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There are such a lot of thrilling issues to do in Athens, it may be onerous to resolve what to do. Athens is an iconic vacation spot, steeped in historic historical past and crammed with scrumptious meals choices. But, regardless of all this, many individuals solely spend a day or two in Athens earlier than heading to one of many Greek Islands.
This record will assist you resolve what to do in Athens throughout your time there — regardless of how lengthy your go to is. I’ve been to Athens twice and love the town, that is positively top-of-the-line places to visit in Greece.
Listed below are the 25 finest issues to do in Athens, Greece.
1. Climb to the Acropolis
Seeing the Fifth-century Acropolis is the preferred factor to do in Athens.
After all, which means everybody needs to go there, together with guests from cruise ships. My recommendation is to get there early. The location opens at 8 am and the cruise ship passengers arrive round 10 am.
Most individuals go to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon however there are a number of different issues to see on the hill, together with the Erechtheion, the Arrhephorion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
From the Acropolis, you possibly can see a lot of Athens and might see all the best way to the ocean. The doorway payment is €20 ($23.25).
To find out about the entire unimaginable historical past, be a part of a personal strolling tour. The tour will even take you to the museum (under). There are just a few several types of excursions you possibly can take, click here to study extra a couple of highly-rated, skip-the-line tour.
2. Go to the Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is among the most lovely museums I've ever been to. I cherished my expertise right here! It’s crammed with pure mild, which highlights the artifacts nicely.
Right here you may get a detailed take a look at the Parthenon frieze replicas on show. The cafe balcony additionally presents nice views of Athens. You may study extra concerning the Acropolis on my blog.
Both earlier than or after you go to the Acropolis, you will need to go to the Acropolis Museum. It’s not removed from the doorway of the Acropolis and the doorway payment is €5 ($5.80) within the winter and €10 ($10.50) in the summertime.
Line-ups right here may be enormous, to skip the road, buy your ticket forward of time here. Alternatively, you should purchase an all-inclusive ticket for each the museum and the Acropolis here.
3. See Hadrian’s Library
This library is just not a library within the sense we all know it at present, it was a spot of examine, not a spot the place books had been lent.
Hadrian’s Library was constructed round 132 AD for housing paperwork and studying rooms. There’s not a lot left however you possibly can clearly see the structure of the library and there may be wonderful signage.
The doorway payment is €4 ($4.70). Hadrian’s Library is situated within the Monastiraki neighborhood not removed from the Acropolis.
4. Go to Edem Seaside
Going to the seashore is among the lesser-known issues to do in Athens as most individuals assume it's a must to go to the islands to take pleasure in some seashore time. Though it’s not one of many best beaches in Greece, it’s nonetheless a terrific place to chill out and benefit from the sea.
Take your personal towel and umbrella if you'd like one, as there are none out there there. You will get a terrific meal on the Edem Taverna situated on the seashore.
To get to Edem Seaside, take the Inexperienced Line tram at Syntagma Sq. and take it within the route of Askllipiio Voulas, and get off on the Edem cease. The 24-hour tram ticket is €4.50 and there's no payment for the seashore.
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5. See The Decorations at Little KooK
I found Little KooK on my most up-to-date journey to Athens. Every vacation season it’s adorned inside and out of doors the restaurant. After I was there it was adorned for Halloween.
Little KooK is especially a dessert cafe, however the high attraction is the decorations. That is most likely probably the most Instagrammable place in Athens moreover the Acropolis!
6. Take a Road Artwork Tour
Road artwork is straightforward to search out in Athens and ranges from basic graffiti artwork to trendy avenue artwork.
Whereas yow will discover a lot of it by yourself within the Plaka space, this tour reveals you round 5 cool neighbourhoods which can be lesser identified to vacationers.
This alternative tour is very rated and a number of enjoyable. Plus, the time for the tour isn’t strict — if everyone seems to be having an excellent time and are desperate to proceed, you possibly can maintain exploring extra avenue artwork and discovering hidden gems.
Have your digital camera or cellphone able to take pictures. Click here to learn more about this expertise and to e book.
7. Go Rooftop Bar Hopping (Greatest Factor To Do in Athens at Evening)
For one of the best view of the Acropolis at evening, you will need to have a specialty cocktail, beer, or glass of wine on a rooftop patio! With this fun, local experience, you’ll go to 3 completely different rooftop bars, whereas having fun with drinks, meals, and nice dialog with new associates.
All the tables are reserved forward of time, so that you gained’t have to attend in line in any respect. Should you’re searching for cool issues to do in Athens at evening, it is a good possibility. Discover out extra here.
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8. Eat The Greatest Yogurtlu and Souvlaki
O Thanasis is among the hottest locations to eat in Plaka. It’s so fashionable that even Greeks eat right here. The most effective factor to eat is the Yogurtlu, which is a beef kebab lined in yogurt on a mattress of pita bread.
The Yogurtlu is massive sufficient to separate with somebody and it'll solely set you again round €10. The individuals at O Thanasis are pleasant and never pushy. The souvlaki can be top-of-the-line on the town.
(Editor’s Be aware: a Greek reader has suggested us that Agrafa restaurant has one of the best souvlaki in Athens. Perhaps attempt them each?!…)
9. Go to the Benaki Museum
Visiting the Benaki Museum is among the finest cultural issues to do in Athens.
The Benaki Museum is a museum of Greek tradition starting from prehistory to the twentieth century. The gathering presents rooms from homes, massive sculptures, and smaller objects like swords and historic paperwork.
The museum is a brief stroll from Syntagma Sq.. It’s situated in a lovely Neo-classic constructing and you'll take pleasure in a espresso and the view from the cafe. Skip-the-line tickets to the museum may be bought forward of time, here.
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10. Smash Issues at Limba Rage Room
Feeling a bit of wired? Have to get some rage out? Limba Rage Room is the place to do exactly that.
You buy a bundle (which might embrace plates, bottles, a tube TV and glasses), and also you smash them! It’s a terrific stress reliever and one of the distinctive issues to do in Athens.
There are a selection of packages for each price range. They vary from €10 to €100. Don’t fear, they offer you protecting gear to put on. It’s situated simply down the road from Little KooK.
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11. Drink a Greek Espresso
Sampling a freddo cappuccino is among the must-do issues in Athens. This is only one of three basic Greek coffees, there may be additionally a frappe and a freddo espresso.
The frappe is just not like a Starbucks frappe however as a substitute is made with instantaneous espresso, water, and sugar (in the event you select).
The freddo cappuccino is espresso topped with frothy milk.
The freddo espresso is simply swirled espresso over ice. All of those coffees pack a severe caffeine punch however since they're all served chilly, it's nice on a scorching day in Athens.
Coffee culture in Greece is a really huge deal. Not solely do locals drink espresso (scorching or chilly) quite a few instances all through the day, however as legend would have it, your fortune may be advised by studying the dregs of espresso left on the backside of your cup.
The following time you’ve completed consuming your espresso in Athens, be sure that to ask somebody to indicate you easy methods to learn your fortune…or higher but, meet up with a neighborhood fortune teller for espresso and studying. Find out more here.
12. Go to the Museum of Cycladic Artwork
The Museum of Cycladic Art is house to one of the full non-public collections of Cycladic Artwork. That is particularly nice to see in the event you gained’t be visiting one of many Cycladic islands in your journey to Greece.
A lot of the artifacts on show are marble items together with bottles, plates, and requirements. There are some steel objects as nicely. The items of marble are principally white making them gorgeous of their simplicity.
This museum in Athens is open Μonday – Wednesday – Friday – Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, Thursday from 10:00 to twenty:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. The doorway payment is €7.
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13. Store in The Plaka
The Plaka is a neighborhood situated under the Acropolis. A lot of this space has been closed off to visitors, though supply vehicles nonetheless are allowed by and a few streets are open.
The chain shops and extra upscale outlets are on Ermou Road — the place yow will discover outlets like Sephora and H&M.
Then there are vacationer outlets and lower-end outlets, that are additional down previous Monastiraki Sq.. Right here yow will discover souvenirs you would possibly wish to deliver house in your family and friends. Plus, it is a nice space for people-watching.
14. Watch the Altering of The Guard
This is among the finest issues to do in Athens. To catch this weekly occasion, you have to be in Athens on a Sunday. The Altering of the Guard takes place on the Parliament Constructing at Syntagma. It takes place at 11:00am and is free to look at.
Whereas the guards do change hourly, on Sundays at 11:00 there are extra guards than normal, they’re dressed within the conventional Greek uniform and the ceremony is extra complicated.
Sundays are one of the best day to see the altering of the guards in Athens. And whereas they might look a bit of uncommon, they're extremely skilled troopers referred to as the Evezone. This is among the finest free issues to do in Athens.
15. Go to Monastiraki Sq.
Should you sit in Monastiraki Sq. lengthy sufficient, I swear you will note everybody in Athens stroll by. That is the place to look at vacationers and locals work together.
It is usually a historic web site with a Ninth-century church, a Nineteenth-century mosque, and within the subway station are antiques discovered in the course of the constructing of the metro.
This is among the most bustling locations in Athens and chilling out right here is among the finest issues to do.
16. Get Customized Made Greek Sandals
When you are purchasing within the Plaka, you'll want to cease at Pantelis Melissions The Poet Sandalmaker for a pair of custom-made Greek sandals. This store has been round since 1920 and has been handed down from technology to technology.
You will get a basic pair in fundamental leather-based or get a flowery pair with decorations or metallics. The costs vary from €40 to €50.
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17. Eat Loukoumades
Loukoumades is a Greek donut. It’s a small puff pastry that's soaked in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. I had one with sesame seeds as soon as too. They're scrumptious.
The most effective place in Athens to get loukoumades is on the aptly named Lukumades. It isn't removed from O Thanasis so after consuming your kebab you possibly can have a donut for dessert!
18. Watch the Sundown at Lycabettus Hill
Watching the sundown from Lycabettus Hill is among the finest issues to do in Athens. Not solely is the sundown gorgeous, however you get superb views of Athens from right here. It's also possible to see the Acropolis all lit up for the night.
There's a funicular to take you up and down in the event you don’t wish to climb the hill. The associated fee for the funicular is €7.50 return or €5 for a one-way ticket.
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19. Go to the Nationwide Archaeology Museum
The National Archaeology Museum has many artifacts starting from prehistory to late antiquity. The artifacts are from throughout Greece and the world. It additionally has an Egyptian assortment.
The museum is north of the Acropolis. You may take the metro to the Victoria station and stroll from there. The doorway payment is €10.
20. Be part of a Strolling Meals Tour (One of many Greatest Issues To Do in Athens for Foodies)
Not all of the excursions in Athens are about historical past. For a enjoyable, informative, and engaging tour, you gained’t wish to miss this experience! It’s one of many highest rated excursions in Athens.
Meet up along with your information and uncover some unimaginable avenue distributors and native markets, all whereas strolling off the meals and studying about Athens and Greece alongside the best way. You’ll eat your means by bakeries, cheese and meat outlets, fish market, espresso outlets, and lots of shops providing world-famous Greek yogurt, natural olive oil, honey and wine.
Included within the tour are many tasty Greek delicacies, so come hungry! Should you’re searching for non-touristy issues to do in Athens, it is a nice possibility — it’s additionally top-of-the-line worth experiences within the metropolis. Discover out extra and reserve your spot here on Get Your Guide, or here on Viator.
There's a multitude of strolling excursions to soak up Athens. Since I really like Greek meals, I at all times search for meals excursions with a aspect of strolling. Whether or not you’re desirous about wine, historical past, or meals, it’s at all times enjoyable to satisfy up with a neighborhood and spend a while collectively whereas studying concerning the metropolis, and the native life-style.
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21. Take a Day Journey to Hydra
You may nonetheless go to a Greek island whereas in your journey to Athens!
Hydra is a small island that permits no automobiles. A lot of the issues to do are situated proper within the port together with eating places and purchasing. There may be even a swimming spot a five-minute stroll away.
Hydra is about an hour ferry experience away in the event you take the quick ferry. The associated fee is about €80 return. You catch the ferry at Piraeus port. Spend the day in Hydra and be again in Athens for dinner. Search the ferry schedule and newest costs here.
Another choice is to hitch a full-day tour that takes you to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina islands aboard a luxurious cruise ship. Click here to study extra.
22. Go to Parliament Constructing
Even in the event you don’t see the Altering of the Guard, the Parliament constructing is price a go to. It was constructed between 1836 and 1842 and was house to the primary trendy King of Greece.
It grew to become the Parliament constructing in 1935 after the monarchy was abolished in 1929. I recommend seeing it at evening when it’s superbly lit.
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23. Eat Gyros
You can't come to Athens and never have a basic gyro. They're out there virtually in every single place and you'll have enjoyable looking for one of the best one. A seek for your favorite gyro is among the finest issues to do in Athens for foodies.
The gyro consists of hen or lamb, french fries, onions, and tomatoes all wrapped up in delicate pita bread. Typically you possibly can organize them open-faced on a plate. They're fairly huge, so in the event you’ve completed tons of strolling that is the meal for you.
24. Take a Day Crusing Journey
One in all my favourite things to do in Greece is to sail. You may be a part of a crusing journey that lasts all day, or take a half-day tour. You may even sail to a number of the islands.
Most of those sails are on catamarans making it simpler for the non-sailor to regulate their sea legs. This is among the finest methods to chill out in Greece. Click here for a top-rated crusing journey (on an precise sailboat) that takes you to Agistri, Moni & Aegina.
Or, in the event you’d desire a catamaran journey in Athens that features meals and drinks, click here for particulars.
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25. Go to the Temple of Poseidon
This gorgeous historic temple sits on the Aegean Sea and was constructed within the Fifth century. An inscription on the temple confirms that it was constructed for Poseidon.
It's best to attempt to be right here early within the morning or for sundown. You may typically see a number of islands on a transparent day from the temple.
Technically it is a day journey from Athens because it’s 70kms south of the town. There's a bus from Athens from the Mavromateon Terminal and you may also get it from Syntagma Sq.. Search for the bus going to Sounio. The bus fare one-way is €6.90.
Should you’d moderately join a tour and never have to fret about transportation, take a look at this highly-rated half-day tour to Poseidon.
Extra Actions in Athens
There are greater than 25 high issues to do in Athens, listed below are a pair extra actions so as to add to your record.
Stroll By means of the Roman Agora
The Roman Agora is situated proper down the hill from the Acropolis. It was constructed as a market after Athens grew to become a part of the Roman Empire within the 1st century.
After I was there, it was very empty making a pleasant change from the crowds of the Acropolis. It’s a pleasant place to discover. Nonetheless, there may be not a lot signage so you will have to look issues up after you go. The doorway payment is €6.
Discover the Athens Central Market
That is the basic outside market with shouting distributors and all of the smells that come together with it. I found it after I stayed in a resort proper out there. The fruits in Greece look and odor superb so even in the event you don’t purchase something it’s nonetheless a terrific place to go to.
The opposite factor to notice is that many of the distributors don’t communicate English, however you possibly can level to objects that you just’re desirous about and use signal language (or a translation app).
There’s additionally meat and fish if you're in self-catering lodging. I cherished this market as a result of it felt like such an authentically Greek expertise. Click here for a enjoyable market tour in Athens.
Donate Your Time: Volunteer in Athens
Should you’re an animal particular person, there are just a few volunteer choices so that you can assist out with deserted and stray animals. Take a look at ZEIL, SGS or SCARS the place you possibly can help with strolling and caring for canine and cats.
This will not be one of many extra touristy issues to do in Athens, however when you have some additional time, or if you want to assist out, it’s positively one of many extra rewarding actions within the metropolis.
Go to the Panagia Kapnikarea Church
Constructed within the eleventh century, this is among the oldest church buildings in Athens. The attention-grabbing factor about this Greek Orthodox church is that it’s surrounded by trendy buildings! You'll find it here on the map.
Be part of a Cooking Class with Rooftop Dinner
Learn to make some conventional Greek meals throughout this fun cooking class. You’ll make (and eat), a starter, essential dish, salad, dessert, and native dips.
Chat with the chef and your new associates whereas eating on tasty meals that you just ready, and having fun with the view from the rooftop of the Acropolis. Discover out extra about this fun experience in Athens here.
FAQs About Athens
Listed below are solutions to some generally requested questions on visiting the town.
What Ought to I Keep away from in Athens?
Relating to areas of Athens, Omonia, Exarcheia, Vathi, and Kolokotroni Squares have excessive crime charges and must be prevented at evening, if not altogether. Ensure to keep watch over your purse and pockets when visiting Athens in addition to there are pickpockets.
Becoming a member of a strolling tour with a neighborhood while you first arrive in Athens is an effective way to get a rundown of the town and the do’s and don’ts.
Are you able to Do Athens in 3 Days?
Sure! You may positively go to Athens on a weekend, or in 3 days. You’ll be capable to cowl the entire essential highlights in simply a few days, and on the third day, you possibly can be a part of a enjoyable expertise (cooking class, wine tasting), or take a day trip by ferry or bus.
The place to Keep in Athens
You’ll wish to keep central when visiting Athens, and intention to be inside strolling distance of the Acropolis, Plake and Syntagma Sq.. Whether or not you select a resort or house is as much as you — some individuals desire accommodations with a easy room, whereas others desire flats with a dwelling space and a kitchen.
This apartment has wonderful evaluations and views of the Acropolis, whereas this apartment is in Plaka and likewise has unimaginable views plus plenty of pure mild. For accommodations, the Electra Metropolis is a highly regarded possibility and it consists of breakfast, a rooftop bar, and wonderful views.
Now You Know What To Do in Athens
As you possibly can see there are such a lot of issues to do in Athens. You may even make a theme for every day you might be there — exploring all of the meals choices, seeing all of the archaeology websites, and aimlessly exploring and seeing what you possibly can uncover!
See Additionally: The Ultimate Guide To Travelling Greece & The Greek Islands
Have you ever been to Athens? What was your favourite factor to do whilst you had been there?
Be aware: Pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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