How To Spend 3 Days In Athens
Athens “An ancient city with a modern soul”
Where do I even begin to describe my hometown, Athens?
Athens is one the world’s oldest cities, continuously inhabited for a whopping 3,500 years!! It is also a city of paradoxes and great contrasts. Yes, it can be messy, chaotic and loud, I hear you, but at the same time Athens is an open-air museum of world-class cultural heritage attractions and a contemporary metropolis with an urban and vivid personality.
No wonder why, especially within the last few years, Athens is increasingly becoming a go to destination rather than just a quick stop-over on the way to the islands. My suggestion is that you need at least 2 to 3 days to explore everything the city has to offer. Believe me there’s a lot!
From the iconic Acropolis, rising above the city, to charming up and coming neighbourhoods, museums and contemporary art galleries, to a very vibrant food and drink scene, Athens is a perfect destination for a city break!
And the best part is that it’s a great destination all year long. Did you know that Athens is the 4th sunniest city in Europe with over 2,771 hours of sunshine per year!?
WHAT TO DO IN ATHENS:
The first thing you should do in Athens is a no-brainer - buy your combined ticket, which will allow you to do the following:
The Acropolis:
What can be said about the Acropolis! This magnificent hill is visible from almost every part of the city and is the hub around which Athens still revolves. It's no brainer that the first thing you have to do is to hike up to visit the Acropolis.
On top of the Acropolis hill and as soon as you pass through the Propylaia, Akropolis great entrance, lies the Parthenon, standing there since 432 BC when it was completed (construction started in 447 BC). The Parthenon is literally the most iconic piece of Ancient Greek architecture and you will need more than a few moments to enjoy its magnitude; it is really breathtaking! Next to the temple sits the Erechtheion complex with its emblematic Caryatids statues.
On the way up to the rock, you will also have the chance to admire the stunning theatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus, standing there for 1,861 years where you can still enjoy today live performances.
Tickets: €13 ｜ Opening times: 8.00am to 8.00pm (last entry 7.30pm) Apr - Oct / 8.00am to 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm) Nov - Mar (check website here)
Museums:
Acropolis Museum:
300 metres away from the archaeological site of the Acropolis, you will find the Acropolis museum. This incomparable museum (voted 11th best museum in the world) contains one of Athens' most valuable collections of ancient Greek art dating back to the archaic period (7th century BC).
What’s best, the top floor mimics the Parthenon temple which you can actually see at the same time through the windows of the museum.
Tickets: €5 (winter season), €10 (summer season) ｜ Opening times: most days 9.00am - 5.00pm (check website here)
National Archaeological Museum:
This is a MUST see museum in Athens. It's probably Greece’s largest archaeological museum, and houses over 11,000 artefacts and 5 permanent collections. The NAM displays clearly the rise and fall of several Greek civilizations throughout the ages; the amount of history here is literally mind boggling! All exhibits are well presented and illustrate the way people lived and what was important to them.
Tickets: €6 (winter season) / €12 (summer season) ｜ Opening times: most days 8.30am to 3.30pm (winter season) / most days 8.00am to 8.00pm (summer season) (check website here)
Benaki Museum of Greek Culture:
This museum houses Greek works of art from prehistoric to modern times and includes an extensive collection of ceramics, art, jewellery, costumes and many more.
Tickets: €12 ｜ Opening times: most days 10.00am to 4.00pm
Museum of Cycladic Art:
Just a few minutes walk from the Benaki museum, the museum of Cycladic art focuses on promoting the ancient cultures of the Aegean islands as well as Cyprus. There is a particular emphasis on Cycladic art of the third millennium BC.
Tickets: €9 ｜ Opening times: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Ancient Agora:
These ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens right below the Acropolis, were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times, a political, cultural and economic centre of the ancient world. Here, you will also be able to admire the temple of Hephaestus which is one of the best preserved temples of its type in Greece.
Tickets: €6 (winter season) / €12 (summer season) ｜ Opening times: most days 8.30am to 3.30pm (winter season) / most days 8.00am to 8.00pm (summer season) (check website here)
Hills of Athens:
Filopappou Hill:
At 147 metres, this might not be the highest hill of Athens, but probably offers the best and closest views to the Acropolis hill and the Parthenon.
It is often less crowded than other well-known hills and is quite easy to walk up. Two favourite spots of the hill are next to the Philopappos Monument or on the side of the hill named Pnyx.
Mount Lycabettus:
Lycabettus is the highest point of Athens (277m) and offers a stunning 360 view of the entire city including views of the Acropolis, the seaside, as well as incredible sunsets. It is a must visit location whether you decide to dine or have a drink at the top or you prefer to just admire the view by St. George chapel.
There are a few options on how to get on top of the hill, you can either hike your way up (though be prepared for a long climb), you can take a taxi directly to the top, or you can use the funicular (€10.00 roundtrip) which is located close to metro station Evangelismos.
Syntagma Square:
Syntagma square, which translates to Constitution square, is the main square of the city, and it is within walking distance from several attractions, such as the National gardens (Zappeion), the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, temple of Olympian Zeus, the main shopping street (Ermou) and so much more. The square is home to the Greek Parliament, a neo-classical style building.
Change of the Guards:
You should not miss viewing the change of the guards which takes place in front of the Parliament building every hour of the day. The guards, which are traditionally known as ‘’tsoliades’,’ is a special unit of the Hellenic Army who guard the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, honouring the heroes who fought and sacrificed for the land they stood on for thousands of years.
National Gardens:
Right in the heart of Athens, next to the Greek parliament, stands the famous National Garden of Athens, a beautiful green area to escape the noisy city centre. The garden covers a vast area of about 16 hectares and is home to 7,000 trees, 40,000 bushes and other plants, making up 519 species and varieties.
Panathenaic Stadium (Kalimarmaro):
This amazing stadium was originally constructed in the ancient times, circa 330 BC, to host the famous Panathenaic Games (not the Olympic games as most people believe), which were held to honour goddess Athena, the protector of the city.
Monastiraki Square & Flea Market:
Monastiraki is one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Athens, located at the heart of the city, under the shadow of the Acropolis. Here you can see a blend of historical eras, architecture and cultures, and many roads leading to different directions.
No wonder why it is a famous meeting point for Athenians. Monastiraki square sits right at the centre of many noteworthy neighbourhoods (Plaka, Psyri, Thiseio etc.) that host a variety of rooftop bars with stunning views, traditional tavernas and restaurants.
Plaka & Anafiotika:
The most famous Athenian neighbourhood of Plaka is definitely a top attraction for visitors. Stroll around its picturesque streets, historic landmarks and lively shops and make sure to enjoy a coffee at Mnisikleous street or have lunch at one of the traditional tavernas.
Panepistimiou Avenue:
This avenue stretches across the two principal squares of the city, Syntagma and Omonia square, and hosts some of the most beautiful neoclassical buildings in the world! Here you can admire the Greek Academy, the National Library and many more sites. They all look exactly like how you’d picture ancient Athens. The simple use of geometric shapes gives these buildings a grand, eloquent design. Don’t miss seeing them!
Odeon of Herodes Atticus:
If you can, you have to watch a performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
This stunning open-air theatre, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, sitting at the slopes of the Acropolis hill, is still used as a stage for all kinds of performances - 2,000 years after its construction. From majestic ballets and arias, to ancient Greek tragedies, witnessing a performance here is one you’re unlikely to forget.
Cultural Center:
The Athenian cultural centre (Stavros Niarchos Foundation), built in 2016, is located in the neighbourhood of Palaio Faliro and hosts three different projects; the National Library, the Greek National Opera and the Stavros Niarchos Park with 360 views of the city, including the seaside and the Parthenon.
Athens Riviera:
Just 30 minutes away from the city centre, Athens Riviera will make you feel as if you are in some Greek island. The city’s south-east coastline is home to a myriad of beaches, coves, marinas, and parks, each with its own quirks and charms.
Along the coastline you will come across an array of organized or not beaches as well as bars, restaurants and summer night clubs.
At the very end of the peninsula, approximately 1 drive, you will find Cape Sounio, an important historic site, home to a famous Temple of Poseidon as well as my favourite beach, Kape Sounio.
Some of the best places to visit along the Athenian riviera are: Floisvos marina, Glyfada, Varkiza, Vouliagmeni lake, Saronida and Anavissos.
WHERE TO STAY:
Most notable neighbourhoods to stay in Athens are Syntagma square (though can be a bit more pricey), around Monastiraki and Psyri, or Koukaki.
My suggestion would be Koukaki as you will get a local feel to the city whilst being at a really close proximity to all major attractions.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK:
Elevated Greek cuisine:
Samano Radio restaurant
Sense Rooftop
Attic Urban Rooftop
Feedέλ Urban Gastronomy
MiraMe
Traditional Tavernas:
Dioskouroi
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas
Diporto (as traditional as it can get)
Saita
Drinks/Cocktails:
Couleur Locale
A for Athens (can get really busy)
To Lokali
Buena Vista
Bios
The 7 Jokers
Brettos Bar
