Top 10 Things to Do in Athens, Greece
Athens is quite definitely a destination for history buffs, but the Greek capital offers a lot more, from taste-tickling food to hilltop views and charming neighborhoods to wander.
Plus, it makes for a vibrant destination in late fall or early spring, when wintry weather dampens the vibe at other European capitals.
The modern day Greek capital city was also the heart of Ancient Greece, and monuments from that age are everywhere in Athens. The famous Parthenon at the top of the Acropolis Hill is on the bucket list of most first-time visitors.
Strolling the narrow alleys of neighborhoods like Plaka is also among the best things to do in Athens. Sample Greek cuisine and shop for souvenirs whilst enjoying the ambience.
Athens is also a great base for a multitude of day trips, if you have 3+ days in the city.
In this article, we explore the top things to do in Athens, Greece.
This private full-day tour of Athens is an excellent choice if you are plan to visit for the day or if you want the perfect introduction to the Greek capital. You’ll visit the Acropolis, plus other significant sights. With your own vehicle and driver, exploring Athens will be a breeze! 🚗 🏛️
1. Visit the Acropolis (and the Parthenon)
Touring the Acropolis of Athens, the world-famous hilltop archaeological site capped by the Parthenon, is undoubtedly among the top things to do in Athens.
Marvel at the beauty of the Parthenon, capture photos of the Porch of the Maidens at the Erechtheion, walk through the impressive Propylaea, and admire the compact Temple of Athena Nike.
The important buildings you see today at the Acropolis were erected in the 5th century B.C., during the Golden Age of Athens.
The buildings on the Acropolis were destroyed, damaged, or altered in ensuing times, but after Greece became an independent state, only the original construction has been preserved and the site is now protected.
Many of the significant artifacts found on the Acropolis Rock have been transferred to the Acropolis Museum, an easy walk from the Acropolis.
Entry to the Acropolis of Athens is managed via timed-entry slots, and it is advisable to purchase Acropolis tickets and tickets for the Acropolis Museum online ahead of your visit.
A guided tour that combines the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum is a great choice for history or architecture buffs.
Plan to tour the open-air Acropolis of Athens early or late in the day, when the weather is more pleasant and the crowds less.
2. Sample Local Bites on a Food Tour
If you already enjoy Greek cuisine, you will love the opportunity to try your favorite Greek foods in Athens, from souvlaki to loukoumades.
If you haven’t tried Greek cuisine before, Athens is the perfect place to try some!
Top Greek dishes to try include souvlaki (skewers of grilled meats), gyros (rotisserie meat or veggies wrapped in bread), moussaka (a casserole with eggplant and meat), Greek salad, and loukoumades (honeyed Greek donuts).
A walking food tour of Athens is a wonderful way to sample bites and sips with a knowledgable local guide and get recommendations for places to eat on your own during the rest of your time in Athens (and Greece).
On your food tour, you’ll visit food markets, delis, cafes, and street food vendors as your guide offers insights on the city’s culinary heritage.
Several food stops are included, and you’ll try savory dishes, desserts, Greek wine and coffee.
>>> Check price and availability on this Athens food walking tour now!
3. Tour the Acropolis Museum
While the Acropolis site is a must-visit in Athens, history, art, and architecture enthusiasts will also want to add the Acropolis Museum to their Athens itinerary.
Located a very short walk from the southeast entrance to the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum houses the most impressive artifacts found on the Acropolis hill, including five of the six the original Caryatids from the Erechtheion.
Spread across multiple levels, the exhibits at the Acropolis Museum include an entire gallery devoted to the Parthenon, as well as a large excavation site at the base of the building.
The restaurant at the Acropolis Museum is a draw in its own right, with gorgeous views across to the Acropolis. The restaurant is open late on Friday and Saturday nights, and you can enjoy dinner with a view of the lit Acropolis on those nights.
The Acropolis Museum does have an entrance fee, and you can buy tickets online or at the museum on the day of your visit. You can also visit on a combined guided tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
4. Visit Other Ancient Historic Sites
Athens is chock full of historic sites and the Acropolis is only the beginning. History lovers will want to consider a combination pass that allows you to visit up to 5 additional sites:
Visit the Ancient Agora, considered the center of Athenian democracy. Here you can admire the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Atallos, which houses the Agora Museum.
The Roman Agora was built in the 1st century B.C., with funds promised by Julius Caesar and given by Augustus. It’s worth visiting to admire the impressive Gate of Athena Archegetis and the majestic Tower of the Winds.
The Olympieion, also known as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, was one of the largest ancient temples ever built. You can view its ruins in the center of Athens today: several of the columns are still standing.
The Panathenaic Stadium is built entirely of marble, for the first modern day Olympics in 1896. The historic stadium was also used in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Aristotle’s School was called the Lyceum, founded in the 4th century B.C. Here Aristotle and his students engaged in learning and discussions, often whilst walking the groves on the grounds.
>>> Check price and availability for the combination ticket to Athens sites now!
5. Take a Cooking Class
For an immersive food experience in Athens, why not try a cooking class? You’ll learn how to make some Greek dishes that you can replicate at home to recreate the magic of your Greek vacation.
On this highly-rated half-day Greek cooking experience, you will join a class at a bakery in the Monastiraki neighborhood, where a local chef will teach you how to cook some Greek classics like spinach pie (spanakopita) and tzatziki.
Then enjoy the dishes you prepared on the rooftop, with a view of the Acropolis.
The small-group experience is limited to just twelve participants so each person can get attention from the chef during the learning process.
Great for foodies and couples looking for something special to do together in Athens, but also for all visitors looking to have a fun food experience!
>>> Check price and availability for this Greek cooking class now!
6. Cruise Nearby Islands
A trip to Greece must definitely include some islands!
If you are on a longer visit to Greece, you most likely have some popular Greek islands like Mykonos or Santorini on your itinerary, but even on a quick 3-day visit to Athens, you can add a boat cruise to nearby Greek islands.
This all-day cruise to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina is a popular option. The three Saronic islands are easily visited on a day sailing trip from Athens, and you have he opportunity to swim and snorkel as well.
Agistri offers gorgeous pine forests and beautiful beaches. You can choose to relax by the water or join a bike trip to explore the villages and pine-fringed paths.
Moni is a small island that’s pristine and uninhabited. It’s a natural park where you will likely see peacocks and deer roaming freely! The turquoise waters make for ultimate relaxation as you enjoy lunch.
Aegina is the closest island to Athens and offers a blend of history and beauty. There are temples and monasteries to visit, markets to explore, and seaside cafes if you just want to chill.
Not only are the islands captivating, the cruise is wonderful as well, with the chance to soak up the Mediterranean sun and capture photos and video.
>>> Check price and availability for this 3-island sailing trip from Athens now!
7. Take a Half Day Trip to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
The Temple of Poseidon has a spectacular location on a majestic sea cliff in Sounion.
On a half day trip from Athens, you can enjoy views of the scenic coastline of Attica plus the chance to explore the ruins of the clifftop temple.
Along the way, admire some of the beautiful suburbs of Athens — Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza — along with views of the picturesque Saronic Gulf. You’ll enjoy a photo stop at Lake Vouliagmeni, a small volcanic lake, and a beach stop at Sounio Beach (in the summer).
Your destination is the Temple of Poseidon. Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea, and this temple dedicated to him was built in the fifth century B.C., during the time of Pericles. It was built on the ruins of an even earlier temple.
The ruins are in decent shape, with several columns still standing and many architectural elements to observe.
Choose an afternoon sun and enjoy sunset at the Poseidon Temple. The light is beautiful for photography and the views magical.
If you have a rental car, you can drive to the Temple of Poseidon on your own, but a guided tour is a hassle-free way to visit. The temple has an entrance fee.
>>> Check price and availability for this tour of Sounion and the Poseidon Temple now!
8. Explore Delphi on a Day Trip from Athens
A UNESCO World Heritage Site like the Acropolis of Athens, the archaeological site of Delphi is well worth the day trip for Athens for lovers of history and ancient architecture.
On this full day tour of Delphi, you will ride by air-conditioned coach through the scenic valleys of Thebes, with a stop at Levadia, famous for its colorful carpets.
Then head to the foot of Mount Parnassos to explore the renowned archaeological ruins of Delphi, nestled between the towering Phaidriades Rocks. The setting is stunning!
The Temple of Apollo is the signature landmark at the site, known for its oracle. The high priestess of the temple, called the Pythia, would deliver prophecies said to be from the Greek god of light, Apollo.
Other than touring the site and enjoying the beautiful views, you must visit the museum, which houses many significant artifacts excavated at the site.
On the tour, if you select the appropriate options, your entrance tickets will be included and you will receive a guided tour of the site and the museum with insights from an English-speaking guide.
>>> Check price and availability for the day tour of Delphi now!
9. Tour Meteora from Athens
Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greece, the collection of monasteries in Meteora, in the heart of the mainland, makes for a fascinating day trip from Athens.
Perched precariously on seemingly impossible sites at the top of rocky peaks of sandstone, the monasteries of Meteora make for spectacular photos.
While Meteora is a wonderful destination for history buffs, its setting in the midst of beautiful nature makes it a draw for other visitors as well.
Twenty-four monasteries were built in Meteora, and decorated with gorgeous frescoes, in the 15th and 16th centuries, although monks lived here since the 11th century. Four of the monasteries still house monks today.
On this highly-rated tour of Meteora, you will travel by train to visit six monasteries, and view the interiors of three of them. You will also explore hermit caves and enjoy photo stops to capture the monasteries against the stunning backdrop.
>>> Check price and availability for this tour of Meteora from Athens now!
10. Climb a Hill for a View or Explore a Neighborhood!
Exploring the charming neighborhoods of the Athens city center is a fun activity for all types of visitors, with pretty streets and houses to photograph, numerous food and drink options, and shops selling souvenirs and local products.
Athens is also hilly, and walking up to the tops of hills offers the chance to enjoy expansive views over the city or of the Acropolis, or both.
Plaka, nestled along the slopes at the bottom of the Acropolis complex, is very picturesque. Its cobblestone alleys, and tiny shops and cafes, have a village-like feel, like villages in the Greek islands. Much of Plaka is pedestrianized.
Monastiraki is a must-visit for shopping! Here you will find many clothing boutiques, souvenirs, and antiques. You’ll also find street food to sample, and the streets and alleys of Monastiraki are built around the Ancient and Roman Agoras.
Thiseio is another historic district, with beautiful buildings and a multitude of cafes, bars, and rooftop restaurants. Look for craft stalls along Apostolou Pavlou, or visit the National Observatory of Athens.
The hills of Athens are perfect for views, and there are several you can climb, from Mount Lycabettus, with its panoramas over the city, to Areopagus Hill and Filipopappou Hill, both of which offer great views of the Acropolis.