There is so much to see and do in Athens, Greece! While visiting Athens, I had three days to explore the ancient city and make the most of my vacation.
Here are my tips on what to do in Athens in three days!
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Where to Stay in Athens
Athens Studios is a really nice hostel/hotel in the heart of the city just within walking distance of the Acropolis, and is where I stayed when I was backpacking through Greece! If you’re on a budget, check out BedBox Hostel in the city center.
For beautiful, but super affordable private rooms, check out Exarcheia House for your stay.
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Tips for Getting Around Athens
Flying In:
If you fly into Athens, it’s around €10 to take the metro to the Acropolis station. The Athens metro system is incredibly easy and you will only need to make one change from the blue line at Syntagma to the red line and exit Acropolis.
Note: The journey takes around 45 minutes, so if you decide to take the metro back to the airport when you leave plan accordingly.
Ferry from Greek Islands:
Ferries will vary in price if you are coming from another Greek island. I actually came to Athens from Mykonos on a fast ferry for around €50. When you arrive at the port you can get a cab (don’t pay more than €30) and have them drop you off at your hotel or the Acropolis metro if they aren’t familiar.
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Day 1: Get Your Bearings of the City
Walking Tour of Athens
I went on a walking tour my first morning in the city so I could get some background info and get a feel for navigating the city. The tour lasted over 3 hours and took us to all of the archeological sites in Athens.
Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us really good advice on how to spend our time in Athens.
Visit the Acropolis Museum
Take an hour or so to get some history and view some of the preserved ruins of the Acropolis. The Acropolis Museum is a must-see! The entrance and parts of the museum have glass floors that look down on ancient ruins. (Entry ticket starts at €20)
Lunch at the Acropolis Museum
You cannot beat the view from the café at the museum. After you finish exploring the museum be sure to stop in for a bite to eat. It is on the second floor and the outdoor patio looks out to the Acropolis in the distance.
It is absolutely stunning!
Also, every Friday and Saturday night the Acropolis Museum Café is open until midnight offering a specialty dinner. (Free WiFi)
Stroll the National Gardens & Window Shop
Enjoy the beautiful gardens (no entry-fee) in the late afternoon. They’re fairly small so you can walk through them in under an hour. You can then walk to Syntagma Square and down Ermou Street to the main shopping areas.
Greek Dinner
Be sure to try a traditional Greek salad and Gyro Pita! It’s cheap, tasty and you can find them on EVERY corner!
Day 2: Start Visiting the Archaeological Sites
Acropolis
After breakfast get an early start at the Acropolis. Enter at the South entrance across the street from the Museum and explore the perimeter of the Acropolis on your walk up the Sacred Rock. The whole visit will take anywhere between 1-2 hours. (More info to buy your pass for all of the sites here €20; €10 for students)
The Ancient Agora
Take the north exit and walk down to the Ancient Agora. Parts of it have been beautifully restored and the museum is fantastic. (Included with your pass.)
Cooking Class
I didn’t have time to do a cooking class, but I wish I had! This traditional Greek cooking class includes a market visit and a full meal.
Lunch
I grabbed a light lunch of a feta-filled croissant and freddo cappuccino from one of the many cafés across from the Acropolis metro station. It was a good power lunch to keep me going without filling up.
Walk to the Athens Flea Market
Check out the cheap souvenir shopping and grab some fresh fruit to snack on. There are little fruit stands all over selling inexpensive cherries, nectarines and pretty much everything you could imagine!
Dinner by Recommendation
While you’re out during the day, ask some of the shop owners/vendors where they like to eat.
Best advice ever: Do as the locals do! (Especially with food!)
Day 3: Last Day of Sightseeing
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
The largest temple of the ancient ruins in Athens and conveniently located in the heart of the city. It won’t take long to visit the site but it is quite impressive. Be sure not to miss it! (Included with your pass).
Lunch at God’s Restaurant
Located a short 10-minute walk from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, this restaurant is popular for a reason! Serving loads of delicious and fresh Greek options and local wines in a rustic and cozy atmosphere, you won’t leave here unsatisfied.
The Library of Hadrian
The last of the major ancient archeological sites to visit! Be sure to get there with time to visit the museum inside the site. I got there 30 minutes before closing and didn’t have time to check it out (Included with your pass).
Snack Attack
Summertime in Athens is HOT! I ended up there on the hottest day of summer. Luckily, there’s frozen yoghurt! Head to Fresko Yoghurt Bar just a short stroll from the library for the perfect summer sweet treat.
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Helpful Tips for Visiting Athens
Archeological Sites
Closed on Sunday and all sites (except the Acropolis) close around 3 pm every day. The Acropolis is open until 7 PM. All sites open at 8 AM. Buy the €20 pass (€10 for students) for entry to all sites.
Brush Up on Your Architectural History
Well, maybe not necessary. But, at least for a general understanding of how old things really are, refresh yourself on the classical order. Here’s a guide on the three types of columns you will see at the ancient ruins. Doric being the oldest, then Ionic, and then Corinthian.
The Acropolis Museum is Closed on Mondays
Just double-check before you go!
Beware of Gypsies
While it may sound a bit odd there are a lot of gypsy children around Athens! And they work in pairs. If a child comes up to you asking for money or they are playing an instrument (usually the accordion) it can be to distract you while the other child pickpockets you. Beware!
Allow for Free Time
As with all travel, be sure to allow for variations in your schedule. This is just a guideline to help you through some parts of the city, so be sure to spend plenty of time wandering and discovering the city on your own!
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Recommended Tours in Athens!
Hi!! I can REALLY use your help. My friend and I will be in Greece mid-Sept, staying at Athens Backpackers, and we are looking to take a fast ferry from Greece to Mykonos. I know you did it the other way around, but what do you suggest for tickets? Should we order them ahead of time before we leave America or once we are there? Also, what port did you use? THANK YOU!
I went ahead and emailed Athens Backpackers for help in answering your question. Here’s what they said,
“Your friends shouldn’t worry about anything.
During summer season there are at least 8 ships leaving for Mykonos every day!
This goes on up until mid-September. Then we have 3 or 4 ferries sailing towards the island.
By this time the number of tourists will drop, so finding a ticket will not be a problem.
The port of Piraeus (30 min away from the hostel) is the easy solution. But most people choose to go to the port of Rafina (45 min by bus) which is closer to Mykonos island. The super-fast ferries sail ridiculously fast. The first time I was on, I got scared. Ha, Ha.
They can get tickets from a travel agency as soon as they get to Athens and then the next day hop on a ferry. Easy.
http://www.hellenicseaways.gr/index.asp?a_id=209“
Hi there. I will be going to Greece in June. But what to do in 1 and a half days in Athens? Please help 🙂 Also, please be so kind to let me know if there are random tourist guides? Is it safe? Thanks a lot 🙂
Hey Tracy! It definitely depends on what day of the week you go! Read through the post carefully and see if anything will not be open the days you plan on visiting. Otherwise, I’d say to try and do a walking tour first thing in the morning on your first day and plan on doing the Acropolis and the Museum at the very least on the first day. You will get admission to all the sites so you can try to fit in as much as possible but pay close attention to closing times.