, though, is significantly better when it comes to daily commuting in the city.
Without a doubt, it offers much better prices and greater availability.
You’ll find additional transportation options from and to the airport (and why it’s good to avoid buses) in the Athens International Airport guide.
How to Get to the Olympic Stadium
I’ll be as clear as possible with this question: DO NOT use a taxi to go to the Lenny Kravitz concert in Athens!
Athens already has heavy traffic most days of the year.
I can’t even imagine what it will be like on the roads on the concert day.
The best solution by far is to use public transportation, specifically the green metro line.
You’ll get off at the Irini or Neratziotissa station (Irini is better), and from there, OAKA is about a 10-minute walk away.
Keep in mind that the concert will not take place in the Athens Olympic Stadium itself, where the 2004 Olympic Games were held, but rather in the surrounding area of the stadium.
Finally, another important tip is to make sure you have bought your return train ticket in advance to avoid the queues.
A round-trip ticket costs 2.40 euros.
What to Pack for Athens in August
It’s hot in Athens in August!
The average temperature during the day reaches 32.3 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit)!
However, heat waves are not uncommon, with the thermometer in these cases reaching even 42 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit)!
So, make sure to bring sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, and a hat.
You’ll find detailed information and recommended products in the Ultimate Packing List for Athens.
Additionally, for the day of the Lenny Kravitz concert in Athens, bring a water bottle, a power bank, and an umbrella for the sun.
Also, ensure to apply sunscreen lotion all over your body before leaving your hotel.
Food Options at the Olympic Stadium of Athens
I’ll be clear here, too: do not eat from the street vendors selling food outside the stadium!
The last thing you want during the Lenny Kravitz concert in Athens is stomach issues.
You’ll find safe and delicious street food in my guide to Athens Street Food, as well as the Best 10 Authentic Greek Taverns.
Moreover, there are not many restaurants near the Olympic Stadium of Athens.
So, be patient and return to the city center, where you can enjoy, for example, a delicious souvlaki.
After all, most restaurants in Athens are open until 00:00 or even later!
Finally, for the concert hours, prefer to buy packaged food from your nearest supermarket.
However, make sure it doesn’t contain perishable foods like eggs or mayonnaise because due to the heat, they are very likely to spoil.
What to Do in Athens Besides the Lenny Kravitz Concert
Athens is an amazing city, with thousands of years of history, worth exploring.
Besides the Lenny Kravitz Concert, there are excellent museums, delicious local food, and, of course, world-famous attractions waiting for you to discover them.
Depending on the days you have at your disposal, I have created detailed step-by-step itineraries, with the best places in town and their pins on Google Maps: Athens in 1 day, Athens in 2 days, Athens in 3 days, Athens in 4 days, or hidden gems of Athens if you plan to stay even more days.
Best Day Trips from Athens
Given that you’re coming to Athens in the summer, the best day trip you can make is a boat tour to multiple islands like Agistri and Aegina.
It’s essential to remember that popular islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos are a considerable distance from Athens, making them unsuitable for a day trip.
However, Greece has many islands – about 6,000! – and some of them are quite close to Athens.
The “Boat Tour to Agistri, Aegina with Moni Swimming Stop” comes highly recommended.
It might cost a bit more than other day trips from Athens, but trust me, if you can afford it, it’s totally worth spending a little extra for such an experience.
Alternatively, you’ll find additional ideas in the 5 Best Day Trips From Athens Compared.
Lenny Kravitz in Athens + Your Questions
I hope the above guide to the Lenny Kravitz concert in Athens has helped you find the detailed information you need for your trip.
If you have any further questions, please write to me in the comments, and I would be happy to answer!
Finally, if you enjoyed this article, then please join our newsletter using the form below. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram.
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.