Athens is a remarkable city. One minute you are strolling along through a trendy shopping district, then you turn the corner and suddenly there is an ancient ruin right there in front of you. The impact of this dramatic contrast is quite moving.
View of Athens from the Acropolis
Out of all of the places I’ve visited, I felt most at ease during my travels through Greece. The food is incredible. The wine is always flowing. The people are welcoming. The Metro system is efficient (<– this is more important than you think. You do NOT want to pay for taxis everywhere).
Most importantly, there is plenty to see and do. On our trip through Greece we spent six days in Athens, then took a week-long cruise to Istanbul and six Greek islands. Cruising the Mediterranean is surprisingly affordable when you choose the right cruise liner (I use this website to find a good deal*), but not everyone can get away for two weeks at a time to take that kind of trip. The husband and I were really fortunate to be able to do this! I like to shop for airfare on this website* because they have screamin’ deals!
View of the Acropolis from the Ancient Agora
Looking back, as much as I loved Athens, if I had to make a choice between seeing the Islands and spending several days in Athens… the choice pretty much makes itself. While getting away for two weeks might be a stretch, a nine day trip is usually feasible if you take both weekends on either side of a work week. Doing so, you could enjoy a seven-day, six-night cruise as well as a solid 48 hours in Athens.
How to See Athens in 48 Hours
I’m going to show you how you can see the major highlights over the course of two days, with plenty of time for beer coffee breaks, lazy meals, and afternoon naps. Hey, when in Rome, right?
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
This itinerary covers:
- The Acropolis (Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, Theatre of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus)
- The Acropolis Museum & Historic Plaka
- The Ancient Agora (Temple of Hephaestus, Odeon of Agrippa, Stoa of Attalos)
- Monastiraki Square and Flea Market
- The National Garden & The Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Syntagma Square & The Panathenaic Stadium
I know this sounds like a TON to see in just two days, but many of these sights take just a few minutes to see or can be explored en route to another destination. I’ll also share a few key tips with you about getting around the city and living it up while in Greece!
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