Best Things to Do in Athens: 12 Sights Worth Your Time

The best things to do in Athens are the ones that put ancient Greece and everyday Greek life next to each other: the Acropolis and its museum, the Ancient Agora, the lanes of Plaka, a hill at sunset, a long taverna lunch and, if you have time, a half day at the coast. The city is noisy, a little chaotic and very rewarding once you stop expecting a tidy open-air museum.

Start with the Acropolis and the museum below it

Nothing else in the city competes with the Acropolis and Parthenon. The rock is crowned by the Parthenon, the Erechtheion with its porch of maiden statues, the small temple of Athena Nike and the monumental gateway of the Propylaea. Go at opening time or late in the day, wear shoes with real grip because the marble is polished and slippery, and bring water, since there is little shade. Opening hours, ticket rules and visitor limits change by season, so check the official site shortly before you travel.

At the foot of the hill stands the Acropolis Museum, and it makes the climb make sense. Many of the original sculptures and architectural pieces from the rock are displayed here, in a modern building with glass floors over an excavated neighbourhood. The Parthenon gallery on the top floor is arranged to match the orientation of the temple itself. Visiting the museum first or right after the hill is a good habit; it turns scattered stones into a story.

Walk through the Ancient Agora

If the Acropolis was where Athenians worshipped, the Ancient Agora was where they argued, shopped and voted. It is lower, greener and usually calmer. The best-preserved building in all of Greece is here, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos houses a small museum, the Ancient Agora Museum. Take an hour, sit on a shaded wall and imagine philosophers pacing between the stalls.

Nearby, the Temple of Olympian Zeus is a more theatrical sight: a few enormous Corinthian columns stand against the modern city, close to Hadrian's Arch. It is quick to visit and especially photogenic in the late afternoon. For a pure walking experience, follow the pedestrian promenade of Dionysiou Areopagitou, which links these sites and passes the slopes where the Odeon of Herodes Atticus sits, still used for concerts in summer.

Wander Plaka, Anafiotika and Monastiraki

Plaka is the old neighbourhood under the Acropolis, with neoclassical houses, stairways and flower-covered balconies. Yes, there are souvenir shops, but go early or step one street away from the main lanes and it feels like a village. Higher up, the tiny whitewashed houses of Anafiotika look like they were moved from a Cycladic island, which is more or less what happened when builders from the islands settled here in the nineteenth century.

Below Plaka, Monastiraki is the square where metro, flea market and cafes meet. Rooftop terraces here give a free, remarkable view of the Acropolis lit at night. Just a short stroll away you can follow the same area in more depth with our Athens day-by-day planner.

Pick a hill for the view

Athens is built around small rocky hills, and each is a viewpoint with its own mood. Lycabettus Hill is the highest in the centre; you can walk up through pines or take the funicular, and from the top the white city runs all the way to the sea. Filopappou Hill, across from the Acropolis, is the best place to see the Parthenon from outside, with paths that are quiet in the morning. The small Areopagus Hill next to the Acropolis entrance is where, according to tradition, ancient courts met; the rock is slippery, so be careful.

Go up for sunset on a clear day, take a jacket in cooler months and a torch or phone light for the way down. Details on all of these are in the Athens hiking and viewpoints page.

Eat and drink the way Athenians do

Greek food in Athens is best when it is simple and shared. Start at the Varvakeios Central Market, a loud covered hall where butchers and fishmongers work next to stalls selling olives and cheese. Streets nearby hide old-style places such as Karamanlidika, known for cured meats and cheese, and Diporto, a basement taverna with a short menu and no pretensions. For souvlaki, locals still queue at Thanasis in Monastiraki.

For something sweet, order lukumades, the warm fried dough balls with honey and cinnamon, and finish an evening in a bar like Brettos, one of the oldest in Plaka, with a wall of coloured bottles. Seafood lovers should take the metro and a short taxi to the fish tavernas of Mikrolimano. Prices and menus change, so ask before you order fish sold by weight. If you like street food and bazaar culture, you may also enjoy our guide to eating in Istanbul, which has a similar spirit of markets and meze.

Museums beyond the Acropolis

The National Archaeological Museum is the one major museum you should not skip. It holds the largest collection of ancient Greek art in the country, including the gold death mask from Mycenae, bronze statues and the Cycladic figures. Plan at least two hours. For a calmer visit, the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Benaki Museum are both easy to combine with a walk through the central neighbourhoods, and the Byzantine and Christian Museum shows a period many visitors forget. Some sites offer combined tickets and free days, which vary by season, so check before you buy.

Take a morning to see something modern

The Panathenaic Stadium is entirely marble and was rebuilt for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. You can walk the track and stand on the winners' podium, which is a fun stop for families. On Syntagma Square, the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament is a formal show with soldiers in traditional dress; the larger Sunday ceremony is the most elaborate, although times should be checked locally.

A day by the sea

Athens is also a coastal city, and the sea is closer than most visitors imagine. The coastal road toward Cape Sounion passes beaches and small bays, and ends at the temple of Poseidon, which is especially atmospheric near sunset. Active travellers can swim at Lake Vouliagmeni, cycle part of the Riviera or try sea kayaking. Check weather, wind and operator reviews first, and book through licensed providers.

Practical tips and how to combine it all

• Summer afternoons are very hot; do outdoor sites in the morning and museums after lunch.
• Most central sights are walkable, but the metro is the easiest way to reach the port and the museums.
• Book popular tickets online ahead of time in busy months and carry a photo ID where required.
• Keep an eye on your bag in crowded metro cars and around Monastiraki.
• Dinner in Athens often starts late; reserve for weekends.

If you only have one day, do the Acropolis, its museum, the Agora and a taverna dinner in Plaka. With two or three days, add a hill, the National Archaeological Museum and a coastal afternoon. If you are continuing along the Adriatic, our two-day Dubrovnik itinerary is a natural next chapter, and for a city that handles big sights in a slightly different way, see Paris in three days.

Ready to build your own route? Open the Athens planner, read the full Athens guide or browse the rest of Greece before you decide.