An Amazing Athens Itinerary for 1,2 or 3 Day Trip

Despite its rich and extensive history, people don’t always love visiting Athens. While planning my Athens itinerary, I got advice from a friend that was more on the “one day in Athens is more than enough” side. I planned my two days accordingly and shortly after arrival, I realized that I made a huge mistake. Why? Because I instantly fell into the category of people fascinated with Athens and I wish I stayed much longer.

I mean how could you not? Ancient ruins, delicious baklava, tasty table wine, romantic cobblestone streets, Greek music and dancing, very handsome men, amazing parties, and unimaginable views. There is no denying that outside the major tourist areas and sights, the city has some major improvements to make. It can be outdated and even sketchy in some parts. I imagine people who hate this city fixate on that part and forget to enjoy the good parts.

Today I bring out a quick guide to this amazing city along with some Athens itineraries you can download below. We’ll go over the logistics of visiting this gem, some awesome places to see and tips to make the most out of your stay there.

Quick Athens logistics

Suggested length of stay

Although you can comfortably cover the majority of the popular sights in two days, I would recommend staying a minimum of 3 instead to see everything and not rush. This city has an awesome charm and you’ll want to sit in small cafes for an extended period of time. The evening views of the Acropolis are unlike any others so you’ll need to spend a night there to see it for yourself.

Best time to Visit Athens

The high season in Athens is the summer, so June, July, and August will be the most crowded but also the liveliest. I visited in June and loved this time for the weather as it was warm with minimal rain. However, don’t underestimate the power of shoulder season. May and September are one of the best alternatives if you don’t like the crowds.

While countries like Greece, Italy, or France get the majority of the crowds in the summer, there are less crowded European cities that are worth visiting if you’re hopping around on a cheap RyanAir flight. I would recommend checking out the Paris of the East or Budapest, the cheap but amazing Poland or Stockholm in northern Europe!

Size & Transport

Flying in couldn’t be any easier as flights are abundant even from the states. Since intra-Europe flights are a lot cheaper, my flying hack is to always fly to the cheapest city within Europe and then book a separate flight from there to my city of choice. I saved a bunch of money by flying into Paris from NYC and then to Athens rather than booking a direct flight from NYC.

To get to the city center from Athens airport, you have 3 options:

• For under 10 euros, the Airport Express Bus will take you to Syntagma square in 40 min.
• Metro is also a cheap and easy option but also the longest (1hr).
• Taxis are significantly more expensive but get you to the city center in about 35 mins.

Athens is a medium-sized city in its tourist spot aspect. Walking is possible between most sights but I’d recommend you take advantage of the awesome metro system. It is very easy to navigate and will bring you everywhere you need to be. Buses are a good option as well. Renting a car simply does not make sense here because of parking and the complicated road layout. If you opt for a taxi, it should always have the meters turned on. The take-home is to utilize public transport as much as possible. First, it is very cheap, and second, you get to actually immerse yourself in the day-to-day life of the locals.

When continuing your Greek journey to an island, remember that you have two options, 1) flying out or 2) taking a speed ferry to the islands. The main port has easy connections to other islands with many providers. You can access the port by taking the metro there or a taxi. It is large so make sure to spot your ship correctly when you get there.

If you’re traveling to the islands, make sure to read my Santorini vs. Mykonos guide!

People in Greece

Greek people are amazing. They’re so full of life, so curious about you, and always very very hospitable. As always, be cautious when people are being too friendly, but overall, I loved interacting with almost all people. The staff in restaurants, our hostel hosts, fellow travelers, and the locals were all amazing. The atmosphere there makes you a friendlier person. I wouldn’t hesitate to find a small restaurant and simply have a conversation with the staff there.

Safety in Athens

Let’s be real. Athens can give you some sketchy vibes in certain areas as the city is struggling after the economic crisis. Some streets are a bit messy and broken down. However, I did not feel like I was in danger at any point. Walking down at night with a group of girls, we kept our guard up as the young guys made some comments at us. It was just comments and nothing that made us feel dangerous. Overall, it’s safe but be smart and do not walk down dark alleys at night.

A common problem within the city is gypsies and gypsy children. I struggle with this a lot when I travel because when a 5-year-old kid walks up to me to sell me something, I almost instantly forget about this scheme. If you see two kids approaching you, just remember that when one distracts you, the other is searching your pockets.

Food in Athens

Food is amazing all over the city. It is very cheap as well so dining in fancy restaurants is doable on a budget. I loved the extensive al-fresco dining and the little hole-in-the-wall places that serve you amazing gyros. Speaking of greek street food, you can’t get enough of it.

Drinking is the best part of this city. Table wine tastes amazing and cold beers can be found all over the city. Don’t forget to find a nice bar that gives you night views of the Acropolis at night and spend some time admiring this once-in-a-lifetime view.

Hotels/Hostels

Hostels are crazy cheap. Hotels and Airbnb are even cheaper. You have a ton of options depending on your budget. I stayed at the Circus Hostel and I loved that place! The staff is awesome and it was really cool how they tried to create social events for the guests to get to know each other.

Since the city’s accommodations are cheap, I recommend finding an Airbnb with Acropolis views. There are dozens of them and trust me when I tell you that there is nothing better than sitting on a balcony at night with a glass of wine, enjoying a lit-up Acropolis in the background.

Sightseeing

In terms of sights, there is a good amount of things to do there, some of which will take the majority of your day. You’d be living under a rock if you didn’t know that Athens is FULL of history. Seriously, the majority of the places are really old. It’s mind-blowing realizing that you’re seeing objects from B.C.

If it’s going to be any city you visit, Athens should be the one place where you make sure to immerse yourself to the fullest there when it comes to history. Get a guide for the major sights and learn something important. Do a free walking tour to at least get an introduction. In addition to the history, dedicate some time to eating your way through the city and enjoying the little moments in the street cafes.

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Perfect Things To Do On Your Athens Itinerary

Athens isn’t a perfect city. It’s a little beaten down in places and you can see serious poverty once you set foot outside the tourist areas. Walking at night as a girl can be annoying as you’ll constantly get cat-called. But despite its flaws, I genuinely had an amazing time there. The locals were super friendly and the city did not fail to deliver on how many things there were to see.

Here are some must-dos in the city and no, I wouldn’t skip any of them no matter how many times you’ve seen them in other guides too!

Walking tour

Unless you’re a complete history nerd that understands the deep history behind this city, this should be the first item on your list when you arrive. I cannot recommend this enough. There are many companies that offer free walking tours on a donation basis or more private paid ones. I’d go with the free option as it offers excellent introductions and other like-minded travelers. Just pick one that doesn’t have a huge crowd following it.

I cannot emphasize how much history this city offers. Getting at least the gist of it is the least you can do to appreciate it. A walking tour should give you a nice layout of this city and also educate you enough to know what you are looking at. If walking tours are absolutely not your thing, grab a history guide and READ it.

Acropolis

It is likely that you’ve heard of the pride and joy of Athens, the Acropolis. But even if you did, you might be asking what exactly is the Acropolis. Don’t worry, it’s not a dumb question and I was genuinely confused too. The Acropolis was a very important area of Athens serving military and religious purposes. Today, the site has an ancient ruin site overlooking this stunning city. It houses temples with the most known one being the Parthenon. Although you can explore the place without a guide, make sure to do some reading on it beforehand, so you can appreciate what you’re looking at when you visit.

Some of the most known landmarks there include:

• Propylaea Gateway
• Temple of Athena Nike
• Parthenon
• Erechtheion
• Dionysus Theater
• Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Since it is one of the most popular attractions in the world, it will also be one of the busiest areas of Athens. It will be hard to avoid crowds, especially in peak season but you have a couple of options to dodge them for a little. First, arrive at the 8 am opening or 2 hours before closing. Second, use the second entrance instead of the main one, and lastly, purchase your tickets in advance online or at one of the other archeological sites. Prices vary depending on the time of year.

While you’ll be touring this attraction during the day, make sure to set time aside to see it from one of the viewpoints in the early evening too. I can’t even describe how amazing it looks at night too. No amount of online pictures captures its magnificence during that time. A lot of the local bars/restaurants offer prime views of it too. I went to 360 Degrees Bar and loved the views. Here is a nice guide from True Voyagers on awesome rooftops with Acropolis views.

Acropolis Museum

To finish your history lesson, visit the Acropolis Museum to learn a little more about this magnificent place. It’s located down the hill in the actual city. Although it houses extremely old objects, don’t be surprised by how modern this building is on the outside. I was a little confused myself as I expected a grand old-style building. The museum has an impressive glass floor through which you can see the remains of the old ruins. Purchase your tickets ahead of time to skip the long lines. The price is 5 euro off-season and 10 in-season.

Mars Hill

Having lived in New Jersey for most of my life, I always tell those who want to visit my next-door neighbor, New York City, that NYC is best seen from across the river. Don’t get me wrong, NYC has its perks for sure, but you really get to see it and understand the feeling it gives when you’re standing in New Jersey looking at its amazing skyline from afar.

Acropolis in my opinion is similar to NYC in that sense. Yea sure, it is an amazing place to visit during the day and see the city from its hills. But when it really hits you is when you’re standing on one of the viewpoints, especially at night looking at it from afar. That’s when you really see its scope and why so many people want to come and see it with their own eyes.

Mars Hills is my pick for that wow factor of all of Acropolis. It is certainly not an easy climb and don’t be surprised by the youths hanging out there too. Oh, and it actually is known for the place where St. Paul preached from. But if you’re not there for St. Paul, grab a 6 pack and enjoy the sunset staying into the evening. Since it’s quite a popular spot, there is a decent amount of people around so it should be fairly safe to explore at that time of the day.

Lycabettus Hill

While Mars Hill should be the first place you catch views from, if you have an extra day in Athens, make your way over to Lycabettus Hill too. Its location is a little more distant and you will have to take a short ride from the city center. You have the option to climb it, get a ride there, or take the cable car up. I strongly recommend watching the sunset from there.

Plaka

Plaka is a neighborhood that if you have never been to Greece, you’d imagine Greece would be like. The hanging colorful flowers, street cafes, and tiny roads make it a must-see during your visit. Until this day I romanticize that part of town.

I wish I got better pictures to show you how stunning this area is but I was too busy drinking wine and enjoying the company of my two best friends. Grab lunch at one of the restaurants on Anafiotika street. It’s a very unique experience and you will never forget the magic of this little area.

Since it is a very old neighborhood, you will also find the Agora there or a place of gathering for debates between Socrates and Plato.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

This is a site of what is left of this magnificent ancient structure. This was built about 400 years BC and it’s amazing that it still stands even to the extent today. You need to pay an entrance fee to the sight and you will also see Gate of Hadrian in that area. If you don’t want to enter it, most walking tours stop outside the gates from which you can see the structure.

Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square is the main town square situated centrally in Athens. It’s a good spot to grab a Greek coffee during the day and spend some money. It’s an amazing place to pause and people-watch. During the night, you can find a couple of bars here that provide amazing views of the Acropolis.

Syntagma Square

This is the famous spot of the guard change which happens daily at 11 am. Large crowds gather to this spot daily. It is located in front of the Parliament building. While I respect these cultural proud activities, I wouldn’t consider this as a must-see.

National Garden

Nice garden for a small stroll. It’s located near the posh Kolonaki neighborhood so if you have enough time, make a stop there to enjoy the beautiful local flora.

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Perfect Athens Itinerary: FREE Downloadable Guides for your stay

Athens is a gem of a city that should be given its deserved time. In my opinion that should be three days. The people are great, the food is absolutely delicious and the wine makes everything even more perfect. I made these three itineraries for you for one, two, and three-day stays. I hope you have the most perfect time in this perfect city.

One Day Athens Itinerary

One day in Athens is just enough to see the gist of the major sites but I would strongly recommend staying a little longer than that. However, if that is all you got no fret, I planned the perfect day for you.

You’ll start your day exploring the Acropolis, learning some history, and seeing the charming Plaka neighborhood. Then, you will spend some time in Monastiraki square and end your stay admiring the sunset views of the Acropolis from afar.

Two Day Athens Itinerary

Two days is a good amount of time to see most of the major sights. For day one, you will start your day with a walking tour which will provide you with a good history lesson. Avoiding history in this city is impossible so you might as well appreciate how old and valuable everything is. The tour will also give you a good overview of everything. The day will end with some panoramic views of the city and cold cocktails on the roof.

On day two, you will explore the impressive Acropolis, the museum, and the local neighborhoods. Once again, you will end the night with some more views of the Acropolis but with a different perspective than yesterday.

Three Day Athens Itinerary

I personally stayed in Athens for two days and until this day, I regret not adding the third. I think this is the perfect combination of history, food, views, and even the beach. When I return there, I will certainly stay longer than my first stay to fully grasp the charm of this city.

My three-day itinerary is very similar to the two-day one, but instead, on the third day, I added a beach day, time for exploring the Glyfada area, and a unique experience in the city.

Tip for the beach: Although you’ll need to pay for the lounge chairs and location of “fancier” beaches, the price is worth the experience.

Map for your Greek Adventure