If you are building a Greece itinerary and wondering whether the capital deserves a spot, this Athens Greece travel guide is our answer: yes (with some caveats). Here is everything we did, what we would do differently, and the honest advice we wish we had before we arrived.
Why We Love Athens
Athens is a city that earns its reputation slowly. On the surface it is busy, hot, and filled with tourists in peak season. But once you get oriented, you find a city with genuine neighborhood character, food that’s deliciously affordable and history that is simply impossible to replicate anywhere else in the world.
Part of what made our trip special was the context: starting our honeymoon here, before the islands, meant we arrived with fresh eyes. We always recommend starting any Greece trip with Athens!
Getting to & Around Athens, Greece
Flying
Athens is served by Athens International Airport (ATH), also known as Eleftherios Venizelos. It is about an hour taxi ride to the city center, costing around €50. The Metro Line 3 connects the airport to central Athens (Syntagma Square) in about 40 minutes and costs €9 per person. Since we had a lot of luggage, we opted for a taxi ride and had the friendliest driver! He gave us his phone number so we were able to schedule a transfer back to the airport with him at the end of our time in Athens.
Getting Around the City
The historic center is very walkable, and we covered almost everything on foot over two days. Plaka, Monastiraki, the Acropolis area, and the Ancient Agora are all within easy walking distance of each other. Lycabettus Hill is farther east but still reachable on foot if you are feeling ambitious (we took the funicular). The Athens Metro is clean and reliable for longer stretches. We also found taxis and Ubers to be relatively affordable if you’re trying to beat the heat.
Where to Stay in Athens
We stayed at Niche Hotel, a boutique property on the edge of the historic Acropolis area, and it was exactly what we were looking for!
Every morning started the same: breakfast on the rooftop with jaw-dropping views of the Acropolis. The AC worked reliably (critical for a Summer trip), rooms were comfortable and well-designed, and the location put us within a ten-minute walk of the Acropolis entrance. Straightforward hotel, perfect location, genuinely one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had. Check out our full review here: Best Hotel in Athens, Greece.
Travel Tip: Book as far in advance as possible for summer travel. Athens hotel rates climb in July and August, and the well-located boutique properties fill up fast.
Things to Do in Athens
Athens is compact enough that you can cover the main highlights on foot in two days. Below is what we would recommend.
Acropolis & Parthenon
This is the non-negotiable centerpiece of any Athens trip! The Parthenon was built starting in 447 BC and is still standing on a limestone hill above the city. Photographs do not prepare you for the actual scale of it all!
A few things to know before you go: Wear comfortable, supportive shoes. The paths throughout the Acropolis are rocky, uneven and the marble can be slippery. Book tickets online in advance as it can sell out in peak-season. Get the first entry slot of the morning. In July, the sun is already intense by 9am, and you will be doing uphill walking with zero shade. This allows you to beat the heat, and beat the crowds.
- Cost: €30
- More Information: Acropolis
- Estimated Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and is the only stadium in the world built entirely of white marble. That said, we think viewing it from outside is the smarter call for most visitors. The entry fee is €10 per person, and the interior is relatively sparse once you are in. The free exterior view gives you a clear look at the marble structure without the cost. If you visit in the Summer, be prepared for limited shade! This is not something you need to purchase in advance so you can make the decision when you arrive whether you want to go inside or not!
- Cost: €10
- More Information: Panathenaic Stadium
- Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Ancient Agora
The Ancient Agora was the commercial and civic center of ancient Athens. The Temple of Hephaestus here is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples anywhere in the world.
We decided to visit on a whim, but wished we had more time to explore before it was going to close. The ticket is on the pricier side, but if ancient history is your thing, budget at least 1.5 hours to really explore everything! (You don’t need to buy your tickets in advance so this is another site you can decide day-of if you have the energy to visit).
- Cost: €20
- More Information: Ancient Agora
- Estimated Time Needed: 1.5 hours
Plaka Neighborhood
Plaka is a maze of narrow whitewashed streets and outdoor taverna seating that genuinely feels like a different world from the busy main roads above it. This is where you will find some of the best eating in the city, including our top restaurant recommendation below.
- Cost: Free
- Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus is the highest point in Athens, and the view from the top covers the whole city out to the Sea on a clear day. We took the funicular up, which runs every 30 minutes. After a full day on your feet in July heat, we were glad we did not attempt the hike.
Travel Tip: Go for the view. Have a drink at the cafe at the top. Then read our honest take on the restaurant in the What We Would Skip section below.
- Cost: €13 (R/T Funicular Ticket)
- Estimated Time Needed: 1 hour
Monastiraki Market
Monastiraki opens into a wide square anchored by a flea market that is worth a browse, especially on weekends when it is at its liveliest. We found a lot of our souvenirs here so it’s a perfect stop if you want to get some shopping in.
- Cost: Free
- Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Where to Eat & Drink in Athens
Old Tavern of Psarras
This is the meal we talk about when someone mentions Athens. One of the oldest tavernas in the city, Psarras has been serving traditional Greek food in Plaka since 1898. It sits on a corner with outdoor seating that is ideal for a long lunch or early dinner. Order the baked feta with honey!
Takis Bakery
Our taxi driver from the airport recommended we visit Takis Bakery (it’s where he gets his bread). Across the street there is a small cafe if you want to enjoy your baked goods with a cup of coffee.
Greek coffee culture is distinct from what most Americans are used to. Try a freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino, both served over ice. Beware, it is stronger than you may be used to but very refreshing!
Stork (Rooftop Bar of Niche Hotel)
Our hotel had one of the best rooftop bars! We recommend making time to go at sunset. If you book directly with the hotel, they often offer you a welcome drink to enjoy during your stay. We didn’t eat at the restaurant there, but the menu looked solid!
Our 2-Day Athens Itinerary
Athens is manageable to see in 2-days. Almost everything revolves around the Acropolis hill, and you can walk between the major sites without needing the metro at all.
Day 1: The City Beyond the Ruins
Start the morning with coffee at Takis Bakery, then walk toward the Panathenaic Stadium. View it from outside and then continue through the National Gardens, which will give you some reprieve if it’s hot out. From there, work toward Monastiraki and spend time in the square and surrounding streets. In the afternoon, take the funicular up Lycabettus Hill for the panoramic view over the whole city. Have a drink at the top rather than a full dinner, then head back down to to the city. This makes for an easy arrival day itinerary, if you fly into Athens on a Red-Eye and need to stay busy!
Day 2: The Acropolis and Ancient City
Start at the Acropolis first thing in the morning, arriving at the very first entry slot. (The earlier the better in summer!) After 2-3 hours on the hill, head down to Plaka for lunch at the Old Tavern of Psarras. If you’re interested in more history, visit the Ancient Agora. Spend the late afternoon wandering the neighborhood streets, stopping at Monastiraki Square and browsing the stores. End your last day back at the hotel rooftop for sunset drinks with the Acropolis in view!
What We’d Skip (or do differently)
Skip Dinner at the Restaurant on Lycabettus Hill: The food was solid, but the prices didn’t match the experience. Take the funicular up for the view instead, and grab a cocktail at the bar if you want to linger. You get the same beautiful sunset over the city, without paying a premium for a meal that’s just fine.
Don’t visit the Panathenaic Stadium in the middle of the day: We learned this one the hard way. There’s zero shade anywhere on the marble seating and by midday in the Summer, you’re baking in the sun. If this is on your list, go first thing in the morning or simply admire the view from the outside and move on!
Make time for the Acropolis Museum: We didn’t manage to fit it in on this trip, and it’s one of our biggest regrets. Seeing the ruins in person is one thing, but the museum is where you actually get the context and history behind it. This is something you could swap in for the Ancient Agora if it’s too hot outside to visit more ruins.
Practical Tips & When to Visit
When to Visit
Athens get brutally hot in the summer (take it from us, we were there in July). If you can swing it, aim for shoulder season, either April to early June or September to October, when temperatures are more comfortable and the Summer rush thins out.
Getting Around
The Athens metro is clean, cheap and connects most major sights. We also took a few taxis while there, and were surprised to find them more affordable then some other European cities. Athens is also incredibly walkable if you’re staying centrally!
Tips
- Book Ahead: The Acropolis tickets sell out in advance, especially in peak season. This is a must-see when visiting Athens so be sure to book ahead!
Packing Tips
- Comfortable, supportive shoes: The Acropolis terrain is rocky and uneven, and Athens in general involves a lot of walking on old stone surfaces.
- Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. There is minimal shade on the Acropolis hill and the Greek sun can be relentless.
- Light clothing for Summer: We wore a lot of athletic, moisture wicking clothes during our time in Athens, mostly due to the heat.
- A contactless credit card: Check that your card does not charge foreign transaction fees before you leave home. Everywhere in Athens accepts cards.
Who is Athens for?
- History Buffs: Athens is basically an open-air museum, the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Panathenaic stadium put you face to face with 2,500+ years of history.
- First-Time Greece visitors: Athens is the natural starting point for any Greek trip.
- Foodies: From souvlaki stands to tavernas in Plaka, Athens is a city where the food is much a part of the experience as the sightseeing.
- Weekend Wanders: Athens is company enough to hit the highlights in a couple days, making it a great add on to a longer Greek island trip, or even a standalone weekend destination depending on where you’re visiting from.
- Coffee Lovers: Greece has a unique coffee culture. Their version of “iced coffees” comes in a variety of forms!
We chose to do Athens at the start of our trip, since we heard it can be disappointing after the Greek Islands. We were pleasantly surprised to find that Athens is a really beautiful, lively and historical city!
All of the recommendations in our destination guides are places we have personally stayed, dined or explored so you can get an authentic perspective. We will always be transparent if we haven’t personally done something or experienced it firsthand!
Please note: Prices listed in this post are approximate and subject to change. Always check official websites before booking.
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