August 15th in Greece
 

I will be flying through Athens on the 15th. I just found out is a special holiday that weekend (maybe why we found better airfare that day). We were hoping to see the Parthenon on a long layover there. How will the holiday affect travel this day? Closures? Extra crowds?

I know the islands are busy in August but will this holiday make it worse? What should we prepare ourselves for.

Also be prepared for HOT, HOT, HOT!!! How long is your layover?? It isn't a quick sprint from airport to city!! You might contact a cab and driver..try George, the best cab driver in town as to what suggestions he might have regarding traffic. I got good service as a solo but I remember it took a long time to get to the Plaka..probably longer to the Parthenon. IMHO most smart Athenians will head to the sea if they can afford it at this time!

Forget a taxi and the problems with surface traffic. Take the Blue Line Metro to Syntagma Square. Transfer to the Red Line Metro to the Akropoli Station and follow the signs up the Acropolis to the Parthenon. Before you go spend some time with Google Maps to familiarize yourself with that section of Central Athens.

I forgot to mention that in heavy traffic a taxi can take over an hour to get into Athens. The Blue Line Metro takes 45 minutes regardless of surface traffic out on the streets.

Thank you for your help.

You are lucky to arrive in Athens on the 15th of August, because this is a major bank holiday in the Greek calendar...

The city will be totally empty, since Athenians use to leave their city around that date.
The opening hours of the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum will be from 08 -20 hrs and there will be no traffic at all in Athens, which means that if you take a taxi from the airport you should be in the centre in 30 min.

Since you will have no luggage, the metro would be your best option, the blue line from the airport will take you directly to Syntagma Square and Monastiraki Square. For the Acropolis you will have to change to the red line at Syntagma Square ( it is only one stop from there).

Oh good, I was worried that it would be the opposite situation! I keep hearing about flight cancellations. Does this happen very often?

Where did you hear about flight cancellations?
I have never encountered such a problem....
It can only happen due tobad weather ( string winds), but this is extremely rare.
Strikes could be another reason, but they are announced ahead of time and are usually not affecting air traffic.

Oh good. I have been reading so much on-line I'm not even sure where I read it at this point. Thank you for easing my mind.

Its a pity you won't be visiting an island during 15th of August... The Celebrations are Great, and most Athenians depart for the islands for Holidays, and yes it is a National Holiday Day... Expect many closed restaurants and museums.

PetrosB3

The major archaeological sites and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens have new opening hours from 8 Am to 8 PM every day 7 days a week till the 31st of October.\

Here is a link to my post with a full list.

The New Acropolis Museum has it's own opening hours that you can find here :

http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en/...ours-ticketing

Forgot to post the link, here it is :

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-of-greece.cfm

What time do the celebrations on the islands begin and end?
I arrive on an island the night of the 15th. Will getting a transfer be difficult?

The celebrations are during the day.

Depending on the island you might want to secure a transfer before your arrival, as 15/8 is the busiest day of the summer, and as i saw it falls on a Friday.. which will mean a long weekend that will mobilize more people.....

Arrival transfers on smaller islands can be quite a problem....

Thank you for your help! I will definitely secure a transfer. Sad to miss the festivities.