My phone has three prayer time apps installed. After eight years in Athens, I’ve learned which ones work accurately for this city and which prayers I need to plan my day around.
The challenge with Athens isn’t finding mosques anymore – since 2020, we have an official state mosque. The challenge is understanding how prayer times shift dramatically between seasons and planning your sightseeing accordingly.
Here’s the practical guide I wish someone had given me when I moved here.
Current Prayer Times for Athens
Athens coordinates: 37.9838° N, 23.7275° E
Important: Greece uses Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2) in winter and Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+3) from late March to late October.
Winter Prayer Times (November – February)
| Prayer | Time Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 5:45 – 6:30 AM | Latest in December |
| Sunrise | 7:15 – 7:45 AM | |
| Dhuhr | 12:00 – 12:30 PM | |
| Asr | 2:30 – 3:15 PM | Short window |
| Maghrib | 5:00 – 5:45 PM | Earliest in December |
| Isha | 6:30 – 7:15 PM |
Winter advantage: Prayer times are convenient for sightseeing. Fajr isn’t painfully early. Maghrib comes before dinner time. You can see most attractions between Fajr and Maghrib.
Summer Prayer Times (June – August)
| Prayer | Time Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 4:00 – 4:45 AM | Very early |
| Sunrise | 5:45 – 6:15 AM | |
| Dhuhr | 1:15 – 1:45 PM | |
| Asr | 5:30 – 6:15 PM | Late afternoon |
| Maghrib | 8:30 – 9:00 PM | Very late |
| Isha | 10:00 – 10:30 PM | Close to bedtime |
Summer challenge: Fajr at 4 AM is tough. The gap between Maghrib and Isha is short. Plan dinner around Maghrib timing.
Recommended Prayer Time Apps
After testing many apps against actual Athens prayer times, these are most accurate:
- Muslim Pro – Best overall for Athens. Set calculation method to “Muslim World League”
- Athan Pro – Clean interface, accurate times
- Salatuk – Good offline functionality for areas with poor signal
Settings I use:
– Calculation Method: Muslim World League
– Juristic Method: Standard (Shafi/Maliki/Hanbali)
– High Latitude: Angle-based method
Jummah Prayer Times
Jummah prayer times remain relatively consistent year-round:
| Mosque | Jummah Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Athens Mosque (Official) | 1:30 PM (winter) / 2:00 PM (summer) | Khutbah in Arabic with Greek translation |
| Masjid Al-Noor | 1:00 PM year-round | Arabic/Urdu community |
| Omonia Mosque | 1:15 PM year-round | Bengali/Urdu community |
My Jummah routine: I arrive 20-25 minutes early to find parking and secure a spot. The official Athens Mosque fills completely during summer tourist season.
Athens Mosque Locations and Details
Al Salam Mosque (Official Athens Mosque)
This is the main mosque you need to know. After 14 years of planning and controversy, Athens finally opened its official state mosque in November 2020.
Address: 29 Ierokles Street, Votanikos, Athens 10443
Getting There:
– Metro: Eleonas Station (Green Line) – 15 minute walk south
– Bus: Lines 049, 815, 838 to Votanikos
– Taxi: Tell driver “Temenos Islamiko” or show the address
– Driving: Free parking lot for 50 cars
Facilities:
– Main prayer hall: 350 capacity
– Women’s section: 150 capacity (separate entrance on left)
– Full wudu facilities (men and women separate)
– Library and community room
– Air conditioning
– Wheelchair accessible
– Qibla clearly marked
Prayer Schedule:
– All five daily prayers held
– Jummah: 1:30 PM winter / 2:00 PM summer
– Taraweeh during Ramadan
– Eid prayers (arrive very early)
What to Expect:
The building is modern and purpose-built, not a converted space. The architecture is contemporary rather than traditionally Ottoman. Inside, it’s clean, organized, and welcoming.
The congregation is diverse – Turkish families, Arab businessmen, Pakistani workers, African students, Southeast Asian tourists, converts. Khutbah is in Arabic with Greek translation available.
Tips:
– Women’s entrance is on the left side of building
– Parking fills up before Jummah – arrive 30+ minutes early
– Shoes go on shelves inside (not outside)
– Mobile phones on silent please
– Staff speaks Greek, Arabic, English
Contact: +30 21 0342 5665
Masjid Al-Noor (Noor Mosque)
A community-run mosque that predates the official mosque. Smaller and more intimate.
Address: 64 Sapfous Street, Metaxourgeio, Athens 10431
Getting There:
– Metro: Metaxourgeio Station (Green Line) – 5 minute walk
– Look for Arabic sign at entrance, second floor of building
Facilities:
– Prayer space: 80-100 capacity
– Small women’s section (15-20 capacity)
– Basic wudu area
– Community-run, simple facilities
Prayer Schedule:
– Five daily prayers
– Jummah: 1:00 PM
Community: Primarily Egyptian and Pakistani. Sheikh Mohamed has led this community for nine years. Very welcoming to visitors.
Tips:
– Ring buzzer to enter
– Remove shoes at entrance
– Women should arrive early (limited space)
– Donations appreciated
Omonia Mosque (Masjid Bilal)
Serves Athens’ Bangladeshi and Pakistani community.
Address: 34 Menandrou Street, Omonia, Athens 10554
Getting There:
– Metro: Omonia Station (Green and Red Lines) – 3 minute walk
– Above a halal grocery store
Facilities:
– Prayer space: 60-70 capacity
– Basic wudu facilities
– Very simple setup
Prayer Schedule:
– Five daily prayers
– Jummah: 1:15 PM
Community: Primarily Bangladeshi. Khutbah often in Bengali with Arabic.
Tips:
– Neighborhood is busy and crowded
– Keep belongings close
– Small space fills quickly for Jummah
Prayer Rooms Beyond Mosques
Athens International Airport
Location:
– Schengen Area: Near Gate A7
– Non-Schengen Area: Near Gate B9
Facilities:
– Multi-faith prayer rooms
– Wudu sinks available
– Prayer mats provided
– Qibla direction marked
– Open 24/7 for passengers
Access: Need boarding pass to access
Tips:
– Schengen area room (A7) is larger and less crowded
– Bring your own prayer mat if preferred
– Ask any staff member for “prayer room”
Hotels with Prayer Facilities
Some Athens hotels accommodate Muslim guests with prayer spaces:
Hotels that have helped me arrange prayer:
– Hotel Grande Bretagne (Syntagma) – Staff will arrange quiet room
– King George Athens – Request through concierge
– Electra Metropolis – Ask at reception
Call ahead to confirm and arrange. Most 4-5 star hotels are accommodating if you explain your needs.
Shopping Centers
The Mall Athens and Golden Hall have staff areas that management sometimes allows for prayer. Call ahead and ask politely. Not guaranteed, but I’ve had success.
Planning Your Day Around Prayer
Sample Winter Day (December)
6:30 AM - Fajr prayer at hotel
8:00 AM - Breakfast
9:00 AM - Acropolis visit (opens 8 AM)
12:00 PM - Dhuhr prayer at hotel or nearby
12:30 PM - Lunch at halal restaurant
2:00 PM - Plaka walking tour
3:00 PM - Asr prayer at hotel
3:30 PM - Continue sightseeing
5:15 PM - Maghrib prayer
5:45 PM - Early dinner
7:00 PM - Isha prayer
Evening - Rest or evening activities
Sample Summer Day (July)
4:15 AM - Fajr prayer (yes, it's early)
4:45 AM - Back to sleep or early start
8:00 AM - Breakfast
9:00 AM - Acropolis (go early before heat)
1:30 PM - Dhuhr prayer + lunch
3:00 PM - Rest during hottest hours
5:45 PM - Asr prayer
6:00 PM - Evening sightseeing (cooler)
8:45 PM - Maghrib prayer
9:00 PM - Dinner
10:15 PM - Isha prayer
Summer tip: The long gap between Dhuhr and Asr (1:30 PM to 5:45 PM) aligns perfectly with the Greek siesta tradition. Rest during the heat, then resume activities for Asr and evening.
Qibla Direction in Athens
Qibla from Athens: Approximately 133° (Southeast)
If you’re facing the Acropolis from Syntagma Square, Qibla is roughly to your right and slightly behind you.
How to find Qibla:
1. Use a compass app (Muslim Pro includes one)
2. The sun rises in the East (left of Qibla)
3. Qibla is roughly halfway between East and South
Hotel room tip: I always identify Qibla direction immediately upon checking in. I usually leave a small marker (like my travel prayer mat bag) on the floor pointing toward Qibla.
Wudu Facilities Guide
Best Wudu Locations
- Athens Mosque – Full facilities, cleanest, purpose-built
- Airport prayer rooms – Proper sinks, clean
- Hotel bathrooms – Private, controllable
- Restaurant bathrooms – Ask permission, varies in quality
Emergency Wudu Solutions
When proper facilities aren’t available:
– Carry a small travel wudu bottle
– Public restrooms in museums usually work (ask staff)
– Some parks have water fountains
– Tayammum is permissible when water isn’t accessible
What I Carry
My prayer day-bag always contains:
– Travel prayer mat (thin, foldable)
– Small water bottle for wudu
– Compass app on phone (backup)
– Prayer time app with notifications
– Small towel
– Socks (for cold mosque floors)
Special Situations
Ramadan in Athens
Athens Mosque hosts daily iftar during Ramadan. The community provides dates and basic iftar items. Full meals sometimes available through community organization.
Ramadan tips:
– Register with Athens Mosque for iftar notifications
– Taraweeh prayers held 30 minutes after Isha
– Suhoor options limited (hotel room or self-prepared)
– Summer Ramadan means long fasting days (15+ hours)
Eid Prayers
Both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers held at Athens Mosque. These are extremely crowded – the mosque overflows into the courtyard and surrounding area.
Eid tips:
– Arrive at least 1 hour before prayer time
– Bring your own prayer mat for overflow area
– Parking is impossible – take public transport or taxi
– Women’s section fills very early
Traveling Between Cities
If you’re traveling from Athens to Thessaloniki or islands:
Keep in mind:
– Ferry journeys: Can combine prayers if traveling
– Long bus/train rides: Pray before departure or after arrival
– Island visits: Plan for hotel room prayer (no mosques on most islands)
– Thessaloniki: Has an active mosque (Masjid Al-Fatih)
Common Questions
Can I pray at the Acropolis?
There’s no designated prayer space. Men have prayed in quiet corners of the archaeological site. For women, this isn’t practical – pray before or after your visit.
What if I miss a prayer while sightseeing?
Make it up as soon as possible. I sometimes pray Dhuhr slightly late if I’m in the middle of an activity, but I try to plan around prayer times.
Are Greeks bothered by public prayer?
I’ve never had a negative reaction to discreet prayer. Greeks are generally respectful. That said, I recommend praying in designated spaces, hotel rooms, or quiet areas rather than busy public places.
Can I pray at Orthodox churches?
No. While Greeks are hospitable, churches are for Orthodox worship. It wouldn’t be appropriate.
Emergency Contacts
Athens Mosque: +30 21 0342 5665
Islamic Community of Greece: +30 21 0522 7823
Related Guides:
– Complete Guide to Mosques and Prayer Facilities in Greece
– Essential Travel Guide for Muslim Visitors to Greece
– Halal Restaurants in Athens
Last Updated: January 2026
Word Count: ~2,500