There are such a lot of thrilling issues to do in Athens, it may be exhausting 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 checklist will show you how to 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 probably the greatest locations to go to 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 preferred factor to do in Athens.
In fact, because of this 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 may see all the best way to the ocean. The doorway charge is €20 ($23.25).
To find out about all the unbelievable historical past, be part of a non-public strolling tour. The tour will even take you to the museum (beneath). There are a number of 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 likely one of the most lovely museums I’ve ever been to. I cherished my expertise right here! It’s stuffed with pure mild, which highlights the artifacts effectively.
Right here you will get an in depth have a look at the Parthenon frieze replicas on show. The cafe balcony additionally gives nice views of Athens. You possibly can be taught extra concerning the Acropolis on my weblog.
Both earlier than or after you go to the Acropolis, it’s essential to go to the Acropolis Museum. It’s not removed from the doorway of the Acropolis and the doorway charge is €5 ($5.80) within the winter and €10 ($10.50) in the summertime.
Line-ups right here could 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 will not be a library within the sense we all know it at present, it was a spot of examine, 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 structure of the library and there may be wonderful signage.
The doorway charge 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 seashore is likely one of the lesser-known issues to do in Athens as most individuals suppose you need to go to the islands to get pleasure from some seashore time. Though it’s not one of many finest seashores in Greece, it’s nonetheless an amazing place to calm down and benefit from the sea.
Take your personal towel and umbrella if you need one, as there are none out there there. You may get an amazing meal on the Edem Taverna situated on the seashore.
To get to Edem Seashore, take the Inexperienced Line tram at Syntagma Sq. and take it within the route of Askllipiio Voulas, and get off on the Edem cease. The 24-hour tram ticket is €4.50 and there’s no charge for the seashore.
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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 outdoors the restaurant. After I was there it was embellished for Halloween.
Little KooK is principally a dessert cafe, however the high attraction is the decorations. That is most likely probably the most Instagrammable place in Athens moreover the Acropolis!
6. Take a Avenue Artwork Tour
Avenue artwork is simple to seek out in Athens and ranges from basic graffiti artwork to fashionable road artwork.
Whereas you’ll find a lot of it by yourself within the Plaka space, this tour exhibits you round 5 cool neighbourhoods which can be lesser identified to vacationers.
This various tour is extremely rated and a variety 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 maintain exploring extra road artwork and discovering hidden gems.
Have your digicam or cellphone able to take pictures. Click on right here to be taught extra about this expertise and to guide.
7. Go Rooftop Bar Hopping (Greatest Factor To Do in Athens at Night time)
For one of the best view of the Acropolis at evening, it’s essential to have a specialty cocktail, beer, or glass of wine on a rooftop patio! With this enjoyable, native expertise, you’ll go to 3 totally different rooftop bars, whereas having fun with drinks, meals, and nice dialog with new mates.
All the tables are reserved forward of time, so that you received’t have to attend in line in any respect. In case you’re on the lookout for cool issues to do in Athens at evening, it is a good possibility. Discover out extra right 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. One of the 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 individuals at O Thanasis are pleasant and never pushy. The souvlaki can also be probably the greatest on the town.
(Editor’s Be aware: a Greek reader has suggested us that Agrafa restaurant has one of the best souvlaki in Athens. Perhaps strive 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 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 situated in an attractive Neo-classic constructing and you may get pleasure from a espresso and the view from the cafe. Skip-the-line tickets to the museum could be bought forward of time, right here.
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10. Smash Issues at Limba Rage Room
Feeling slightly stressed? Have to get some rage out? Limba Rage Room is the place to just do that.
You buy a bundle (which may embody plates, bottles, a tube TV and glasses), and also you smash them! It’s an amazing stress reliever and one of the crucial 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 will not be like a Starbucks frappe however as a substitute is made with instantaneous espresso, water, and sugar (if you happen to 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 could be informed by studying the dregs of espresso left on the backside of your cup.
The subsequent time you’ve completed ingesting your espresso in Athens, ensure that to ask somebody to point out you methods 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 crucial full non-public collections of Cycladic Artwork. That is particularly nice to see if you happen to 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 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 charge 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 site 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 you’ll 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’ll find souvenirs you would possibly wish to deliver dwelling in 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 have to 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 complicated.
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 educated troopers known as the Evezone. This is likely one of the finest free issues to do in Athens.
15. Go to Monastiraki Sq.
In case 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.
Additionally it is a historic web site 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 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, you’ll want 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 technology to technology.
You may get a basic pair in fundamental leather-based or get a elaborate 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.
One of the 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 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 even see the Acropolis all lit up for the night.
There’s a funicular to take you up and down if you happen to 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 possibly can take the metro to the Victoria station and stroll from there. The doorway charge is €10.
20. Be a 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 received’t wish to miss this expertise! It’s one of many highest rated excursions in Athens.
Meet up along with your information and uncover some unbelievable road distributors and native markets, all whereas strolling off the meals and studying about Athens and Greece alongside the best way. You’ll eat your approach 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! In case you’re on the lookout for non-touristy issues to do in Athens, it is a nice possibility — it’s additionally probably the greatest 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 absorb Athens. Since I like Greek meals, I all the time search for meals excursions with a facet of strolling. Whether or not you’re fascinated by wine, historical past, or meals, it’s all the time enjoyable to satisfy up with a neighborhood and spend a while collectively whereas studying concerning the metropolis, and the native life-style.
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21. Take a Day Journey to Hydra
You possibly can nonetheless go to a Greek island whereas in your journey to Athens!
Hydra is a small island that enables no vehicles. A lot of the issues to do are situated proper within the port together with eating places and purchasing. There may be even a swimming spot a five-minute stroll away.
Hydra is about an hour ferry journey away if you happen to 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 if you happen to 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 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 out there nearly in every single place 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 rooster or lamb, french fries, onions, and tomatoes all wrapped up in delicate pita bread. Generally you’ll be able to get them organized open-faced on a plate. They’re fairly massive, so if you happen to’ve accomplished 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 possibly can be part of a crusing journey that lasts all day, or take a half-day tour. You possibly can 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 on right here for a top-rated crusing journey (on an precise sailboat) that takes you to Agistri, Moni & Aegina.
Or, if you happen to’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.
You need to attempt to be right here early within the morning or for sundown. You possibly can typically 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 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.
In case you’d moderately be part of 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 high issues to do in Athens, listed below are a pair extra actions so as to add to your checklist.
Stroll Via 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.
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 may be not a lot signage so you’ll have to look issues up after you go. The doorway charge is €6.
Discover the Athens Central Market
That is the basic 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 superb so even if you happen to don’t purchase something it’s nonetheless an amazing place to go to.
The opposite factor to notice is that a lot of the distributors don’t converse English, however you’ll be able to level to objects that you simply’re fascinated by and use signal language (or a translation app).
There’s additionally meat and fish in case you are in self-catering lodging. I cherished 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
In case you’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’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 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 attention-grabbing factor about this Greek Orthodox church is that it’s surrounded by fashionable buildings! Yow will discover it right here on the map.
Be a 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, predominant dish, salad, dessert, and native dips.
Chat with the chef and your new mates 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 here are solutions to some generally requested questions on visiting the 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 must be averted at evening, if not altogether. Make certain to control 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 the town and the do’s and don’ts.
Are you able to Do Athens in 3 Days?
Sure! You possibly can undoubtedly go to Athens on a weekend, or in 3 days. You’ll be capable to cowl all the predominant 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 individuals favor inns with a easy room, whereas others favor residences with a residing space and a kitchen.
This condominium has wonderful opinions and views of the Acropolis, whereas this condominium is in Plaka and likewise has unbelievable views plus plenty of pure mild. For inns, the Electra Metropolis is a very talked-about possibility and it consists of 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 possibly can 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?
Be aware: Pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
