If you go for a run in Athens you will certainly not be on your own, there are plenty of other runners about either in the early morning or evening, to avoid the warmest part of the day.
I have just spent a week in Athens. The city is crowded, with lots of traffic and running on some of the roads can be challenging. But, the effort is definitely worth it.
We were staying about 120 m from the Panathenaic Stadium and the National Gardens. The gardens are a green oasis in the middle of the city surrounded by historical sites and providing 2 - 3 miles of trails which are popular with runners. Especially early morning and in the evening, avoiding the heat of the day.
Historical sites in this area include the old Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrians Gate, all in the shadow of the Acropolis. This is the area where my runs were concentrated.
If you want to get out of the city there are some good running routes along the coast at Pireaus and from Faliro to Voula.
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The highlight for me though was running on the track with my daughter Francesca, at the Panathenaic Stadium.
The stadium dates back to the 4th Century BC and was the site of the first ‘modern’ Olympic Games in 1896.
We were allowed to run on the track by security staff prior to the stadium opening to visitors provided we paid for a tourist ticket on our way out, as they opened to the public.
Panathenaic Stadium being rebuilt for 1886 Olympics:
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