Athens, January 14 – The Municipality of Athens has announced a 5% increase in the usage fees for public spaces designated for the placement of information signs for public-use open-top city tour buses. This adjustment applies to the year 2026 and aims to regulate and update the costs associated with these tourist services.
New Fee Structure for 2026
Specifically, the fee for placing information signs for public-use open-top city tour buses has been set at €2,486 per stop. For other related activities, the amount is €2,071 per position/stop. These fees are a one-time payment and are due by March 31, 2026.
The information signs themselves must adhere to specific dimensions and content requirements. They are mandated to be 2 meters in height and 50 centimeters in width, double-sided, and must clearly indicate the parking location, the hours of passing each stop, the route of the double-decker open-top tourist buses, and prominently display the logo of the Municipality of Athens.
Route Optimization and Stop Relocations
Initially, numerous stop points were designated across key Athenian landmarks, including Syntagma, the Archaeological Museum, Omonia, Psyrri, Kerameikos, Thiseio, Monastiraki, Varvakeios Market, Klafthmonos Square, Benaki Museum, National Gallery, Ampelokipoi, Panathenaic Stadium, Plaka, Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hellenic Parliament, and University.
Subsequently, a circular route for a special public-use open-top city tour bus was approved to enhance efficiency and tourist experience. This route traverses several major streets, including Agion Asomaton, Ermou, Athinas, Stadiou, Syntagma Square, Filellinon, Leof. Amalias, Leof. Syngrou, Chatzichristou, R. Galli (with a U-turn), Propylea, Kavalloti, Misaraliotou, Petmeza, Leof. Syngrou, Leof. Amalias, Leof. Vasilissis Sofias, Herodou Attikou, Leof. Vasilissis Olgas, Leof. Amalias, Elefth. Venizelou, G’ Septemvriou, Marni, 28th October, Elefth. Venizelou, Ag. Konstantinou, Achilleos, Thermopylon, and Ag. Asomaton.
The designated stops along this refined route include Syntagma Square, Melina Merkouri, Acropolis Museum, Acropolis-Parthenon (serving as both the start and end of the circular route, specifically the stop on Agion Asomaton street), Columns of Olympian Zeus, Parliament (National Garden), Benaki Museum-Cycladic Museum, Panathenaic Stadium, Parliament (National Garden), National Library, Archaeological Museum, Omonia, Karaïskaki Square, Monastiraki-Thiseio, and Kotzia Square. The starting point on Agion Asomaton street is designated solely for the commencement and conclusion of the circular route, not for parking.
Furthermore, a significant restructuring of OASA tourist bus stops has been approved. This involves relocating the stops of the special public-use open-top city tour buses from Syntagma Square to Othonos Street. This relocation includes simultaneous trimming of the existing island and the installation of railings along the edge of the island facing the shops, aiming to improve pedestrian flow and safety in the busy area.
This increase in fees and the strategic reorganization of bus stops and routes reflect the Municipality of Athens’ ongoing efforts to manage urban spaces effectively, enhance the tourist experience, and ensure sustainable development of its tourism infrastructure.
