Bought two days in Athens, and questioning whether or not you’ll have time to squeeze in all of the sightseeing you wish to do whereas nonetheless having enjoyable?
There’s positively rather a lot to see and do there, so planning a visit might be fairly overwhelming. This itinerary for 2 days in Athens is good for first-time guests.
Based mostly on my quick Jet2 Metropolis Break there in April 2023, it is going to show you how to see all of Athens’ greatest bits together with essentially the most well-known sights, cool bars and memorable views.
Now, I don’t need you to be alarmed. This will likely look like a busy Athens itinerary, however I promise it’s not overly bold!
The beauty of Athens is that plenty of the most important vacationer points of interest are very shut collectively, so you possibly can see town’s hottest spots even in the event you solely have 48 hours in Athens.
Use this real looking Athens sightseeing itinerary to cowl the same old attracts for vacationers just like the Acropolis and Hadrian’s Library, in addition to a few of the extra hidden gems.
The very best itinerary for 2 days in Athens
If you happen to’ve received greater than 48 hours in Athens, try the solutions for excursions and day journeys from Athens on the backside of this information.
You must also check out my information to one of the best issues to do in Athens as there are 40+ suggestions!
If you happen to’re stopping within the Greek capital throughout an extended interval of journey round Europe, you may be on this 10 day Europe backpacking journey itinerary too.
Itinerary for day one in Athens
First, you’ll have to get from Athens airport to town centre. A taxi prices round 45 euros, or you possibly can take the metro.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re solely in Athens for 2 days you must e-book a non-public switch forward of your journey. Glide previous the queues, drop your baggage at your resort and hit the streets!
Arriving in Athens within the late afternoon or night? Head straight to the Plaka space for dinner, drinks and an opportunity to absorb the atmosphere of town. You can begin following the beneath itinerary very first thing the following morning.
Morning 1: the highest historic points of interest
You first port of name when you have two days in Athens needs to be the Acropolis and the Parthenon. You’ll have to go very first thing within the morning to beat the crowds.
If you happen to’re arriving into Athens later within the day, I like to recommend following the day one itinerary I’ve outlined right here on day two and vice versa.
Mainly, you must prioritise visiting the Acropolis advanced as early within the day as you possibly can, significantly in the event you’re visiting Athens through the busy season.
The Acropolis opens at 8am, so get there early. This manner, you’ve ticked some main Athens points of interest off your listing earlier than different vacationers have even left the resort buffet. The Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Odeon of Herodotus Atticus are all on this website.
TIP: If the combo go I discussed earlier doesn’t really feel best for you, I’d as a substitute advocate shopping for this ticket for the Acropolis. It offers you the skip-the-line privileges however is cheaper than the combo go and is appropriate for anybody not wanting to go to all seven of the traditional points of interest you get entry to with the combo go. Alternatively, this go features a guided tour.
If you happen to’re solely in Athens in two days, you gained’t wish to waste time ready in lengthy queues so a skip-the-line go is important! Belief me, we received fairly a shock after we realised how busy it was.
On the identical website because the Acropolis, you’ll discover the Acropolis Museum, which opens at 9am.
It’s greatest to go to the museum after quite than earlier than the Acropolis itself to get a head begin on the crowds. Spend an hour to 90 minutes there, being certain to not miss the glass-floored basement, which is constructed over an archeological website.
While you’ve seen every part you wish to see within the museum and maybe stopped for a espresso within the museum cafe, you possibly can go to the close by Theatre of Dionysus. It sits on the Acropolis hill to the south and is sort of a sight to behold.
Lunch in Plaka
Now that you simply’ve seen a few of the high vacationer points of interest in Athens, you possibly can get pleasure from a nice stroll by means of the charming Plaka neighbourhood.
I like this a part of Athens. Wisteria-shrouded buildings line cobbled streets packed cheek-to-jowl with memento retailers, upmarket boutiques and cosy tavernas.
It’s an ideal place to seize some lunch, browse the retailers and boutiques, or simply wander aimlessly.
When you discover this picturesque space, you would possibly bump into The Benizelou Mansion. That is the oldest home in all of Athens and positively value a fast go searching, so you possibly can think about life within the capital within the seventeenth century.
When you’re in Plaka, you may additionally prefer to discover the gorgeous whitewashed neighbourhood that sits simply beneath the Acropolis, Anafiotika. It’s like being teleported to one of many Greek islands.
If you happen to select to go to, please bear in mind it’s a residential space so you must be respectful of the individuals who dwell there.
Afternoon: Rooftop views and procuring (or extra historical past)
Subsequent, make your manner in direction of Monastiraki Sq., which is town’s beating coronary heart. It’s an ideal spot for people-watching and whether or not you’ve gotten at some point in Athens or every week there, you’re sure to search out your self in Monastiraki Sq. sooner or later.
One of many factors of curiosity within the sq. is the Panagia Pantanassa, which is likely one of the oldest church buildings within the metropolis.
It needs to be time for a chilly drink now, so head to one of many many rooftop bars in Athens to refuel. Our favorite was MS Roof Backyard, as a result of it has improbable views of the Acropolis and Monastiraki Sq. beneath.
Suitably refreshed, it’s time to go to Hadrian’s Library.
Hadrian’s Library is accessed through Monastiraki Sq., so you possibly can go to this well-known historic Greek attraction subsequent while you return to floor stage. Use your combo go to skip the road and save time.
Had your fill of historical past? As a substitute for Hadrian’s Library, go to the Athens Flea Market.
If you happen to’re in Monastiraki Sq. dealing with the metro station, the doorway to the market is simply to the best of the station.
Sundown and Athens nightlife
From there, I like to recommend heading again to Plaka for sundowners or maybe grabbing an ice cream and strolling some extra.
Alternatively, take a sundown tour to Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon. You’ll get to see the oldest theatre, Thorikos, and absorb some spectacular views.
If you happen to’re seeking to keep out late throughout your two days in Athens, it’s most likely greatest to save lots of the partying till your final evening.
Not scared? Take a look at Diego’s for Asian & South American meals with a DJ offering the soundtrack.
Day two itinerary for Athens
After breakfast on day two in Athens, you possibly can look ahead to a extra relaxed day with fewer crowds and queues.
Morning: Olympic Stadium, gardens and a free present
Begin with ticking off two extra Athens must-see landmarks which can be conveniently only a minute’s stroll from each other: the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.
Subsequent, head to the Panathenaic Stadium, which prices 10 euros to enter. This can be a actual Athens must-see and though we solely spent round 40 minutes there, I discovered it actually thrilling to see such an necessary a part of Greece’s historical past.
There’s a small exhibition connected to the stadium which I positively advocate visiting too.
Subsequent, you possibly can get pleasure from a tranquil stroll by means of the Nationwide Gardens. This can be a beautiful spot to flee the crowds in Athens. It has a park, ponds, small petting zoo, a restaurant, museum and botanical backyard.
Exit the Nationwide Gardens close to the Hellenic Parliament Constructing and time your journey to catch the altering of the guard ceremony.
This occurs each hour on the hour in entrance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. If you happen to’re in Athens on a Sunday, you possibly can watch a extra elaborate ceremony at 11am.
Use the metro to get from Syntagma station (close to the parliament constructing) to Monastiraki and brace your self for what you’re about to expertise!
Afternoon: candy treats and your selection of chilled time
Cease for a candy deal with at Little Kook, the wackiest cafe in Athens.
Little Kook is a novel place to have espresso and cake, however the meals isn’t the principle attraction. This kitsch cafe has an ever-changing theme, and the decor could be very spectacular.
Throughout our two days in Athens, the theme was Alice and Wonderland. The decorations had been loopy! The workers had been even dressed up as characters just like the Queen of Hearts.
For the remainder of the afternoon you possibly can then spend a little bit of time uncovering a few of the metropolis’s various avenue artwork, procuring within the varied upmarket retailers or discovering one of the best locations to eat in Athens on a gourmand meals tour.
Sunset: hike for views (or take the simple route), then go to the best bar in Athens
How does sundown on a mountain sound to place the cherry on high of your Athens break?
You’ve a few choices in relation to getting a great view from above. Hike to the highest of Philopappos Hill for panoramic golden hour views of town, or deal with Lycabettus Hill, which is the best level in Athens.
Philopappos Hill is less complicated to get to and gives good views of the Acropolis. Alternatively, from the highest of Lycabettus you possibly can see all the best way out to Piraeus and past to Aegina on a transparent day.
In case this sways you, there’s a cable automotive you need to use to get to the highest of Mount Lycabettus!
Toast the top of your two days in Athens with drinks in Psyri or try a few of the many superb bars in Athens as soon as darkness descends.
We completely liked The Clumsies, which is on the Prime 50 Greatest Bars listing. Tom’s cocktail was served with a scented piece of paper, offering an expertise for a number of senses. If you happen to like cocktails, it is a must-visit throughout your metropolis break in Athens.
What to do when you have three, 4, 5 days in Athens
When you have longer than two days in Athens and also you’ve visiting in Summer time, you would possibly like so as to add on a day on the seashore.
Head to the glamorous Athenian Riviera to your third day in Athens to flee the excitement of town. The Metropolis Sightseeing bus will take you there and again.
Alternatively, go to one of many many museums or artwork galleries within the metropolis.
Bought three days or extra in Athens? Take a look at the preferred day journeys from Athens beneath.
Full-day cruise from Athens to the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina
Monasteries and hermit caves on a Full-Day Meteora Journey from Athens
Mycenae, a significant centre of Greek civilisation, the Hellenic theatre of Epidaurus and Nauplia
Is 2 days in Athens sufficient?
Truthfully, two days in Athens will barely will let you scratch town’s floor. I really feel like I might spend the entire summer season there and discover a special space every day!
Nevertheless, two days within the metropolis centre might be sufficient so that you can see the principle sights, following this Athens itinerary.
If you happen to’d love to do a day journey exterior of Athens or spend time on the seashore, I’d advocate including on an additional day or two.
See extra of my Europe journey guides right here
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