Have you ever ever questioned if it’s potential to discover Athens in simply sooner or later? We’re 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. Nonetheless, in at the moment’s world, everyone seems to be operating quick on time, so we have now put collectively the right sooner or later in Athens itinerary that will help you take advantage of your keep.
One Day in Athens Itinerary
Morning – Historical past
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, Historic Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Aristotle’s College and the Keramikos Historic Cemetery,
- Entry to the Acropolis of Athens solely in your most well-liked date and time slot
- One-time entry to every website with the identical ticket
- Athens Previous City (Plaka) self-guided audio tour
- Acropolis and Parthenon self-guided audio excursions (if possibility chosen)
You’ve 5 calendar days from activation to make use of this cross, so if you’re spending extra time in Athens, you possibly can e book timed entries to see every of those points of interest very first thing within the morning or later within the day.
Acropolis
Most certainly, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will inform you to go 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 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 resort with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so you ought to be tremendous. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and that you must e book your timed entry upfront. So try this proper now. Instances e book rapidly, and you’ll want to be sure to get your slot.
We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we liked 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 important 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 website with the identical ticket. You have to to plan correctly to be on time to your entries, however belief me, you’ll want to see all of it!
The principles are continually altering and could be a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog publish Easy methods to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We’ll proceed to watch it as Greek tourism modifications its thoughts.
You’ll want 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 at the moment, and it’s spectacular to see.
On the backside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to refill your water bottle; ensure to try this as it’s going to 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 the town middle.
Historic Agora
E book your timed entrance to the Historic Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This gives you time to absorb the highlights of the Acropolis beforehand.
From the Acropolis, you’ll stroll downhill for about quarter-hour to the Historic Agora and temple of Hephaestus. You’ll cross the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you wish to go to the Museum, put it aside for later within the day. It’s open till 9:00 p.m.
The Historic Agora is the perfect preserved historic spoil 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 Historic Agora of Athens was initially used as a gathering place or a spot to congregate. Truly, the phrase Agora interprets into “an assembly of the people.” The principle spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is beautiful. The intricate particulars and delightful fluted columns make this temple one of many must-sees in Athens, particularly for those who love Greek structure.
Stoa of Attalos
Make certain to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. That 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 possibly can cool off earlier than transferring on.
I believe you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There’s a good museum inside that has air-con which you could take a look at as nicely.
Roman Agora
E book your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your cross.
After you have got visited the Historic 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. Nonetheless, we advise transferring on to see the Roman Agora. Sure, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is simply a brief stroll from the Historic Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to develop into an excessive amount of. You don’t want plenty of time right here, however it’s value going into see.
We actually liked the Roman Agora as a result of you possibly can 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. In-built AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a formidable historical past, however at the moment, 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 solution 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’ve got a transparent concept of your schedule, we advise reserving a desk upfront as a result of we aren’t having you cease at a road vendor or sidewalk cafe. You’re going as much as overlook Monastiraki Sq. with a hen’s eye view of the Acropolis.
Monastiraki Sq. 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’s open for Brunch from 11:00 am.
There are different rooftop bars across the sq., and for those who 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 as well eat at MS Roof Backyard and Hyper Astrobar. These eating places are an occasion unto themselves, trying on the Acropolis and over Monastiraki Sq..
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 loosen up 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 road performers entertain, meals stalls provide genuine Greek meals, and loads of retailers are prepared that will help you buy your excellent Athens memento. There’s a flea market proper off Monastiraki Sq. that’s value visiting.
Monastiraki is among the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, and that is the place you’ll begin your afternoon strolling tour.
Ermou Avenue
Ermou Avenue is a 1.5 km pedestrian-only road connecting two of Athens’s largest squares, Monastiraki Sq. and Syntagma Sq.. It’s a enjoyable place to folks watch and perform a little purchasing. If you happen to want water or snacks, it’s a fantastic 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 images inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my cellphone in my hand and a previous girl guarding the church practically swatted it out of my fingers.
Syntagma Sq.
Syntagma Sq. is the principle Sq. of Athens, the place there may be all the time one thing occurring. Often, while you stroll as much as this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or massive gathering taking place. On the prime of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and middle.
Altering of the Guard
If you happen to occur to be on the sq. on the prime of the hour (hopefully you have got 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 essentially the most spectacular one happening on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Syntagma Sq. Subway
Syntagma Sq. Metro is the principle metro station within the metropolis, and you may hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. Nonetheless, even for those who 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 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 possibly can 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 trendy Olympic video games in 1896. All the 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 residence to the Panathenaic Video games, which have been a precursor to the Olympic Video games.
You may pay to go inside and stroll round or you possibly can simply admire it from the skin. The selection is yours.
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch
As you stroll again towards the town, you’ll come across the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your cross. It has been beneath development for some time, however its columns are positively value seeing. With solely sooner or later in Athens, although, we advise merely 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 may stroll straight beneath it, leaving the quiet complicated of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy road.
Cocktails and Sundown
Athens Gate is a good cease for one more 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 predict is among the greatest views in Athens. It is 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 possibly can have dinner right here and loosen up for a few hours on the terrace.
Acropolis Museum
If you happen to took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your solution to the wonderful museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a quick stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.
Even for those who don’t go inside to tour the museum correctly, it’s value seeing the skin and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which might be on show beneath the muse.
When you’ve got 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. End up a rooftop restaurant or, if you’re rooftopped out (which is inconceivable), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions situated right here in Plaka. We’ve a complete publish on the perfect Greek meals that will help you select from the menu right here.
There are many eating choices in Plaka because it is among the important vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Level A Acropolis Level has stunning views of the Acropolis, supplying you with yet one more angle from which to see this historic UNESCO World Heritage Website. You might be 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 maintain 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 beautiful sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing in need of epic. Positive, you’re going to be exhausted, however it’s possible you’ll by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to overlook out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?
