The birthplace of democracy, the foundations of architecture, theater, philosophy, and the sciences, and the temples of the Greek gods of Olympus are all waiting for your visit to Athens!
Outside of the tourist trails, buried under its past of history and myths is a young and energetic city.
Read on to find out what to do in Athens.
What to do in Athens
If you decide to try this 4-day Athens itinerary, I promise you will not regret it. You can mix and match the top activities and sights mentioned here to fit your schedule best, but in order to see more of the city and explore at your own pace, I recommend a minimum of 4 days.
How to get to Athens city center?
- Taxi: A taxi is the most convenient way to reach Athens city center. During the daytime, taxis are around €40 and €60 at night. Under normal traffic conditions, the trip will last about 40 minutes.
- Metro: If your flight arrives between 06:30 am and 23:30 then you can opt for taking the metro to downtown Athens. The metro ticket costs €9 for a single ticket and gets you to Syntagma Square in approximately 40 minutes.
- Bus: This is the cheapest transfer option from Athens airport to Athens city center. The express bus costs €6 and takes you to Syntagma Square in downtown Athens in about 60 minutes. You can purchase your ticket onboard or at the ticket office at the arrival terminal.
How to get around in Athens?
If you’re staying near Athens city center, then you can easily get around on foot. This is where most of the ancient sites are located near the Ancient Agora extending to the Acropolis. However, if walking is not your thing or if the heat is too extreme, then the best way to get around Athens is by metro. Athens metro system is easy to use. It has three lines (red, blue, and green) with key stops near the city’s major attractions, as well as a good connection to the airport and to the port of Pireaus where ferries depart from. In case you’re staying in the neighborhoods bordering the city center then you will most likely be using the metro. Taxis and Ubers are also relatively cheap, however, traffic jams in the city are common.
Athens is covered by a vast network of buses, however, there is no map of the bus routes, so make sure to download Google Maps on your phone.
If you’re looking for a scenic ride or heading to the beach, there is a single tram line that runs from Syntagma Square along the coast of Athens.
If you have time, you can explore more of Athens by renting a car and taking a half-day trip to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon. Renting a car outside the airport is a reasonable option and you can also take a day trip to the seaside town of Nafplio (which was the first capital of modern Greece) with a stop in Mycenae to visit the ruins of the Mycenaean civilization.
Where to stay in Athens?
- Syntagma Square: Best described as being the heart of the city. As the most important square in Athens staying around here is a great option for first-time visitors or if you’re planning on staying in Athens only for a couple of days.
- Koukaki: If you’re looking to experience some Athenian day-to-day way of life then this neighborhood located south of the Acropolis is where everyday Athenians live and hang out. Athens’ most famous monument, the Parthenon, is located here, as well as the Acropolis Museum.
- Kolonaki: This area is home to designer shops and boutiques. From here you can either take a funicular or walk up to Lycabettus hill for great views over Athens.
- Metaxourgei: Artsy vibe, street art, galleries, and trendy restaurants and cafes. The National Archaeological Museum is also located here.
- Psyri: This is where you should stay if you want to experience the nightlife in Athens. The neighborhood also encompasses Hadrian’s library, the Ancient Agora, Monastiraki Square, and its famous flea market.
- Plaka: This neighborhood with its colorful buildings and the charming narrow pedestrian street is ideal for people looking for Instagram-worthy spots. Located at the base of the Acropolis, it is also a great place to stay if you plan to walk around the city without using public transportation.
- Gazi: If you are traveling on a budget, you might consider staying here since most of the main attractions are only 15 to 20 minutes away by foot or public transport.
Did you know:
By booking your accommodation for your visit to Athens through our link, we earn a small commission and it does not cost you anything more.
Where to Eat in Athens?
The Greek capital offers extensive cuisine, affordable restaurants, and popular rooftops with panoramic views of the Acropolis.
Lunch
- To! Kafeneio in Plaka: Located steps away from the Acropolis Museum, tucked in one of the streets of the picturesque area of Anafiotika within the district of Plaka, this place offers a simple menu designed to share.
- Luv & Roll House: Offering great views over the city of Athens, the Acropolis, and Plaka, this rooftop restaurant is a great place to go during the day to enjoy a nice European lunch and drinks at affordable prices.
Dinner
- Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani: This was the best and most unique eating experience during our stay in Athens. The menu consists of cold cuts, and fresh and organic ingredients inspired by authentic Greek and Constantinople food. Make sure to check their extensive list of Greek wines.
Drinks
- Six Dogs: Great for a night out, popular with a young crowd, make sure to stop here and enjoy one of their many signature cocktails.
Discover other destinations in Europe
Overview Of Your 4-Day Athens Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Athens
Start your day with an early wake-up to avoid the crowds by visiting the Acropolis of Athens. Sitting atop a hill overlooking the city of Athens this ancient Greek citadel contains several other sites such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Near the Acropolis structures, you will find one of the prettiest neighborhoods of the city of Athens, stop by Plaka for lunch. There is a reason why this part of the city is known as the “neighborhood of the Gods”. Make sure to explore its smaller picturesque area called Anafiotika.
After lunch, you can visit one of the most important museums in the world, the Acropolis Museum.
Stop by the Theatre of Dionysus to get a feel of where classic Greek plays were once performed.
At golden hour head to what was once Athens’ central meeting place, the Ancient Agora. Here you will find one of the most well-preserved structures of Greek temples today, the Temple of Hephaistos.
Feeling adventurous? climb to Lycabettus Hills and enjoy the sunset over the city of Athens.
End the day (or start the night) in Psiri, which was once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Athens, but has now been transformed into one of the quirkiest and most fashionable places in the city.
Day 2: Stroll the most-renowned spots in Athens City Center
Start your day with a visit to Athens’ main square Syntagma Square, where you can see the changing of the guard take place next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Afterward, head to Monastiraki Square & Flea Market for some antique as well as souvenir shopping.
Check out one of the most important ancient structures of Ancient Athens, Hadrian’s Arch, which once separated the old city and the new city, and explore the remaining Corinthian columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Get a feel of the local way of life, go shopping, and try some local cuisine at Athens Central Market.
After lunch, escape the chaos and buzz of the city by taking a stroll through the National Garden Park where you will find some peace and quiet in the middle of some ruins.
Visit the remains of the restored Panathenaic Stadium, the world’s only arena made entirely from marble.
Absorb the Neoclassical architecture present on Panepistimou Street, the National Library of Athens, the University of Athens, and the Academy.
Tip: Watch the sunset with views of the Acropolis from Philopappou Hill.
At the end of the day, explore Exarhia Neighborhood, this edgy indie vibe neighborhood is filled with street art, bookshops, record shops, vegan and veggie tavernas, clubs, and bars.
Day 3: Visit an island
You can opt for a day trip to the Saronic Islands, where you can hop from island to island by their well-connected ferry system.
Some of our favorite islands include:
Aegina: This is the closest island to Athens, a short one-hour ferry ride brings you to Aegina, known for its pistachio plantations, ancient sites, monasteries, churches, and beautiful beaches. One site not to be missed is the Temple of Aphaia with its well-preserved remains dating back to the 5th century BC.
Agistri: This tiny island with its crystal-clear waters is perfect for a half-day trip, as it takes less than 10 minutes to go from one end of the island to the other. Most of the island’s coast is formed by rocky cliffs. Make sure to go for a swim on Skala Beach and visit the Church of Agioi Anargyroi with its white and blue dome.
Poros: Close to the islands of Aegina and Agistri, is the island of Poros. Known for its pine trees, as well as its lemon groves. Every year around May the entire town is filled with a lemon-scented smell coming from the blossoming lemons across the Peloponnese peninsula. Make sure to visit the ruins of the 6th-century BC Temple of Poseidon.
Day 4: Day trip from Athens
Day trip to Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Nafplio.
The town of Nafplio was definitely a highlight during our trip, only a two-hour drive from Athens, Nafplio used to be the capital of Greece. Nowadays, the charming little streets in the Old Town are filled with pink bougainvilleas, and on the hill above there is a Venetian fortress offering amazing views over the sea. The town is also close to important archaeological sites, such as Mycenae, which used to be the most important city of the Mycenaean civilization and it is now one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.
Final Thoughts
I hope that this Athens itinerary has inspired you to visit this city. Athens is one of those cities that you cannot miss! It is filled with so much history, beautiful buildings, wonderful sights, and amazing restaurants. I created this travel itinerary to ensure that you do not miss out on anything during your visit to Athens. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about planning your next trip to Greece.
