There are such a lot of thrilling issues to do in Athens, it may be onerous to resolve what to do. Athens is an iconic vacation spot, steeped in historic 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 checklist will enable you to resolve 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 top-of-the-line locations to go to in Greece.
Listed below are the 25 greatest 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 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 possibly can see a lot of Athens and might see all the best way to the ocean. The doorway charge is €20 ($23.25).
To find out about the entire unbelievable historical past, be part of a personal strolling tour. The tour will even take you to the museum (beneath). There are a number of various kinds of excursions you possibly can take, click on right here to study extra a couple of 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 beloved my expertise right here! It’s crammed with pure gentle, which highlights the artifacts properly.
Right here you will get an in depth 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 weblog.
Both earlier than or after you go to the Acropolis, you need 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 buy an all-inclusive ticket for each the museum and the Acropolis right here.
3. See Hadrian’s Library
This library shouldn’t be 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’s wonderful signage.
The doorway charge 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 seashore is without doubt 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 seashore time. Though it’s not one of many greatest seashores in Greece, it’s nonetheless an incredible place to chill out and benefit from the sea.
Take your personal towel and umbrella if you’d like one, as there are none obtainable there. You will get an incredible meal on the Edem Taverna positioned on the seashore.
To get to Edem Seaside, 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 adorned inside and out of doors 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 essentially 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 fashionable road artwork.
Whereas you’ll find a lot of it by yourself within the Plaka space, this tour reveals you round 5 cool neighbourhoods which might be lesser recognized to vacationers.
This various tour is extremely rated and lots of enjoyable. Plus, the time for the tour isn’t strict — if everyone seems to be having a superb time and are wanting to proceed, you possibly can maintain exploring extra road artwork and discovering hidden gems.
Have your digicam or cellphone able to take photographs. Click on right here to study extra about this expertise and to ebook.
7. Go Rooftop Bar Hopping (smartest thing to do in Athens at night time)
For the very best view of the Acropolis at night time, you 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 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 gained’t have to attend in line in any respect. In the event you’re in search of cool issues to do in Athens at night time, it is a good choice. Discover out extra right here.
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8. Eat The Finest Yogurtlu and Souvlaki
O Thanasis is without doubt one of the hottest locations to eat in Plaka. It’s so fashionable that even Greeks eat right here. The very best 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 individuals at O Thanasis are pleasant and never pushy. The souvlaki can be top-of-the-line on the town.
(Editor’s Observe: a Greek reader has suggested us that Agrafa restaurant has the very best souvlaki in Athens. Possibly attempt them each?!…)
9. Go to the Benaki Museum
Visiting the Benaki Museum is without doubt one of the greatest 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 positioned in a stupendous Neo-classic constructing and you’ll 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 a bit stressed? Have to get some rage out? Limba Rage Room is the place to do exactly that.
You buy a package deal (which might embody plates, bottles, a tube TV and glasses), and also you smash them! It’s an incredible 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 provide 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 basic Greek coffees, there’s additionally a frappe and a freddo espresso.
The frappe shouldn’t be like a Starbucks frappe however as an alternative 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 severe 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 huge 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 could be informed by studying the dregs of espresso left on the backside of your cup.
The subsequent time you’ve completed consuming your espresso in Athens, make certain to ask somebody to indicate you the way 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 residence to one of the vital 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 steel objects as properly. 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 positioned 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 residence in your family and friends. Plus, it is a nice space for people-watching.
14. Watch the Altering of The Guard
This is without doubt one of the greatest 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 traditional, they’re dressed within the conventional Greek uniform and the ceremony is extra advanced.
Sundays are the very best 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 greatest free issues to do in Athens.
15. Go to Monastiraki Sq.
In the event 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 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 greatest issues to do.
16. Get Customized Made Greek Sandals
If you are procuring 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 technology to technology.
You will get a basic pair in primary 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 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 greatest issues to do in Athens. Not solely is the sundown gorgeous, however you get wonderful views of Athens from right here. You too can 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 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 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 charge is €10.
20. Be a part of a Strolling Meals Tour (top-of-the-line 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 gained’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 manner 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 the event you’re in search of 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 right here on Get Your Information, or right 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 enables no vehicles. A lot of the issues to do are positioned proper within the port together with eating places and procuring. There’s even a swimming spot a five-minute stroll away.
Hydra is about an hour ferry journey away when you 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 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 study extra.
22. Go to Parliament Constructing
Even when you don’t see the Altering of the Guard, the Parliament constructing is price a go to. It was constructed between 1836 and 1842 and was residence 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 basic gyro. They’re obtainable nearly all over the place and you’ll have enjoyable looking for the very best one. A seek for your favorite gyro is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Athens for foodies.
The gyro consists of rooster or lamb, french fries, onions, and tomatoes all wrapped up in smooth pita bread. Generally you possibly can organize them open-faced on a plate. They’re fairly huge, so when you’ve executed tons of strolling that is the meal for you.
24. Take a Day Crusing Journey
Certainly 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 among 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 greatest 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 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 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 too can get it from Syntagma Sq.. Search for the bus going to Sounio. The bus fare one-way is €6.90.
In the event you’d fairly 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 checklist.
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 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 after 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 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 objects that you just’re fascinated 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 on right here for a enjoyable market tour in Athens.
Donate Your Time: Volunteer in Athens
In the event you’re an animal particular person, 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 when you’ve got 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 without doubt one of the oldest church buildings in Athens. The fascinating factor about this Greek Orthodox church is that it’s surrounded by fashionable buildings! You could find 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, foremost dish, salad, dessert, and native dips.
Chat with the chef and your new buddies 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 below are solutions to some generally requested questions on visiting the town.
What Ought to I Keep away from in Athens?
In the case of areas of Athens, Omonia, Exarcheia, Vathi, and Kolokotroni Squares have excessive crime charges and needs to be averted at night time, if not altogether. Be sure 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 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’ll be able to undoubtedly go to Athens on a weekend, or in 3 days. You’ll be capable of cowl the entire foremost 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 wish 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 favor lodges with a easy room, whereas others favor flats with a residing space and a kitchen.
This residence has wonderful evaluations and views of the Acropolis, whereas this residence is in Plaka and in addition has unbelievable views plus a lot of pure gentle. For lodges, 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 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’re 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 have been there?
Observe: Pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
