Athens is one of the most ancient cities in the whole world, having been continuously inhabited for at least 5,000 years. It is considered to be the mother of Democracy and there’s no doubt that the whole city of Athens is an outdoor museum, since every step brings you closer to a part of history!
Living in Athens for so long, it was about time for us to write a 3-day itinerary for it, in order to help you see everything you should in just 3 days!
Our 3-day itinerary is separated in a specific way. The first day is dedicated to a relaxing exploration of Athens’ center, on the second day you will focus on archaeological sites and history and on the last day you are going to visit some other regions of Athens.
So… LET’S START!
Day 1
As we mentioned, your first day is dedicated to the beauty of the city center! So, starting from Syntagma, you are going to marvel at the busy Syntagma Square, where many events are often organized. For those who don’t know, if you climb the stairs of Syntagma Square, you will see the Greek Parliament Building, where the Tomb of Unknown Soldier is also located and it is guarded by the famous “tsoliades” (Greek presidential guards).
Walking downwards, you will pass through the famous Ermou street, which is full of shops and people walking around. We suggest you to enjoy a delicious breakfast or brunch in one of the many coffee places around Athens’ center! For example, you can go to Kolokotronis and Romvis street or at the Aghia Irini’s Square, where the best (and beloved by locals) coffee shops are located.
After your breakfast, you will head to the famous Monastiraki Square. There, you will see Handrian’s Library, actually the remains of it, where you can go inside if you want. Later, you will pass by Roman Forum, which was the administration center, along with Hadrian’s Library, during Roman occupation. You can go inside if you want, where you will marvel at the remains of various shops, pillars, Tower of the Winds and Fethiye Mosque, which now operates as a museum.
Next, you will climb Dioskouron Street and you will head to Anafiotika. More specifically, you will see on your right a steep upward street, which we recommend you to climb in order to marvel at the captivating view of Athens from up high. Later, dare to climb down from the steps you will find there, but carefully because many people climb up and down all the time. By getting down from the steps, you will have the opportunity to explore and marvel at Anafiotika entirely. Anafiotika is truly a unique place, since its architecture is one of a kind. More precisely, when you visit it and look around, you will probably feel like you are on a Greek island or something!
Next, you will climb Dioskouron Street and you will head to Anafiotika. More specifically, you will see on your right a steep upward street, which we recommend you to climb in order to marvel at the captivating view of Athens from up high. Later, dare to climb down from the steps you will find there, but carefully because many people climb up and down all the time. By getting down from the steps, you will have the opportunity to explore and marvel at Anafiotika entirely. Anafiotika is truly a unique place, since its architecture is one of a kind. More precisely, when you visit it and look around, you will probably feel like you are on a Greek island or something!
After you visit Anafiotika, you will turn right to Stratonos street, in order to head to Thespidos street and reach beautiful Plaka! Plaka is a touristy area and one of the most ancient parts of the city of Athens. We are sure you will see many touristy shops, with clothing or souvenirs as well as restaurants and generally food places. We suggest you to grab something to eat, like a sandwich or a souvlaki and keep walking till you reach the National Garden and enjoy your snack there, like locals do!
More specifically, you will go from Kidathineon Street, you will reach Vasilissis Amalias and you will go to Zappeion. Zappeion is one of Athens’ most important buildings. More precisely, Zappeion is an enormous building, with 25 separate rooms, where many meetings and ceremonies are often organized. Walking from Zappeion, you will reach the impressive National Garden, where you will enjoy a refreshing walk, breathe fresh air and of course enjoy your snack or coffee at one of its benches.
Time for the best time of the day! More specifically, after you finish with your walk and snack, you will head to the popular Lycabettus Hill! Remember that you can also pass by Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaro.
Moreover, you can reach Lycabettus Hill by climbing a paved path or by rail transport. There, you will marvel at the stunning view of Athens, from the highest point of the city center, namely 277 meters! The reason we suggest you to visit Lycabettus Hill in the afternoon is because it’s better to see the whole city of Athens bathed in the colors of sunset. Beware that you have to mind your personal belongings, since there are many pickpockets in touristy areas like Lycabettus Hill.
Furthermore, for your information, be advised that there is a coffee shop/restaurant in Lycabettus Hill. However, we recommend going to Kolonaki, the most cosmic area of Athens! If you don’t want to spend all your savings, it would be better to have a coffee or a dessert in Kolonaki, walk around and explore the area and then head to a restaurant in Thissio or Monastiraki. Also, in this way, you will pass through Ermou again, in order to do shopping before your dinner.
In Thissio and Monastiraki, there are many nice restaurants, where you can enjoy delicious dishes of Greek cuisine. In other words, you can go to the restaurant of your choice and have a wonderful night!
In Thissio and Monastiraki, there are many nice restaurants, where you can enjoy delicious dishes of Greek cuisine. In other words, you can go to the restaurant of your choice and have a wonderful night!
Do not forget that Athens has a vivid nightlife, so you will find countless bars (or clubs) to go, if you want to drink (at least) one drink before going back to your room. However, it would be better if you don’t stay up late, because the next day is going to be full of exploration and you will need to be well rested and ready for new adventures!
Day 2
We told you to be ready for the day 2 but we didn’t mention why. The reason is… Acropolis! More specifically, as you already know, Acropolis is always crowded. Therefore, the best hour to visit Acropolis is early in the morning. In other words, you must wake up early, eat a rich breakfast and then be there when it opens (around 8:00)!
Acropolis is the most significant sight of Athens or generally of Greece! For those who don’t know, Acropolis is the hill, where various monuments are located. Also, for your information, Acropolis means “the edge of the city” in Greek. Climbing Acropolis, you will marvel at Propilea at first, then Erehthio and of course the well-known Parthenon! It is important to mention that there is no time limit for your visit, so you can wander around as much time as you want, marveling at the monuments and of course at the magnificent view of Athens from up high.
Acropolis is the most significant sight of Athens or generally of Greece! For those who don’t know, Acropolis is the hill, where various monuments are located. Also, for your information, Acropolis means “the edge of the city” in Greek. Climbing Acropolis, you will marvel at Propilea at first, then Erehthio and of course the well-known Parthenon! It is important to mention that there is no time limit for your visit, so you can wander around as much time as you want, marveling at the monuments and of course at the magnificent view of Athens from up high.
When you exit Acropolis, you can visit Areopagus ("Arios Pagos"), that will be located exactly in front of you. Areopagus was the court of ancient Greeks and now it is an attractant for both locals and tourists, due to the captivating view it offers.
Later, you will head to the Covered Walkway of Attalus (or Stoa of Attalus). Stoa of Attalus is a sight in the center of Athens and there you will also find the Ancient Agora/Market. Stoa of Attalus is built as a gift from king Attalus to Athens, because he studied there.
You can explore the archaeological site for as much as you want, you can visit the small museum inside as well as visit the Ancient Agora. Ancient Agora operates as a museum and its exhibits are mostly about Athenian Democracy.
You can explore the archaeological site for as much as you want, you can visit the small museum inside as well as visit the Ancient Agora. Ancient Agora operates as a museum and its exhibits are mostly about Athenian Democracy.
It's important to mention that if you find time, you can also visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The temple of Olympian Zeus was the most significant temple of Greece, during Hellenistic and Roman era. However, don’t worry if you miss it, since there isn’t anything inside, such as a museum or something. On the contrary, only a few columns of the temple are left and you can also marvel at the temple of Olympian Zeus when you are at Acropolis, as you can see in the picture below.
After Stoa of Attalus, you can enjoy a relaxing walk and also shopping, since you will be at Monastiraki Square. Monastiraki’s Flea Market is notable in whole Greece for its countless thrift and clothing shops and many more. Of course, you will buy souvenirs from there as well as anything else that will catch your eye!
What’s better than having a sweet break after shopping? And when we say sweet… we literally mean it! More specifically, you can go to Psirri area where the coffee places with the most delicious desserts are located.
You can visit the most famous thematic café in the center of Athens, Little Kook. You will sure notice where it is, since the whole street is decorated in many ways depending on the season.
You can visit the most famous thematic café in the center of Athens, Little Kook. You will sure notice where it is, since the whole street is decorated in many ways depending on the season.
After you feel ready, you can visit the Museum of Acropolis. The Museum of Acropolis is the most modern museum of Greece as well as the most marvelous. It opened in 2009 and it consists of 4 levels, three full of Acropolis’ exhibits and at the other (the 2nd) you will find a coffee place, where you can marvel at the view of Athens.
Your second day in Athens doesn’t end there, since it’s time for an exciting experience! You can grab a beer or an ice-cream and start climbing Philopappos Hill. Philopappos Hill offers a captivating view of Acropolis as well as of the whole city. More specifically, you can watch the sunset while looking at the other side of Athens (and Piraeus) on the top of the hill (at the Philopappos Monument) and later you will also have the chance to see Acropolis all lit up!
After that exhausting day, you will probably be hungry and you will be tired to search for a place to eat. That’s why you will enjoy your dinner in the center of Athens, near Monastiraki Square, where you can find many nice restaurants.
As we pointed out before, there are many bars and clubs in the center of Athens. However, if you want to party till early in the morning, it’s worth visiting Kerameikos. Keramikos is full of people club hopping and partying, especially on weekends!
Day 3
As you remember, your day 3 will not be confined in the city center, but it will be dedicated to the exploration of other Athenian regions. More specifically, Athens is not just Syntagma or Monastiraki, but you have to wander around other areas, in order to explore Athens in its whole.
We recommend you to go swimming in the magical Lake of Vouliagmenis! It will be a unique experience, since its water is warm all-year-round, because the source of it is hot springs underneath Vouliagmeni. Beware that you will need to buy a ticket, in order to go swimming there. Of course, you will explore the area of Vouliagmeni in general, where you will wander around the coastline of Vouliagmeni and the beautiful bays.
Moreover, there are many places for coffee or food but be advised that the prices will be high, since Vouliagmeni is a touristy area. For this reason, we suggest you to go explore another region of Athens! For example, you can go to Glyfada to have a coffee or lunch, even on foot!
If you want to know our personal opinion, we would tell you that the best idea to continue your day is to visit the beautiful Piraeus. There, you will enjoy a wonderful walk by the sea and of course you will have the best seafood of your life!
Lastly, the best way to wave Athens goodbye is with a delicious cocktail on your hand, in one of the countless roof-tops in the center of the city! In this way, you will rest enjoying a tasty drink, while viewing at lit Acropolis at the same time.
We hope that you found our 3-day itinerary helpful and that you will have the time of your life in the magical Athens!
Keep traveling! 😉
Keep traveling! 😉
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