Have you ever ever puzzled if it’s doable to discover Athens in simply sooner or later? We’re right here to inform you 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. Nevertheless, in as we speak’s world, everyone seems to be working brief on time, so we have now put collectively the proper sooner or later in Athens itinerary that will help you benefit from your keep.
One Day in Athens Itinerary
Morning – Historical past
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, Historical Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Aristotle’s College and the Keramikos Historical 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 Previous City (Plaka) self-guided audio tour
Acropolis and Parthenon self-guided audio excursions (if possibility chosen)
You’ve got 5 calendar days from activation to make use of this go, so if you’re spending extra time in Athens, you’ll be able to e book timed entries to see every of those sights very first thing within the morning or later within the day.
Acropolis
Almost certainly, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will inform you to move straight to the Acropolis, and they’re right! 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 within the morning helps you beat the crowds and beat the warmth!
Plan to get to the Acropolis at 7:30 a.m. We extremely suggest reserving a lodge with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so you need to be high-quality. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and it’s worthwhile to e book your timed entry upfront. So try this proper now. Instances e book rapidly, and it would be best to ensure you get your slot.
We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we cherished the Astor Resort for its location, view of the Acropoli, and value level—it didn’t break the financial institution! In case you are staying longer in Athens, learn our full information for The place to Keep in Athens.
We booked the Acropolis and 6 essential archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It’s one of the best 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 correctly to be on time on your entries, however belief me, it would be best to see all of it!
The principles are always altering and generally is a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog submit Tips on how to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We are going to proceed to watch it as Greek tourism adjustments its thoughts.
It would be best 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 continues to be in operation as we speak, and it’s spectacular to see.
On the backside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to refill your water bottle; ensure that to do this as it should proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.
You’ll then begin making your manner downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your manner down the hill again in the direction of town heart.
Historical Agora
Guide your timed entrance to the Historical Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This gives you time to soak up the highlights of the Acropolis beforehand.
From the Acropolis, you’ll stroll downhill for about quarter-hour to the Historical Agora and temple of Hephaestus. You’ll go the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you wish to go to the Museum, reserve it for later within the day. It’s open till 9:00 p.m.
The Historical Agora is the very best preserved historical break within the metropolis. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly within the morning mild. Ensure you stroll round it to see it from all angles.
It was based within the sixth century BC. The Historical Agora of Athens was initially used as a gathering place or a spot to congregate. Truly, the phrase Agora interprets into “an meeting of the folks.” The principle spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is gorgeous. The intricate particulars and delightful fluted columns make this temple one of many must-sees in Athens, particularly in the event you love Greek structure.
Stoa of Attalos
Be certain that to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. That 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’ll be able to cool off earlier than shifting on.
I believe you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There’s a good museum inside that has air-con you could take a look at as properly.
Roman Agora
Guide your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your go.
After you’ve got visited the Historical Agora, you’ll come out to loads of outside cafes lining the road. If you wish to have lunch now, it is a excellent place to take action. Nevertheless, we recommend shifting on to see the Roman Agora. Sure, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is barely a brief stroll from the Historical 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 plenty of time right here, however it’s price going into see.
We actually cherished the Roman Agora as a result of you’ll be able to stroll among the many ruins and stand up near 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 consists of entry to that. Inbuilt AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a formidable historical past, however as we speak, not a lot continues to be standing, so that you solely want about quarter-hour to go to right here. Plus, it’s in your method to Monasteraki Sq., which is your subsequent cease for lunch!
Noon / Lunch: Greek Delicacies and Native Tradition
1:00 pm is the time you’ll lastly sit down for lunch. When you have a transparent concept of your schedule, we recommend reserving a desk upfront as a result of we aren’t having you cease at a avenue vendor or sidewalk cafe. You’re going as much as overlook Monastiraki Sq. with a chicken’s eye view of the Acropolis.
Monastiraki Sq. is surrounded by rooftop bars and eating places, and we recommend A Is for Athens. It overlooks the sq. and has the straight on view of the Acropolis. It’s open for Brunch from 11:00 am.
There are different rooftop bars across the sq., and in the event you solely have sooner or later in Athens, we recommend consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You can too eat at MS Roof Backyard and Hyper Astrobar. These eating places are an occasion unto themselves, wanting on the Acropolis and over Monastiraki Sq..
Afternoon
Whew, it has been a busy morning, however you can be pleased to have seen all of those historical wonders. Now, you’ll be able to calm down and benefit from the power of Athens within the afternoon.
Monastiraki Sq.
2:00 pm ish…After lunch, be part of the hustle and bustle of Monastiraki Sq., the place avenue performers entertain, meals stalls supply genuine Greek meals, and loads of retailers are prepared that will help you buy your good Athens memento. There’s a flea market proper off Monastiraki Sq. 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 Road
Ermou Road is a 1.5 km pedestrian-only avenue connecting two of Athens’s largest squares, Monastiraki Sq. and Syntagma Sq.. It’s a enjoyable place to folks watch and do some procuring. In case you want water or snacks, it’s an excellent place to replenish your mid-day stroll.
There are many retailers and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Previous 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 outdated girl guarding the church practically swatted it out of my fingers.
Syntagma Sq.
Syntagma Sq. is the primary Sq. of Athens, the place there may be at all times one thing occurring. Often, if you stroll as much as this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or giant gathering occurring. On the prime of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and heart.
Altering of the Guard
In case you occur to be on the sq. on the prime of the hour (hopefully you’ve got walked right here by 3 pm), you’ll be able to see the altering of the guards, which is sort of attention-grabbing. It occurs each hour, with probably the most spectacular one going down on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Syntagma Sq. Subway
Syntagma Sq. Metro is the primary metro station within the metropolis, and you’ll hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. Nevertheless, even in the event you don’t trip the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered important relics, together with a mosaic ground 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’ll be able to hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Situated on the east aspect of the Nationwide Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the location of the primary fashionable Olympic video games in 1896. Your entire stadium is made out of marble, and it’s spectacular to see. The positioning itself has much more historic significance as within the sixth century BC, it was dwelling to the Panathenaic Video games, which had been a precursor to the Olympic Video games.
You may pay to go inside and stroll round or you’ll be able to simply admire it from the skin. The selection is yours.
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch
As you stroll again towards town, you’ll encounter the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your go. It has been beneath building for some time, however its columns are undoubtedly price seeing. With solely sooner or later in Athens, although, we recommend merely taking a look at this from the skin and as a substitute strolling to Hadrian’s Arch.
Hadrian’s Arch was constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD. It’s nonetheless standing, and you’ll stroll immediately beneath it, leaving the quiet advanced of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy avenue.
Cocktails and Sundown
Athens Gate is a good cease for an additional rooftop view of the Acropolis from the alternative aspect of Monastiraki Sq.. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we expect is among the finest views in Athens. This can be a excellent place to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to maintain you going till your late dinner, or you’ll be able to have dinner right here and calm down for a few hours on the terrace.
Acropolis Museum
In case you took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your method to the wonderful museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a brief stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.
Even in the event you don’t go inside to tour the museum correctly, it’s price seeing the skin and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which can be on show beneath the muse.
When you have an hour, you will get a style of the museum, however to essentially 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 leap from probably the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. End up a rooftop restaurant or, if you’re rooftopped out (which is not possible), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions positioned right here in Plaka. We have now a whole submit on the very best Greek meals that will help you select from the menu right here.
There are many eating choices in Plaka because it is among the essential vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Level A Acropolis Level has lovely views of the Acropolis, supplying you with one more angle from which to see this historical UNESCO World Heritage Website. You’re solely in Athens for sooner or later, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view.
Nightlife
If you wish to preserve the evening going, head again to Monestaraki Sq. to benefit from the nightlife between there and Syntagma Sq..
Wow, what a day in Athens! From the traditional echoes on the Acropolis to the gorgeous sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing in need of epic. Certain, you’re going to be exhausted, however you could by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to overlook out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?