The European Earthquake Monitoring Centre recorded the quake's epicentre at 22 km northwest of the Greek capital city.
Reuters reported that people were running from buildings in panic while high rise towers had been evacuated.
This is believed to be the first earthquake to hit Athens since the deadly one in 1999 - which left 143 people dead, 700 injured and 70,000 buildings damaged.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage and reports say the tremors did not last long.
Saudi-owned vessel targeted in Red Sea, crew safe, state news agency says
Saudi Arabian state news agency on Thursday confirmed that tanker Encelia was ablaze after an assault while sailing in the Red Sea.
Rubio says US committed to helping end Ukraine war after meeting Lavrov
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the United States remains prepared to play a "constructive role" in helping bring an end to the war in Ukraine, following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Manila.
India's Modi promises fast-track courts on exam leaks, protesters want minister to quit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that "fast-track" courts would be set up to prosecute those behind exam paper leaks, his first public response after days of youth protests demanding the resignation of the education minister.
US House passes $1 trillion defence bill despite Iran, Israel concerns
The US House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a massive defence policy bill, despite Democrats' concerns about its huge price tag, the Iran war and a provision that would boost Pentagon ties to Israel.
Congo's Ebola deaths top 1,000 as violence and shortages hamper medics
Ebola has now killed more than 1,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, official figures show, as medics struggle to contain an outbreak amid militant violence, attacks on clinics and widespread shortages.
