Day 1:
8:00am – Get to the Acropolis right when the gates open to avoid the crowds and get some good pictures. Grab at map at the entry gate to be sure you don’t miss anything!
The Parthenon at the Acropolis
10:00am – Grab a coffee at the base of the Acropolis and spend some time exploring Historic Plaka as the shops are opening up.
11:00am – Go to the Acropolis Museum. Be sure to check out the live excavation sites through the glass floor outside the entrance.
The Erechtheion at the Acropolis
1:00pm – Grab some lunch in Plaka. Order a gyro and some Horiataki (Greek Salad).
3:00pm – Head East from the Acropolis to see the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Keep walking until you come to a large, busy road and you’ll see the monument directly on the other side of it. You can’t miss it!
Temple of Olympian Zeus
5:00pm – Walk back to the Metro through the National Garden and settle in for an afternoon nap. You’re probably exhausted.
8:00pm – Wake up, get dressed, and head out for dinner. Ask your hotel concierge for recommendations, or check out the incredible food at Geros Tou Moria in Plaka, complete with dancing and breaking plates (NOTE: They bring out special plates for you to break, don’t just start chucking dinnerware around).
10:00pm – Take an evening stroll around Monastiraki or Plaka. Grab a glass of red wine or enjoy a nightcap.
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Comments
I always see how beautiful Athens on instagram. Hope can go there. Thank you for sharing about Athens
I found this post on Pinterest. I’ll be leaving for Athens in couple of weeks and will be staying three days. This itinerary looks perfect!
Sounds like you had an amazing time! I did a similar itinerary several years ago, then headed to Rhodes for a few days before heading to Turkey for three weeks. While I enjoyed Greece, Turkey captured my heart and I eventually moved here to open a gulet cruise business. Isn’t it amazing how some journeys just move your spirit? Thanks for sharing your story!
hey! should I buy tickets in advance to any of these sites? I know when we get there we should buy an all day metro pass as you said in this blog, right? but what about tickets to get in to any of these? thanks! this itinerary is helpful. my husband and I are going to Athens in October right after we fly out of Rome. thank you!
I didn’t buy any of my Athens tickets ahead of time – check out my post on Rome, I talk a lot about what to get ahead of time! –> https://thewanderlustkitchen.com/see-rome-3-days/
Great tips for Athens thanks! I’m going to have just 24hrs in the city so its great to know a few hints and tips. I’ve been blogging my travels adventures too at laurahatesmushrooms.wordpress.com
oh my gosh! thanks so much for this blog. my girlfriend and i are going to greece in may, specifically athens, mykonos and santorini. i am browsing pinterest to get some good tips on how to explore the city and the two islands. i will definitely keep your excellent suggestions and detailed descriptions of athens. good luck on your travels and looking forward to more of your exciting blogs.
keeper
Yay!! I’m so glad to be of help. Santorini and Mykonos are amazing, you are going to LOVE them!
Awesome blog! Thanks so much for the info, my partner and I will be going to Athens at the beginning of June, and we only have 48 hours to enjoy it so this is perfect!
Makaela 🙂
Thanks, Makaela!! You guys are going to LOVE it!
No lycabettus Hill? Maybe I read it too fast but didn’t see it mentioned?
I didn’t include it in my guide – it takes up a significant amount of time and would be awfully hard to fit it into 2 days! If you stay for a 3rd day, definitely go check it out 🙂
Hi Anetta:
I’m heading to Greece this Summer with my husband and 12 year old son. It’ll be our first time there. I found your itinerary and tips very helpful. I had a couple of questions I was hoping you could answer:
1. What hotel did you stay at and would you recommend it?
2. On Day 2 at 5:30 you mention “meeting your tour group”. Did you take a tour? If so, which one was it?
Thanks!!!
Michelle
Hi, Michelle! We stayed at the Areos Hotel and we really liked it. It was inexpensive and served our purposes. The tour group I mentioned was the cooking class (the link is in the article!). Have fun!
Hello Anetta!
Your tips are really good and useful!
Sounio is one of the most famous sights of Athens (The temple of Poseidon) and you need approx 1,5 hour by bus (KTEL buses) to get there.
Also, Piraeus (the port) is very beautiful. If you go for a walk in Pasalimani, Mikrolimano, Kastella and Piraiki you feel like you are on a greek island! Piraiki is very famous for the taverns, the freshiest fish and the stunning sunset!
From Piraeus port you take all the ferries to the islands! So… See you in Rhodes in 2015! 😉
Enjoy!