Athens is the capital of Greece and the largest city. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple.
Best things to do in Athens
1. Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis of Athens is a flat-topped rock rising 150 meters above the modern city’s center. The visitors can admire monuments of great architectural beauty and historical significance. The Acropolis is home to the most famous Greek monuments, including the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea, all built of white marble.
Tickets cost €20 in summer and €10 in winter.
You can also buy the combination ticket, which costs € 30 and includes the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Keramiekos, and Aristotle’s School.
2. Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Odeon of Herodes Atticus is an ancient theater built in 161 BC by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife. It was used as a venue for musical events in ancient Greece.
3. The Propylaea
The Propylaea is the gateway to the Acropolis, situated on the western side of the complex. It was constructed in the early 4th century BC and had a 6-column façade. In ancient times there were five different doorways, one between each of the six columns.
The Propylaea from the other side after entering.
4. The Parthenon
Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. It was built in 447-438 BC, the most important building of ancient Greece and one of the world’s greatest monuments.
The west end of the Parthenon.
5. Erechtheion
Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis dedicated to Athena and Poseidon. It was built in 421-406 BC and was named after Erechtheus, the mythical king of Athens. It is believed Athena made an olive tree grow by touching a spear to the earth.
Its most famous part is the porch of the maidens with six female statues instead of columns to support the roof.
The other side of Erechtheion.
6. Temple of Athena Nike
The Temple of Athena Nike was built in 420 BC and is dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike. It is located in the southwest corner of the Acropolis to the right of the Propylaea.
7. Areopagus Hill
Areopagus Hill is located just right from the exit of the Acropolis. It is also known as Mars Hill and is a great spot to get one of the most iconic views of the Acropolis.
8. Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum houses a large collection of artifacts excavated from the archaeological site of the Acropolis.
Tickets cost €10
The exhibits also display numerous sculptures and artifacts from the various temples on the Acropolis, like the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion.
You can get a great view of the Acropolis from there.
The remains of the Ancient City are located at the bottom of the museum, underneath the glass floor.
9. Theater of Dionysus
The theater of Dionysus was built in the 6th century BC and was dedicated to the god Dionysus. It was the first stone theater ever built and had a seating capacity of 15,000.
View of Theater of Dionysus from Acropolis hill.
10. Ancient Agora of Athens
The Ancient Agora is an archaeological site located northwest of the Acropolis. It began as an open marketplace and was once the center of Athenian life, filled with buildings, statues, and fountains.
Tickets cost in € 10 in summer and € 5 in winter. It is also included in the combination ticket (€ 30)
Stoa of Attalos, located inside Ancient Agora, was an ancient shopping mall. It was built by and named after King Attalos II of Pergamon.
The Agora Museum is housed inside Stoa of Attalos, and the collection contains various items found during the excavations of the Ancient Agora, like ceramics, jewels, weaponry, and coins.
The Temple of Hephaistos is located on the northwest side of the Agora of Athens, on top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill. It is a well-preserved Greek temple dedicated to Hephaestus.
The views of the Acropolis from the Temple of Hephaistos.
11. Roman Agora
Roman Agora is located just a short distance away from the Ancient Agora. The entrance built in 19-11 BCE constituted four iconic columns. The main entrance is the Gate of Athena Archegetis, situated on the west side of the Roman Agora.
Tickets cost € 8 in summer and € 4 in winter. It is also included on the combination ticket(€ 30)
A marble Ionic colonnade surrounded the open space, and the patio was also completely covered in marble.
Tower of the Winds is an octagonal marble clock tower inside Roman Agora. It functioned as a sundial, water clock, and wind vane.
12. Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library was built by Roman Emperor Hadrian and had an inner courtyard surrounded by columns. It was used to keep rolls of papyrus books.
Tickets cost €6 in summer and €3 in winter. It is also included in the combination ticket (€ 30)
West wall of the Hadrian’s Library.
13. Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Temple of Olympian Zeus was one of the largest temples of the ancient world. Its construction began in the 6th century BC and was completed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century BC.
Tickets cost € 8 in summer and € 4 in winter. It is also included in the combination ticket (€ 30)
14. Hadrian’s Arch
Hadrian’s Arch is a monumental gateway built in 131 AD by the citizens of Athens to honor the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
15. Lykeion Archeological site
The gymnasium of the Lyceum was discovered in 1996 during the rescue excavations of the 3rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities in a plot of eleven acres.
Tickets cost in 4€ summer and 2€ in winter. It is also included in the combination ticket (30€)
16. Panathenaic Stadium
Panathenaic Stadium was constructed in the 4th century BC and was used to host events related to the celebration of the city of Athens. After being refurbished, it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896 and was again used as an Olympic venue in 2004. We just saw it from the outside, but you can go inside to see it up close.
The ticket cost 10,00 €
17. Benaki Museum
Benaki Museum houses an enormous collection of art and artifacts which the Benaki family donated. They have a vast collection containing vases, jewelry, paintings, traditional costumes, and more. It is located closer to Syntagma Square.
The tickets normally cost €12, but it is free on Thursday after 6:00 pm.
18. Plaka
Plaka is a neighborhood in Athens filled with souvenir shops ranging from clothing, jewelry, leather, and cafes.
19. The church of Panagia Kapnikarea
The Church of Panagia Kapnikarea is one of the oldest Greek Orthodox churches, built in the early 11th century. It is located next to Monastiraki square, surrounded by modern buildings.
20. Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki Square is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Athens, located at the heart of the city. Next to Monastiraki square, you will also find the Ancient Agora, Hadrian Library, and the Roman Agora with the Tower of Winds. Acropolis is also a short walk from here.
21. Monastiraki Flea Market
Monastiraki Flea Market is another market next to Monastiraki Square for souvenir shopping. You can find clothing, jewelry, handcraft, artisanal soaps, handmade sandals, and souvenir T-shirts.
22. Metropolitan Church of Athens
The Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary is the cathedral church of the Archbishopric of Athens and all of Greece. The construction started in 1842 and was completed in 20 years.
It is remarkable both inside and outside.
23. Statue of Archbishop Damaskinos Papandreou
The bronze Statue is located in front of the Metropolitan church. It represents Archbishop Damastikos, who helped the population during the German occupation of World War II and helped save many Jews by offering them protection.
24. Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens. It is located in front of the Parliament building.
The Parliament building is the first Royal Palace of modern Greece, completed in 1843.
25. Tomb of the unknown soldier
The Tomb of the unknown soldier is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in front of the Parliament building. The changing of the guard takes place every hour on the exact hour.
26. View from Roof Top Restaurant
Athens has many rooftop bars and restaurants which offer beautiful views of the Acropolis. You can watch the sunset and amazing views while enjoying drinks and food.
The Acropolis views were terrific at night.
27. Eat Greek Food
Moussaka, Gyro, Souvlaki, Greek Salad, baklava, and frozen Greek yogurt are some must-try Greek food.
How to get around Athens
You can take the Metro, Bus or taxi to get around Athens. All the attractions mentioned here are within walking distance of the city center.
Metro You can take Metro M3(blue) from Athens airport to the city center. The two main stations in the city center are Syntagma Square and Monastiraki. You can take M1(green) from the City center (Monastiraki station) to Piraeus (Ferry Port) if you are arriving or departing Athens by ferry.
Bus You can take the X95 bus from Athens airport to Syntagma Square and bus X96 to the Piraeus port.
Taxi You can also take a taxi from Athens airport to the city center at a fixed rate of €40. The rate might be higher at night.
Where to stay in Athens
The best areas to stay in Athens are Plaka, Monastiraki, or Syntagma Square and their surroundings. All of the attractions mentioned here are walkable from here. If you are staying elsewhere, you can use the metro or bus to get to Syntagma Square or Monastiraki. Our hotel was 5 min walk from Monastiraki station and walkable to all attractions mentioned here.
How many days in Athens
Two days is a perfect time to stay in Athens to visit all the places mentioned here.