Athens, a historic and vibrant city known as the cradle of Western civilization and famous for its role in the development of democracy, theater, philosophy, and arts in ancient Greece.
Is it possible to explore Athens in three days?
Absolutely, and in this daily itinerary, we’ll share our minute-by-minute experience, along with tips, advice, and all our recommendations to make your visit to Athens an invaluable memory.
How can you reach the center of Athens?
The first thing to consider is that Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos is quite far from the city center, approximately 30 kilometers away. You might wonder, what’s the best way to get to the center? There are different options: you can take the Metro, which operates every day from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm. Another option is the bus, where the Airport Express Bus service has four lines; the X95 line goes to the center of Athens, making 20 stops between the airport and Syntagma Square, with a travel time of 40-60 minutes, making it the most budget-friendly option. This information is crucial if you’re mindful of your budget.
Other options include hiring a Private Transfer service, where they pick you up at the airport and drop you off at your hotel, which can be very convenient and economical if you’re traveling with three companions. Alternatively, you can take a taxi, but keep in mind that fares may vary depending on whether it’s daytime or nighttime; always agree on the price before starting the journey. And if you enjoy driving, you can rent a car at Athens Airport, reaching the city center in just 30 minutes.
Where to stay in Athens?
Athens is a bustling city, and finding accommodation can be a journey in itself. Our goal is to ensure you have the best experience, so we recommend staying in the Plaka Neighborhood, situated at the foot of the Acropolis, allowing you to visit tourist spots on foot.
Another recommended area is the Monastiraki Neighborhood, filled with charming hotels, bars, and shops. It’s considered the liveliest area in Athens, with many restaurants and streets full of food stalls and crafts. You could also stay at Syntagma Square, known as the center of Athens, where the government headquarters are located. It’s a very touristy area, so accommodation prices can be higher, but it’s a safe area to spend your nights and is well-connected to metro stops. Here’s a list of our recommended hotels located in these areas.
Booking.comOne day in Athens
Assuming you arrive in Athens early in the day, the first thing is to check into your hotel. We recommend taking it easy, finding a nice place for breakfast, resting a bit from your flight, and gathering energy for your first day in this historic city. If you’ve followed our accommodation advice, you’ll notice that the entrance to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympeion, is just a few steps away. Its colossal columns will leave you awestruck, but we’ll save the entry for the second day of this itinerary.
Continue your journey to the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held. Its marble structure will simply amaze you. Our next stop is Syntagma Square, as mentioned earlier, one of the most touristy squares in Athens where you can witness the changing of the guard. Then, continue to the Plaka Neighborhood, commonly known as the “neighborhood of the Gods” for being one of the oldest in the city. Here, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to enjoy an excellent lunch. Don’t miss walking down Adrianou Street, known for its local crafts and where you can find the best souvenirs of the city.
Head to the Acropolis Museum, inaugurated in 2009, where you’ll see a vast collection from ancient Greece and remnants of ancient Athens. Next, take a taxi or walk to Mount Lycabettus to see one of the best sunsets in the city from its summit. As night falls, we advise returning to the Plaka area to enjoy the nightlife, have a good dinner, and rest.
Bookings for this first day:
- Single entry for Acropolis: Step back in time at the Panathenaic Stadium to see where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held. Pass by the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian to catch a glimpse of the Greek Parliament building and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. Book here
Second day in Athens
We start this day energized and ready to make the most of it, so our advice is to wake up early to enjoy the tourist sites with fewer crowds and fully experience them. We begin our second day at the Acropolis of Athens, where if you followed our accommodation recommendations, you can reach it in less than 10 minutes on foot, starting your tour from entrance 1.
It’s essential to wear comfortable shoes, bring water, snacks, a hat, and sunglasses for this visit. At the Acropolis, you’ll see the Theatre of Dionysus, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion; it will be an invaluable experience. Before leaving through entrance 2 of the Acropolis, visit the Areopagus Hill, where we recommend returning in the afternoon to see the sunset from this point. In Greek mythology, this place is associated with Ares, the god of war, and it’s said to be where he was judged by other gods for killing Poseidon’s son.
Continue your tour to the Roman Agora, where you’ll see the Gate of Athena Archegetis from 11 BC, the Tower of the Winds, and the Fethiye Mosque. Right next to the Agora, you’ll find the Library of Hadrian, known for its 100 columns, built by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. By now, you’re probably hungry, so we invite you to continue exploring the Monastiraki neighborhood, where you can enjoy its bazaars and a wide range of gastronomy. After recharging, head to the Monastiraki Flea Market, a square full of crafts, highlighting artisanal soap and the famous Greek evil eye; this is an ideal place to buy souvenirs. Our next stop is the Ancient Agora of Athens, where the old city of Athens was located, and you must visit the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved in Greece. Continue your journey back to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, this time take your time to enter and admire its columns. End your afternoon in one of Athens’ lively neighborhoods, enjoying its delicious and traditional cuisine.
Bookings for this second day:
- Combined ticket for Acropolis and other archaeological sites: Save time and money during your stay in Athens with a pre-booked combination ticket that grants you access to 7 major archaeological sites in Athens. Enjoy discounts of up to 50% and skip the long tourist queues at the Acropolis, the Agora of Athens, the Roman Agora, the Temple of Zeus, the School of Aristotle, the Library of Hadrian, and the ancient cemetery of Kerameikos. Enhance your experience with a self-paced audio-guided tour. Book here
Third Day in Athens
For this third day, we recommend taking an excursion to learn more about the country’s history. You have several options: firstly, you can visit Delphi, which is a two-hour drive from Athens and is considered a place of great archaeological importance. This city is known for the Oracle of Delphi, where the Pythia acted as a mediator between gods and mortals. During this visit, you can see the remains of the Temple of Apollo and also the Delphi Archaeological Museum, where valuable pieces found in excavations are displayed. You can book a tour to this city or take public transport that will surely take you there.
The second excursion we recommend is to Corinth, Mycenae, and Epidaurus, important places of ancient Greek civilization. As these are places with a lot of history, we recommend booking a guided tour in your native language to not miss any details of their history.
Our third recommendation is the Excursion to Meteora, which means “suspended in the air” in Greek, known for its monasteries atop giant rocks. The most representative monasteries are the Great Meteoron Monastery, the Holy Trinity Monastery, the St. Nicholas Monastery, and the St. Stephen Monastery; you can access them via stairs and elevators in some cases. The views of the Thessaly Valley and the mountains offer an unparalleled landscape. At this point, you can rent a car or take a guided tour in your original language; this excursion lasts the whole day as it’s a 4-hour journey each way from Athens, which may be a bit tiring for some, but the visit is totally worth it.
If you still have time, we recommend visiting one of the following places not included in this itinerary but that you will surely love:
- Socrates’ Prison; where the philosopher spent his last hours of life.
- National Archaeological Museum
- National Garden of Athens
- Kerameikos, the largest necropolis in all of Greece
- Technopolis City of Athens, an art and culture center built in a former gas factory.
This concludes our three-day itinerary for Athens; we hope you have an excellent trip and enjoy it to the fullest.
Bookings for this day:
- Excursion to Delphi: Embark on a fascinating journey to Delphi, a captivating place declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided tour departing from Athens. Immerse yourself in the mythical tales and historical legends of Ancient Greece as you explore this renowned destination. Book here.
- Excursion to Mycenae, Epidaurus, Corinth: This tour is the best way to visit numerous ancient and historic sites while also experiencing the Greek countryside in a single day. During the coastal journey, you’ll have the opportunity to see some Greek coastal villages and the island of Salamis (where the historic battle between the Athenians and Persians took place in 480 BCE Book here.
- Excursion to Meteora: Embark on a unique excursion to visit the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Meteora, on our exclusive day trip from Athens, in mainland Greece, with the highest-rated local agency in the area. Learn about the geology and history of this magnificent place, and immerse yourself in the rich religious culture by visiting 3 out of the 8 monasteries built on the rocks of Meteora. Count on a local expert guide on the minibus to learn more and travel smoothly. Book here.
