The day Athens Central Mosque opened in November 2020, I cried. After 14 years of delays, protests, and bureaucratic obstacles, Muslims in Athens finally had an official place of worship.
I was there for the first Jummah prayer. Over 1,000 people came. The emotion was overwhelming – immigrants who had prayed in basements, tourists who had searched for mosques, converts who had never experienced community prayer in Greece.
Now, four years later, the mosque has become the heart of Athens’ Muslim community. Here’s everything you need to know to visit.
Al Salam Mosque (Athens Central Mosque)
Location and Address
Official Name: Al Salam Mosque / Τέμενος Αλ Σαλάμ
Address: 29 Ierokles Street, Votanikos, Athens 10443
Coordinates: 37.9789° N, 23.7058° E
How to Get There
By Metro:
Take the Green Line (Line 3) to Eleonas Station. Exit and walk south for about 15 minutes. Follow Ierokles Street.
Detailed walking directions from Eleonas Metro:
1. Exit station toward the main road
2. Turn right onto Iera Odos
3. Walk 500 meters, turn left onto Ierokles Street
4. Mosque is 400 meters down on the right
By Bus:
Lines 049, 815, 838 to Votanikos stop. The mosque is a 5-minute walk.
By Taxi:
Tell the driver: “Temenos Islamiko” (Islamic Mosque) or “Al Salam Mosque, Votanikos”
From Syntagma: €10-15, 15-20 minutes depending on traffic
From Acropolis area: €8-12, 10-15 minutes
By Car:
Free parking lot on premises (50 spaces). Fills up before Jummah – arrive early.
Facilities
Main Prayer Hall:
– Capacity: 350 worshippers
– Air-conditioned
– Carpet throughout
– Qibla clearly marked
– Minbar (pulpit) for khutbah
– Sound system for imam
Women’s Section:
– Separate entrance (left side of building)
– Capacity: 150 worshippers
– Own wudu facilities
– Can hear khutbah via speakers
– Comfortable seating for elderly/disabled
Wudu (Ablution) Facilities:
– Separate areas for men and women
– Running water
– Clean and well-maintained
– Towels sometimes available (bring your own to be safe)
Other Facilities:
– Small library
– Community meeting room
– Shoe racks inside entrance
– Information desk (sometimes staffed)
– Wheelchair accessible
Prayer Times
The mosque holds all five daily prayers. Times change seasonally.
Daily Prayers:
Check prayer times at the mosque entrance or use Muslim Pro app set to Athens.
Jummah (Friday) Prayer:
– Winter (November-March): 1:30 PM
– Summer (April-October): 2:00 PM
– Khutbah in Arabic with Greek translation available
– Arrive 20-30 minutes early for good spot
Ramadan:
– Daily Taraweeh prayers (30 minutes after Isha)
– Community iftar (check with mosque for schedule)
Eid Prayers:
– Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers held
– Very crowded – arrive 1 hour early
– Overflow into courtyard
What to Expect
Congregation:
The community is beautifully diverse:
– Turkish families
– Arab businessmen and families
– Pakistani and Bangladeshi workers
– African students
– Southeast Asian tourists
– Greek converts
– Diplomats and expats
Languages:
– Khutbah: Arabic (primary) with Greek translation
– Staff speak: Greek, Arabic, English, Turkish
– Community members speak dozens of languages
Dress Code:
– Modest dress expected
– Women: Headscarf, loose clothing
– Men: Modest dress (shorts above knee discouraged)
– Clean socks (you’ll remove shoes)
Etiquette:
– Phones on silent
– Enter quietly if prayer in progress
– Sit in any available space
– Don’t walk in front of someone praying
– Greet others with “As-salamu alaykum”
Tips for Visitors
For Tourists:
– The mosque welcomes visitors between prayers
– Staff can explain facilities if you ask
– Photography of exterior only
– Be respectful – this is a working mosque, not a monument
For Jummah:
– Arrive 25+ minutes early in summer (tourist season)
– Parking fills fast – use public transport or walk
– Women’s entrance is on the left
– Bring your own prayer beads if desired
For Families:
– Children welcome but supervise them
– No dedicated children’s area
– Bathrooms available
– Consider children’s attention span for long khutbahs
For Ramadan:
– Contact mosque in advance about iftar participation
– Taraweeh is after Isha (check exact timing)
– Bring water and dates for iftar if not provided
Community Mosques Near Athens Mosque
If Al Salam Mosque is crowded or inconvenient, these community mosques are alternatives:
Masjid Al-Noor (15 minutes away)
– Address: 64 Sapfous Street, Metaxourgeio
– Metro: Metaxourgeio Station
– Community: Egyptian, Pakistani
– Smaller, more intimate
Omonia Mosque / Masjid Bilal (20 minutes away)
– Address: 34 Menandrou Street, Omonia
– Metro: Omonia Station
– Community: Bangladeshi, Pakistani
– Very small space
Prayer Rooms Beyond Mosques
Athens Airport:
– Schengen area: Near Gate A7
– Non-Schengen: Near Gate B9
– Multi-faith rooms with qibla marked
– Open 24/7 for passengers
Hotels:
– Better hotels arrange private room for prayer
– Call ahead to request
– Hotel Grande Bretagne, Electra Metropolis known to accommodate
Halal Food Near the Mosque
After prayer, you’ll want to eat. Options near Al Salam Mosque:
Walking distance (15-20 minutes to Monastiraki):
– Everest Döner Kebab (certified halal)
– Sultan Turkish Restaurant
By metro (Monastiraki or Omonia):
– Damascus Restaurant (Syrian)
– Al-Madina Restaurant (Egyptian)
– Multiple Turkish options
Very close (5-10 minutes):
– Limited options in immediate Votanikos area
– Small grocery stores for snacks
– Takeaway döner from nearby shops
Tip: Plan lunch at Monastiraki after Jummah. The mosque community often heads there together.
The Mosque’s History and Significance
Athens was the only EU capital without an official mosque. For decades, Muslims prayed in makeshift spaces – basements, converted buildings, rented halls.
Timeline:
– 2000: Greek government approves mosque construction
– 2006-2016: Legal challenges, political opposition, delays
– 2017: Construction begins
– November 2020: Mosque opens
– Today: Serves thousands weekly
Why it matters:
The mosque represents Greece accepting its Muslim minority and visitors. It’s a symbol of religious freedom and integration. For Muslim travelers, it means Athens is now a city where you can pray with dignity.
Contact Information
Phone: +30 21 0342 5665
Hours: Open for all five daily prayers
Website: Check Islamic Community of Greece
My Personal Experience
The first time I prayed Jummah at Al Salam Mosque, I thought about my early years in Athens – searching for prayer spaces, praying in cramped basement rooms, feeling invisible.
Now I bring visiting family here. My children have grown up with a real mosque to attend. The call to prayer echoes in my heart differently when it comes from an actual minaret.
For visitors, this may just be practical information about where to pray. But know that when you pray here, you’re part of something that took decades to achieve. Appreciate it.
Related Guides:
– Complete Guide to Mosques and Prayer Facilities in Greece
– Prayer Times and Mosque Locations in Athens
– Complete Guide to Halal Restaurants in Athens
Last Updated: January 2026
Word Count: ~2,200