The Perfect One Day in Athens Itinerary – Your Guide to The City

Have you ever puzzled if it’s potential to discover Athens in simply sooner or later? We are right here to inform you that it’s potential! Many individuals fly into Athens and solely spend a day or two earlier than catching a flight or ferry to the Greek Islands, however Athens is a magical metropolis that deserves extra time. However, in at present’s world, everyone seems to be operating brief on time, so we have now put collectively the right sooner or later in Athens itinerary to assist you profit from your keep.

One Day in Athens Itinerary

Morning – History

Acropolis

Most possible, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will inform you to head straight to the Acropolis, and they’re appropriate! The Acropolis is the star of Athens, and it ought to be the primary place to go to. Going to the Acropolis very first thing in the morning helps you beat the crowds and beat the warmth!

Plan to get to the Acropolis at 7:30 a.m. We extremely suggest reserving a lodge with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so you ought to be wonderful. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and also you want to ebook your timed entry in advance. So do this proper now. Times ebook rapidly, and you want to be sure you get your slot.

We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we liked the Astor Hotel for its location, view of the Acropoli, and worth level—it didn’t break the financial institution! If you might be staying longer in Athens, learn our full information for Where to Stay in Athens.

We booked the Acropolis and 6 important archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It is one of the simplest ways to see Athens in sooner or later because it provides you 1 timed entry to every website with the identical ticket. You will want to plan correctly to be on time on your entries, however belief me, you want to see all of it!

The guidelines are continually altering and is usually a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog publish How to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We will proceed to monitor it as Greek tourism modifications its thoughts.

You will need to spend about 90 minutes admiring the Acropolis and its different temples, together with the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The Odean Theater remains to be in operation at present, and it’s spectacular to see. 

At the underside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to refill your water bottle; be certain to do this as it can proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.

You’ll then begin making your manner downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your manner down the hill again in the direction of town heart.

Ancient Agora

Book your timed entrance to the Ancient Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This gives you time to take in the highlights of the Acropolis beforehand.

From the Acropolis, you’ll stroll downhill for about quarter-hour to the Ancient Agora and temple of Hephaestus. You will cross the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you’d like to go to the Museum, put it aside for later in the day. It is open till 9:00 p.m.

The Ancient Agora is the very best preserved historic smash in town. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly in the morning mild. Make positive you stroll round it to see it from all angles. 

It was based in the sixth century BC. The Ancient Agora of Athens was initially used as a gathering place or a spot to congregate. Actually, the phrase Agora interprets into “an assembly of the people.” The important spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is gorgeous. The intricate particulars and exquisite fluted columns make this temple one of many should-sees in Athens, particularly in case you love Greek structure.

Stoa of Attalos

Make positive to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. This is the museum with these rows of columns. They had been restored in 1954, and it’s a lovely place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you’ll be able to cool off earlier than shifting on. 

I believe you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There is a pleasant museum inside that has air con you can take a look at as effectively.

Roman Agora

Book your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your cross.

After you may have visited the Ancient Agora, you’ll come out to loads of outside cafes lining the road. If you need to have lunch now, this can be a good spot to achieve this. However, we recommend shifting on to see the Roman Agora. Yes, there are two Agora’s.

The Roman Agora is barely a brief stroll from the Ancient Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to grow to be an excessive amount of. You don’t want a whole lot of time right here, however it’s price going into see.

We actually liked the Roman Agora as a result of you’ll be able to stroll among the many ruins and stand up shut to the traditional pillars and arches. It takes about half-hour to discover.

Hadrian’s Library

Hadrian’s Library is simply subsequent door, and your ticket consists of entry to that. Built in AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a powerful historical past, however at present, not a lot remains to be standing, so that you solely want about quarter-hour to go to right here. Plus, it’s in your manner to Monasteraki Square, which is your subsequent cease for lunch!

Midday / Lunch: Greek Cuisine and Local Culture

1:00 pm is the time you’ll lastly sit down for lunch. If you may have a transparent thought of your schedule, we recommend reserving a desk in advance as a result of we aren’t having you cease at a road vendor or sidewalk cafe. You are going up to overlook Monastiraki Square with a fowl’s eye view of the Acropolis.

Monastiraki Square is surrounded by rooftop bars and eating places, and we recommend A Is for Athens. It overlooks the sq. and has the straight on view of the Acropolis. It is open for Brunch from 11:00 am.

There are different rooftop bars across the sq., and in case you solely have sooner or later in Athens, we recommend consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You may also eat at MS Roof Garden and Hyper Astrobar. These eating places are an occasion unto themselves, wanting on the Acropolis and over Monastiraki Square.  

Afternoon

Whew, it has been a busy morning, however you can be joyful to have seen all of those historic wonders. Now, you’ll be able to chill out and benefit from the vitality of Athens in the afternoon.

Monastiraki Square

2:00 pm ish…After lunch, be a part of the hustle and bustle of Monastiraki Square, the place road performers entertain, meals stalls supply genuine Greek meals, and loads of retailers are prepared to assist you buy your good Athens memento. There is a flea market proper off Monastiraki Square that’s price visiting.

Monastiraki is likely one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, and that is the place you’ll begin your afternoon strolling tour.

Ermou Street

Ermou Street is a 1.5 km pedestrian-solely road connecting two of Athens’s largest squares, Monastiraki Square and Syntagma Square. It is a enjoyable place to individuals watch and do some procuring. If you want water or snacks, it’s an amazing place to replenish your mid-day stroll.

There are loads of retailers and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Old Byzantine Church, which is free to enter. No images inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my telephone in my hand and a outdated lady guarding the church practically swatted it out of my arms.

Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square is the principle Square of Athens, the place there’s at all times one thing happening. Usually, while you stroll up to this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or giant gathering taking place. At the highest of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and heart.

Changing of the Guard

If you occur to be on the sq. on the prime of the hour (hopefully you may have walked right here by 3 pm), you’ll be able to see the altering of the guards, which is sort of attention-grabbing. It occurs each hour, with essentially the most spectacular one going down on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.  

Syntagma Square Subway

Syntagma Square Metro is the principle metro station in town, and you’ll hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. However, even in case you don’t journey the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered vital relics, together with a mosaic flooring from the fifth century, an historic aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is price testing.

Panathenaic Stadium

From Syntagma, you’ll be able to hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Located on the east aspect of the National Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the location of the primary trendy Olympic video games in 1896. The whole stadium is made out of marble, and it’s spectacular to see. The website itself has much more historic significance as in the sixth century BC, it was dwelling to the Panathenaic Games, which had been a precursor to the Olympic Games.  

You will pay to go inside and stroll round or you’ll be able to simply admire it from the skin. The alternative is yours.

Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch

As you stroll again towards town, you’ll stumble upon the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your cross. It has been beneath development for some time, however its columns are positively price seeing. With solely sooner or later in Athens, although, we recommend merely this from the skin and as an alternative strolling to Hadrian’s Arch.  

Hadrian’s Arch was constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD. It remains to be standing, and you’ll stroll straight beneath it, leaving the quiet advanced of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy road.

Cocktails and Sunset

Athens Gate is a superb cease for one more rooftop view of the Acropolis from the other aspect of Monastiraki Square. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we predict is likely one of the greatest views in Athens. This is a superb place to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to hold you going till your late dinner, or you’ll be able to have dinner right here and chill out for a few hours on the terrace.

Acropolis Museum 

If you took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your manner to the superb museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a brief stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.

Even in case you don’t go inside to tour the museum correctly, it’s price seeing the skin and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which might be on show beneath the muse. 

If you may have an hour, you will get a style of the museum, however to actually discover it you’ll want 2 or 3 days in Athens and that’s one other Athens itinerary.

Dinner in Plaka

From the Acropolis Museum, you’re a hop, skip, and a leap from essentially the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. Find your self a rooftop restaurant or, if you’re rooftopped out (which is inconceivable), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions positioned right here in Plaka. We have a complete publish on the very best Greek meals to assist you select from the menu right here.

There are loads of eating choices in Plaka because it is likely one of the important vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Point A Acropolis Point has lovely views of the Acropolis, providing you with one more angle from which to see this historic UNESCO World Heritage Site. You are solely in Athens for sooner or later, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view. 

Nightlife

If you need to hold the evening going, head again to Monestaraki Square to benefit from the nightlife between there and Syntagma Square. 

Wow, what a day in Athens! From the traditional echoes on the Acropolis to the gorgeous sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing in need of epic. Sure, you’re going to be exhausted, however chances are you’ll by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to miss out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?