There are such a lot of thrilling issues to do in Athens, it may be arduous to resolve what to do. Athens is an iconic vacation spot, steeped in historical historical past and crammed 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 listing will show you how to resolve what to do in Athens throughout your time there — regardless of how lengthy your go to is. I’ve been to Athens twice and love the town, that is undoubtedly among the best locations to go to in Greece.
Listed below are the 25 finest issues to do in Athens, Greece.
1. Climb to the Acropolis
Seeing the Fifth-century Acropolis is the preferred factor to do in Athens.
After all, because of this everybody desires 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 way in which to the ocean. The doorway price is €20 ($23.25).
To find out about the entire unimaginable historical past, be part of a personal strolling tour. The tour may even take you to the museum (beneath). There are just a few several types of excursions you’ll be able to take, click on right here to be taught extra a few highly-rated, skip-the-line tour.
2. Go to the Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is among the most lovely museums I’ve ever been to. I liked my expertise right here! It’s crammed with pure gentle, which highlights the artifacts nicely.
Right here you may get an in depth take a look at the Parthenon frieze replicas on show. The cafe balcony additionally gives nice views of Athens. You may be taught extra in regards to the Acropolis on my weblog.
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 price is €5 ($5.80) within the winter and €10 ($10.50) in the summertime.
Line-ups right here might be big, to skip the road, buy your ticket forward of time right here. Alternatively, you should purchase an all-inclusive ticket for each the museum and the Acropolis right here.
3. See Hadrian’s Library
This library is just not a library within the sense we all know it right this moment, it was a spot of examine, not a spot the place books have 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 wonderful signage.
The doorway price is €4 ($4.70). Hadrian’s Library is positioned within the Monastiraki neighborhood not removed from the Acropolis.
4. Go to Edem Seaside
Going to the seaside is among the lesser-known issues to do in Athens as most individuals assume it’s a must to go to the islands to take pleasure in some seaside time. Though it’s not one of many finest seashores in Greece, it’s nonetheless an awesome place to chill out and benefit from the sea.
Take your personal towel and umbrella if you’d like one, as there are none out there there. You may get an awesome meal on the Edem Taverna positioned 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 price 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 embellished inside and out of doors the restaurant. After I was there it was embellished for Halloween.
Little KooK is especially a dessert cafe, however the prime attraction is the decorations. That is most likely probably the most Instagrammable place in Athens in addition to the Acropolis!
6. Take a Road Artwork Tour
Road artwork is straightforward to search out in Athens and ranges from traditional graffiti artwork to fashionable avenue artwork.
Whereas you could find a lot of it by yourself within the Plaka space, this tour exhibits you round 5 cool neighbourhoods which might be lesser recognized to vacationers.
This different tour is very rated and loads of enjoyable. Plus, the time for the tour isn’t strict — if everyone seems to be having a very good time and are desirous 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 on right here to be taught extra about this expertise and to guide.
7. Go Rooftop Bar Hopping (neatest thing to do in Athens at night time)
For the most effective view of the Acropolis at night time, you could have a specialty cocktail, beer, or glass of wine on a rooftop patio! With this enjoyable, native expertise, you’ll go to 3 completely different rooftop bars, whereas having fun with drinks, meals, and nice dialog with new buddies.
All the tables are reserved forward of time, so that you received’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 choice. Discover out extra right here.
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8. Eat The Greatest Yogurtlu and Souvlaki
O Thanasis is among the hottest locations to eat in Plaka. It’s so standard that even Greeks eat right here. The very best factor to eat is the Yogurtlu, which is a beef kebab coated in yogurt on a mattress of pita bread.
The Yogurtlu is massive 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 among the best on the town.
(Editor’s Observe: a Greek reader has suggested us that Agrafa restaurant has the most effective souvlaki in Athens. Perhaps attempt them each?!…)
9. Go to the Benaki Museum
Visiting the Benaki Museum is among 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 gives rooms from homes, massive sculptures, and smaller objects like swords and historic paperwork.
The museum is a brief stroll from Syntagma Sq.. It’s positioned in a fantastic Neo-classic constructing and you may take pleasure in a espresso and the view from the cafe. Skip-the-line tickets to the museum might be bought forward of time, right here.
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10. Smash Issues at Limba Rage Room
Feeling a little bit stressed? Have to get some rage out? Limba Rage Room is the place to just do that.
You buy a package deal (which may embrace plates, bottles, a tube TV and glasses), and also you smash them! It’s an awesome stress reliever and one of the vital 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 positioned simply down the road from Little KooK.
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11. Drink a Greek Espresso
Sampling a freddo cappuccino is among the must-do issues in Athens. This is only one of three traditional Greek coffees, there’s additionally a frappe and a freddo espresso.
The frappe is just not like a Starbucks frappe however as an alternative is made with immediate 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.
Espresso tradition 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 might 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, make certain to ask somebody to indicate you tips on how to learn your fortune…or higher but, meet up with a neighborhood fortune teller for espresso and studying. Discover out extra right here.
12. Go to the Museum of Cycladic Artwork
The Museum of Cycladic Artwork is dwelling to one of the vital full non-public collections of Cycladic Artwork. That is particularly nice to see when you received’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 steel objects as nicely. The items of marble are principally 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 price is €7.
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13. Store in The Plaka
The Plaka is a neighborhood positioned beneath the Acropolis. A lot of this space has been closed off to site visitors, though supply vehicles nonetheless are allowed by way of and a few streets are open.
The chain shops and extra upscale retailers are on Ermou Road — the place you could find retailers like Sephora and H&M.
Then there are vacationer retailers and lower-end retailers, that are additional down previous Monastiraki Sq.. Right here you could find souvenirs you may wish to convey dwelling to your family and friends. Plus, this can be a nice space for people-watching.
14. Watch the Altering of The Guard
This is among 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 observe.
Whereas the guards do change hourly, on Sundays at 11:00 there are extra guards than normal, they’re dressed within the conventional Greek uniform and the ceremony is extra advanced.
Sundays are the most effective day to see the altering of the guards in Athens. And whereas they might look a little bit uncommon, they’re extremely educated troopers known as the Evezone. This is among 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 observe vacationers and locals work together.
It’s also a historic website with a Ninth-century church, a Nineteenth-century mosque, and within the subway station are antiques discovered throughout the constructing of the metro.
This is among the most bustling locations in Athens and chilling out right here is among the finest issues to do.
16. Get Customized Made Greek Sandals
If you are buying within the Plaka, you should definitely 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 traditional 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 very best 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 among 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 Nationwide 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 may take the metro to the Victoria station and stroll from there. The doorway price is €10.
20. Be part of a Strolling Meals Tour (among the best issues to do in Athens for foodies)
Not all of the excursions in Athens are about historical past. For a enjoyable, informative, and attractive tour, you received’t wish to miss this expertise! 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 way in which. You’ll eat your approach by way of bakeries, cheese and meat retailers, fish market, espresso retailers, and plenty 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 choice — it’s additionally among the best worth experiences within the metropolis. Discover out extra and reserve your spot right here on Get Your Information, or right 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 facet of strolling. Whether or not you’re taken with wine, historical past, or meals, it’s at all times enjoyable to satisfy up with a neighborhood and spend a while collectively whereas studying in regards to the metropolis, and the native way of life.
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21. Take a Day Journey to Hydra
You may nonetheless go to a Greek island whereas in your journey to Athens!
Hydra is a small island that permits no vehicles. A lot of the issues to do are positioned proper within the port together with eating places and buying. 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 right here.
Another choice is to hitch a full-day tour that takes you to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina islands aboard a luxurious cruise ship. Click on right here to be taught 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 dwelling to the primary fashionable King of Greece.
It turned the Parliament constructing in 1935 after the monarchy was abolished in 1929. I counsel seeing it at night time when it’s fantastically lit.
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23. Eat Gyros
You can not come to Athens and never have a traditional gyro. They’re out there virtually in all places and you may have enjoyable looking for the most effective one. A seek for your favorite gyro is among 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. Generally you’ll be able to get them organized open-faced on a plate. They’re fairly massive, so when you’ve completed tons of strolling that is the meal for you.
24. Take a Day Crusing Journey
One in all my favourite issues to do in Greece is to sail. You may be part of a crusing journey that lasts all day, or take a half-day tour. You may 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 among the finest methods to chill out in Greece. Click on right 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 on right 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 may 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 too get it from Syntagma Sq.. Search for the bus going to Sounio. The bus fare one-way is €6.90.
Should you’d moderately be part of a tour and never have to fret about transportation, take a look at 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 listing.
Stroll By way of the Roman Agora
The Roman Agora is positioned proper down the hill from the Acropolis. It was constructed as a market after Athens turned 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. Nevertheless, there’s not a lot signage so you’ll have to look issues up after you go. The doorway price is €6.
Discover the Athens Central Market
That is the traditional out of doors market with shouting distributors and all of the smells that come together with it. I found it once I stayed in a resort proper available in the market. The fruits in Greece look and odor wonderful so even when you don’t purchase something it’s nonetheless an awesome 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 taken with and use signal language (or a translation app).
There’s additionally meat and fish if you’re in self-catering lodging. I liked this market as a result of it felt like such an authentically Greek expertise. Click on right 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 might not be one of many extra touristy issues to do in Athens, however in case you have some further time, or if you want 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 among the oldest church buildings in Athens. The attention-grabbing factor about this Greek Orthodox church is that it’s surrounded by fashionable buildings! You’ll find it right here on the map.
Be part of a Cooking Class with Rooftop Dinner
Learn to make some conventional Greek meals throughout this enjoyable cooking class. You’ll make (and eat), a starter, fundamental dish, salad, dessert, and native dips.
Chat with the chef and your new buddies 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 enjoyable expertise in Athens right here.
FAQs About Athens
Listed below are solutions to some generally requested questions on visiting the town.
What Ought to I Keep away from in Athens?
On the subject of areas of Athens, Omonia, Exarcheia, Vathi, and Kolokotroni Squares have excessive crime charges and must be averted 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 a neighborhood while 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 may undoubtedly go to Athens on a weekend, or in 3 days. You’ll be capable to cowl the entire fundamental highlights in simply a few days, and on the third day, you’ll be able to be part of a enjoyable expertise (cooking class, wine tasting), or take a day journey 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 condominium is as much as you — some folks favor motels with a easy room, whereas others favor residences with a dwelling space and a kitchen.
This condominium has wonderful opinions and views of the Acropolis, whereas this condominium is in Plaka and likewise has unimaginable views plus numerous pure gentle. For motels, the Electra Metropolis is a very talked-about choice and it contains breakfast, a rooftop bar, and wonderful 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 may even make a theme for every day you’re 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 have been there?
Observe: Pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
