There are such a lot of thrilling issues to do in Athens, it may be exhausting to resolve 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 record 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 town, that is positively among the best locations to go to in Greece.
Listed here 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 the 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 charge is €20 ($23.25).
To study all the unbelievable historical past, be a part of a non-public strolling tour. The tour will even take you to the museum (beneath). There are just a few several types 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 stunning museums I’ve ever been to. It’s stuffed with pure gentle, which highlights the artifacts nicely.
Right here you may get a detailed take a look at the Parthenon frieze replicas on show. The cafe balcony additionally provides nice views of Athens. You possibly can study extra concerning the Acropolis on my weblog.
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 charge is €5 ($5.80) within the winter and €10 ($10.50) in the summertime.
Line-ups right here may be big, to skip the road, buy your ticket forward of time right here for round $13. Alternatively, you should purchase 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 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 format 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 seaside is without doubt one of the lesser-known issues to do in Athens as most individuals assume you need to go to the islands to get pleasure from some seaside time. Though it’s not one of many greatest seashores in Greece, it’s nonetheless an excellent place to loosen up and benefit from the sea.
Take your individual towel and umbrella if you’d like one, as there are none obtainable there. You will get an excellent 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 charge 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 principally a dessert cafe, however the prime attraction is the decorations. That is most likely essentially the most Instagrammable place in Athens in addition to the Acropolis!
6. Take a Avenue Artwork Tour
Avenue artwork is simple to search 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 might be lesser-known to vacationers.
This various tour is highly-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 desirous to proceed, you possibly can maintain exploring extra road artwork and discovering hidden gems.
Have your digicam or telephone able to take images. Click on right here to study extra about this expertise and to guide.
7. Go Rooftop Bar Hopping (neatest thing to do in Athens at evening)
For the very best view of the Acropolis at evening, you have 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.
All the tables are reserved forward of time, so that you gained’t have to attend in line in any respect. In case you’re in search of cool issues to do in Athens at evening, it is a good choice. Discover out extra right here.
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8. Eat The Greatest Yogurtlu and Souvlaki
O Thanasis is without doubt one of the hottest locations to eat in Plaka. It’s so common 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 individuals at O Thanasis are pleasant and never pushy. The souvlaki can be among the best on the town.
(Editor’s Notice: a Greek reader has suggested us that Agrafa restaurant has the very best souvlaki in Athens. Perhaps strive 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 situated in a phenomenal Neo-classic constructing and you may get pleasure from a espresso and the view from the cafe. Skip-the-line tickets to the museum may be bought forward of time, right here.
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10. Smash Issues at Limba Rage Room
Feeling just a little stressed? Must get some rage out? Limba Rage Room is the place to just do that.
You buy a package deal (which might embrace plates, bottles, a tube TV and glasses), and also you smash them! It’s an excellent stress reliever and one of the distinctive issues to do in Athens.
There are a number of packages for each funds. They vary from €10 to €100. Don’t fear, they provide 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 without doubt 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 shouldn’t be like a Starbucks frappe however as a substitute is made with on the spot 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 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 massive 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 may be advised by studying the dregs of espresso left on the backside of your cup.
The subsequent time you’re completed ingesting your espresso in Athens, be 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 full non-public collections of Cycladic Artwork. That is particularly nice to see if you happen to gained’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 principally white making them beautiful 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 visitors, though supply vans nonetheless are allowed via 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 need to deliver residence to your family and friends. Plus, it is a nice space for individuals 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 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 regular, they’re dressed within the conventional Greek uniform and the ceremony is extra complicated.
Sundays are the very best day to see the altering of the guards in Athens. And whereas they could look just a little uncommon, they’re extremely educated 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 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.
It is usually 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
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 era to era.
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 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 without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Athens. Not solely is the sundown beautiful, however you get wonderful 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 if you happen to don’t need 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 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 (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 gained’t need to miss this expertise!
Meet up with Julia, who was born and raised in Athens, and uncover some unbelievable road distributors and native eating places, all whereas strolling off the meals and studying about Athens and Greece alongside the way in which.
Included within the tour are 14 completely different Greek delicacies, and a sit-down lunch with wine. In case you’re in search of non-touristy issues to do in Athens, it is a nice choice — it’s additionally among the best worth experiences within the metropolis. Discover out extra and reserve your spot right here.
There’s a multitude of strolling excursions to absorb Athens. Whether or not you’re keen on wine, historical past, or meals, it’s at all times enjoyable to fulfill 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 permits no automobiles. Many of the issues to do are situated proper within the port together with eating places and purchasing. There’s 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 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.
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 on right here to study 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 residence to the primary fashionable King of Greece.
It grew to become 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 obtainable nearly all over the place and you may 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 hen or lamb, french fries, onions, and tomatoes all wrapped up in smooth pita bread. Typically you possibly can get them organized open-faced on a plate. They’re fairly massive, so if you happen to’ve achieved tons of strolling that is the meal for you.
24. Take a Day Crusing Journey
One in every of my favourite issues to do in Greece is to sail. You possibly can be a part of a crusing journey that lasts all day, or take a half-day tour. You possibly can 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 loosen up 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 beautiful 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 must attempt to be right here early within the morning or for sundown. You possibly can 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.
In case you’d somewhat be a 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 prime issues to do in Athens, listed below 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 grew to become 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. 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 after I stayed in a resort proper available in the market. The fruits in Greece look and scent wonderful so even if you happen to don’t purchase something it’s nonetheless an excellent 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 simply’re keen on 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.
Donate Your Time: Volunteer in Athens
In case 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 possibly can help with strolling and caring for canines and cats.
This is probably not one of many extra touristy issues to do in Athens, however when you’ve got some additional time, or if you want 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 fashionable buildings! Yow will discover it right here on the map.
Be a part of a Cooking Class with Rooftop Dinner
Discover ways 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 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 here 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. Make certain 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 once you first arrive in Athens is a good 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 possibly can positively go to Athens on a weekend, or in 3 days. You’ll be capable of cowl all the predominant 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, jewellery making), or take a day journey by ferry or bus.
The place to Keep in Athens
You’ll need to keep central when visiting Athens, purpose 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 inns with a easy room, whereas others favor residences with a residing space and a kitchen.
This residence has nice views of the Acropolis, whereas this residence is in Plaka and likewise has unbelievable views plus a big deck. For inns, the Electra Metropolis is a extremely popular choice and it consists of 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 possibly can 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 whilst you had been there?
Notice: Photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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