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 record will assist you 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 town, that is undoubtedly top-of-the-line places to visit 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 most well-liked factor to do in Athens.
In fact, which means everybody desires to go there, together with guests from cruise ships. My recommendation is to get there early. The positioning 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 possibly can see a lot of Athens and might see all the way in which to the ocean. The doorway payment is €20 ($23.25).
To find out about all the unimaginable historical past, be a part of a personal strolling tour. The tour will even take you to the museum (beneath). There are a number of several types of excursions you possibly can 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 liked my expertise right here! It’s crammed with pure mild, which highlights the artifacts nicely.
Right here you will get a detailed have 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 in regards to the Acropolis on my blog.
Both earlier than or after you go to the Acropolis, you have to 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 may be enormous, to skip the road, buy your ticket forward of time here. Alternatively, you should purchase an all-inclusive ticket for each the museum and the Acropolis here.
3. See Hadrian’s Library
This library is just not a library within the sense we all know it at present, 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 possibly can clearly see the structure of the library and there may be wonderful 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 Seashore
Going to the seaside is likely one of the lesser-known issues to do in Athens as most individuals assume you need to go to the islands to take pleasure in some seaside time. Though it’s not one of many best beaches in Greece, it’s nonetheless an incredible place to chill out and benefit from the sea.
Take your individual towel and umbrella if you need one, as there are none accessible there. You may get an incredible meal on the Edem Taverna situated on the seaside.
To get to Edem Seashore, 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 embellished inside and out of doors the restaurant. Once 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 Avenue Artwork Tour
Avenue artwork is simple to seek out in Athens and ranges from basic graffiti artwork to trendy road artwork.
Whereas yow will discover a lot of it by yourself within the Plaka space, this tour reveals you round 5 cool neighbourhoods which can be lesser identified to vacationers.
This alternative tour is extremely rated and numerous enjoyable. Plus, the time for the tour isn’t strict — if everyone seems to be having time and are desperate to proceed, you possibly can hold exploring extra road artwork and discovering hidden gems.
Have your digicam or telephone able to take photographs. Click here to learn more about this expertise and to e book.
7. Go Rooftop Bar Hopping (Greatest Factor To Do in Athens at Evening)
For the most effective view of the Acropolis at evening, you have to 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 buddies.
The entire tables are reserved forward of time, so that you received’t have to attend in line in any respect. For those who’re on the lookout for cool issues to do in Athens at evening, it is a good choice. 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 well-liked that even Greeks eat right here. The most effective factor to eat is the Yogurtlu, which is a beef kebab lined 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 top-of-the-line on the town.
(Editor’s Notice: a Greek reader has suggested us that Agrafa restaurant has the most effective souvlaki in Athens. Possibly 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 gadgets like swords and historic paperwork.
The museum is a brief stroll from Syntagma Sq.. It’s situated in a wonderful Neo-classic constructing and you may take pleasure in a espresso and the view from the cafe. Skip-the-line tickets to the museum may 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 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 incredible stress reliever and one 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 may be additionally a frappe and a freddo espresso.
The frappe is just not like a Starbucks frappe however as a substitute is made with on the spot espresso, water, and sugar (for those who 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 large 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 may be informed by studying the dregs of espresso left on the backside of your cup.
The following time you’ve completed ingesting your espresso in Athens, ensure to ask somebody to point out you how you can learn your fortune…or higher but, meet up with a neighborhood fortune teller for espresso and studying. Find out more here.
12. Go to the Museum of Cycladic Artwork
The Museum of Cycladic Art is dwelling to one of the full personal collections of Cycladic Artwork. That is particularly nice to see for those who received’t be visiting one of many Cycladic islands in your journey to Greece.
Many 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 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 vehicles nonetheless are allowed by way of and a few streets are open.
The chain shops and extra upscale outlets are on Ermou Avenue — the place yow will discover outlets like Sephora and H&M.
Then there are vacationer outlets and lower-end outlets, that are additional down previous Monastiraki Sq.. Right here yow will discover souvenirs you would possibly wish to deliver dwelling on your family and friends. Plus, it is 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 traditional, they’re dressed within the conventional Greek uniform and the ceremony is extra complicated.
Sundays are the most effective day to see the altering of the guards in Athens. And whereas they could look slightly uncommon, they’re extremely skilled troopers known as the Evezone. This is likely one of the finest free issues to do in Athens.
15. Go to Monastiraki Sq.
For those who sit in Monastiraki Sq. lengthy sufficient, I swear you will note everybody in Athens stroll by. That is the place to look at vacationers and locals work together.
It’s also a historic web site 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
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 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 most effective place in Athens to get loukoumades is on the aptly named Lukumades. It isn’t removed from O Thanasis so after consuming your kebab you possibly can 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 superb views of Athens from right here. You can too see the Acropolis all lit up for the night.
There’s a funicular to take you up and down for those who don’t wish to climb the hill. The price 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 attractive tour, you received’t wish to miss this experience! It’s one of many highest rated excursions in Athens.
Meet up along with your information and uncover some unimaginable road 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 manner by way of bakeries, cheese and meat outlets, fish market, espresso outlets, 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! For those who’re on the lookout for non-touristy issues to do in Athens, it is a nice choice — it’s additionally top-of-the-line 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 absorb Athens. Since I really like Greek meals, I all the time search for meals excursions with a aspect of strolling. Whether or not you’re fascinated about wine, historical past, or meals, it’s all the time enjoyable to fulfill 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’ll be able to nonetheless go to a Greek island whereas in your journey to Athens!
Hydra is a small island that permits no vehicles. Many of the issues to do are situated proper within the port together with eating places and buying. There may be even a swimming spot a five-minute stroll away.
Hydra is about an hour ferry journey away for those who take the quick ferry. The price 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 for those who 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 trendy King of Greece.
It turned the Parliament constructing in 1935 after the monarchy was abolished in 1929. I recommend seeing it at evening 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 the most effective 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 mushy pita bread. Typically you possibly can organize them open-faced on a plate. They’re fairly large, so for those who’ve performed tons of strolling that is the meal for you.
24. Take a Day Crusing Journey
One in every of 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 chill out in Greece. Click here for a top-rated crusing journey (on an precise sailboat) that takes you to Agistri, Moni & Aegina.
Or, for those who’d choose 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.
You need to attempt to be right here early within the morning or for sundown. You’ll be able to generally see a number of islands on a transparent day from the temple.
Technically it is a day journey from Athens because it’s 70kms south of 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.
For those who’d relatively 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 here are a pair extra actions so as to add to your record.
Stroll By means of the Roman Agora
The Roman Agora is situated 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.
Once 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 may be 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 lodge proper available in the market. The fruits in Greece look and odor superb so even for those who don’t purchase something it’s nonetheless an incredible place to go to.
The opposite factor to notice is that many of the distributors don’t converse English, however you possibly can level to gadgets that you simply’re fascinated about 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 here for a enjoyable market tour in Athens.
Donate Your Time: Volunteer in Athens
For those who’re an animal individual, there are a number of volunteer choices so that you can assist out with deserted and stray animals. Take a look at ZEIL, SGS or SCARS the place you possibly can help with strolling and caring for canine and cats.
This will not be one of many extra touristy issues to do in Athens, however if in case you have some additional 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 likely one of the oldest church buildings in Athens. The fascinating factor about this Greek Orthodox church is that it’s surrounded by trendy buildings! Yow will discover it here on the map.
Be part of a Cooking Class with Rooftop Dinner
Learn to make some conventional Greek meals throughout this fun cooking class. You’ll make (and eat), a starter, major 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 fun experience in Athens here.
FAQs About Athens
Listed below are solutions to some generally requested questions on visiting town.
What Ought to I Keep away from in Athens?
With regards to areas of Athens, Omonia, Exarcheia, Vathi, and Kolokotroni Squares have excessive crime charges and ought to be prevented at evening, if not altogether. Be sure that to regulate your purse and pockets when visiting Athens in addition to there are pickpockets.
Becoming a member of a strolling tour with a neighborhood whenever you first arrive in Athens is an effective way to get a rundown of 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 have the ability to cowl all the major highlights in simply a few days, and on the third day, you possibly can 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 lodge or condominium is as much as you — some folks choose resorts with a easy room, whereas others choose flats with a dwelling space and a kitchen.
This apartment has wonderful opinions and views of the Acropolis, whereas this apartment is in Plaka and likewise has unimaginable views plus numerous pure mild. For resorts, the Electra Metropolis is a highly regarded choice and it contains breakfast, a rooftop bar, and wonderful views.
Now You Know What To Do in Athens
As you possibly can 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 possibly can uncover!
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Have you ever been to Athens? What was your favourite factor to do whilst you have been there?
Notice: Photographs on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
