Have you ever questioned if it’s potential to discover Athens in simply sooner or later? 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 immediately’s world, everyone seems to be working brief on time, so now we have put collectively the proper sooner or later in Athens itinerary to show you how to take advantage of your keep.
One Day in Athens Itinerary
Morning – History
To plan your 1 day in Athens itinerary, you should buy 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 possibility chosen)
You have 5 calendar days from activation to use this go, so in case you are spending extra time in Athens, you’ll be able to e-book timed entries to see every of those sights 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 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 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 you have to be high quality. 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 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 one of the simplest ways to see Athens in sooner or later because it offers you 1 timed entry to every web site with the identical ticket. You will want to plan properly to be on time on your entries, however belief me, you will have to see all of it!
The guidelines are continually altering and generally is a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog submit 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 continues 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 certain that to do this as it should 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 the direction of 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 go the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you’d like to go to the Museum, put it aside for later in the day. It is open till 9:00 p.m.
The Ancient Agora is the most effective preserved historic break 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 most important spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is beautiful. The intricate particulars and delightful fluted columns make this temple one of many should-sees in Athens, particularly in the event you 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 have been restored in 1954, and it’s a stunning place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you’ll be able to 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 which you could 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 will have 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 spot to achieve this. However, we recommend 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 into an excessive amount of. You don’t want quite a lot of time right here, however it’s value going into see.
We actually liked the Roman Agora as a result of you’ll be able to 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 consists of entry to that. Built in AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a powerful historical past, however immediately, 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 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 will have a transparent thought of your schedule, we recommend 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 recommend 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 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 even 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 pleased to have seen all of those historic wonders. Now, you’ll be able to 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 show you how to buy your excellent Athens memento. There is a flea market proper off Monastiraki Square that’s value visiting.
Monastiraki is likely 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 perform a little buying. If you want water or snacks, it’s a fantastic 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 cellphone in my hand and a outdated lady guarding the church practically swatted it out of my palms.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the primary Square of Athens, the place there may be at all times one thing happening. Usually, while you stroll up to this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or massive gathering taking place. 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 will have walked right here by 3 pm), you’ll be able to see the altering of the guards, which is sort of fascinating. It occurs each hour, with probably the most spectacular one happening on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Syntagma Square Subway
Syntagma Square Metro is the primary metro station in town, and you’ll hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. However, even in the event you don’t trip the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered vital relics, together with a mosaic flooring from the fifth century, an historic aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is value 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. Located on the east facet of the National Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the positioning of the primary fashionable 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 have been a precursor to the Olympic Games.
You will pay to go inside and stroll round or you’ll be able to 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 along with your go. It has been underneath development for some time, however its columns are undoubtedly value seeing. With solely sooner or later in Athens, although, we recommend merely taking a look at this from the surface and as a substitute 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 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 one more 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 expect is likely one of the finest 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’ll be able to 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 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 value seeing the surface and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which can be on show underneath the muse.
If you will 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 soar from probably the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. Find your self a rooftop restaurant or, in case you are rooftopped out (which is inconceivable), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions situated right here in Plaka. We have a whole submit on the most effective Greek meals to show you how to select from the menu right here.
There are loads of eating choices in Plaka because it is likely 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 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 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?