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 historic 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 listing will make it easier 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 positively 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 most well-liked factor to do in Athens.
After all, because of this everybody needs 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 may see all the way in which to the ocean. The doorway payment is €20 ($23.25).
To find out about the entire unimaginable historical past, be part of a personal strolling tour. The tour can even take you to the museum (beneath). There are a couple of various kinds of excursions you possibly can take, click on right here to study extra a few highly-rated, skip-the-line tour.
2. Go to the Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is without doubt 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 properly.
Right here you will get an in depth take a look at the Parthenon frieze replicas on show. The cafe balcony additionally affords nice views of Athens. You’ll be able to study extra in regards to the Acropolis on my weblog.
Both earlier than or after you go to the Acropolis, you will need 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 will be large, to skip the road, buy your ticket forward of time right here. Alternatively, you should buy an all-inclusive ticket for each the museum and the Acropolis right here.
3. See Hadrian’s Library
This library isn’t a library within the sense we all know it right this moment, 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 possibly can clearly see the structure of the library and there’s glorious signage.
The doorway payment is €4 ($4.70). Hadrian’s Library is positioned within the Monastiraki neighborhood not removed from the Acropolis.
4. Go to Edem Seashore
Going to the seaside is without doubt one of the lesser-known issues to do in Athens as most individuals suppose it’s important 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 calm down and benefit from the sea.
Take your personal towel and umbrella if you need one, as there are none accessible there. You will get an awesome meal on the Edem Taverna positioned on the seaside.
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 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 outdoors the restaurant. After I was there it was embellished for Halloween.
Little KooK is especially a dessert cafe, however the high attraction is the decorations. That is in all probability essentially 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 trendy road artwork.
Whereas you could find a lot of it by yourself within the Plaka space, this tour reveals you round 5 cool neighbourhoods which can be lesser recognized to vacationers.
This different tour is extremely rated and plenty of enjoyable. Plus, the time for the tour isn’t strict — if everyone seems to be having a great time and are desperate to proceed, you possibly can maintain exploring extra road artwork and discovering hidden gems.
Have your digicam or cellphone able to take images. Click on right here to study extra about this expertise and to e-book.
7. Go Rooftop Bar Hopping (smartest thing to do in Athens at evening)Â
For the most effective view of the Acropolis at evening, you will need 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 associates.
The entire tables are reserved forward of time, so that you received’t have to attend in line in any respect. In case you’re searching for cool issues to do in Athens at evening, this can be a good possibility. Discover out extra right here.
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8. Eat The Finest Yogurtlu and SouvlakiÂ
O Thanasis is without doubt one of the hottest locations to eat in Plaka. It’s so widespread that even Greeks eat right here. The perfect factor to eat is the Yogurtlu, which is a beef kebab lined 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 be probably the greatest on the town.
(Editor’s Notice: a Greek reader has suggested us that Agrafa restaurant has the most effective souvlaki in Athens. Perhaps strive them each?!…)
9. Go to the Benaki Museum
Visiting the Benaki Museum is without doubt 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 affords 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 gorgeous Neo-classic constructing and you may take pleasure in a espresso and the view from the cafe. Skip-the-line tickets to the museum will be bought forward of time, right here.
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10. Smash Issues at Limba Rage Room
Feeling a bit wired? Have to get some rage out? Limba Rage Room is the place to do exactly that.
You buy a package deal (which might 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 number of packages for each finances. 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 without doubt one of 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 isn’t 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 scorching day in Athens.
Espresso tradition in Greece is a really large deal. Not solely do locals drink espresso (scorching or chilly) quite a few instances all through the day, however as legend would have it, your fortune will 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, make sure that to ask somebody to indicate you how one can learn your fortune…or higher but, meet up with an area 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 house to one of the vital 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.
A lot of the artifacts on show are marble items together with bottles, plates, and requirements. There are some metallic objects as properly. 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 payment 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 visitors, though supply vans nonetheless are allowed by and a few streets are open.
The chain shops and extra upscale outlets are on Ermou Road — the place you could find outlets like Sephora and H&M.
Then there are vacationer outlets and lower-end outlets, that are additional down previous Monastiraki Sq.. Right here you could find souvenirs you may need to convey house to your family and friends. Plus, this can be a nice space for people-watching.
14. Watch the Altering of The Guard
This is without doubt 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 observe.
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 complicated.
Sundays are the most effective day to see the altering of the guards in Athens. And whereas they might look a bit uncommon, they’re extremely skilled troopers referred to as the Evezone. This is without doubt 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 note everybody in Athens stroll by. That is the place to observe 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 in the course of the constructing of the metro.
This is without doubt one of the most bustling locations in Athens and chilling out right here is without doubt one of the finest issues to do.
16. Get Customized Made Greek Sandals
While you’re buying 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 will get a traditional pair in primary 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.
The perfect 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 without doubt 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 as well see the Acropolis all lit up for the night.
There’s a funicular to take you up and down for those who don’t need 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’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 (probably the 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 need to miss this expertise! It’s one of many highest rated excursions in Athens.
Meet up together 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 approach by bakeries, cheese and meat outlets, fish market, espresso outlets, 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 searching for non-touristy issues to do in Athens, this can be 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 soak up Athens. Since I like Greek meals, I all the time search for meals excursions with a facet of strolling. Whether or not you’re all for wine, historical past, or meals, it’s all the time enjoyable to fulfill up with an area and spend a while collectively whereas studying in regards to the metropolis, and the native life-style.
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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 enables 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 journey away for those who 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.
An alternative choice is to affix a full-day tour that takes you to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina islands aboard a luxurious cruise ship. Click on right 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 house 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 fantastically lit.
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23. Eat Gyros
You can not come to Athens and never have a traditional gyro. They’re accessible nearly in every single place and you may have enjoyable looking for the most effective one. A seek for your favorite gyro is without doubt 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 comfortable pita bread. Generally you possibly can organize them open-faced on a plate. They’re fairly large, so for those who’ve executed tons of strolling that is the meal for you.
24. Take a Day Crusing Journey
Considered one of my favourite issues to do in Greece is to sail. You’ll be able to be part of a crusing journey that lasts all day, or take a half-day tour. You’ll be able to even sail to a few of the islands.
Most of those sails are on catamarans making it simpler for the non-sailor to regulate their sea legs. This is without doubt 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, for those who’d choose 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 PoseidonÂ
This gorgeous historic 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 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.
In case 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 high issues to do in Athens, listed here 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. Nonetheless, there’s not a lot signage so you could have to look issues up after you go. The doorway payment 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 after I stayed in a resort proper out there. The fruits in Greece look and scent wonderful so even for those who don’t purchase something it’s nonetheless an awesome place to go to.
The opposite factor to notice is that a lot of the distributors don’t converse English, however you possibly can level to objects that you just’re all for 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 particular person, there are a couple 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 is probably not one of many extra touristy issues to do in Athens, however in case you have some additional time, or if you need to assist out, it’s positively one of many extra rewarding actions within the metropolis.
Go to the Panagia Kapnikarea Church
Constructed within the eleventh century, this is without doubt one of the oldest church buildings in Athens. The attention-grabbing factor about this Greek Orthodox church is that it’s surrounded by trendy buildings! You will discover 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, primary dish, salad, dessert, and native dips.
Chat with the chef and your new associates whereas eating on tasty meals that you just 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?
In terms of areas of Athens, Omonia, Exarcheia, Vathi, and Kolokotroni Squares have excessive crime charges and needs to be prevented at evening, if not altogether. Be certain to control your purse and pockets when visiting Athens in addition to there are pickpockets.Â
Becoming a member of a strolling tour with an area once you first arrive in Athens is an effective way to get a rundown of the town and the do’s and don’ts.Â
Are you able to Do Athens in 3 Days?
Sure! You’ll be able to positively 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 possibly can 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 need to keep central when visiting Athens, and goal 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 individuals choose resorts with a easy room, whereas others choose flats with a residing space and a kitchen.
This residence has glorious opinions and views of the Acropolis, whereas this residence is in Plaka and likewise has unimaginable views plus plenty of pure mild. For resorts, the Electra Metropolis is a extremely popular possibility and it consists of breakfast, a rooftop bar, and glorious 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 when you had been there?
Notice: Photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
