There are such a lot of thrilling issues to do in Athens, it may be laborious to determine what to do. Athens is an iconic vacation spot, steeped in historical historical past and stuffed with scrumptious meals choices. But, regardless of all this, many individuals solely spend a day or two in Athens earlier than heading to one of many Greek Islands.
This record will enable you determine what to do in Athens throughout your time there — irrespective of how lengthy your go to is. I’ve been to Athens twice and love the town, that is undoubtedly the most effective places to visit in Greece.
Listed here are the 25 finest issues to do in Athens, Greece.
1. Climb to the Acropolis
Seeing the Fifth-century Acropolis is the most well-liked factor to do in Athens.
After all, which means everybody needs to go there, together with guests from cruise ships. My recommendation is to get there early. The location opens at 8 am and the cruise ship passengers arrive round 10 am.
Most individuals go to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon however there are a number of different issues to see on the hill, together with the Erechtheion, the Arrhephorion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
From the Acropolis, you’ll be able to see a lot of Athens and might see all the best way to the ocean. The doorway payment is €20 ($23.25).
To study the entire unimaginable historical past, be a part of a non-public strolling tour. The tour may also take you to the museum (beneath). There are just a few several types of excursions you’ll be able to take, click here to study extra a few highly-rated, skip-the-line tour.
2. Go to the Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is likely one of the most stunning museums I’ve ever been to. I beloved my expertise right here! It’s stuffed with pure gentle, which highlights the artifacts effectively.
Right here you may get a detailed take a look at the Parthenon frieze replicas on show. The cafe balcony additionally provides nice views of Athens. You’ll be able to study extra concerning the Acropolis on my blog.
Both earlier than or after you go to the Acropolis, you could go to the Acropolis Museum. It’s not removed from the doorway of the Acropolis and the doorway payment is €5 ($5.80) within the winter and €10 ($10.50) in the summertime.
Line-ups right here will be big, to skip the road, buy your ticket forward of time here. Alternatively, you should buy an all-inclusive ticket for each the museum and the Acropolis here.
3. See Hadrian’s Library
This library just isn’t a library within the sense we all know it at present, it was a spot of research, not a spot the place books had been lent.
Hadrian’s Library was constructed round 132 AD for housing paperwork and studying rooms. There’s not a lot left however you’ll be able to clearly see the format of the library and there’s glorious signage.
The doorway payment is €4 ($4.70). Hadrian’s Library is situated within the Monastiraki neighborhood not removed from the Acropolis.
4. Go to Edem Seaside
Going to the seaside is likely one of the lesser-known issues to do in Athens as most individuals assume you must go to the islands to get pleasure from some seaside time. Though it’s not one of many best beaches in Greece, it’s nonetheless an ideal place to calm down and benefit from the sea.
Take your personal towel and umbrella if you would like one, as there are none accessible there. You may get an ideal meal on the Edem Taverna situated on the seaside.
To get to Edem Seaside, take the Inexperienced Line tram at Syntagma Sq. and take it within the course of Askllipiio Voulas, and get off on the Edem cease. The 24-hour tram ticket is €4.50 and there’s no payment for the seaside.
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5. See The Decorations at Little KooK
I found Little KooK on my most up-to-date journey to Athens. Every vacation season it’s adorned inside and outdoors the restaurant. After I was there it was adorned for Halloween.
Little KooK is principally a dessert cafe, however the prime attraction is the decorations. That is in all probability probably the most Instagrammable place in Athens in addition to the Acropolis!
6. Take a Avenue Artwork Tour
Avenue artwork is straightforward to search out in Athens and ranges from basic graffiti artwork to fashionable avenue artwork.
Whereas yow will discover a lot of it by yourself within the Plaka space, this tour exhibits you round 5 cool neighbourhoods which are lesser recognized to vacationers.
This alternative tour is very rated and a variety of enjoyable. Plus, the time for the tour isn’t strict — if everyone seems to be having a great time and are wanting to proceed, you’ll be able to preserve exploring extra avenue artwork and discovering hidden gems.
Have your digital camera or telephone able to take pictures. Click here to learn more about this expertise and to e-book.
7. Go Rooftop Bar Hopping (Greatest Factor To Do in Athens at Night time)
For one of the best view of the Acropolis at night time, you could have a specialty cocktail, beer, or glass of wine on a rooftop patio! With this fun, local experience, you’ll go to 3 completely different rooftop bars, whereas having fun with drinks, meals, and nice dialog with new pals.
The entire tables are reserved forward of time, so that you gained’t have to attend in line in any respect. Should you’re in search of cool issues to do in Athens at night time, this can be a good possibility. Discover out extra here.
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8. Eat The Greatest Yogurtlu and Souvlaki
O Thanasis is likely one of the hottest locations to eat in Plaka. It’s so standard that even Greeks eat right here. The perfect factor to eat is the Yogurtlu, which is a beef kebab coated in yogurt on a mattress of pita bread.
The Yogurtlu is giant sufficient to separate with somebody and it’ll solely set you again round €10. The folks at O Thanasis are pleasant and never pushy. The souvlaki can be the most effective on the town.
(Editor’s Word: a Greek reader has suggested us that Agrafa restaurant has one of the best souvlaki in Athens. Perhaps attempt them each?!…)
9. Go to the Benaki Museum
Visiting the Benaki Museum is likely one of the finest cultural issues to do in Athens.
The Benaki Museum is a museum of Greek tradition starting from prehistory to the twentieth century. The gathering provides rooms from homes, giant sculptures, and smaller objects like swords and historic paperwork.
The museum is a brief stroll from Syntagma Sq.. It’s situated in a fantastic Neo-classic constructing and you may get pleasure from a espresso and the view from the cafe. Skip-the-line tickets to the museum will be bought forward of time, here.
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10. Smash Issues at Limba Rage Room
Feeling slightly wired? Must get some rage out? Limba Rage Room is the place to do exactly that.
You buy a bundle (which might embody plates, bottles, a tube TV and glasses), and also you smash them! It’s an ideal stress reliever and some of the distinctive issues to do in Athens.
There are a selection of packages for each funds. They vary from €10 to €100. Don’t fear, they offer you protecting gear to put on. It’s situated simply down the road from Little KooK.
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11. Drink a Greek Espresso
Sampling a freddo cappuccino is likely one of the must-do issues in Athens. This is only one of three basic Greek coffees, there’s additionally a frappe and a freddo espresso.
The frappe just isn’t like a Starbucks frappe however as a substitute is made with prompt espresso, water, and sugar (when you select).
The freddo cappuccino is espresso topped with frothy milk.
The freddo espresso is simply swirled espresso over ice. All of those coffees pack a critical caffeine punch however since they’re all served chilly, it’s nice on a sizzling day in Athens.
Coffee culture in Greece is a really massive deal. Not solely do locals drink espresso (sizzling or chilly) quite a few instances all through the day, however as legend would have it, your fortune will be instructed by studying the dregs of espresso left on the backside of your cup.
The subsequent time you’ve completed ingesting your espresso in Athens, be sure that to ask somebody to indicate you the way to learn your fortune…or higher but, meet up with an area fortune teller for espresso and studying. Find out more here.
12. Go to the Museum of Cycladic Artwork
The Museum of Cycladic Art is house to some of the full non-public collections of Cycladic Artwork. That is particularly nice to see when you gained’t be visiting one of many Cycladic islands in your journey to Greece.
A lot of the artifacts on show are marble items together with bottles, plates, and requirements. There are some metallic objects as effectively. The items of marble are largely white making them gorgeous of their simplicity.
This museum in Athens is open Μonday – Wednesday – Friday – Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, Thursday from 10:00 to twenty:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. The doorway payment is €7.
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13. Store in The Plaka
The Plaka is a neighborhood situated beneath the Acropolis. A lot of this space has been closed off to visitors, though supply vans nonetheless are allowed by and a few streets are open.
The chain shops and extra upscale retailers are on Ermou Avenue — the place yow will discover retailers like Sephora and H&M.
Then there are vacationer retailers and lower-end retailers, that are additional down previous Monastiraki Sq.. Right here yow will discover souvenirs you would possibly wish to deliver house on your family and friends. Plus, this can be a nice space for people-watching.
14. Watch the Altering of The Guard
This is likely one of the finest issues to do in Athens. To catch this weekly occasion, you should be in Athens on a Sunday. The Altering of the Guard takes place on the Parliament Constructing at Syntagma. It takes place at 11:00am and is free to look at.
Whereas the guards do change hourly, on Sundays at 11:00 there are extra guards than standard, they’re dressed within the conventional Greek uniform and the ceremony is extra advanced.
Sundays are one of the best day to see the altering of the guards in Athens. And whereas they could look slightly uncommon, they’re extremely skilled troopers referred to as the Evezone. This is likely one of the finest free issues to do in Athens.
15. Go to Monastiraki Sq.
Should you sit in Monastiraki Sq. lengthy sufficient, I swear you will notice everybody in Athens stroll by. That is the place to look at vacationers and locals work together.
It is usually a historic website with a Ninth-century church, a Nineteenth-century mosque, and within the subway station are antiques discovered through the constructing of the metro.
This is likely one of the most bustling locations in Athens and chilling out right here is likely one of the finest issues to do.
16. Get Customized Made Greek Sandals
When you are purchasing within the Plaka, make sure to cease at Pantelis Melissions The Poet Sandalmaker for a pair of custom-made Greek sandals. This store has been round since 1920 and has been handed down from era to era.
You may get a basic pair in fundamental leather-based or get a flowery pair with decorations or metallics. The costs vary from €40 to €50.
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17. Eat Loukoumades
Loukoumades is a Greek donut. It’s a small puff pastry that’s soaked in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. I had one with sesame seeds as soon as too. They’re scrumptious.
The perfect place in Athens to get loukoumades is on the aptly named Lukumades. It’s not removed from O Thanasis so after consuming your kebab you’ll be able to have a donut for dessert!
18. Watch the Sundown at Lycabettus Hill
Watching the sundown from Lycabettus Hill is likely one of the finest issues to do in Athens. Not solely is the sundown gorgeous, however you get wonderful views of Athens from right here. You may also see the Acropolis all lit up for the night.
There’s a funicular to take you up and down when you don’t wish to climb the hill. The fee for the funicular is €7.50 return or €5 for a one-way ticket.
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19. Go to the Nationwide Archaeology Museum
The National Archaeology Museum has many artifacts starting from prehistory to late antiquity. The artifacts are from throughout Greece and the world. It additionally has an Egyptian assortment.
The museum is north of the Acropolis. You’ll be able to take the metro to the Victoria station and stroll from there. The doorway payment is €10.
20. Be part of a Strolling Meals Tour (One of many Greatest Issues To Do in Athens for Foodies)
Not all of the excursions in Athens are about historical past. For a enjoyable, informative, and engaging tour, you gained’t wish to miss this experience! It’s one of many highest rated excursions in Athens.
Meet up together with your information and uncover some unimaginable avenue distributors and native markets, all whereas strolling off the meals and studying about Athens and Greece alongside the best way. You’ll eat your method by bakeries, cheese and meat retailers, fish market, espresso retailers, and lots of shops providing world-famous Greek yogurt, natural olive oil, honey and wine.
Included within the tour are many tasty Greek delicacies, so come hungry! Should you’re in search of non-touristy issues to do in Athens, this can be a nice possibility — it’s additionally the most effective worth experiences within the metropolis. Discover out extra and reserve your spot here on Get Your Guide, or here on Viator.
There’s a multitude of strolling excursions to soak up Athens. Since I really like Greek meals, I at all times search for meals excursions with a aspect of strolling. Whether or not you’re excited about wine, historical past, or meals, it’s at all times enjoyable to satisfy up with an area and spend a while collectively whereas studying concerning the metropolis, and the native way of life.
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21. Take a Day Journey to Hydra
You’ll be able to nonetheless go to a Greek island whereas in your journey to Athens!
Hydra is a small island that permits no automobiles. A lot of the issues to do are situated proper within the port together with eating places and purchasing. There’s even a swimming spot a five-minute stroll away.
Hydra is about an hour ferry trip away when you take the quick ferry. The fee is about €80 return. You catch the ferry at Piraeus port. Spend the day in Hydra and be again in Athens for dinner. Search the ferry schedule and newest costs here.
An alternative choice is to hitch a full-day tour that takes you to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina islands aboard a luxurious cruise ship. Click here to study extra.
22. Go to Parliament Constructing
Even when you don’t see the Altering of the Guard, the Parliament constructing is value a go to. It was constructed between 1836 and 1842 and was house to the primary fashionable King of Greece.
It grew to become the Parliament constructing in 1935 after the monarchy was abolished in 1929. I recommend seeing it at night time when it’s superbly lit.
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23. Eat Gyros
You can’t come to Athens and never have a basic gyro. They’re accessible nearly in all places and you may have enjoyable looking for one of the best one. A seek for your favorite gyro is likely one of the finest issues to do in Athens for foodies.
The gyro consists of hen or lamb, french fries, onions, and tomatoes all wrapped up in smooth pita bread. Typically you’ll be able to organize them open-faced on a plate. They’re fairly massive, so when you’ve carried out tons of strolling that is the meal for you.
24. Take a Day Crusing Journey
One among my favourite things to do in Greece is to sail. You’ll be able to be a part of a crusing journey that lasts all day, or take a half-day tour. You’ll be able to even sail to a number of the islands.
Most of those sails are on catamarans making it simpler for the non-sailor to regulate their sea legs. This is likely one of the finest methods to calm down in Greece. Click here for a top-rated crusing journey (on an precise sailboat) that takes you to Agistri, Moni & Aegina.
Or, when you’d favor a catamaran journey in Athens that features meals and drinks, click here for particulars.
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25. Go to the Temple of Poseidon
This gorgeous historical temple sits on the Aegean Sea and was constructed within the Fifth century. An inscription on the temple confirms that it was constructed for Poseidon.
It’s best to attempt to be right here early within the morning or for sundown. You’ll be able to typically see a number of islands on a transparent day from the temple.
Technically this can be a day journey from Athens because it’s 70kms south of the town. There’s a bus from Athens from the Mavromateon Terminal and you can even get it from Syntagma Sq.. Search for the bus going to Sounio. The bus fare one-way is €6.90.
Should you’d moderately join a tour and never have to fret about transportation, try this highly-rated half-day tour to Poseidon.
Extra Actions in Athens
There are greater than 25 prime issues to do in Athens, listed below are a pair extra actions so as to add to your record.
Stroll By the Roman Agora
The Roman Agora is situated proper down the hill from the Acropolis. It was constructed as a market after Athens grew to become a part of the Roman Empire within the 1st century.
After I was there, it was very empty making a pleasant change from the crowds of the Acropolis. It’s a pleasant place to discover. Nonetheless, there’s not a lot signage so you will have to look issues up after you go. The doorway payment is €6.
Discover the Athens Central Market
That is the basic outside market with shouting distributors and all of the smells that come together with it. I found it once I stayed in a resort proper out there. The fruits in Greece look and odor wonderful so even when you don’t purchase something it’s nonetheless an ideal place to go to.
The opposite factor to notice is that many of the distributors don’t converse English, however you’ll be able to level to objects that you simply’re excited about and use signal language (or a translation app).
There’s additionally meat and fish in case you are in self-catering lodging. I beloved this market as a result of it felt like such an authentically Greek expertise. Click here for a enjoyable market tour in Athens.
Donate Your Time: Volunteer in Athens
Should you’re an animal individual, there are just a few volunteer choices so that you can assist out with deserted and stray animals. Take a look at ZEIL, SGS or SCARS the place you’ll be able to help with strolling and caring for canine and cats.
This is probably not one of many extra touristy issues to do in Athens, however if in case you have some further time, or if you need to assist out, it’s undoubtedly one of many extra rewarding actions within the metropolis.
Go to the Panagia Kapnikarea Church
Constructed within the eleventh century, this is likely one of the oldest church buildings in Athens. The attention-grabbing factor about this Greek Orthodox church is that it’s surrounded by fashionable buildings! Yow will discover it here on the map.
Be part of a Cooking Class with Rooftop Dinner
Discover ways to make some conventional Greek meals throughout this fun cooking class. You’ll make (and eat), a starter, primary dish, salad, dessert, and native dips.
Chat with the chef and your new pals whereas eating on tasty meals that you simply ready, and having fun with the view from the rooftop of the Acropolis. Discover out extra about this fun experience in Athens here.
FAQs About Athens
Listed here are solutions to some generally requested questions on visiting the town.
What Ought to I Keep away from in Athens?
In relation to areas of Athens, Omonia, Exarcheia, Vathi, and Kolokotroni Squares have excessive crime charges and needs to be prevented at night time, if not altogether. Be certain that to keep watch over your purse and pockets when visiting Athens in addition to there are pickpockets.
Becoming a member of a strolling tour with an area if you first arrive in Athens is a good way to get a rundown of the town and the do’s and don’ts.
Are you able to Do Athens in 3 Days?
Sure! You’ll be able to undoubtedly go to Athens on a weekend, or in 3 days. You’ll be capable to cowl the entire primary highlights in simply a few days, and on the third day, you’ll be able to be a part of a enjoyable expertise (cooking class, wine tasting), or take a day trip by ferry or bus.
The place to Keep in Athens
You’ll wish to keep central when visiting Athens, and intention to be inside strolling distance of the Acropolis, Plake and Syntagma Sq.. Whether or not you select a resort or residence is as much as you — some folks favor inns with a easy room, whereas others favor flats with a dwelling space and a kitchen.
This apartment has glorious critiques and views of the Acropolis, whereas this apartment is in Plaka and in addition has unimaginable views plus plenty of pure gentle. For inns, the Electra Metropolis is a very talked-about possibility and it contains breakfast, a rooftop bar, and glorious views.
Now You Know What To Do in Athens
As you’ll be able to see there are such a lot of issues to do in Athens. You’ll be able to even make a theme for every day you might be there — exploring all of the meals choices, seeing all of the archaeology websites, and aimlessly exploring and seeing what you’ll be able to uncover!
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Have you ever been to Athens? What was your favourite factor to do whilst you had been there?
Word: Photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
