Only have two days to explore this ancient city? Here’s what you need to know to make the most out of your 48 hours in Athens!
If you’re planning a trip in the near future, make sure you register for travel insurance before you go.
You can also check out my list of essential items for backpackers!
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.
I felt so 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, 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!
We stayed at the AVA Hotel and Suites in Athens, which is great little boutique hotel that is close to many restaurants, shops and sights to see. Here is the view of the Acropolis from our hotel room balcony!
If you want to browse other places to stay and save some money, use this link to Hotels in Athens at Booking.com.
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?
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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Hi Anetta!
Thank you so much for this! My husband and I will be traveling to Greece next year and we are beyond excited! Do you have any advice or tips on converting money? Also, would you say Greece is expensive when it comes it food, metro, and activities o comparable to the United Sates? I’ve been reading various articles, but I thought I would ask someone who has been there recently.
Thanks again!
-Ariana
Hi, Ariana! I’m so happy for you and your husband – you’re going to have a blast! I always convert some money before I leave the country simply because exchange rates at my bank are usually better than at the destination airport. If you call your bank, they can tell you which location will have the foreign currency. Sometimes it takes a few days for them to order it, so plan ahead! If you need more cash while you are there, you can use your debit cards at an ATM. Be forewarned that some banks charge foreign transaction fees. You can also purchase more foreign currency while abroad, but it is kind of a hassle because they always want to see your passport and conduct some paperwork. The prices in Greece felt very similar to what I normally pay back home (in Portland). Like many places, you can get a good deal by avoiding the higher-priced tourist trap restaurants and hitting up somewhere filled with locals (and, hopefully, $2 (1 Euro) Mythos beers!)
Thank you for the great advice! 🙂
-Ariana
We will be in Athens for exactly 24 hours after a relaxing few days in Santorini! I’ll be printing your itinery and following it to a tee because it seems you covered all the basis and we couldn’t have planned it any better even though we’ve been fortunate enough to tour through most of Europe !
The tips will apply to most European travel and is great advice to follow !
I’m so glad to hear that you’ll get to use my tips, Marlene! Santorini is so beautiful, too. Have a wonderful time – I miss it there already! Have a glass of wine for me 🙂
Love this! Lived for two years with my husband in Greece and I miss it dearly, especially the food and all that free flowing wine! And you’re so right about the metro, rode it daily!
An incredible resource!! Pinned this for future reference!!
I have yet to visit Greece, it is somewhere I definitely want to get to. Looks like you maximized every moment in Athens, looks like a great adventure!