15 Exciting Things Not to Miss in Athens

As one of the most historically important cities worldwide, Athens should be on everyone’s bucket list.

If you’re visiting during the off-season (1 November to 31 March), you can visit all these sites for free! On the first Sunday of every month during this time, entrance to all archaeological sites and museums is free for everyone. Just make sure to check the website of each attraction and double-check if you still have to reserve a slot.

1. Visit the Acropolis

The Acropolis is by far Athens’ most famous landmark, so it’s a must-visit spot for any trip to the city.

Its location is quite central, so it’s easily reachable by public transport, car, or even on foot. The closest Metro station is Acropolis Station, which can be reached via the red line (Metro Line 2).

If you’re staying in a nearby neighbourhood like Plaka or Monastiraki, consider walking. Just keep in mind that it’s a bit of an uphill climb.

The Acropolis is open from 8 AM to 5 or 6 PM, depending on the season. I’d recommend either going early (before 9 AM) or within 2 hours of closing time if you want to avoid the biggest crowds. Of course, visiting during the off-season (November to March) for cheaper prices and smaller crowds.

Tickets are sold on the official website. Prices vary, but currently, general admission is 38€ (during peak season – April to October). During the off-season, tickets are about 10€ cheaper. If you plan on visiting many of the other attractions, consider getting a combo ticket, which will save you money.

EU citizens under 25 years old and non-EU citizens under 18 don’t have to pay an entrance fee. It’s still really important to book a slot, however, because entrance and tickets are limited and spots fill up way ahead of time.

I’d recommend booking your tickets as early as possible, because, as Athens’ most visited tourist destination, tickets sell out quickly. When you book your tickets, you’ll get to choose a timeslot. If you arrive after this timeslot, your ticket will expire!

‘Acropolis’ actually only refers to the highest point in a city, so it isn’t actually the name for any of the ancient ruins or buildings on the hill. Here are some of the monuments and architectural wonders you’ll see at the Acropolis of Athens:

• The Athena Parthenon: The temple dedicated to Athena – this is the building everyone thinks of when they think of the Acropolis – it is the symbol of Ancient Greece.
• Theatre of Dionysus: One of my favourite parts, the amphitheatre is considered the birthplace of Western Theatre. In ancient times, the Greeks would put on performances here.
• Temple of Athena Nike: A small temple near the entrance dedicated to the Greek goddess of victory.
• Erechtheion & Caryatids: Collections of elegant woman-shaped columns.

For your visit, I’d strongly suggest wearing comfortable closed shoes. The ground is very uneven, with a lot of loose rocks and sand.

The visit to the Acropolis generally takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how fast you go through all the sights.

2. Explore the Agoras of Athens

The Agoras of Athens are ancient places where people used to gather for various activities, including theatrical performances, sporting events, and political or philosophical debates.

Athens has 2 main agoras worth visiting:

The Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora is the bigger of the two, situated in Monastiraki, one of the neighbourhoods at the foot of the Acropolis.

It takes about an hour to see everything. Here are some of the highlights:

• Temple of Hephaestus: A well-preserved ancient temple dedicated to the Greek god of fire and metalworking.
• Stoa of Attalos: A reconstructed building where you’ll now find the Agora Museum.
• Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles: A church built at a much later time in history than the other sites.

Tickets cost 10€ and are available at the door. If you plan on visiting the Acropolis and other sites in Athens, consider buying a combo ticket that includes entrance to multiple attractions. Unlike the Acropolis, tickets to the Ancient Agora are available at the door, because it’s a less busy attraction.

The Roman Agora

The Roman Agora is a bit smaller, so it only takes about 30 to 45 minutes to see everything. It’s only a 5-minute walk from the Ancient Agora, so you can easily combine the visits.

Some of the highlights at this site include:

• Gate of Athena Archegetis: The elegant marble entrance.
• Tower of the Winds: An octagonal structure that was used as a clock and weather station in ancient times.
• Remaining parts of shops and markets from Roman Athens.

Tickets to the Roman Agora are a bit cheaper (8€), but entrance is also included in the combo ticket.

3. Watch the Sunset from Mount Lycabettus

Mount Lycabettus offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city of Athens. That’s why it’s a favourite spot for watching the sunset.

Before taking on this activity, make sure you’re wearing good, comfortable shoes. We walked for about 30 minutes, but it felt like an hour because it was such a steep walk.

If you want to avoid the hike (because that’s basically what it was), you can hail a taxi (try the Bolt app) to drop you off at the top of the hill, so you’ll only need to walk up a short distance to the lookout point.

There is also a funicular that takes you from Aristippou Street in Kolonaki to the top of the hill. It’s a more expensive option though, at around 8€ per person for a return trip. The funicular runs at 30-minute intervals. The machine where you can buy tickets only accepts cash, so make sure you have enough on hand.

There’s a tiny white chapel and a small church bell at the top of the hill, as well as a café and restaurant, perfect for sunset drinks.

4. Watch the Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is an event that takes place every hour, on the hour, 24 hours a day. Every Sunday, a more extravagant ceremony takes place that includes the full guard, a marching band, and a parade.

The hourly Changing of the Guard takes only a few minutes, so if you’re in Athens on a Sunday, you should go to the big ceremony.

Of course, it’s free to watch, as it’s a public event. So it’s a great thing to add to your agenda.

If you’re coming for one of the hourly Changing of the Guard, I’d recommend arriving 10 to 15 minutes early for a good spot, or going to one of the earlier or later ceremonies.

But if you want to have a good viewing spot for the Sunday ceremony, you’ll have to get there at least 30 minutes ahead of time. The best spots are directly at Syntagma Square in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

5. Take a Walk through the National Garden

After (or before) watching the Changing of the Guards, go for a stroll in the lush green National Garden, which is only 5 minutes away on foot.

The garden, formerly the Royal Garden of Athens, is a beautiful oasis in the heart of the city that is the perfect spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit.

It’s quite a big park, with lots of little ponds, ancient ruins, and even a mini zoo to discover. You can easily spend an hour just exploring all the different little parts of the National Garden.

And don’t worry, it’s a public park, so there’s no entrance fee.

6. See the Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium was the venue for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and is the only stadium in the world that is entirely made of marble.

If you’re near Syntagma Square and the National Garden, you can easily combine your trip with a visit to the Panathenaic Stadium. It’s only a 5-minute walk from the garden, and 15 minutes from Syntagma Square.

The stadium is one of the cheaper paid attractions in Athens, at 5€ per ticket, which includes an audioguide available in many different languages.

Inside the stadium, you can get an amazing view of Athens from the top rows of the stands. You can even walk on the Olympic track and take a picture on the victory podium.

7. Walk among the Remains of the Temple of Zeus

The Temple of Zeus was one of the most interesting places I visited in Athens. As the temple dedicated to the king of the Greek gods, it was once the biggest temple in ancient Greece.

Unfortunately, most of the temple is now destroyed, with only 15 of its original 104 columns still standing. But trust me, you can still feel the grandeur and history behind the site.

The Temple of Zeus is also situated in the same area as Syntagma Square and the National Garden. After visiting, you can also make a quick stop at the Arch of Hadrian, which is right next to the temple.

The attraction costs around 6€ and is also included in the combo ticket for Athens.

8. Explore the Monastiraki Neighbourhood

At the base of the Acropolis, you’ll find the lively Monastiraki neighbourhood. Known for its markets, street food, and vibrant atmosphere, it’s a perfect place to experience both the modern flair of Athens and its deep historical influence.

When exploring any neighbourhood, I like to just walk along the streets and alleys, trying to find anything that sparks my interest. We found tons of markets and little craft shops, which were a huge highlight for me in this part of Athens.

The area is also known for its nightlife and its rooftop cafés and bars.

If you want to visit interesting sites in Monastiraki, check out Hadrian’s Library or the Roman Agora.

9. Visit the National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum is Greece’s largest and most important museum, where you can find artifacts, artworks, and many other treasures from the entire history of humankind.

The Mask of Agamemnon and the Antikythera Mechanism, two of the most iconic archaeological finds in Greece, can both be viewed in the museum.

It takes about 2 to 3 hours to explore the entire collection, but if you really look at every single item in detail, it might take even longer than that.

The National Archaeological Museum is a bit further from the other attractions in the city, but it’sstill doable – about 25 minutes from the Acropolis via public transport.

Tickets to the museum cost 12€ and can be bought at the door. It wasn’t very full when we visited, around midday. But if you’re visiting during peak season, try to get there earlier to avoid big crowds.

10. Explore the Plaka Neighbourhood

Plaka is another great neighbourhood to explore in Athens. Referred to as the ‘neighbourhood of the gods’, Plaka is the oldest district in the city.

Plaka is also situated at the foot of the Acropolis hill, next to Monastiraki. It’s more peaceful and pretty than the rest of the city, with lots of flowers and traditional Greek tavernas.

Right next to Plaka, you’ll find a smaller neighbourhood called Anafiotika. This neighbourhood was built in the style of a Cycladic island, so it’s most likely where you’ll find the classic Greek whitewashed houses with cobblestones.

11. Grab Breakfast at a Local Bakery

I love Greek food – and since my trip, I feel like Greek pastries and baked goods are massively underrated!

If you’re looking for a delicious, affordable, on-the-go breakfast, finding a good local bakery is key. On our trip, we stayed in four different locations (two in Athens and two on Greek islands), and in all of them we prioritised finding a bakery we liked nearby.

We usually just pick an attraction to visit for the day and walk in that general direction. On the way, we always find something.

And bonus points if you’re staying in a less touristy area like we were (mostly because that’s way too expensive). In these neighbourhoods, you’re more likely to find local bakeries that aren’t chains with inflated tourist prices.

The baked goods are always better and cheaper, and the people are SO friendly – in general, I found the Greeks to be extremely kind and generous people (in the non-touristy areas).

Some of my favourite things I tried on our trip included:

• Spanakopita: Spinach and feta pie in a flaky crust.
• Baklava: Phyllo pastry layered with nuts and syrup – probably the most famous Greek sweet.
• Koulouri: A bread ring crusted with sesame seeds, perfect for eating on the go.
• Amygdalota: Almond cookies (though I’d try these on the islands if you’re visiting one).
• Tiropita: Feta (or another cheese) wrapped in phyllo pastry.

12. Visit the Little Kook Café

The Little Kook Café is relatively central – only a 15-minute walk from the Acropolis. The neighbourhood it’s located in, Psyrri, is a trendy, lively area, great for shopping and finding exciting foods to try.

The Little Kook is known for its whimsical decor. The decor is so elaborate, it feels like you’ve fallen straight into a fairytale – the whole street is filled with it.

Themes change seasonally – we were there around Halloween. Other themes at the restaurant have included Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins. Around Christmas and Easter, the theme also changes accordingly.

The menu is just as exciting as the decor; with crazy themed desserts and drinks, it’s a must-visit, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

13. Visit the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments

If you’re interested in the history of music and musical instruments, this small museum is a great spot to check out on your visit.

Situated in the Plaka neighbourhood, it’s a small three-storey house that showcases a variety of traditional Greek instruments, including lyres and bouzoukis. There are even a few interactive exhibits.

Due to its size, it only takes about 15 to 30 minutes to view everything (depending on how thoroughly you read everything. Tickets cost only 5€, so it’s a very affordable addition to your itinerary.

14. See the Zappeion Megaron & Stroll through its Garden

The Zappeion Megaron is a building located next to the National Garden, built from 1874 to 1888. Constructed for the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896, it now hosts many exhibitions and conferences.

Though the building is beautiful, it’s not open for visitors, but you can take a virtual tour on the official website.

You can still view the exterior before exploring the best part: the beautiful gardens. In the Zappeion Gardens, you’ll find beautiful pathways and ponds, as well as many different plants – including some olive trees.

15. Try Greek Food

One of the highlights of every trip I take is always the food – and I’m a huge fan of Greek food in particular. I love how much Greeks respect the ingredients they use in their meals, as well as the generosity and quality of their food.

I’ve already talked at length about Greek baked goods, but that’s because they’re in a category of their own for me and aren’t appreciated enough.

Here are some of my favourite Greek foods I ate on my trip:

• Souvlaki: Meat skewers which are grilled and served with pita, tzatziki, and fresh vegetables, usually onion and tomato.
• Gyros: Thinly sliced meat wrapped in a pita with vegetables and sauce – a must-try street food in Athens.
• Moussaka: Layers of eggplant, potatoes, minced meat, and bechamel, baked – easily my favourite Greek dish.
• Dolmades: Vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes other ingredients like minced meat. Eat it with olives and feta for the perfect appetiser.
• Ouzo: Not a food, but a Greek spirit with an aniseed flavour (perfect for liquorice lovers) – try it over ice.

The best traditional tavernas in Athens are generally in Monastiraki, Plaka, and Psyrri, so try exploring those areas to find someplace you like.

Greeks tend to eat quite late – lunch between 2-4 PM and dinner around 9-11 PM, so if you want to eat like a local, try eating during these windows.

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