Explore the funding city of Greece with our full failure of the most effective points to do in Athens. We love Athens, however there is a lot to see that it can often be frustrating, particularly for a newbie site visitor. If you adhere to these suggestions you will certainly see the most effective of Athens in a fairly brief quantity of time.
In order to bring you one of the most detailed details on what you ought to see in Athens, we partnered with regional Athens homeowner Marisa Feyen. We integrated our expertise to assemble an Athens overview with both the preferred destinations, old damages, as well as some regional suggestions to take you off the beaten track. Are you prepared to prepare your journey to Athens? Let’s go!
The Best Things to do in Athens
The funding of Greece is the ideal location to obtain your dosage of old background while absorbing the dynamic Greek society. These are the most effective points to do in Athens from seeing its old damages to appreciating Greek food as well as absorbing a few of the city’s dynamic night life.
If you are seeking where to make a base for Athens taking in the sights, we have a whole article on Where to Stay in Athens. For newbie site visitors, we recommend Syntagma Square or the Plaka community. They remain in the facility of Athens strolling range to a number of the top Athens Attractions. See the complete article Where To Stay In Athens – A Guide To The Best Neighborhoods
To go to the most effective ancient websites, acquisition this Athens Combo Ticket where you’ll appreciate skip-the-line accessibility to significant Athens Attractions. The mix ticket consists of the Acropolis, Roman Agora, as well as Ancient Agora along with Aristotle’s School as well as the Keramikos Ancient Cemetery. Plus accessibility to Hadrian’s Library as well as Temple of Olympian Zeus. Details below.
Visit the Acropolis
You cannot pertain to Greece as well as not go to the Acropolis. Athens is just one of the globe’s earliest cities as well as the Acropolis has actually been standing high over Athens for greater than 2500 years. The Acropolis is taken into consideration among the best building marvels on the planet. It is the historic facility of Athens as well as is just one of one of the most well-known websites in the world. So normally, a see to the Acropolis is just one of one of the most preferred points to do in Athens. Therefore, we recommend visiting the Acropolis early in the early morning or late in the mid-day to prevent the groups.
Purchase this combination bundle to see both the Acropolis as well as Museum. Skip-the-line tickets are extremely advised as well as this mix ticket provides you front-of–the-line access to both the Acropolis as well as Acropolis Museum. Follow an area specialist as well as certified excavator with the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Details below
The Parthenon is one of the most well-known of the old damages of Acropolis. It is the icon of freedom controling capital of the Acropolis as well as goes back to the fifth century BC. But the Acropolis is loaded with archeological marvels besides the Parthenon. On the premises, you will certainly additionally see The Temple of Athena Nike, as well as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus theater.
The Temple of Athena Nike is my individual fave. It is a holy place committed to the Goddess Athena as well as Nike Goddess. Athena Nike might be the tiniest of the holy places of the Acropolis, however I enjoy its area standing on the side of a high cliff. Purchase avoid the line tickets ahead of time to prevent lines.
Other holy places to go to are the Propylea Temple of Nike, the Erechtheion Temple as well as you should see the Dionysus Theater. I discovered of this cinema while researching Greek Tragedies in theater college as well as it was impressive to see this well-known cinema. Also, don’t miss out on seeing the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as well as the shelter of Asclepius.
Opening Hours: 8 am to 8 pm last admission 7:30The entryway charge to the Acropolis is €20. If you acquire beforehand with GetYourGuide it’s roughly €24 as well as consists of avoid the lengthy line tickets as well as accessibility to the Acropolis hillside
Acropolis Museum
To get away the groups as well as warm, most likely to the Acropolis Museum. Athens has plenty of background as well as there is no far better location to discover everything about it than the Acropolis Museum. This extremely ranked directed scenic tour takes you on a scenic tour of the New Acropolis Museum with a neighborhood overview. The 1 hr 15 min directed scenic tour of the New Acropolis Museum experiences the contemporary structure that houses 4000 old antiques as well as artefacts from Ancient Greece.
This is a fantastic praise to an Acropolis go to as well as there is an excellent video clip that reveals the background of the Parthenon. The brand-new Acropolis Museum, situated at 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou Promenade
Concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Odeon in old Greece was a structure for vocal singing as well as music programs. In Athens, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is the theater that rests at the base of the Acropolis. To this particular day it holds world-renowned musicians, like the Foo Fighters in 2017 as well as Sting in 2018. See information of occasions at the Odeon below.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see a performance in the earliest of locations amongst old damages. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is not just historical, intimate as well as every seat uses bird’s-eye views of the phase. As component of the Epidaurus Festival every summertime, the Odeon hosts loads of performances. Don’t hesitate to participate in theater occasions! Unless kept in mind particularly, cinema programs will certainly have English captions.
Ancient Agora And The Temple of Hephaestus
The Temple of Hephaestus is just one of the best-preserved old damages in Athens. Located within the wall surfaces of the Ancient Agora, some state this is much more excellent than the Parthenon. The complex information as well as looming fluted columns make the Temple Of Hephaestus a fantastic point to see in Athens if you enjoy greek design.
This Ancient Agora Guided Tour takes you with the Hephaestus Temple from the fifth century BC consisting of the 12 Apostles, the Temple of Apollo Patroos, the Stoa of Zeus, the Altar of Zeus as well as a lot more.
The bordering Agora was established back in the sixth century BC when the Ancient Agora of Athens was initially utilized as a meeting point or a location to gather. Like the majority of the holy places in Athens, the Temple of Hephaestus is ideal to go to in the early morning. The light is much better, it is cooler as well as you will certainly prevent the masses of vacationers that turn up later on in the day.
Stoa of Attalos was brought back in 1953 – 1956 as well as today it is a gallery that houses sculptures as well as displays of Ancient Agora. There are additionally residues from the old damages of Temple of Hephaestus.
An assisted scenic tour of Ancient Agora is just one of the most effective means to go to the Temple of Hephaestus. You’ll go to the Greek holy place along with the church of the 12 Apostles, the Temple of Apollo Patroos, the Stoa of Zeus, the Altar of Zeus. The scenic tour finishes at the Attalos Museum to explore its old artefacts.
The Roman Agora
This is one of the most preferred Agora (or meeting point) in Athens. Probably since Socrates utilized to talk below. The Roman Agora was constructed in between 19 as well as 11 BC, this location is significant with over 30 structures as well as old monoliths as well as needs a great deal of strolling. It is a great way to invest a number of hrs after going to the a lot more major websites.
Cultural History at the Benaki Museum
The classy Benaki Museum highlights the background of Greece throughout the ages. The most distinct products are opulent ceilings as well as timber paneling recuperated from 18th-century Greek manors as well as are presented as rebuilt spaces in the gallery. The gallery additionally has a wonderful present store. I go to the gallery simply to buy high-grade recreations as well as various other presents for friends and family.
Hours: Closed Mon – Tue. Wed/Fri: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Thur/Sat: 10:00 am – 12:00 am. Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pmCost: irreversible exhibit €9 (complimentary Thursdays), unique exhibit €7
National Archaeological Museum
Established in 1829, the National Archaeological Museum is the biggest gallery in Greece. Housing 11,000 displays of old Greek art from prehistory to late classical times. It is additionally taken into consideration among the globe’s ideal galleries for old Greek art. If you are actually right into art background after that this is a location you ought to go to. If you do, make certain not to miss out on Agamemnon’s gold fatality. It deserves the go to simply to see this.
Ancient Greek Temple of Olympian Zeus
Compared to a great deal of the various other old damages in Athens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus might appear not to have a great deal left of it. That being stated it is no much less excellent. I located myself picturing simply exactly how grand as well as huge this holy place would certainly have remained in its splendor. In its prime, there were 104 17 meters high (55 feet) columns real estate statuaries of Gods. Today just 15 stay, however the premises are really excellent to go to. Started in the sixth century BC however was not finished up until the second Century advertisement this is possibly among the holy places that took the lengthiest to develop.
One take a look at those columns as well as you will certainly see why. An excellent way to go to the Temple of Olympian Zeus is to publication this sound scenic tour that you can pay attention to on your phone. It consists of avoid the line tickets to Acropolis Hill, Temple of Zeus as well as the Ancient Agora. Enjoy a complete tourist attraction experience with 3 different e-tickets as well as sound excursions on your phone
Stroll the Streets of Plaka
Plaka is an area situated simply listed below the Acropolis as well as extends to Syntagma Square. This is the earliest community of contemporary Athens as well as it seems like you have actually gone back in time with the Neoclassical structures, as well as terraces overruning with all type of blossoms. We strolled the limited, turning streets that are highlighted by 19th-century exteriors that break with shades in the summertime. Plaka is everything about family-run stores as well as dining establishments as well as is a fantastic location to take a look at some night life in Athens.
For an enjoyable scenic tour of Plaka as well as various other Athens areas, take this ebiking scenic tour with the roads as well as side road of Athens without the groups. Climb the Hill of Nymphs for sights of the Acropolis as well as Mount Lycabettus. Plus, find the website of the very first contemporary Olympic Games at the Panathenaic Stadium which is a modern-day restoration of the arena constructed for the Panathenaic Games.
Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki Square is a dynamic meeting point situated in the heart of Athens. Located below the Acropolis, Monastiraki Square is just one of the earliest areas in Athens. With strolling roads, coffee shops as well as outdoor patios it is a fantastic location to loosen up as well as take a walk for a mid-day. In Monastiraki, you’ll locate the ancient website of Ancient Agora.
Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library lies alongside Monastiraki Square. It was constructed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 ADVERTISEMENT. It’s an outstanding collection of columns in the heart of the town hall. The website was utilized for specifically what you would certainly assume, to house publications. It was additionally a location for thoughtful strolls as well as mentor.
This 3-hour personal strolling scenic tour is an exceptional means to check out the location. Take a stroll along the strolling road of Mitropoleos Street to the Metropolis Athens Cathedral. See the Roman Forum, the Tower of the Winds, as well as Hadrian’s Library. You’ll cover a great deal of ground to see Monastiraki Square as well as its Flea Market, Ancient Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, as well as far more.
Athens Food Tour
An excellent means to go to the Monastiraki location of Athens is to take a food scenic tour. This food scenic tour takes you with Monastiraki as well as its well-known Greek tavernas as well as dining establishments plus its ancient destinations as well as old damages of the town hall consisting of Hadrian’s Library, the Ancient Agora, as well as the Monastiraki Flea Market. This market is well-known for its interior artisanal stores offering hand-crafted shoes as well as mementos plus its exterior grocery store. This scenic tour will certainly take you to cafés, markets, delis where you’ll additionally example some terrific road food haunts. More information below.
Changing of the Guard -Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The very first time we checked out Athens, we remained at Syntagma Square as well as had the benefit of enjoying the transforming of the guard without also understanding they did it! The Hellenic Parliament structure controls the location as well as is a preferred location to go to in Athens. The guards stand guard over the Tomb of the Uknown Soldier as well as daily the guards modification, nonetheless, on Sundays at 11:00 am, the main event happens.
This city scenic tour not just consists of quits at Athens’s leading destinations to go to the Acropolis, Parthenon, Nike Temple as well as a lot more, however you’ll additionally see various other lesser-known websites. Meet in the town hall at the House of Parliament as well as see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the National Garden, Zeus Temple as well as Hadrians’s Arch while you discover of the very first Olympic Games as well as old Greek History.
Lycabettus Hill (Mount Lycabettus)
The acropolis might be the high hillside in Athens that everybody recognizes, however Lycabettus Hill is the acme in Athens. The popular 277-meter hillside that shows up from around Athens is just one of the most effective sights of the Acropolis. It is just one of my favored websites since you can see the whole city, consisting of the Acropolis, completely to the sea. It’s additionally among the most effective areas to see the sundown in Athens.
There is a funicular that can take you to the top of Mount Lycabettus, or you can take the stairways if you’re seeking some added workout. At the top, you’ll locate Agios Georgios (St. George Church) as well as there is a coffee shop. If you intend to do something decadent, publication supper at Orizontes for sights of the Acropolis to Piraeus as well as the Saronic Gulf
Mount Lycabettus funicular details
Another great location for sundown in Athens is Philopappos Hill. Take a walking with this park loaded with evergreen as well as strolling courses for sights of the Acropolis, town hall, as well as the Saronic Gulf.
Take in the Neoclassical Architecture
Signs of old Greek background appear throughout Athens, however there are additionally indicators of its contemporary background also. This background starts when the funding of Greece was relocated from the Peloponnese peninsula to Athens after Greece obtained self-reliance from the Ottoman Turks.
At that time, Athens was a town of 7,000 citizens with really couple of actual residences. Wanting to recreate a grand funding city, the brand-new king of Greece appointed a repair. The staying neoclassical frameworks are an outcome of this initiative.
To see some instances of Neoclassical take a look at: Zappeion Hall, the very first structure on the planet to offer the Olympic Games, the Athenian TriptychThree structures near PanepestimioNational Library of GreeceThe National as well as Kapodistrian University of AthensThe Academy of AthensThe structures that house both the Museum of Cycladic Art as well as the Benaki MuseumThe Hellenic Parliament Building that controls Syntagma Square.
The overviews at Livin’ Lovin’ offer a great scenic tour that covers neoclassical structures (or numerous various other intriguing remarkable information concerning Athens)
Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art is not just a great instance of Neoclassical Art, it additionally houses among the finest collections of Cycladic art. Here you’ll see flower holders, devices, tools, ceramic, as well as marble porcelain figurines from the bronze age (3000 BC). If you intend on going to the Greek Islands, the Museum of Cycladic Art is a fantastic praise as The Cycladic society thrived in the Aegean Sea in such areas as Santorini as well as Mykonos.
Explore Athens Central Market
Every day other than Sunday, you can experience the buzz of the biggest market in Athens. Athens Central Market encompasses both sides of Athinas Street, with veggies as well as olives marketed on one side, as well as meat as well as fish on the various other.
This is not a location for those with an uncomfortable belly – animal heads as well as carcasses hang from incorporate front of passersby as well as butchers sculpt the meat in open stalls. Even if you do have a delicate belly, head to the veggie side of the marketplace as well as attempt the olives on display screen. My favored is the rough kind, which is sun-dried as well as completely dry salt-cured. I suggest making a come by Miran for a peek right into old Athens as well as example their superb treated meats.
Hours: daily, other than Sunday 7 am – 6 pmLocation: Athinas 42
Temple of Poseidon
Be Inspired at the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio. If you’ve had sufficient of the city as well as intend to escape to loosen up, Cape Sounio is a great alternative. Standing 60 meters over water level, it is still the ideal area for a holy place recognizing Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. The Temple of Poseidon was created in 444–440 BC as well as is 70 kilometres beyond the city.
Take a scenic tour of the marble holy place, which dates from the fifth century B.C., and after that have lunch or supper at a taverna on the coastline simply listed below the holy place. You can reserve day excursions to Poseiden below.
Sounio for Sunset
Sounio is one more amazing area in Athens to watch the sundown. Located on the sea concerning 70 kilometers from the town hall, you’ll require an auto hire to reach it however it deserves it as it is just one of the coolest points to do in Athens. You can reserve sundown excursions from Athens to Sounio’s conference at the Halandri Metro terminal where you’ll take a bus to the Poseidon Temple.
For even more details take a look at Odysseus CultureHours: winter season: 9:30 am – sundown, summertime: 9 am – sunsetCost: €8/€4 minimized
Visit the Metro Station Mini-Museums
During prep work for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, the city system was broadened, consisting of a brand-new line attaching the brand-new flight terminal to the facility (heaven line). Parts of this line needed to be dug basically by hand to protect artefacts that were hidden below the existing city.
These city quits currently function as mini-museums presenting a few of the old sculpture, markers, oil lights, as well as flower holders from the fifth century BC that were located throughout the dig. The most intriguing terminals to take a look at are Syntagma, additionally residence to the burial place of the unidentified soldier, as well as Monastiraki terminals.
Hours: 5:30 am – 12:30 amLocation: Syntagma as well as Monastiraki city stationsCost: complimentary
Aeropagus Hill (Mars Hill)
Greece has solid connections to very early Christianity. The Apostle Paul contacted very early Christians in the Greek cities of Corinth as well as Thessaloniki as well as made a renowned lecture concerning the identification of “the Unknown God” on the Aeropagus Hill (additionally referred to as Mars Hill) alongside the Acropolis.
It is referenced in Acts 17 of the New Testament. The area is noted by a plaque (in Greek). Climb up the stairways as well as appreciate the fantastic sight where Paul had actually stood teaching to individuals of Athens.
Epidaurus Festival
Every summertime, Athens provides loads of cinema, songs as well as dancing occasions throughout June, July, as well as August. The musicians originate from around the globe, however advertising Greek musicians is the key emphasis of the celebration.
The locations are a number of websites in Athens (consisting of the Odeon) as well as 2 websites in the old Epidaurus on the Peloponnese peninsula, consisting of the amazing old cinema. The cinema occasions normally consist of English captions however examine the occasion details to verify.
Where: different locations around Athens & EpidaurusWhen: June 4 – August 15 (2020)
Transcend Ancient History to Modern Art
State of Concept is a charitable company that works as a bridge in between Greek modern art as well as the global art scene. They attribute promising musicians through solo or team programs. Their purpose, “has been asking questions that relate to the notion of the State and its contemporary condition in the West and beyond.”They additionally use complimentary assessments to suggest regional musicians.
State of Concept is additionally understood for its high-grade curation that seems like the Tate Modern however in a little as well as intimate setup. They have actually showcased whatever from online fact to movies as well as conventional tools.
Hours: Wednesday – Friday 4:30-8:30pm, Saturday 12pm – 5pm
Experience the Chatty Coffee Culture
For me, the most effective location to experience the coffee society is the square of Agia Irini. It’s a brief stroll from Monastiraki on a pedestrian road (Aeolou Street). You’ll understand you’ve located it when you see the sanctuary, which was the major sanctuary of Athens up until the brand-new one was constructed. Take a peek inside the sanctuary for a great instance of the Byzantine design.
Tailor-made as well as Rooster are coffee shops that are complete night and day. Kostas, a small store that offers the most effective souvlaki in Athens (in my modest viewpoint) is additionally found in the square.
Taste the Meze
Traditional Greek food is really easy as well as relies upon high-grade fresh components. Greeks consume household design, with a lot of tiny recipes, called meze, that is shared by everybody at the table. “Meze” implies preference or tiny bite. Like the food itself, consuming Meze is a laid-back event. Greeks are not timid concerning ordering food from the common plates with a fork, or with their fingers. It begins with salads like the Greek salad (tomatoes, feta, cucumber, onion, peppers, olives) as well as dips (fava, tzatziki) and after that causes meat as well as fish recipes, as well as side recipes like wild environment-friendlies as well as fried potatoes.
Don’t forget to include a capture of lemon to nearly whatever neither the conventional beverages – raki, ouzo, or home a glass of wine. Barbounaki in Kolonaki or Seychelles in Metaxourgheio are contemporary tackles the conventional meze, however any kind of taverna will certainly use these tiny recipes. Read this Greek Food Guide – Traditional Dishes to Eat in Greece
Stavros Niarchos Center
This social facility was totally moneyed by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (€617-million) as well as was given away to the Greek state. The structure is made by Italian designer Renzo Piano as well as the 43-acre parks were made through a collaboration in between New York as well as Greece-based landscape developers.
The structure is contemporary with angular glass wall surfaces as well as the park’s aboriginal Mediterranean plants bring much-needed environment-friendly room to the community. The website houses the Greek National Library as well as the Greek National Opera House.
National Gardens
Did I discuss that Athens is really warm in the summertime? You’ll value the color of the National Gardens! Commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838 as the imperial yard of the surrounding royal residence (which is currently the Greek Parliament structure), the National Garden is an attractive reprieve from the active city.
It’s among minority unethical areas in the facility as well as is terrific for a stroll as well as detecting damages, like columns as well as Corinthian fundings. The entryway of the park gets on Leoforos Amalias (called after the queen) simply a brief stroll from Syntagma Square as well as is noted by the 12 hand trees that she grew.
Open Air Cinema
My favored point to do in Athens in the summertime is mosting likely to the exterior movie theaters. This is a summer season practice because the 1960s when there mored than 600 exterior movie theaters. The summertime warm in Athens maintains the temperature level comfy well past twelve o’clock at night.
For me, the most effective location to go is the movie theater in Thissio since it has a bird’s-eye view of the Acropolis. Another terrific area is the movie theater in the Plaka, which additionally has a sight of the Acropolis as well as is easily situated. Cine Paris is one more preferred exterior movie theater. It is just one of around 90 exterior movie theaters in Athens.
Rooftop Bars
One of the most effective points to do in Athens is to relax as well as loosen up while absorbing the sights of the Acropolis as well as city lights. Athens has some extraordinary roof bars as well as we had the deluxe to go to a couple of for superior nights in the city.
Looking for distinct points to do in Athens? This Athens a glass of wine sampling experience under the Acropolis takes you to a roof dining establishment with gorgeous sights of the Acropolis where you appreciate a red wine sampling with tapas as you appreciate tasty Greek Wine.
Some of the most effective roof bars in Athens consist of The Terrace Floor at Syntagma Square, Novotel Athens with a roof swimming pool bar, Couleur Locale in Monastiraki, The Sky Lounge at Melia in the town hall, as well as the Air Lounge Roof bar in Kotzia Square. I need to confess, we can’t conveniently bear in mind which roof bars we checked out in Athens, however we constantly ensured to stand out right into one in the evening.
Hunt for Street Art
Athens is a fantastic city to watch road art as well as it matches road art in Berlin as well as Paris. On my very first browse through to Athens, I invested a number of days straying the areas to locate surprise treasures.
I came to be interested after I detected various variations of a black as well as white princess, constantly with her eyes shut as well as a depressing expression on her red lips, repainted throughout the facility. I discovered that the musician, Sonke, repainted them for an ex-girlfriend in position where she would certainly see them. Street art is greater than touches of paint on a wall surface. It narrates concerning its environments as well as individuals in it.
Athens Neighborhoods for Street Art: Check out the areas of Anafiotika, Psirri, as well as Metaxourgheio, as well as on capital simply listed below the northeast side of the Acropolis.
Escape With an Island Day Trip
No journey to Greece is full without experiencing the island life, as well as Hydra is a fantastic location for that. Be transferred back in time to a quaint town that has actually been protected like it was when it was integrated in the 1800s. It doesn’t also enable autos. This is the scene that drew in Leonard Cohen to live below in the 1960s in a residence that his household still possesses. The dining establishments along the harbor are a fantastic location for people-watching. We particularly taken pleasure in treking on the well-marked tracks.
How to Get Around Athens
From the flight terminal to midtown Athens
You can take the bus from the flight terminal to midtown Athens. That is what we did our very first time in the city. The bus is 6€The city additionally goes from the flight terminal to the town hall as well as is the Metro is 10€. We took this when returning from our journey to Crete in the Greek Islands. There are taxis from the flight terminal also. If you are flying right into Athens for the very first time on a worldwide trip, we suggest a personal choice up. When going to a brand-new city, we constantly enjoy seeing our name at arrivals as well as understanding we have no hassels in advance of us reaching our resort. Book this cost effective personal flight terminal transfer below.
Getting Around
Athens is a walkable city as well as we strolled to a lot of significant destinations in Athens. Making a base in the town hall, it was a simple stroll to the old damages like the Acropolis, The Temple of Hephaestus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus as well as a lot more.
The Metro is a fantastic means to navigate to restrict strolling. It quits at a lot of old damages, galleries as well as destinations. We usage Google Maps to navigate cities as well as adhere to the transport suggestions. See 32 Best Travel Apps
For a summary of Athens, a get on jump off bus scenic tour is a great way to see the city as well as this mix scenic tour provides you accessibility to the galleries as well as 2 days of accessibility to the get on jump off bus around the city.
A check out to Athens is a journey you’ll always remember. To see the Acropolis for the very first time, stroll in the footprints of Gods, as well as find the old damages of an old city will certainly stick with you for a life time. So, these are the most effective points to do in Athens. Have you saw this old city? What do you suggest site visitors do when they go to Athens?
