13x Best things to do in Athens + tips for visiting Athens
Welcome to Athens, the capital of Greece and the birthplace of democracy and philosophy. A city that is worth a visit as a city trip. Many historical sights in Athens, such as the Acropolis, take you back to the time of the ancient Greeks.
But the city is much more than just an open-air museum. It is also a vibrant city full of culture, art, delicious food, and an energetic atmosphere. And not far from the hot capital, there are even beaches where you can cool off.
For many people, Athens is also the starting point for a tour of mainland Greece or one of the many Greek islands. Some people skip Athens because it can seem a bit busy and shabby on the surface.
But you need to take the time to discover Athens (using all our Athens tips) and you will find that this iconic city deserves 2 or 3 days of your time, especially if you also want to go shopping or go to the beaches. Moreover, Athens is also one of the cheapest capitals in Europe to visit.
So there is a lot to do in Athens! This travel guide to Athens takes you to the best sights, most interesting activities, most delicious restaurants, and most beautiful places to stay in this fascinating city.
How to visit Athens
How to get to Athens
Athens is centrally located in Greece and is easiest to reach by plane. You can fly from most international airports to Athens.
From the airport, you can easily get to the city center by metro, safely and without traffic jams. It takes you about 45 minutes. An alternative is to take a taxi, but that is slightly more expensive, especially if you are traveling alone or with two people.
If you then leave on a road trip to Greece, you can also choose to rent a car at Athens airport. Of course, you have to find a parking space in the center. It might be better to first visit the city, stay in Athens for a few days and then rent a car in the city center.
TIP: You can compare prices at Rentalcars. They have different options for you with different companies.They have a very reliable service, and you can choose for a all-inclusive insurance.
If you are already traveling in Europe, you can also come overland by car or train from neighboring countries. Athens is located on the sea, so traveling by boat from Italy, for example, or as a stopover during a cruise trip is also an option.
Transport in Athens
Most things to do in Athens are within walking distance of each other. Athens’ nicest neighborhoods and most beautiful sights are all around the center and the Acropolis.
If you are tired from all that walking or want to visit something a little further, you can also take the metro. There are metro stations all over the city and they go to the airport, beaches, and even the Piraeus port where you should go if you want to island hop around the Greek islands.
Best time to visit Athens
Athens can be visited all year round. As the capital of Greece, it is always lively. Based purely on the weather, spring (March-May) and autumn (September – November) are the best periods. Then there are pleasant temperatures without the great heat of summer.
In winter you can have good days, but it can also be quite cold. There are of course far fewer tourists, which makes it fun to visit the famous sights in Athens. The entrance tickets are also a lot cheaper in winter. Carnival is also fun in February, which is well celebrated in Greece.
In summer (June – August) it gets very busy and very hot in Athens. This is not the most ideal time to visit Athens. In addition, there is also a greater risk of forest fires in the summer, which can also affect your trip.
TIP: If you visit Athens in the summer, try to visit early in the morning as much as possible. This way you avoid the large hordes of tourists who are out and about in Athens in the summer, but also the scorching heat.
What to do in Athens: the best Athens itinerary 2 to 3 days
Visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon
When you say Athens, you inevitably think of visiting the Acropolis. It is therefore one of the most visited monuments in the world and attracts no less than 1 million visitors every year.
Located on a majestic hill towering high above the city, the Acropolis was once the religious and cultural center of Athens. In ancient Greek, Acropolis means “highest point of the city.” You will see the Acropolis popping up everywhere, between two streets or from one of the many roof terraces that overlook it.
Most people come here to see the Parthenon, the impressive temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, who watches over the city. The Parthenon’s perfect proportions and intricate architectural details make it a masterpiece of ancient architecture and a must-see for any visitor.
Take your time to walk around the grounds (allow 1-2 hours) and view the other beautiful temple ruins, such as the temple of Nikè, the Caryatids (columns in the shape of a woman), or the amphitheater (Odean of Herodes Atticus ). Theater performances are still given every year in this impressive amphitheater! So be sure to check if there are any shows planned during your visit to Athens. The panoramic view of Athens from the top of the Acropolis is also beautiful.
TIP: come here at sunset for beautiful photos, the view of the low sun behind the temples and above the city. Moreover, there will be a lot fewer visitors. Be sure to check the opening hours when planning your visit. An alternative to avoid the crowds and heat is very early in the morning.
You can easily reach the Acropolis on foot from Monastiraki or Syntagma Square (about 20 minutes). Along the way, you will encounter some other beautiful sights of Athens, such as the Plaka district (see below). Make sure you wear sturdy shoes, because some of the paths on the property are steep and uneven. Also bring plenty of water, headgear, and sunscreen.
TIP: buy your tickets for the Acropolis in advance (especially in high season) so that you do not have to stand in the long queue. You can choose to visit the archaeological site alone or with a guide.
Discover the beautiful Acropolis Museum
In the Acropolis Museum, at the foot of the Acropolis, the rich history of Athens comes to life. You will find modern exhibitions of artifacts from the Acropolis and interactive displays with informative videos (also fun with children).
The Acropolis Museum houses an impressive collection of objects found on the Acropolis, including beautiful marble sculptures, jewelry, and everyday objects that illustrate life in ancient Athens. Thanks to the glass floors you also have a beautiful view of the excavations under the museum, so you literally walk through history.
You can again purchase tickets for the museum in advance to avoid queues. You can also take combination tickets for a visit to the Acropolis and the museum, with or without a guide.
Wander around Plaka and Anafiotika
During our first trip to Athens, we completely missed this place. Incomprehensible because this charming neighborhood is located at the foot of the Acropolis. Plaka is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Athens and an attraction that you should not miss.
Plaka or “the district of the Gods” is a maze of narrow, winding streets paved with cobblestones, beautiful wider streets, stairs, colorful neoclassical houses, cozy taverns, and craft shops. Take your time to get away from the busier main streets and discover the little corners, listen to a street musician, or shop in one of the many shops.
This is also a nice place to have lunch or dinner in the afternoon, such as at Anefani (with a rooftop terrace) or Yiasemi, located on the Plaka stairs. Here you will find many cafes and restaurants, and especially in the evening, it becomes very cozy with lights and music. Don’t be rushed into going somewhere and be sure to try the local specialties such as moussaka, souvlaki, and tzatziki.
If you go further higher you will arrive in Anafiotika, a hidden gem within Plaka. With its whitewashed houses and narrow alleys, it reminds you more of a small Greek island in the Cyclades than a neighborhood in the middle of the city. Lovely to walk around here and one of our favorite things to do in Athens!
TIP: In the Plaka district in the summer (from May to October) you also have a nice outdoor cinema with a view of the Acropolis, Ciné Paris. Come here for an unforgettable movie night!
Explore the ancient Agora
Just imagine, this is where philosophers, politicians, and citizens came together to discuss, act, and celebrate. The old Agora (marketplace) is centrally located in the city and is certainly fun to visit (you can order tickets in advance here). You might come across Socrates and Plato exchanging ideas.
You can admire the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved Doric temples in Greece, and the Stoa of Attalos (Agora Museum), a modern building in Greek style.
Visit the Roman Agora
Near the ancient Greek agora, you will find the ancient Roman market. Take a stroll along or take your time to visit this more than 2,000-year-old site. Combine your tickets with the other sights in Athens.
You will find some beautiful ruins there, but the eye-catcher is certainly the imposing Tower of the Winds, a 12-meter-high structure from the 1st century BC. This octagonal tower, each corner representing a cardinal direction, served as a sophisticated time-measuring instrument. With its sundial, the tower was a technological marvel for its time.
Drink a coffee or cocktail in one of the many cafes and rooftop bars
As a true world city, Athens also has a vibrant café and bar culture. Everywhere you will find cozy or very local coffee bars, where Greeks enjoy their coffee in peace in the morning while watching the passers-by. Also, take your time to participate in this ritual and eat something tasty to get ready for a day in Athens. Some nice coffee bars are Cupaki Street Coffee, Samba Coffee Roasters, Ubuntu or 1937 Coffee Bar.
TIP: On a hot day, order an Espresso or Cappuccino Freddo, a typical Greek drink that is most similar to an iced coffee.
Many bars open in the evening. One of the most famous cocktail bars in Athens is Baba au Rum (even included in lists of the best bars in the world). Other nice bars are Norman Athens Bar, 360 Cocktail Bar, or The Huge Bar.
But nothing is as nice as enjoying a delicious cocktail or meal on a rooftop terrace in the evening, perhaps even with a view of the Acropolis. The Attic Urban Rooftop is a very nice one. Still others are Moment Roof Bar, Anglais Athens, or Metropolis Roof Garden.
Discover the National Archaeological Museum
This is the largest museum in Greece and one of the most impressive archaeological museums in the world. You will find an unparalleled collection of artifacts that take you through thousands of years of Greek history.
The museum is of course also home to some of the most iconic and valuable pieces of Greek antiquity. Some highlights in the collection include ‘The Mechanism of Antikythera’ (the first analog device of the ancient Greeks), the mask of Agamemnon, and the Poseidon of Artemision (bronze statue).
Be sure to plan enough time to visit the gigantic museum (minimum 4 hours). There is also a nice museum café with a beautiful garden. You can get tickets for the archaeological museum. order in advance, and possibly also combine with the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
Go shopping and enjoy a nice meal in Monastiraki
Monastiraki is located in the heart of the city and is one of the most vibrant areas of Athens. The neighborhood is named after the old monastery (Monastiraki means “little monastery”) that was once the center of the neighborhood.
From Monastiraki, you have beautiful views of the Acropolis, especially from the many roof terraces of the cafes and restaurants in the area. It is therefore a fantastic area to have a nice meal in the evening and the ideal area to spend the night in Athens.
TIP: Are you staying overnight somewhere else? The Monastiraki district in Athens is very easy to reach via the metro. The metro station opens onto Monastiraki’s main square.
But you mainly come to Monasterika to shop! There are some well-known wide shopping streets (such as Ermou) where you have all the major retail chains. But it is mainly for buying vintage, antiques, and craft products that this district is known for.
There is the famous flea market where they sell everything (great on Sundays because there are more stalls), but in the surrounding streets, you will also find many other nice antique dealers, souvenir shops, and vintage shops (such as Kilo Shop or Retrosexual Vintage Shop). A little outside Monastiraki you can shop for antiques and second-hand on Sundays at the flea market in Avissinias Square.
Watch the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the political and social epicenter of Athens. Who remembers the days of protests during the crisis in Greece in 2011? That was all in this square, located in front of the Greek parliament. Syntagma Square, which means “Constitution”, is surrounded by several luxury hotels and green parks (the National Garden).
On Syntagma Square there is a changing of the guard every hour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This ceremony, performed by the elite Evzones in their traditional costumes, pays tribute to the fallen soldiers and is fun to see (especially with children). On Sunday at 10:30 am she will be extra impressive with a full parade and musical accompaniment. Make sure you are on time to get a good spot.
Book a fun street art tour
Athens’ street art scene is one of the most popular in Europe. Athens is home to both local and international street artists. You can walk around in neighborhoods such as Psiri or Gazi, but you will also find nice murals around Monastiraki.
So be sure to join an alternative art tour with a local street artist as your guide and discover classic artworks and underground pieces that play with fresh ideas, messages, and styles.
Admire Athens from above (at sunset)
Something really fun to do is go up on one of the hills in Athens and see the city from above. Especially if you come here at sunset you will have a fantastic view! The two most famous hills are the Philopappos hill and the Lycabettus hill.
The Philopappos Hill is located close to the Acropolis and is 147 meters high. You can easily walk on this hill and have a beautiful view of Athens. The walk only takes 15 minutes and is easiest from Apostolou Pavlou Street.
At the top of the hill, you will find Socrates’ prison (indeed, he was imprisoned here and later convicted and poisoned). Not very special, but nice to know the history. There is also a monument at the top in honor of Prince Philopappos who did a lot for the city of Athens.
An alternative is Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in Athens. You can walk on this hill, but also take a cable car ride up. You board at the intersection of Ploutárchou and Aristippou streets, in the Kolonaki district (this is also where the walk starts). The ride is every 30 minutes or even every 10 minutes when it is busy.
From the 277m high hill, you have a beautiful panoramic view of Athens. There is also a white chapel that you can visit. The best part is to climb this hill in the evening and enjoy the sunset. Upstairs there is also the Orizontes restaurant, a nice experience (be sure to reserve in advance).
Stroll through the National Garden of Athens
Near Syntagma Square is the National Garden of Athens, a nice place to cool off or escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It is the green lung of Athens and you can easily spend some time there.
You will find beautifully landscaped areas, tall palm trees, a botanical garden, and even a small zoo. You might even see one of the turtles at the pond or the nests of the many parakeets that fly there.
Be sure to check out the Zappeion building, an exhibition center, beautifully situated in the garden. The old Olympic stadium (Panathenian stadium) and the ruins of the temple of Zeus are also worth a visit. If you walk from the Acropolis towards the National Garden via the Dionysiou Areopagitou (a very nice walking street), you will also come across Hadrian’s Gate at the beginning of the park.
Take a day of swimming to the Athenian Riviera
This is probably not what you immediately think of when you think of Athens, but you can also plan a day at the beach when you are on a city trip here. Just 20-30 minutes from the city by metro there are a lot of beaches and beautiful bays to enjoy a wonderful day.
The most famous beach is Kalamaki Beach, with its shallow water also perfect for families. You can also enjoy a tasty snack and drink at Bolivar Beach Bar. Some other nice beaches are Kape (slightly more remote but very beautiful), Yabanaki Varkiza, Voula, or Kavouri (one of the most picturesque beaches).
TIP: Do you have more time? Then visit Lake Vouliagmeni, where the thermal waters have a pleasant temperature all year round. There is also a beach nearby, ideal for a full day of relaxing, swimming, and eating something tasty.
Our favorite cafes and restaurants in Athens
One of the things you must do in Athens is to discover Greek and international cuisine. Everywhere in the city, you will find delicious restaurants (from cheap to pricey), cozy cafes, and rooftop bars! So something for everyone. Here are some of our favorites:
- Souvlaki Kostas: you shouldn’t leave Athens without trying a tasty and very affordable souvlaki! You can find them all over the city, but Souvlaki Kostas, near Syntagma Square, has to be one of the best!
- Anefani: nice restaurant with Greek and Western cuisine, on the cozy steps of the Plaka district. From the rooftop terrace, you can look out over Athens (nice at sunset).
- Yiasemi: yet another nice restaurant at the steps of Plaka, where you can also have a nice lunch or dinner.
- Little Kook: a very special place in Athens, where they always work around a specific theme that also changes every so often. Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, and dragons have already been discussed. Everything is fully decorated and even the staff is fully dressed in theme.
- Efcharis: and real Greek restaurant with delicious Greek and Mediterranean specialties.
- Streetfood: do you like street food? In Athens, you will find many stalls selling small snacks or a window on the wall where you can order a souvlaki. Be sure to try Koulouri, the round bread typical of Greece. A great thing to do in Athens is a food tour through the streets of the city! This way you get to know real Greek cuisine from a local!
- Six d.o.g.s.: trendy bar in the Monstiraki district, with live music in a very nice setting.
- Central Market: If you prefer to cook for yourself, go to the Central Market, a beautiful covered market where they sell everything! It’s also just fun to walk around here and soak up the authentic atmosphere (sometimes literally).
- Happy Blender: a delicious vegan restaurant, where you can eat delicious smoothie bowls, salads, and more.
What are the nicest neighborhoods in Athens to spend the night?
Athens is divided into different districts. Some of these neighborhoods are less safe and as a tourist, you would prefer to avoid them. That is why it is better to find out in advance where you want to stay in Athens.
Monastiraki, Plaka, and Psiri are the nicest and safest areas to spend the night in Athens. You will also find nice restaurants, and bars or just enjoy walking around. Psiri is also known for its lively nightlife district. If you want to spend the night a little cheaper in a local atmosphere, you can also go to Petralona or Thissio.
Our favorite hotels in Monastiraki
We already talked about this neighborhood in the best things to do in Athens. Monastiraki is centrally located in Athens and is ideal for visiting all the sights of Athens. There is also a metro station so you can easily get around. There are many rooftop bars around the square where you can enjoy a cocktail with a view of the Acropolis.
Our favorite hotels in Plaka
This old district, at the foot of the Acropolis, is one of the top sights in Athens. It is therefore ideal to spend the night here and in the evening it is very lively and pleasant. Moreover, most of the district is car-free.
Our favorite hotels in Psiri
This is probably less known than the other two. This district is currently the hippest and trendy district. You can find street art, vintage, and many boutique shops. Of course, cafes and nice restaurants are no problem in this district and there is an exuberant nightlife.
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