Have you ever questioned if it’s doable to discover Athens in simply sooner or later? We are right here to let you know that it’s doable! Many individuals fly into Athens and solely spend a day or two earlier than catching a flight or ferry to the Greek Islands, however Athens is a magical metropolis that deserves extra time. However, in immediately’s world, everyone seems to be operating brief on time, so we now have put collectively the proper sooner or later in Athens itinerary to enable you profit from your keep.
One Day in Athens Itinerary
Morning – History
To plan your 1 day in Athens itinerary, you can purchase the Acropolis and 6 archaeological websites, together with the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Ancient Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Aristotle’s School and the Keramikos Ancient Cemetery,
Entry to the Acropolis of Athens solely in your most well-liked date and time slot
One-time entry to every web site with the identical ticket
Athens Old Town (Plaka) self-guided audio tour
Acropolis and Parthenon self-guided audio excursions (if choice chosen)
You have 5 calendar days from activation to use this go, so in case you are spending extra time in Athens, you may e book timed entries to see every of those points of interest very first thing in the morning or later in the day.
Acropolis
Most doubtless, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will let you know to head straight to the Acropolis, and they’re appropriate! The Acropolis is the star of Athens, and it needs to be the primary place to go to. Going to the Acropolis very first thing in the morning helps you beat the crowds and beat the warmth!
Plan to get to the Acropolis at 7:30 a.m. We extremely advocate reserving a resort with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so try to be nice. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and also you want to e book your timed entry in advance. So do this proper now. Times e book rapidly, and you will have to be sure you get your slot.
We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we beloved the Astor Hotel for its location, view of the Acropoli, and value level—it didn’t break the financial institution! If you might be staying longer in Athens, learn our full information for Where to Stay in Athens.
We booked the Acropolis and 6 major archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It is one of the simplest ways to see Athens in sooner or later because it provides you 1 timed entry to every web site with the identical ticket. You will want to plan properly to be on time to your entries, however belief me, you will have to see all of it!
The guidelines are always altering and generally is a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog publish How to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We will proceed to monitor it as Greek tourism adjustments its thoughts.
You will need to spend about 90 minutes admiring the Acropolis and its different temples, together with the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The Odean Theater remains to be in operation immediately, and it’s spectacular to see.
At the underside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to refill your water bottle; be sure that to do this as it can proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.
You’ll then begin making your method downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your method down the hill again in direction of town middle.
Ancient Agora
Book your timed entrance to the Ancient Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This offers you time to take in the highlights of the Acropolis beforehand.
From the Acropolis, you’ll stroll downhill for about quarter-hour to the Ancient Agora and temple of Hephaestus. You will go the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and in order for you to go to the Museum, reserve it for later in the day. It is open till 9:00 p.m.
The Ancient Agora is one of the best preserved historical wreck in town. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly in the morning mild. Make certain you stroll round it to see it from all angles.
It was based in the sixth century BC. The Ancient Agora of Athens was initially used as a gathering place or a spot to congregate. Actually, the phrase Agora interprets into “an assembly of the people.” The major spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is beautiful. The intricate particulars and exquisite fluted columns make this temple one of many should-sees in Athens, particularly if you happen to love Greek structure.
Stoa of Attalos
Make certain to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. This is the museum with these rows of columns. They had been restored in 1954, and it’s a lovely place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you may cool off earlier than transferring on.
I believe you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There is a pleasant museum inside that has air-con you can take a look at as properly.
Roman Agora
Book your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your go.
After you’ve visited the Ancient Agora, you’ll come out to loads of outside cafes lining the road. If you need to have lunch now, this can be a excellent place to achieve this. However, we advise transferring on to see the Roman Agora. Yes, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is simply a brief stroll from the Ancient Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to turn out to be an excessive amount of. You don’t want loads of time right here, however it’s price going into see.
We actually beloved the Roman Agora as a result of you may stroll among the many ruins and stand up shut to the traditional pillars and arches. It takes about half-hour to discover.
Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library is simply subsequent door, and your ticket contains entry to that. Built in AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a formidable historical past, however immediately, not a lot remains to be standing, so that you solely want about quarter-hour to go to right here. Plus, it’s in your method to Monasteraki Square, which is your subsequent cease for lunch!
Midday / Lunch: Greek Cuisine and Local Culture
1:00 pm is the time you’ll lastly sit down for lunch. If you’ve a transparent thought of your schedule, we advise reserving a desk in advance as a result of we aren’t having you cease at a road vendor or sidewalk cafe. You are going up to overlook Monastiraki Square with a chook’s eye view of the Acropolis.
Monastiraki Square is surrounded by rooftop bars and eating places, and we advise A Is for Athens. It overlooks the sq. and has the straight on view of the Acropolis. It is open for Brunch from 11:00 am.
There are different rooftop bars across the sq., and if you happen to solely have sooner or later in Athens, we advise consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You may also eat at MS Roof Garden and Hyper Astrobar. These eating places are an occasion unto themselves, wanting on the Acropolis and over Monastiraki Square.
Afternoon
Whew, it has been a busy morning, however you can be completely happy to have seen all of those historical wonders. Now, you may loosen up and benefit from the vitality of Athens in the afternoon.
Monastiraki Square
2:00 pm ish…After lunch, be a part of the hustle and bustle of Monastiraki Square, the place road performers entertain, meals stalls supply genuine Greek meals, and loads of outlets are prepared to enable you buy your excellent Athens memento. There is a flea market proper off Monastiraki Square that’s price visiting.
Monastiraki is among the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, and that is the place you’ll begin your afternoon strolling tour.
Ermou Street
Ermou Street is a 1.5 km pedestrian-solely road connecting two of Athens’s largest squares, Monastiraki Square and Syntagma Square. It is a enjoyable place to individuals watch and perform a little buying. If you want water or snacks, it’s a terrific place to replenish your mid-day stroll.
There are loads of outlets and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Old Byzantine Church, which is free to enter. No pictures inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my telephone in my hand and a previous girl guarding the church almost swatted it out of my arms.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the principle Square of Athens, the place there may be all the time one thing occurring. Usually, whenever you stroll up to this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or giant gathering taking place. At the highest of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and middle.
Changing of the Guard
If you occur to be on the sq. on the high of the hour (hopefully you’ve walked right here by 3 pm), you may see the altering of the guards, which is sort of fascinating. It occurs each hour, with essentially the most spectacular one going down on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Syntagma Square Subway
Syntagma Square Metro is the principle metro station in town, and you’ll hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. However, even if you happen to don’t journey the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered important relics, together with a mosaic flooring from the fifth century, an historical aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is price trying out.
Panathenaic Stadium
From Syntagma, you may hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Located on the east facet of the National Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the location of the primary fashionable Olympic video games in 1896. The total stadium is made out of marble, and it’s spectacular to see. The web site itself has much more historic significance as in the sixth century BC, it was house to the Panathenaic Games, which had been a precursor to the Olympic Games.
You will pay to go inside and stroll round or you may simply admire it from the surface. The alternative is yours.
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch
As you stroll again towards town, you’ll stumble upon the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your go. It has been underneath building for some time, however its columns are undoubtedly price seeing. With solely sooner or later in Athens, although, we advise merely this from the surface and as an alternative strolling to Hadrian’s Arch.
Hadrian’s Arch was constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD. It remains to be standing, and you’ll stroll straight underneath it, leaving the quiet complicated of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy road.
Cocktails and Sunset
Athens Gate is a good cease for an additional rooftop view of the Acropolis from the alternative facet of Monastiraki Square. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we predict is among the greatest views in Athens. This is a good place to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to preserve you going till your late dinner, or you may have dinner right here and loosen up for a few hours on the terrace.
Acropolis Museum
If you took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your method to the superb museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a brief stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.
Even if you happen to don’t go inside to tour the museum correctly, it’s price seeing the surface and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which might be on show underneath the muse.
If you’ve an hour, you may get a style of the museum, however to actually discover it you’ll want 2 or 3 days in Athens and that’s one other Athens itinerary.
Dinner in Plaka
From the Acropolis Museum, you’re a hop, skip, and a bounce from essentially the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. Find your self a rooftop restaurant or, in case you are rooftopped out (which is not possible), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions situated right here in Plaka. We have a complete publish on one of the best Greek meals to enable you select from the menu right here.
There are loads of eating choices in Plaka because it is among the major vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Point A Acropolis Point has lovely views of the Acropolis, providing you with yet one more angle from which to see this historical UNESCO World Heritage Site. You are solely in Athens for sooner or later, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view.
Nightlife
If you need to preserve the night time going, head again to Monestaraki Square to benefit from the nightlife between there and Syntagma Square.
Wow, what a day in Athens! From the traditional echoes on the Acropolis to the beautiful sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing wanting epic. Sure, you’re going to be exhausted, however you might by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to miss out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?