10 Best Things To Do in Athens

The capital of Greece is an ideal destination for cultural tourism without sacrificing relaxation, beautiful landscapes or paradisiacal islands. Here are the top 10 experiences not to be missed on your trip to Athens.

The Acropolis of Athens is crowned by the Parthenon and its remains are located on top of a mountain that is visible from almost anywhere in the city centre. Entrance to the Acropolis gives you access to see all the remains of the city including monuments such as:

• The Parthenon.
• The Propylaea building.
• The Temple of Athena Nike.
• The Erechtheion Temple.

You can tour the Acropolis on your own, but my recommendation is that you hire a guided tour to make the most of all the culture and significance of the archaeological site.

In any case, if you want to go on your own, it is advisable to buy your Acropolis tickets online and attentively to avoid the long queues at the ticket office.

Athenian culture does not end with a visit to the Acropolis. In the city centre there are other must -see sights that are also a must-see:

• The Temple of Zeus.
• The National Garden.
• The Panathinaikó Stadium.
• Hadrian's Arch.
• Syntagma Square.

The best way to see these and other important sites and learn about their history is to take a guided tour of Athens. The real value of this activity lies in the explanations of the guide, so when choosing one option or another, always make sure that a local and expert guide accompanies you during the tour.

Near Athens there are places of great cultural interest that can be visited on an organised tour. It is essential to have a specialised guide during the tour and a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to enjoy the experience.

Delphi

Delphi is a city located two hours from the Greek capital and its ruins are one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.

Depending on the time you have available, you can choose between two different options:

• Take a day trip to Delphi from Athens: you can see the archaeological site, which includes the Oracle of Delphi, the Temple of Apollo, the Athenian treasury or the Sanctuary of Athena.
• Take a two-day trip to Delphi from Athens, which also includes a visit to the city of Meteora.

Meteora

The name Meteora means "rock in the air" and is a tribute to the landscape you will find there, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in all of Greece. The monasteries of Meteora are one of the main attractions of this island located near Delphi for which several excursions are available from Athens:

• Visit Meteora from Athens by train: accompanied by an expert guide, you will tour the landscapes of the city, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit three monasteries.
• Visit Meteora from Athens on a private tour: this option is similar to the previous one, but the tour will be private, i.e. just for you and your companions.
• Take a 2-day trip to Meteora from Athens: by bus, also passing through Delphi.

The Peloponnese

Linked to Athens by the Corinth Canal, this peninsula is a must for lovers of ancient history. It is home to cultural sites such as Mycenae, Nafplio and Epidaurus that will not disappoint the traveller. It can be seen on a day trip from Athens.

Mykonos

On the mythical island of windmills you can spend a dreamy day on a fully organised and guided tour so that all you have to worry about is enjoying this jewel of the Aegean Sea. As with the other cities, an excursion is one of the best ways to get to Mykonos from Athens:

• Book an excursion to Mykonos from Athens: you'll travel by ferry to the island and there you can stroll through its cobbled streets, see Little Venice and admire its mythical windmills.
• Book a two-day trip to Mykonos from Athens: as the getaway includes an overnight stay, you can immerse yourself in the island's lively nightlife.

Cape Sunio

Another must-see on your trip to Athens is the spectacular Cape Sunio. Here you'll see the cliff-top Temple of Poseidon and, if your visit coincides with sunset, you'll be able to catch one of the most spectacular sunsets in the world:

• Take a tour of Cape Sunio: this half-day tour starts in the afternoon so you can watch the sunset - not to be missed!
• Take a tour of Cape Sunio and the Temple of Poseidon: this option includes entrance to the temple and your guide will tell you all about the history and Greek mythology of this sacred site.
• Take a private tour of Cape Sunnius and the Temple of Poseidon: similar to the previous one, but just for you and your group.

The city of Athens has some magnificent sights, although in the summer months the heat prevents you from enjoying them in comfort. Booking a seat on the Athens Sightseeing Bus is a great way to tour the city without getting tired while enjoying panoramic views and audio commentary to help you connect with the city's monuments and history.

You can buy a ticket that is valid for 24 or 72 hours depending on how long you will be in Athens. This is ideal for travellers who only have a short time in the city and don't want to miss out on an overview of the city.

For those who enjoy getting a bit of exercise while getting to know the city, there's no better plan than a bike tour of Athens- can you imagine seeing the ancient Greek monuments with an expert guide as you cycle?

Even if you're only in Athens for a short time, you'll have the opportunity to visit other islands in Greece on a full-day excursion. A trip to the Greek Islands will take you to three islands, each with authentic landscapes that will give you a more complete picture of the country.

• Hydra is notable for its stone houses and panoramic hilltop views.
• Poros is a small island with a picturesque harbour that you'll love to photograph.
• In Aegina, known for its temples, you can add a guided tour of the Temple of Aphaea, dedicated to the Greek goddess Aphaia, to your booking.

Plaka is one of Athens' most authentic neighbourhoods and a favourite of many visitors. It is located at the foot of the Acropolis and its main attraction is that its streets and architecture retain the charm of traditional Greece. It is an essential stop on many of the guided tours of Athens.

A tip: when you visit the neighbourhood, skip the most touristy streets and wander around as much as you can. Once you've finished exploring Plaka, walk to the neighbouring neighbourhood of Anafiotica, where the earthen façades and labyrinthine streets give way to postcard-worthy white and blue houses. I also recommend a night stroll through its streets: Greek music shows in the taverns will not leave you indifferent.

If you want to know more about this neighbourhood, visit our article where you can see the best things to do in Plaka.

You may or may not become a fan of Greek cuisine after your trip, but what is certain is that you can't leave Athens without trying some of its specialities. Greece has more dishes than just the famous yoghurt (which you can also order) and some of the most popular ones are:

• Moussaka: a kind of vegetable lasagne
• Gyro: shredded meat served in pita bread.
• Feta Me Meli: baked feta cheese wrapped in filo pastry
• Souvlaki: a skewer of pork, chicken or lamb served with vegetables and pita bread.
• Tzatziki: an appetizer made with yoghurt, garlic, olive oil and fresh dill.
• Greek salad: in case you don't know the ingredients, it includes tomatoes, olives, cucumber and feta cheese.

There's no doubt that booking a food tour of Athens is one of the best ways to sample all of its specialities.

It seems that if you don't see a city from above you haven't seen it at all and, perhaps unconsciously, many of us go on our travels looking for viewpoints along the way. There are several in Athens and they are ideal for watching the sunset and the views of the illuminated Acropolis. I recommend two:

• Lycabettus Hill. Athens' most famous viewpoint is located two km from the centre and can be climbed on foot or by funicular. The views of the illuminated Pantheon are breathtaking.
• Philopappou Hill. Located to the south of the city, although the climb may require some effort, the trees lining the path will provide shade as you make your way up. Watching the sunset here is worth the effort of the climb.

A Turkish-influenced neighbourhood full of mosques, traditional restaurants, shops and bustle. It is essential to take a stroll around it during your visit and stop to look at the details that you will find in its shops and food stalls. There are also two very interesting places to visit: the Tower of the Winds and Hadrian's Library. Don't leave the neighbourhood without eating in one of its restaurants.

Agora means square or assembly, two concepts that in ancient Greece were closely linked because it was precisely in the squares of the cities where all the inhabitants of the city gathered to trade and discuss political matters. If you want to take a trip back in time, visiting these two squares during your stay in Athens is a must: - In the Ancient Agora you will find one of the best preserved buildings in all of Greece: the Temple of Hephaestus (it will remind you a bit of the Parthenon), open to the public during the morning. Other points of interest near this square are the Odeon of Agrippa, the Via Panathenaica and the Stoa of Attalus.

• The Roman Agora, meanwhile, is located near the Monastiraki neighbourhood and some of its corners will remind you of the Forum of Rome. It was built between 19 BC and 11 BC by Emperor Augustus. You can visit it every day from 8 am to 5 pm.

By the way, if you take a bike tour of Athens you can follow a secret path in the Agora that will lead you to the birth of democracy.

Once you have confirmed your transfers from Athens airport it is always a good idea to organise your trip according to the time you have available. Athens has a lot to see and do. To help you organise your trip, here is a list of travel guides with the best things to see and do in Athens, divided by days:

• What to see and do in Athens in 1 day
• What to see and do in Athens in 2 days
• What to see and do in Athens in 3 days
• What to see and do in Athens in 7 days

If you're wondering when it's best to visit the Greek capital, whether you visit in winter or summer, there's something for everyone. From January to December through the Christmas season, Athens has great things in store for you, so a getaway to explore its incredible history and nature is always a great idea.