Planning a trip to the Greek capital and overwhelmed by the options? We just got back from an incredible trip, and let us tell you – Athens is a city of intense contrasts. It’s historic, chaotic, beautiful, and vibrant all at once.
If you are wondering what to do in Athens to make the most of your time, you need a mix of the obligatory ancient history and the modern city vibe.
We visited in December, and even then, the city was buzzing. Based on our recent experience, here is our practical, personal guide on exactly what to do in Athens, including tips on how to beat the crowds and where to find the best sunsets.
We’ve also added a map at the end of the blog to help you find everything easily!
The Historical Giants (And How to Tackle Them)
You cannot visit Athens without diving into the ancient history. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it.
The Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis is obviously number one on any list of what to do in Athens. But here is the reality check: even in December, it was quite crowded. We heard horror stories about summer crowds where you can barely move or take a photo, so keep that in mind when planning your timing.
👉 This is the big one, but don’t just show up and hope for the best! We put together a dedicated guide on how to visit the Acropolis to help you navigate the chaos, including why you should use the side entrance and which ticket options are actually worth it.
Our Top Tips:
- GET A GUIDE: This is crucial. If you just walk up there, you are just looking at (very impressive) ruins. A tour guide gives you the context, the stories, and explains exactly what you are seeing. It changes the whole experience.
💡 Our Recommendation: We booked this highly rated guided tour through GetYourGuide and it was hands-down the best decision we made. Our guide was incredibly passionate, bringing the ancient ruins to life with stories you won’t find on a plaque.
The best part? They provided skip-the-line tickets for the museum, which let us waltz past a massive queue and saved us at least an hour of standing in the heat!
- Timing matters: Greek schools are often obliged to visit in the mornings. If you do it without a tour guide, we suggest going in the afternoon to avoid those big groups.
- Tickets: It is pricey – around €30 per person in season just for the Acropolis. Keep in mind that you will need to order tickets online slightly in advance – they sell out quickly, especially in summer! Make sure to purchase them from the official website.
- Budget Tip: If you are visiting off-season (usually Nov-March), starting in 2026, entry is FREE on every first and third Sunday – but expect massive crowds on those days.
The Acropolis Museum
You might think, “I just saw the Acropolis, do I need the museum?” Yes, you do.
This should be the very next thing you do. For preservation purposes, many of the original statues and artifacts (like the Caryatids) were moved from the hill into this museum right next door. It provides the missing context. Again, we highly recommend a guide here so you don’t get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of history.
Note: Unlike the archaeological sites, this museum is privately owned, so it doesn’t participate in the free Sunday program.
The Ancient Agora
Think of the Ancient Agora as a slightly smaller, less chaotic version of the Acropolis area. It is lovely to walk around and houses one of the best-preserved ancient temples in all of Greece. (This one is included in the free off-season Sundays).
The “Visible from Outside” Historical Sites
When deciding what to do in Athens, you have to prioritize your ticket budget. There are several sites that are impressive, but you can see 90% of them just walking by on the street.
- Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds: This is highly recommended, but perhaps only worth the ticket price in-season so you can see the “Tower of the Winds” – the world’s first meteorological tower. The Tower is closed for visits during the off season. Otherwise, you get a great view from the fence.
- Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian’s Arch: You can see the massive scale of these ruins perfectly well from the sidewalk. Unless you are a die-hard history buff wanting every detail, you don’t necessarily need a ticket.
- Hadrian’s Library: Another interesting historical landmark that is easily visible from the outside.
The City Heart: Syntagma & Monastiraki Squares
These two squares are connected by the famous Ermou Street and represent the pulse of Athens.
- Syntagma Square: The central hub right in front of the Parliament. It’s beautiful year-round with lots of street performances, but especially at Christmas with the Christmas tree & the lights.
- Monastiraki Square & Flea Market: Incredibly alive with street performers and a view of the Acropolis. You’ll see an old mosque and a small monastery (the “Monastiraki” that gives the area its name) right in the square.
Warning: Be very careful of pickpockets here. These are the most crowded spots and they are very active.
💡 Our Insider Tip: When you head into the narrow alleys of the Flea Market, don’t be afraid to bargain! It’s practically expected here. In fact, many vendors almost seem bored if you just pay the first price they say. Start by offering about 20–30% less than the asking price and keep it friendly – a smile and a bit of “the art of the deal” will usually land you a much better price!
Chasing Sunsets: The Best Views in Athens
Athens is a city of hills, and climbing them for sunset was one of our favorite things to do.
Philopappos Hill (Our Favorite)
Located right across from the Acropolis, this was the best sunset view we found. The pathway up to the Philopappos Hill is beautiful – it’s made of old marble and is very green. It’s an easy, non-steep walk of about 15 minutes.
You get an amazing view of the Acropolis bathing in golden light, plus a sunset view over the sea. You can also see the “Prison of Socrates” here.
Lycabettus Hill (The Highest Point)
For the absolute highest view of the city, head to Lycabettus Hill.
- The Ascent: You can take a funicular train up inside the mountain (13€ roundtrip), but we recommend walking. It’s uphill for about 20 minutes, but you get nice views along the way that you miss in the tunnel.
- The Summit: At the very top, there is a tiny white church and incredible panoramic views. However, it gets super crowded.
Our Essential Tip: There is a very nice restaurant just below the summit called Prasini Tenta. We recommend grabbing a drink or a bite there; you get almost the exact same stunning view without fighting the crowds for a photo space! This was personally our highlight of visiting the hill because you can enjoy the incredible views in comfort and without being bothered by other people around you.
Rooftop Bars: The Absolute Best Way to End Your Day
If you really want to know what to do in Athens to make your trip unforgettable, there is one golden rule: Get high up. Because Athens is a valley surrounded by hills, the skyline is legendary – but you haven’t truly seen it until you’ve watched the sun go down from a rooftop.
- The Sunset Magic: You absolutely must plan at least one of your evenings around a rooftop sunset. Watching the sky turn pink and orange behind the Parthenon while the city lights begin to twinkle below is a core memory in the making.
- Our Favorite Spot: We fell in love with Attic Urban Rooftop. The vibe is incredible, the service was top-notch, and it’s the perfect spot for a mid-afternoon coffee or a signature cocktail.
- The View: It’s positioned perfectly to look right at the Acropolis. When they turn the floodlights on the ancient ruins at night, it looks like it’s floating in the sky.
Pro Tip: While the food here can be a bit on the pricey side, the drinks and that million-dollar view are worth every single penny. Make sure to book a table in advance if you want a front-row seat for the sunset for dinner.
Exploring the Unique Neighborhoods
Beyond the ruins, the heart of Athens is in its distinct neighborhoods.
- Plaka: This is where we stayed and we loved it. Yes, it’s touristy, but the streets are undeniably cute, filled with shops, restaurants, and live music everywhere.
- Anafiotika: Hidden just under the Acropolis, this tiny area feels like you suddenly teleported to a Greek island. It’s full of little white houses, narrow paths, and cute restaurants perched on stairs.
- Psyri: If you are looking for nightlife, head here. It’s a very cute, hip area packed with restaurants and bars.
More Historical Gems: The Stadium & National Museum
When looking for what to do in Athens, don’t ignore these two:
Panathenaic Stadium
This is magnificent – the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble. It held the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. It’s a bit of a walk from the center but worth it for the photos and the history.
National Archaeological Museum
Unlike some other sites, you cannot see the National Museum from the outside. It’s a massive building housing the world’s finest collection of Greek antiquities.
The Challenge: Honestly, this place is overwhelming. It is packed with thousands of statues, gold masks, and pottery. Without someone to tell you the stories behind them, everything starts to look the same after about 30 minutes, and you miss out on the “bigger picture” of Greek history.
Our Solution: We highly recommend grabbing this ticket and audio guide combo from GetYourGuide. It’s a total lifesaver! It guides you through the most famous masterpieces so you don’t wander aimlessly. It turned a potentially “boring” walk past old rocks into a fascinating deep dive into the past.
Budget Tip: If you are visiting in the off-season, remember that entry is free on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month / but the audio guide is still a must-have to make sense of it all!
A Must-See Spectacle: The Changing of the Guards
This was one of our favorite cultural moments and deserves its own spot on your itinerary. The soldiers (Evzones) wear fascinating traditional uniforms with 400-pleat kilts (representing 400 years of occupation) and pom-pom shoes.
- The Grand Ceremony: This happens every Sunday at 11:00 AM. This is the “big one” with a full marching band and the white ceremonial dress. Be there by 10:30 AM to get a spot in front of the Parliament, or you won’t see anything!
- Daily Changes: If you can’t make Sunday, the guard changes every hour on the hour, 24/7. It’s smaller but still very impressive to see their unique, slow-motion steps up close. You can also go here to see it happen without all the crowds around you.
The National Garden & Zappeion
If you need a break from the noise, the National Garden is the most peaceful spot in the city.
- National Garden: This felt like the safest place in Athens because it’s right by the Parliament and crawling with police! It’s a literal oasis. You’ll find koi ponds, sunbathing turtles, and even a small area with goats! Whether you are a solo traveler looking for a quiet bench or a parent needing a spot where the kids can run free and look at animals, this is the place.
- The Zappeion: As you wander through the gardens, you’ll eventually stumble upon the Zappeion. This building is a neoclassical masterpiece and has a cool claim to fame: it was the first building in the world constructed specifically for the modern Olympic Games (it hosted the fencing events back in 1896!). The open space around it is stunning and makes for some great photos.
Shopping & Themed Magic: Ermou & Little Kook
- Ermou Street: This is the massive shopping artery of Athens. We haven’t seen that many stores in one place anywhere else!
- The Hidden Church: Right in the middle of this modern street is Panagia Kapnikarea, a tiny, 11th-century church that looks like it’s from another world. You can go inside for free.
- Little Kook (Psyri): If you have kids – or just love “extra” decor – you have to see this. It’s a themed café area that changes its decorations seasonally (think Alice in Wonderland or Christmas). It’s wild and very Instagrammable!
Authentic Food & Greek Music
Greek cuisine is incredible, especially if you are a meat lover.
- Live Music: You must eat at a traditional taverna with live music! Our absolute favorite was Minori, but Lyra and Old Ithaki also have live music every evening and sometimes even for lunch on weekends.
- Food Tours: If you want to find the real “hidden” spots, book a local food tour. It’s the best way to understand the flavors of the city.
🍽️ Our Must-Do Foodie Experience: We cannot recommend this Athens Street Food Tasting Tour enough! It’s not just a walk; it’s a full-on flavor explosion. Our guide took us to hidden holes-in-the-wall we never would have found on our own.
The Highlights: We tasted the best, most authentic souvlaki of our lives, tried traditional loukoumades (Greek honey donuts) that were still warm, and explored the bustling central market. If you want to understand why Greek food is famous worldwide, this is the tour you need to book – just make sure you come hungry!
Best Day Trips from Athens
If you have an extra day or two, these are the best ways to see the rest of Greece:
- Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon): This is the ultimate romantic getaway just 2 hours from the city. Watching the sun sink into the Aegean Sea through the marble columns of Poseidon’s Temple is a core memory.
- Delphi: The “Navel of the World.” It’s about 2.5 hours away. You’ll see the famous Oracle site and the Temple of Apollo set against stunning mountains.
- Meteora: This is a long day (best done by train or a specialized bus tour), but seeing the monasteries perched on giant rock pillars is a life-changing sight.
- Saronic Island Hopping: Want that “Mamma Mia” vibe? This cruise to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina is a total winner. It includes lunch and drinks, taking you to crystal clear waters for swimming and exploring beautiful white-washed island villages.
Here’s a handy map with all the spots mentioned in this guide. You can also click the top right corner to open it directly in Google Maps and use it on the go.
Closing Thoughts: Why We Fell in Love with Athens
At the end of the day, the best thing to do in Athens isn’t just ticking ruins off a list – it’s the way the city makes you feel. It’s that moment when you’re sipping a freddo espresso on a side street in Plaka and realize you’re sitting next to a wall that’s been there for two thousand years.
Athens is chaotic, yes, but it’s also incredibly generous. Whether it’s the sunset over the Saronic Gulf from Philopappos Hill or the soul-stirring sound of a bouzouki in a basement taverna, this city has a way of getting under your skin. We went for the history, but we’ll go back for the atmosphere.
So, take our advice: wear comfortable shoes (marble is slippery!), hire that guide for the context, and don’t be afraid to get a little lost. The most “Athens” moments usually happen when you stop looking at your map and start looking up.
Safe travels, and enjoy every bite of that first real Greek souvlaki – you’ll be dreaming about it for months!
