Downtown Athens traffic restrictions lifted

According to Traffic Police, restrictions on vehicles entering downtown Athens will be lifted from Monday, July 22.

The restrictions which were put in place in 2017 and enforced every year, aim at curbing traffic congestion and smog in central Athens.

According to the system, from Monday to Thursday 7 a.m-8 p.m and on Fridays 7 a.m-3 p.m, cars with license plates ending in even numbers can only enter the city center on even days of the month, while while vehicles whose license plates end in odd numbers can only do so on odd days.

The restricted area, known as ‘daktylios’ in Greek, is delineated by the following avenues and streets: Alexandras, Zacharof, Mesogeion, Pheidipidou, Michalakopoulou, Spyrou Mercouri, Vryaxidos, Ymittou, Ilia Iliou, Frantzi, Syngrou, Hamosternas, Pireos, Iera Odos, Constantinoupoleos, Achilleos, Karaiskaki Square, Karolou, Marni and Patission to the junction with Alexandras Avenue.

Vehicles exempt from the restrictions are those with special permits issued by traffic police.

There is a 200-euro fine for illegally entering a ‘daktylios’ zone.

The free circulation of vehicles will last until the 29th September 2019, according to reports.