Have you ever puzzled if it’s potential to discover Athens in simply at some point? We are right here to inform you that it’s potential! 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 at present’s world, everyone seems to be operating quick on time, so we’ve got put collectively the proper at some point in Athens itinerary to enable you to benefit 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 popular 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 possibility chosen)
You have 5 calendar days from activation to use this cross, so in case you are spending extra time in Athens, you possibly can 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 seemingly, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will inform you to head straight to the Acropolis, and they’re appropriate! The Acropolis is the star of Athens, and it must 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 ensure you get your slot.
We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we liked 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 most important archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It is the easiest way to see Athens in at some point because it offers you 1 timed entry to every web site with the identical ticket. You will want to plan correctly to be on time to your entries, however belief me, you will have to see all of it!
The guidelines are continuously altering and could be a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog put up 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 modifications 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 continues to be in operation at present, 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’s going to 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 direction of the town heart.
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 cross the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you’d like 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 historic damage in the town. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly in the morning mild. Make positive 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 most important spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is gorgeous. 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 positive 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 stunning place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you possibly can cool off earlier than shifting on.
I believe you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There is a pleasant museum inside that has air-con you could try as properly.
Roman Agora
Book your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your cross.
After you could have visited the Ancient Agora, you’ll come out to loads of outside cafes lining the road. If you need to have lunch now, it is a excellent spot to accomplish that. However, we advise shifting on to see the Roman Agora. Yes, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is barely a brief stroll from the Ancient Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to change into an excessive amount of. You don’t want a number of time right here, however it’s price going into see.
We actually liked the Roman Agora as a result of you possibly can 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 powerful historical past, however at present, 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 manner 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 could have 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 hen’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 at some point 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’ll be completely happy to have seen all of those historic wonders. Now, you possibly can calm down and benefit from the power 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 retailers are prepared to enable you to buy your excellent Athens memento. There is a flea market proper off Monastiraki Square that’s price visiting.
Monastiraki is without doubt one of 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 do some buying. If you want water or snacks, it’s an excellent place to replenish your mid-day stroll.
There are loads of retailers and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Old Byzantine Church, which is free to enter. No images inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my telephone in my hand and a outdated lady guarding the church almost swatted it out of my fingers.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the primary Square of Athens, the place there’s all the time one thing happening. Usually, whenever you stroll up to this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or massive gathering occurring. At the highest of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and heart.
Changing of the Guard
If you occur to be on the sq. on the prime of the hour (hopefully you could have walked right here by 3 pm), you possibly can 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 Square Subway
Syntagma Square Metro is the primary metro station in the 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 ground from the fifth century, an historic aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is price testing.
Panathenaic Stadium
From Syntagma, you possibly can hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Located on the east aspect of the National Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the positioning of the primary trendy Olympic video games in 1896. The complete 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 dwelling to the Panathenaic Games, which had been a precursor to the Olympic Games.
You will pay to go inside and stroll round or you possibly can simply admire it from the surface. The alternative is yours.
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch
As you stroll again towards the town, you’ll stumble upon the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your cross. It has been below building for some time, however its columns are undoubtedly price seeing. With solely at some point 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 continues to be standing, and you’ll stroll immediately below it, leaving the quiet complicated of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy road.
Cocktails and Sunset
Athens Gate is a superb cease for one more rooftop view of the Acropolis from the other aspect of Monastiraki Square. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we predict is without doubt one of the finest views in Athens. This is a superb place to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to hold you going till your late dinner, or you possibly can have dinner right here and calm down 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 manner to the superb museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a quick 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 below the muse.
If you could have an hour, you will 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 probably the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. Find your self a rooftop restaurant or, in case you are rooftopped out (which is unattainable), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions positioned right here in Plaka. We have a whole put up on one of the best Greek meals to enable you to select from the menu right here.
There are loads of eating choices in Plaka because it is without doubt one of the most important vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Point A Acropolis Point has stunning views of the Acropolis, supplying you with one more angle from which to see this historic UNESCO World Heritage Site. You are solely in Athens for at some point, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view.
Nightlife
If you need to hold the evening 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 gorgeous sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing wanting epic. Sure, you’re going to be exhausted, however it’s possible you’ll by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to miss out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?