Are you planning to visit the beautiful city of Athens?
Good for you, my friend, because you ended up on my travel blog, where you will find all the information you need to make your next vacation a success.
In this article, I have listed all the unmissable places to visit in the Greek capital and all the beautiful things you can do to enjoy the magical city of Athens fully.
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Read 31 Most Wonderful and Unmissable Things to Do in Athens
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1. Eat Greek food:
Delicious Greek food, I can guarantee you are gonna like it. There is a bit for everyone, meat, fish, cheese, vegetables.
In Athens, you are gonna find cheap street food to eat while exploring and Michelin stars restaurants where to spend hours eating Greek delicacy.
Check out my article "39 Delicious Food and Drinks You Have to Try in Greece" to have a better idea about all the tasty Greek food available and if you love sweets like me, I also wrote "20 Amazing Sweets You Have to Try in Greece", so you will enter every Greek bakery knowing already what you want to try.
If you would love to book a Food Tour, there is everything you need. From a local dining experience to a cooking class where to learn to cook some of the most famous Greek dishes.
From a wine-tasting tour to an Athens street food walk (and Greek cheese is delicious, so give it a try).
Do you love Greek olive oil? Good, because in Athens, you can also have a Greek olive oil tasting tour, where you will taste the most delicious Greek olive oil.
2. Visit the Acropolis:
The Acropolis in Athens is probably the most famous attraction in Greece, where everyone goes to see the majestic ruins of the Greek empire.
It is beautiful, absolutely, the view from there is stunning because it is located in the center of the city so you can literally have 360 degrees of Athens.
It can get extremely crowded so if you want to visit it at your peace, taking wonderful pictures without a wall of tourists behind you, I recommend you to get there at the opening time.
And even so, it is going to get crowded pretty soon anyway so is better for you to get n top as fast as you can.
Price: 20 euros
Opening Times: every day from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Entrance Address: Athens 105 58, Greece (there is more than one entrance but this one is where there is usually less queue and you get to see a marvelous view from all the Acropoli from the bottom).
3. Take hundred of pictures with the Pantheon:
The Pantheon is on top of the hill of the Acropoli. It is the most pictured building of Greece probably, and it is indeed stunning.
See this construction that was built more than 2,467 years ago. I mean, that is impressive. It deserves all our respect and of course to be the subject of a hundred of our pictures.
4. Visit the new Acropolis Museum:
The Acropoli Museum is probably one of the most important museums in the world. Here you are going to admire everything that has been found in the archaeological site of the Acropolis.
It is fantastic to see all those ancient artefacts from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece.
Opening times: Monday from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, from Tuesday to Thursday from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Friday from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athina 117 42, Greece
5. See the guards change at the Hellenic Parliament building:
The Hellenic Parliament is also called the Parliament of the Hellenes or Greek Parliament and it is located in the old Royal Palace at the Syntagma Square.
Most tourists go there to see the changing guards (like the English ones). Seeing those guards wearing typical clothes and marching in slow motion is very particular.
Opening Times: you can see them there all-day
Address: Athens 105 57, Greece.
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6. Visit Plaka:
Plaka is my favourite area in Athens. It is the oldest area of the city and is located northeast of the Acropolis and has a charming little town feeling.
There are nice and clean pedestrians cobblestone alleys full of lovely shops where to find art galleries, jewellery, souvenirs, ceramics, clothes, bars, tavernas, and restaurants.
This is an area you cannot miss visiting.
7. Walk around Monastiraki Square:
Monastiraki Square is a place you absolutely cannot miss visiting. It is absolutely a must-see when in Athens.
This square is the oldest square in the city, it has been renovated of course, but it has that feeling of an older time when ideas, religions and civilizations were all mixed together in ancient Greece.
The square is paved with a wonderful marble mosaic where thousands of people walk every year while exploring this wonderful city.
8. See the Temple of Olympian Zeus:
This is a massive temple with unfortunately only sixteen columns left. It was a massive temple dedicated to the Olympian God Zeus.
There is not much left, most parts of it have been used over the years for the construction of other sites around of city, but what is left it is still worth a visit.
Price: 6 euros.
Opening Times: from May to September from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, from October until April from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm.
Address: Athens 105 57, Greece.
9. Walk around Anafiotika:
Surely you are gonna have a walk in the famous and historical neighborhood of Plaka, so you obviously will also explore Anafiotika, a little tiny part of it.
This area of Athens is right behind the Acropolis and is climbing up the hill. Walking in its street is gonna be like walking in a little old village, where white houses are covered with beautiful flowers and trees, along narrow alleys.
Check out all the Athens Walking Tours available here.
10. Enjoy sunset at Mount Lycabettus:
This mount in the middle of the city is probably the most famous spot where to enjoy a sunset. To get there you will have to catch a bus or a Metro (M3), it depends on where you are coming from.
Then you have two options. You can walk up till the top or you can pay for the cable car (one way 5 euros, return 7,50 euros).
I did not have so much time that day and after walking since 7 am, I chose to get up there by cable car.
The view was unbelievable, you can see all of Athens around you, till to the sea.
Maybe I have been lucky, but the sunset colours were wonderful.
Then we descended the hill by walking, there is a footpath with some stairs to get to the bottom.
It was easy to walk but it was getting dark without any lights around so I don't recommend you to walk down the mountain after dark, don't wait too much after the sunset, otherwise, get the cable car, that is surely safer.
11. Walk around Syntagmas square:
The most central square in Athens is right in front of the Parliament, and it is famous for being the place where the Athenians stood up against King Oto of Greece on 3 September 1843 and demand a constitution.
12. See the Hadrian's Arch:
Located only a few minutes walk from the Acropolis and right in front of the Temple of Zeus, commissioned (as is thought, because it is not clear) from the Athenians to celebrate Hadrians as emperor and as Athens citizens.
The Arch is positioned right in one of the busiest streets in Athens, so please be careful when crossing the road.
There is plenty of room for you to take pictures of it/with it behind it.
Address: Leoforos Vasilisis Amalias 50, Athina 105 58, Greece
Do you want to know more about Athens? Check out my other articles about this wonderful destination on "The Most Complete Guide of Athens".
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13. Hadrian's Library:
Famous for being the biggest building erected by Hadrian that included a Library, music and lecture rooms.
There are only some columns left around this big area, as a memory of the majestic building it was. But still impressive.
Price: 6 euros
Opening Times: every day from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm.
Address: Κ, Areos 3, Athina 105 55, Greece
14. Eat delicious street food at Greek Bakeries:
You are gonna see so many bakeries around Athens, they all sell local delicious food, from sweet to savoury pastry, some also sell some hot food you can eat on the spot or take away.
It is surely the most delicious, fast and cheaper way to have breakfast and lunch while exploring the city.
If you want to live an authentic Greek food experience, have a look at all the
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Best Food to Eat in Greece
15. Visit the National Archeologist Museum:
This is, in my opinion, a must-see museum when in Athens. It is full of statues and artefacts to discover how Greek people were living.
So much history to learn from all of that.
There is also a bar (a bit expensive) in a little garden inside the museum, where to rest a bit and enjoy the fresh air during a hot summer day.
Price: Summertime 12 euros, winter 6 euros.
Opening Times: From 1 November to April: Tuesday from 1.00 pm to 8.00, from Wednesday to Monday from 9.00 am to 04.00 pm.
From April to 31 October: Tuesday from 1.00 pm to 8.00 from Wednesday to Monday from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
Address: 28is Oktovriou 44, Athina 106 82, Greece
16. Have an aperitivo or dinner on a rooftop bar/restaurant:
Rooftop bars are the best places where to see Athens at night, the city is so big and full of light, also, you can see the Acropolis all lighted up, it is a magical experience in my opinion, very romantic.
17. Mount Lycabettus church:
When visiting the famous Mount Lycabettus to enjoy the sunset, do not forget to have a look inside the church. It is worth a visit.
Please do not forget to cover your shoulders when entering the church if traveling during summertime.
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18. Visit the central food market:
If you are interested in seeing where the locals go to buy the ingredients for their meals, this is the best place to visit.
There is a big section for meat and fish (be careful in the fish one, there is plenty of water on the floor and it all smells of fish, in case you wear nice and expensive shoes).
They also sell spices, sweets, fruits and much more.
There is also a huge selection of Greek olives in case you like them.
19. Relax in the National Gardens:
This is a vast garden right in the middle of the city, the perfect place to relax and enjoy some fresh air during a hot summer day (Athens can be very hot during the summer season).
There are many trees and plants, some statues and fountains.
It is located near the Parliament so in case you are nearby and fancy a walk in nature, this is the perfect place for you.
If you plan to visit Greece during summer, please don't forget to purchase a good sunscreen lotion with natural ingredients to protect your skin from the sun and an excellent aloe vera aftersun lotion to apply every day after showering.
20. Buy yourself a good pair of leather sandals:
Leather sandals are very typical in Greece, you are gonna see many shops selling them. So, in case you like them and need a new pair of sandals to explore the city and feel like an ancient Greek God/Goddess, this can be a good souvenir to take home with you.
21. Walk around Kifissia:
This is probably the most beautiful neighbourhood where to stay in Athens.
It is in the north area of the city, and it is very safe and beautiful. It is well connected to the city centre thanks to the Metro 1 (green) that will take you right in the city centre to Monastiraki or Thiseio.
Metro 1 also goes straight to Piraeus (the Port where to catch ferries to reach the islands) without changing lines.
There are also many buses to reach the city centre so it is very convenient.
It is not right in the centre but I heard that many tourists look for accommodation far from downtown so if you are one of them, have a look at this neighborhood, it might be the right area for you.
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22. Visit the Benaki Museum:
The Benaki Museum in Athens is a Greek culture museum, and it is located in a beautiful neoclassical-style building. It was donated to the nation by Benaki and his family.
There you are going to admire artifacts from prehistory to the 20th century.
Price: 12 euros. Free under 22 yrs old and disabled.
Free entrance every Thursday from 6.00 pm to 12.00 am to the permanent exhibition.
Opening Times: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, Thursday from 10.00 am to 11.30 pm, Sunday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, Tuesday closed.
Address: Koumpari 1, Athina 106 74, Greece
23. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre:
If you love nature, you should visit this place, located near the sea, where you are gonna admire beautiful gardens, enjoy a coffee in one of the cafes and of course visit the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece.
Opening Times: from 6 am to 12 am.
Address: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea 176 74, Greece
24. Have a walk-in Psyri street:
If you are into street art, you cannot miss a visit to this artistic bohemian neighbourhood in Athens. It is also one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Athens where you are gonna find many cafes and artisan shops (best souvenirs spots).
It is also a trendy area for its vibrant nightlife, with all its bars, restaurants it is absolutely a must-see when in Athens.
25. Visit the Ancient Agora:
This is probably the best example of ancient Greek Agora in Athens (literally means "gathering place") and it is located inside the Acropolis, right down the hill, in the northwest area.
Walking around it, during a quiet morning is gonna really make you feel like thousands of years ago.
Address: Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55, Greece
26. Visit the Panathenaic Stadium:
One of the most visited attractions in Athens is the Panathenaic Station, the only stadium made entirely of marble.
This stadium hosted in 1896 the first modern Olympics, and you can still go running inside of it every morning from 7.30 am to 9.00 am (don't forget your running shoes).
Prices: 5 euros
Opening Times: 8.00 am to 7.00 pm.
Address: Leof. Vasileos Konstantinou, Athina 116 35, Greece
27. Buy food as souvenirs:
Greece offers you so many delicious souvenirs you are gonna need an extra suitcase to carry all of them.
From delicious olive, olive oil, liquors, local beers, herbs, honey, sweets and much more, you are gonna make all of your friends and family very happy if choosing to buy them food as a gift from Greece.
Check out my article " 58 Things to Buy as Souvenirs in Greece".
28. Visit the National Museum of Contemporary Art:
This is an unmissable museum if you love contemporary art. You are going to see paintings, videos, and experimental architecture made by Greeks and international artists.
Opening Times: from Friday to Wednesday from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm, Thursday from 11.00 am to 10.00 pm.
Address: Kallirrois Ave. and Ambr. Frantzis former factory, Athina 117 43, Greece
29. Museum of Cycladic Art:
If you want to know more about the Cycladic, Cyprus and the ancient Greek in general, this is your museum.
Here you are gonna see Bronze age statues, an incredible art collection of vases, weapons and much more of the ancient Greek.
Opening Times: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, Thursday from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm, Sunday from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm, Tuesday closed.
Address: Neofitou Douka 4, Athina 106 74, Greece
30. Enjoy the view of Athens at night:
Athens at night is incredible. You can see it from some rooftop bars, and from some squares around the city, you can see the magical Acropolis with all those lights around it.
That is an experience that every traveler should have while in Athens.
31. Stop for a drink or a slice of cake at Little kook:
This charming cafe is something that just came out of a fairytale. You can sit outside during a warm day but please don't miss having a look on the inside. It literally looks like a cartoon or a wizard movie where to spend hours just checking out every little detail.
Opening Time: every day from 9.00 am to 12.00 am.
Address: Karaiskaki 17, Athina 105 54, Greece
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