The oldest city in Europe and one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is full of rich history. The ruins at Acropolis are the most notable, but ruins have been preserved all around the city. Much of the architecture is related to Greek Mythology and dates back to the 4th century!
Athens is a fairly small city and you can see much of it within a few days. If you’re a history buff, I would recommend spending at least 3-4 days in Athens, but otherwise 2 days is sufficient!
Whether you’re traveling around cities in Europe or looking for somewhere to begin your Greek island adventure, Athens is a great historic city to visit and explore! Here’s my top things to do in Athens!
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Visit the Acropolis
Sitting high above the city of Athens is the Acropolis. The Acropolis is an ancient citadel containing the ruins of Ancient Greece. Most of these ruins were originally temples and date back to the 4th century! I’m not much of a history buff, but it was still really interesting to see structures still standing that are THAT old. I recommend getting skip the line tickets ahead of time, we purchased ours here.
Visit the Acropolis Museum
We also hit the Acropolis Museum after seeing Acropolis! If you’re interested in Ancient Greek history, this is a cool way to see some really old stuff. The museum also includes an archaeological excavation of an Athenian neighborhood dating back to the 4th century. Book your ticket here!
Grab a Gyro
Of course, you can’t visit Athens without having a gyro. There’s tons of gyro stands all around Athens, but The Grecos Project caught our eye. They have a pretty extensive menu of traditional Greek food and everything looks and tastes amazing!
Explore Plaka
Plaka’s narrow cobblestone streets transport you back in time to 3500 years ago when the city was first built. This is one of the oldest inhabited villages in Europe! The streets are lined with local vendors and tiny shops, perfect to get a souvenir for yourself or for a friend. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s still fun to walk the streets and people-watch. There are also quite a few cafes and restaurants to choose from. This is the most beautiful neighborhood in Athens, so don’t miss it!
Check Out the Rooftop Bars
I definitely recommend checking out one of the rooftop bars in Athens to enjoy the sunset and view of the Acropolis! Our favorite was A for Athens, a cocktail bar and restaurant in Monastiraki Square. The bar had a perfect view of the square with the Acropolis in the background. It was a wonderful way to unwind after spending the day exploring all the historic sites in Athens!
Another great option is the 360 Cocktail Bar, also located in Monastiraki Square. We opted for A for Athens simply because it’s a covered patio and it gets VERY hot in Athens with the sun beaming down on you. However, I think 360 Cocktail Bar might be better situated for a fantastic view of the sunset!
Check Out the Street Vendors
While in Monastiraki Square, check out some of the street vendors for fresh produce! These vendors have great recommendations for restaurants and things to do during your time in Athens as well.
The Clumsies Cocktail Bar
The Clumsies Cocktail Bar is an award-winning cocktail bar named as one of the best 50 bars in the world. It was built in the shell of a townhouse, offering multiple rooms and floors, each with a different energy. The cocktail menu changes, but each menu offers a wide variety of creative cocktails. If you’re looking for an even more unique experience, you can book The Room, a private room upstairs with a pool table, couches, and a private mixologist to create cocktails for you.
Take a Day Trip to Hydra
If you’ve got a little extra time in Athens, book a day trip to Hydra! The fast ferry only takes about an hour from the Piraeus Port in Athens to Hydra. Most of the things to do are located right in the port, making it very convenient to go spend the day there. Explore the island on foot, hiking to old monasteries and beaches, then finish the day up with some dinner at one of the restaurants in the port. Hydra is interesting because there’s no vehicles on the island, so it really transports you back in time. Diving has also become quite popular in Hydra, as there are a number of beautiful reefs and sea caves under the water’s surface.
Traveling to Greece? Check out my other travel guides for Greece here!