3 Days in Athens
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You can get a lot out of this historic yet hectic city in three days! Admire the extensive ancient ruins and check out a couple of museums, whilst also feeling the fast pulse of a modern city that is so much more than the concrete jungle it is often made out to be.
13 Places
6 City Tips
13 Places
Plateia Syntagmatos
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Acropolis
Points of Interest & Landmarks, Ancient Ruins
Theater of Dionysus
Ancient Ruins
Acropolis Museum
Speciality Museums
National Garden
Gardens
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Ancient Ruins, Monuments & Statues
Ancient Agora of Athens
Ancient Ruins, Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks
Pandrossou
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Central Market
Flea & Street Markets
Keramikos Cemetery
Cemeteries
National Archaeological Museum
Art Museums, History Museums
Mount Lycabettus
Mountains
Kolonaki Square
Neighbourhoods, Points of Interest & Landmarks
Nick E's City Tips
- Most of central Athens is walkable – just take care with the manic traffic when crossing the road.
- If you want to cover ground fast, the modern metro is the way to go.
- If you plan to do more than two journeys by public transport in one day, a daily ticket is worth it. It's valid for 24 hours for use on buses, trolleys, trams and the metro.
- Locals do not expect foreigners to know any Greek but attempts to say just a few words will endear you to them.
- Tasty takeaway snacks like souvlaki and cheese or spinach pies are cheap and widely available.
- For a full evening meal, just round the bill up as the tip.
- Plateia SyntagmatosPoints of Interest & LandmarksSee more photosNick E Says:
The city's main square is a good place in which to get your bearings and watch the soldiers in traditional dress guarding the grand Parliament building.
Tips- Syntagma is accessible by various metro, bus, trolley and tram routes.
Plan to stay:/Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #26 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Totally respected the Evzones 20/09/2017
- Guards of Honour 20/09/2017
- Plateia Syntagmatos
▼Address:Leoforos Vassilissis AmaliasAthens 105 63Greece - AcropolisPoints of Interest & Landmarks, Ancient RuinsSee more photosNick E Says:
One of the most famous and iconic structures in the world, as well as a symbol of Western civilization, the Acropolis is an unmissable feature on any visit to Athens.
Tips- Going as soon as it opens will allow you to avoid the worst of the crowds, though sunset is a good time during the winter months, too.
- The best approach is through the old Plaka area from Syntagma Square.
- The ticket to the Acropolis includes entry into several other ancient sites within a four day period.
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #2 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Long, hot walk - worth every step 21/09/2017
- Go early to avoid the crowd 21/09/2017
- Acropolis
▼ - Theater of DionysusAncient RuinsSee more photosNick E Says:
Tucked below the Acropolis, this theatre was a very important venue during the ancient Dionysiac festival – a riot of wine and debauchery. It is usually also blissfully uncrowded in comparison with the big rock above!
Tips- Look for the pee holes in the posh front seats!
- You can climb down to the theater from the back of the Acropolis, so you don't need to backtrack.
- Entry is included in the Acropolis ticket.
Plan to stay:/Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #29 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Once Upon A Time.... 21/09/2017
- Oh, My! 21/09/2017
- Theater of Dionysus
▼ - Acropolis MuseumSpeciality MuseumsSee more photosNick E Says:
The splendid new Acropolis Museum is beautifully designed and complements a visit to the Acropolis itself, adding more depth to your overall experience.
Tips- As with most museums in Greece, it is closed on Mondays.
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #1 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Amazing want to go back 21/09/2017
- Go to this Musum 21/09/2017
- Acropolis Museum
▼ - National GardenGardensSee more photosNick E Says:
Athens is not renowned for having many quiet outdoor spaces, so the National Gardens between the Zappio and Syntagma Square are a good place to have a rest.
Tips- Kids might enjoy the modest zoo (signposted "Irattikou") or the playground on the Zappio side.
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #34 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Nice but not a must do! 13/09/2017
- Bird watching in August 12/09/2017
- National Garden
▼Address:Leoforos Amalias 1Athens 10557GreecePhone:2107215019Hours:Sun - Sat06:00 - 19:30Other: - Temple of Olympian ZeusAncient Ruins, Monuments & StatuesSee more photosNick E Says:
Known locally as the Stiles (pronounced 'steeles'), the gigantic columns of this ancient temple are impressive in both scale and size.
Tips- Entry is included in the Acropolis ticket.
- From here it is a relatively short walk up past the Panathenaic Stadium to the residential area of Metz, a great area to have an evening meal at a taverna.
Plan to stay:/Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #24 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Giant 21/09/2017
- Monumental and Well Restored 21/09/2017
- Temple of Olympian Zeus
▼Address:Leoforos Vasilissis OlgasLeoforos AmaliasAthens 105 57GreeceOther: - Ancient Agora of AthensAncient Ruins, Historic Sites, Points of Interest & LandmarksSee more photosNick E Says:
The Agora was the hub of social and commercial activity in the ancient city, and also the place where Socrates wandered around, engaging in heated debates with his philosophical adversaries. The extensive ruins are still very evocative of the time, especially the well-preserved Thissio.
Tips- Entry is included in the Acropolis ticket.
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #18 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Lovely interesting place to go 21/09/2017
- Very interesting 20/09/2017
- Ancient Agora of Athens
▼ - PandrossouPoints of Interest & LandmarksSee more photosNick E Says:
Athens' main flea market is the ideal place to browse for souvenirs and gifts, from backgammon boards inlaid with mother of pearl to ceramics to embroidered bags.
Tips- Look out for the street stalls that line the streets around Pandrossou, especially those beside the fence to the Agora.
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #88 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Tourist Steet 02/08/2017
- Very Touristy 24/07/2017
- Pandrossou
▼ - Central MarketFlea & Street MarketsSee more photosNick E Says:
Even if you are not shopping for food, the lively, loud and bustling central market is a picturesque place to spend some time.
Tips- The restaurants here stay open all night and are a popular meeting place when everywhere else has closed.
Plan to stay:/Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #46 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Interesting sights even if you're not buying anything! 08/09/2017
- Halal/Hallal Meat in Athens 27/08/2017
- Central Market
▼Address:Athinas 42Athens 999-20Greece - Keramikos CemeteryCemeteriesSee more photosNick E Says:
One of the least visited ancient sites in the city, this is also one of its most atmospheric. The burial grounds provide another rare retreat amidst all the chaos.
Tips- The site is closed on Mondays.
- After you leave Keramikos, you will be well positioned to visit two of Athens' trendiest areas for dining and nightlife possibilities, Psyrri and Gazi.
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #64 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Nothing great, nothing bad 21/07/2017
- 1st Grade Sightseeing 11/06/2017
- Keramikos Cemetery
▼ - National Archaeological MuseumArt Museums, History MuseumsSee more photosNick E Says:
The huge collection housed within this splendid Neoclassical building contains some of the most important archaeological finds from all over Greece, and places the importance of Greek culture in its full context.
Tips- While unusual for Greece, the museum does open on Monday afternoons.
- The collection is so massive that it is wise to study the map and concentrate on several halls, rather than trying to see everything.
Plan to stay:/ 2-3 hoursFrom the communityRanked #7 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- AMAZING, so well worth it 21/09/2017
- Go to this Musem 21/09/2017
- National Archaeological Museum
▼Address:Patision 44Athens 106 82GreecePhone:2132144800Hours:Mon13:00 - 20:00Tue - Sun08:00 - 20:00Other: - Mount LycabettusMountainsSee more photosNick E Says:
Over twice the height of the Acropolis, this hill is worth the climb for the unparalleled views it affords. You can see across the Acropolis to the sea and all around the city to the surrounding mountains. The tiny chapel at the summit is also delightful.
Tips- If you don't fancy the hike up, there is a funicular railway on the Kolonaki side.
- Look out for summer performances at the open-air theatre here.
Plan to stay:/ 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #11 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Careful! 21/09/2017
- Spectacular Views. 21/09/2017
- Mount Lycabettus
▼Phone:+30-21-0721-0701Other: - Kolonaki SquareNeighbourhoods, Points of Interest & LandmarksSee more photosNick E Says:
Central Athens' ritziest area is a good access point for Likavitos and, if you have the money, checking out the designer shops. Come prepared however, even a coffee here will set you back quite a few euros!
Tips- A far better area for finding authentic tavernas and a host of lively bars is nearby Exarchia, between the Archaeological Museum and Likavitos.
Plan to stay:/Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #56 of 321 things to do in AthensCertificate of Excellence 2014- Very Vibrant 14/09/2017
- Great place for coffee/drink 04/09/2017
- Kolonaki Square
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