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Greece

Athens

Spend two days: ancient sites early in the day, museums at midday, Plaka and a rooftop view at night. Below: 5 sights, 1 outdoor spot and 2 places to eat, plus how Athens fits into a longer trip.

Plan Athens with friendsBrowse 10 places
Athens, Greece
Places
10

5 See · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop

Curated routes
1

Greek Island Hop

Best season
May – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

33°C / 91°F avg high

Coolest month
January

12°C / 54°F avg high

Wettest month
December

about 86 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Athens

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

5 sights worth building a day around across Acropolis, Makrygianni and Monastiraki.

  • Acropolis in AthensPhoto: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Acropolis

    The Parthenon and Erechtheion on Athens' sacred rock.

    Tip Book the first time slot; heat and crowds build fast.

    • Acropolis
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Opening time
  • Acropolis Museum in AthensPhoto: Ricardo André Frantz (User:Tetraktys) · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Acropolis Museum

    Original Acropolis sculptures in a glass building over excavated ruins.

    • Makrygianni
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Midday
  • Ancient Agora in AthensPhoto: Chabe01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Ancient Agora

    Ancient marketplace with the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus.

    • Monastiraki
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Anafiotika in AthensPhoto: Antonio Fajardo i López · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Anafiotika

    Whitewashed island-style lanes on the Acropolis slope above Plaka.

    • Plaka
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Late afternoon
  • National Archaeological Museum in AthensPhoto: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
    See

    National Archaeological Museum

    Greece's largest antiquities collection, including the Mask of Agamemnon.

    • Exarchia
    • $$
    • 2.5 hr

Outdoors

1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Kolonaki.

  • Lycabettus Hill in AthensPhoto: Felipe Rocha · Google
    Outdoors

    Lycabettus Hill

    Highest point in central Athens, with views to the Acropolis and the sea.

    Tip Walk up or take the funicular from Kolonaki.

    • Kolonaki
    • $
    • 75 min
    • Sunset

Eat

Where we would book a table in Athens across Psyrri and Monastiraki.

  • Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani in AthensPhoto: Karamanlidika - Τα Καραμανλίδικα του Φάνη, Μεζετζίδικο, Σωκράτους 1 · Google
    Eat

    Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani

    Deli-taverna serving cured meats, cheeses and meze from Asia Minor.

    • Psyrri
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Lunch
  • Kostas Souvlaki in AthensPhoto: 정세진 · Google
    Eat

    Kostas Souvlaki

    Tiny souvlaki stand near Syntagma, open since 1950.

    Tip Lunch only; it closes when the pita runs out.

    • Monastiraki
    • $
    • 20 min
    • Lunch

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Athens in Plaka.

  • Brettos in AthensPhoto: Rattenkönigin · Google
    Drink

    Brettos

    Plaka distillery-bar from 1909 with a wall of colored bottles.

    • Plaka
    • $$
    • 45 min
    • Evening

Shop

Markets and shops worth the detour in Psyrri.

  • Varvakios Central Market in AthensPhoto: Guayasen Valido · Google
    Shop

    Varvakios Central Market

    Noisy meat and fish halls with spice shops on the surrounding streets.

    Tip Go in the morning; closed Sundays.

    • Psyrri
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Morning

How to fit Athens into a trip

Athens is stop 1 of 4 on our Greek Island Hop route. Follow it as-is or lift Athens into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Athens month by month

Average daily highs run from 12°C / 54°F in January to 33°C / 91°F in July. December is the wettest month, with about 86 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Athens weather and the best time to visit →

Near Athens

4 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Athens questions, answered

How many days do you need in Athens?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Athens. On our Greek Island Hop route it is stop 1 of 4 in a 9-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 13 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Athens best known for?

Spend two days: ancient sites early in the day, museums at midday, Plaka and a rooftop view at night. Standouts on our list: Acropolis (The Parthenon and Erechtheion on Athens' sacred rock); Acropolis Museum (Original Acropolis sculptures in a glass building over excavated ruins); Ancient Agora (Ancient marketplace with the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus).

When is the best time to visit Athens?

Our Greek Island Hop route is best May – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (33°C / 91°F), the coolest in January (12°C / 54°F) and the most rain in December (about 86 mm).

What are the best things to do in Athens?

Start with Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Anafiotika and National Archaeological Museum. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.

Where should a group eat in Athens?

Our picks: Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani (Psyrri); Kostas Souvlaki (Monastiraki). Lunch only; it closes when the pita runs out (Kostas Souvlaki).

What is near Athens?

The closest destinations in our guides are Mykonos (about 153 km / 95 mi), Naxos (about 175 km / 109 mi) and Santorini (about 234 km / 146 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Athens with your crew

Open the Greek Island Hop route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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