Athens, the capital of Greece and the centre of the country’s economic, political and cultural life, is steeped in history, art and culture. The city has retained its authentic charm and dazzles from the very first moment. The birthplace of great artists and philosophers, the city of Athens played an essential role in the development of democracy and its essence is felt on in every street. Discover all there is to see in Athens Greece and let yourself be surprised by its colour and special charm.
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Things to see in Athens
Acropolis
The Acropolis of Athens is the most important and iconic site in all of Greece. Strategically positioned overlooking every inch of the city, it is on a peak 156 metres above sea level and can be seen from almost every part of Athens.
The Acropolis has been vandalised and looted on several occasions, but following Greece’s declaration of independence the remaining ruins have been restored. It has some of the most iconic monuments of ancient Greece with buildings such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylaea.
Entry costs:
- Adults: €20
- Students: €10
Parthenon
Erected between 447 and 438 BC, the Parthenon is one of the most important monuments of ancient Greek civilisation. Dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos, the Parthenon is one of the most important surviving Doric temples. It is also the grandest of the monuments created during the time of Pericles.
The Parthenon, made of white marble from Mount Pentelicus, was designed to house the gold and ivory image of Athena Parthenos. Approximately 70 metres long and 30 metres wide, the Parthenon was surrounded by columns all around its perimeter, 8 on the main façades and 17 on the sides.
Ancient Agora
The Ancient Agora of Athens was the centre of the social, political and commercial life of the ancient Greek city. Acting as the heart of the city, the Ancient Agora was the venue for political meetings and debates, elections, religious celebrations, commercial activities, theatrical performances as well as athletic competitions.
The Ancient Agora of Athens is one of the most representative places in the city thanks to its great historical richness, so it is a mandatory visit.
Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus Hill is a small 278 metre-tall mountain where you can get the best views of Athens. Located in the Kolonaki district, it is one of the most special places to watch the sunset over the city.
From the top of Lycabettus Hill there are exceptional views of the city, especially of the Acropolis. At the highest point is the small orthodox chapel of St. George, a charming white building that gives the hilltop a special appearance.
- There are different ways to get to the top of the hill, either on foot, along a winding path sheltered by pine trees, by car, or using the funicular railway.
Panathenaic Stadium
Built in white marble between 1869 and 1870, the Panathenaic Stadium is the site of the first Olympic Games of our era, in 1896.
Today it is possible to stroll through the marble stands where centuries ago spectators nervously waved, walk onto the athletics track to step into the shoes of the former athletes, and even stand on the podium for a souvenir photo next to the rings that form the symbol of the Olympic Games.
- Admission for adults costs €3 and for students €1.50.
- Opening hours are 8:00 to 19:00 every day from March to October, and 8:00 to 17:00 from November to February.
Plaka
Also known as the Quarter of the Gods due to its proximity to the Acropolis, Plaka is the oldest quarter of Athens and one of the most attractive and lively areas of the city. It is a neighbourhood that still retains its old charm and appearance thanks to the narrow, labyrinthine alleys lined with beautiful 19th century neoclassical façades. The Plaka district is also one of the best places in the city to enjoy Greek cuisine on one of its many terraces.
Monastiraki
Located at the foot of the northern part of the Acropolis, Monastiraki is one of the city’s main shopping areas. Here you can find everything from second-hand clothes to books and antiques.
Known as Monastiraki thanks to the small monastery located in the square of the same name, it is one of the most interesting and lively areas of Athens. The main streets of Monastiraki are Ermou, Pandrossou Street and Adrianou Street, although we highly recommend wandering around the narrow streets of the area.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to see in and around Athens
Meteora
Meteora is one of the most special places in the world. Its name means “rocks in the air”, which perfectly defines what you will find there, as it is a group of sandstone crags formed under the sea 30 million years ago. These fascinating formations, sculpted over the course of history, were exposed when the sea level dropped.
If there is one thing more surprising than the natural formations themselves, it is the monasteries that crown some of the crags. Today, 13 of the original 24 monasteries are still standing, 6 of which can be visited.
Delphi
Delphi is a small village located on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus. Offering amazing views of the valley and the sea, this village has countless tourist attractions. There are excellent viewpoints in the different restaurants and hotels, where you can enjoy a beautiful postcard view of Delphi. In addition to exploring the entire village, you can also visit the fascinating shops and stalls, perfect for finding handicrafts for souvenirs of your trip.
What to do in Athens in one day?
- Acropolis
- Parthenon
- Ancient Agora
- Lycabettus Hill
- Panathenaic Stadium
- Plaka
- Monastiraki
What to do in Athens in two days?
Day 1:
- Acropolis
- Parthenon
- Ancient Agora
- Lycabettus Hill
- Panathenaic Stadium
- Plaka
- Monastiraki
Day 2:
- Meteora
- Delphi
How to get to Athens Greece?
Athens is located in the southernmost region of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. It is on the mainland and the country’s terrain make it difficult to reach the capital by anything other than sea and air.
- Air travel is the fastest and cheapest way to get to Athens. The city has an international airport, Athens International Airport – Eleftherios Venizelos, which receives flights from all major European cities. The airport is 20 kilometres from the city and has good links to the centre by bus, metro or taxi.
- Also, the easiest options to reach Greece by boat are from Venice, Bari, Ancona or Brindisi.
Where to eat in Athens Greece?
Traditional Greek cuisine stands out above all for the use of high quality ingredients traditional of the Mediterranean diet, using spices and aromatic herbs. Some of the most typical recipes are Tzatziki, Spanakotiropites, mousakka (a dish made with minced lamb, aubergines and tomatoes) and gyros (pita bread stuffed with roast meat, tomato, onion and sauce).
Here is a list of some of the most famous restaurants in Athens so you can try these traditional recipes.
- Liondi Traditional Greek Restaurant is one of the most recommended restaurants in Athens, serving a wide variety of traditional recipes of excellent quality. The price is around 12 euros for a tasting menu with an incredible selection of the city’s most typical dishes.
- Phaedra Hotel is located just a few minutes’ walk from the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. In addition to its fantastic location and unique views of the Acropolis, it has 24-hour reception and one of the best value for money in the city.
- All that Jazz is a restaurant located in the Monastiraki neighbourhood and is known to be one of the most recommended restaurants in Athens. The restaurant also has a very nice terrace where you can eat while watching the atmosphere of the street. The price is around 25 euros.
- Arcadia Restaurant is located very close to the Acropolis and has an extensive menu, with many typical Greek dishes. The price is around 10 euros per person including drinks.
Where to stay in Athens Greece?
Athens is one of the cheapest European capitals when it comes to accommodation. The districts of Plaka, Monastiraki, or around Syntagma Square are the most popular areas to look for accommodation, as they are centrally located and within walking distance of the city’s main attractions.
Here is a list of some of the city’s most charming and popular accommodation to help you make the most of your stay.
- Home and Poetry is located in the Plaka area of Athens, 300 metres from the Acropolis Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The price per night is around €90 for two people.
- Herodion Hotel is a four-star hotel located in the Plaka area and offers well-equipped, bright and nicely decorated rooms. The PointA restaurant is on the rooftop and has a covered terrace and direct views of the Acropolis. The price per night is around €100 for two people.
- Palladian Home has elegantly decorated rooms and suites in a neoclassical building in the centre of the Plaka district, a 10-minute walk from the Acropolis. The price per night is around €80 for two people.
- The 24K Athena Suites is an apartment located in the centre of Athens, about 300 metres from Monastiraki Square and 400 metres from the Roman Agora. The price per night for two people is around €90.
Tips for your trip to Athens Greece
- For safety, walk with your backpack or bag in front of you and watch out for pickpockets in tourist areas.
- Athens is a busy city so take care when crossing major avenues.
- The tap water in Athens is safe to drink.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as Athens is mainly a walking city.
- The city bus operates 24 hours a day.
- Most public museums are closed on Mondays, so please bear this in mind when organising your visit.
- Power sockets in Greece are the same as the rest of Europe.
How to organise what to see in Athens Greece?
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- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes suggested in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
FAQs
Air travel is the fastest and cheapest way to get to Athens. Athens has an International Airport – Eleftherios Venizelos, which receives flights from all major European cities.
In Athens you can easily get around on foot. However, you can also use the metro or bus to visit places further away from the centre. Buses and trolleybuses are a convenient way to get around Athens.
Athens is a perfect city to visit at any time of the year. However, the best time to visit is during the months of April to June and September to October, when temperatures are very pleasant but there is less tourism and hotel prices are cheaper.
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