Named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Athens is often used as a pit-stop for travelers heading to the beautiful Greek Islands and the country’s best beaches. But make no mistake. The magnificent marble columns of Athens illustrate the fortitude of the goddess, herself—and gives visitors a glimpse of the city’s architectural splendor. The city is filled with extraordinary historical sites, café-filled streets, exquisite gastronomy, and a lot of character. One of the world’s oldest cities, Athens was the origin of many things, including democracy, Western civilization, and theater. And all of this, plus its cultural and historical depth, is apparent in its architecture. So, before dismissing Athens as merely a pit-stop or hub to get to the Greek Islands, make sure to spend a day or two to see just why Athens is an absolute must-visit not only for the history and archeology, but the culture, food, and even nature. This Athens travel guide will help you navigate all Athens has to offer.

Like many, I started and finished my trip in Athens—and I’m so glad I did. It gave me ample time to explore and appreciate the many unique things about this city, and I hope with this guide, you’ll be inspired to do the same.

What to Do

Athens is one of the world’s oldest, most historically significant cities, so it goes without saying that I visited multiple ancient archeological sites. And while there are so many archeological sites, only two are actually recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Acropolis and The Monastery of Daphni.

What was really neat was how simple (and affordable) access to these archeological sites was. I found combination tickets online a couple months ahead that included access to not only the Acropolis, but 6 other archeological sites, as well! I used a site called getyourguide.com and it was only about $40 a person!! Once you book the tickets, all you have to do is screenshot the QR code and when you arrive at each site, you scan the QR code to enter. Plus, there’s no big rush to get to all of the sites in one day; it’s valid for 5 days from the date which you enter when booking. And surprisingly, I did not have to wait in line once! Perhaps that was because it was just past busy season when I was there, so keep that in mind when planning your trip! I had less than 3 full days in Athens before my ferry left for Mykonos, and I made it to 5 of the 7 sites. I surely could’ve made it to all 7, but I try my best (though not always successful) not to rush things while on vacation, in order to fully take everything in and enjoy it.

On my first full day in Athens, I went to the Acropolis, Roman Agora, and Ancient Agora. The Acropolis and Parthenon are one of the most important archeological sites in Greece, and well-worth a visit. This ancient hilltop citadel features prominently in the Athens skyline. And not to sound cliché, but I must say that in my opinion, the Acropolis was truly the most breathtaking in its vastness, of the sites I visited. Not to mention, you can also see the Parthenon, a former temple that was dedicated to the Greek goddess, Athena. Cool, right!? It’s spectacular, if you ask me. I mean, I was at the Acropolis for at least 2 hours, just soaking everything in and learning as much as I possibly could.

I also met some super cool folks from London that were on holiday, and that was kind of the cherry on top. I love meeting and connecting with different people while traveling – it just makes for an even richer experience, in my opinion. (: The other neat thing was that the Roman Agora and Ancient Agora were both within walking distance from the Acropolis. There are also some restaurants that you’ll pass walking from site to site, so it was very convenient if you get the munchies while exploring.

On my second full day in Athens, I visited The Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Library, along with the National Gardens. Formerly known as The Garden of Amalia, the National Garden was extraordinary, to say the least. I started my day there, and though I was super excited for it, I was reminded of the time of year I went when I noticed that very few flowers were actually in bloom. Which was totally okay with me because I still had a splendid time strolling through the vast gardens. And when I say vast, I mean almost 40 acres of vegetation and wildlife. I did not expect to be walking that much that day, haha. But it was a very enjoyable walk – there was a duck pond, a conservatory, a small café, etc. I was fortunate enough to see all those things, as well as turtles and goats! As a major dog lover, I think it’s safe to say that this park is dog friendly, as I saw a lot of people strolling through the gardens with their unleashed dogs right by their side! That’s a win in my book.

From the National Garden, I walked to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, about a 10-15 minute walk. The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, was a grandiose temple build in honor of the Greek god, Zeus. But because of how seriously vast the gardens are, it could be shorter or longer depending on which side you’re starting from! And I know we’re in the era of having perfect “instagrammable” photos, but keep in mind that these archeological sites are, in fact, ruins. Meaning that the structures that they once were or that you may find when searching the internet, might not accurately portray what currently remains. The Temple of Zeus, for example, originally had 104 columns, while only 16 have survived as of today. And while you may not get that “picture-perfect” photo of the temple remains, it kind of just makes it that much more special and reminds you to appreciate it even more. Who knows what will remain 10, 20 years from now?

Our last site to see that day was Hadrian’s Library, which I thought was amazing and definitely one of the most memorable sites I had visited. Although, it was one of the busiest sites I visited, likely because of its close proximity to Monastiraki Station.

The other 2 sites included in this combo ticket are Aristotle’s School and Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery. I already think it was absolutely worth the money just going to the other 5 sites, but if you get the chance to visit them all, why not!?

Oh – and don’t forget to check out some of the graffiti, or street art, while you’re in Athens! Athens is notoriously famous for its street art covering the walls of homes, buildings, garages, etc. Some of it is just quick hit-and-run marking on walls, while others are clearly well-thought, with a lot of effort and purpose behind it. Some are just plain beautiful and touching. Kudos to you artists out there, whoever you are!

Where to Stay

So, you’ve got your flights booked, and now the next thing you need to think about is where to stay, right? I’m going to walk you through my experience and tell you everything that I loved (and didn’t) about it. I’ll also briefly introduce some of the other areas that I’ve read about and heard a lot about from locals!

During my first stay in Athens, I stayed right in the heart of the city, in Monastiraki. I loved the convenience of it, the food was amazing basically no matter where you ate (more on that later), and the location was perfect for my plans. I got a small, economical apartment through Airbnb and it was all that I needed. Nothing big, fancy, or expensive. It was about a 5-minute walk from Monastiraki station, which had soooo much to do! If you ever find yourself in Athens and visit Monastiraki, you’ll see that it is less touristy than other popular areas like Plaka, yet still about as central as it can get.

I loved the fact that it was so central, obviously because of the food, but also because it was so easy to get around and so close to a lot of the ancient archeological sites I wanted to visit. It’s got a plethora of restaurants, both small and big, fancy dine-in restaurants and street food stalls, alike. And I don’t know about you, but food is pretty much the number one thing on my mind when traveling to different places.

The other cool thing about Monastiraki is Monastiraki Square. If you’re just arriving to Athens and don’t know where to begin, look no further! Seriously. I was exhausted after the long flights and ready for a nap when I landed in Athens.

But when I exited Monastiraki Station with directions to my Airbnb in hand, I immediately stopped, looked around, and thought to myself, “I have to go shower and then come right back here – this is incredible!!” And that’s when I realized that I was actually standing right in Monastiraki Square.

Arguably the longest standing square of the city over a span of centuries, Monastiraki Square is of pivotal importance and popularity amongst locals and tourists, alike. It’s filled with bakeries, restaurants, and any resources you might need, like a currency exchange or shop to buy ferry tickets. It leads into long streets bustling with little shops and restaurants, AND you can go to the Monastiraki Flea Market any day of the week! Oh, and did I mention? At least a few nights of the week you can listen to live music being played by locals! Grab some snacks from the bakery, sit down, and enjoy the music. ( :

The one thing I would say to be cautious of in this area is the scamming that happens. There are multiple common scams and I had seen them all at least once. Some are of older (50-60, I’d guess) women trying to give you a “free” rose for your “pretty lady.” If you say no—even 3+ times—they’ll likely shove it in your face and keep persisting. If you take one, they will then rub their stomach and ask for money for their “baby bump”. Another is of men with bracelets that will chat you up, tie a bracelet on your wrist, then ask for money because they’ve lost their jobs. If you’re in the train station and purchasing tickets, there are young girls that will ask you for your change OR try to grab your change from the machine as it dispenses. And like most cities around the world, always be cautious of pick-pocketing on crowded trains. I know it sounds like a lot. But don’t let that stop you from visiting Athens! Yes, be aware. And yes, if you feel so inclined, donate…But if not, just say no and keep walking! I am 100% an advocate for donating to causes and supporting locals in different countries that I’m visiting. Just know that if someone offers you something for “free” in Athens, there’s a high chance it’s not actually free.

Outside of Monastiraki Square, I just loved that you could basically stroll down any street in that area and find some cute little restaurant with someone playing guitar or accordion on the street or find a little café with the most delicious-looking desserts and drinks—it was honestly hard to not stop sometimes. But hey, is it really vacation if you’re not eating til you drop? ( ;

When I came back to Athens for my last day and a half in Greece, I stayed about a 15-minute walk from Keramikos Station, still not far from Acropolis. It was also about a 10-minute walk to Monastiraki Station, which I was very happy about, as I had a great time in that area during my first stay in Athens.

Including Monastiraki, of course, the best neighborhoods to stay in are Plaka, Koukaki, Syntagma, Psirri, and Kolonaki. I’ll break the areas down below:

Best Areas for Sightseeing:

Plaka

Monastiraki

Koukaki

Syntagma

Best Areas for Food and Nightlife:

Monastiraki

Psirri

Best Areas for Shopping:

Monastiraki

Kolonaki

And while I did separate the areas based on available things to do, I think it’s important to note that public transportation is very straightforward, convenient, and affordable.

Getting around to the different neighborhoods is actually very doable, so my advice is to not stress too much about where to book your accommodation – instead, find one that you think you’ll be comfortable in and use that as your base for exploring the city. 

         

Where to Eat!

Krasopoulio tou Kokkora (Κρασοπουλιό του Κόκκορα) – This restaurant was home to one of my favorite meals in Athens, so I went twice! Hands down the best homemade moussaka that I tried while in Greece! Great place if you’re looking for traditional Greek dishes.

Café Veneti – located right outside of Monastiraki Station, this is a perfect bakery and café to stop at before hopping on the train or as soon as you arrive in Monastiraki. I tried spanakopita, cookies, baklava, and other pastries there.

Diporto – Easily my overall favorite dining experience in all of Athens! Located underground and with no actual sign, you walk down the stairs to be greeted by this sweet old man who you can just tell LOVES and takes so much pride in his restaurant. As no menus are provided at this low-key restaurant, you’ll get seated and you’ll be served whatever is available that day. Usually a combination of some type of fish, bread, salad, and their house wine. Everything there hit the spot and was so satisfying—it felt as though they invited you into their home for this rich, home-cooked meal.

Athens Station Coffee Brunch – I tried gelato and mochaccino, two recommendations from Mariano, who was super helpful and fun to talk to!

Falafel του Ψυρρή – I made two stops here and tried a few different menu items, including chicken gyros, gouda cheese stuffed falafel gyros, and falafel burger

The Doc’s Burger Bar – located right next to Falafel του Ψυρρή. Every time I went to Falafel του Ψυρρή, there was a long line, so I figured it had to be good—and believe me, it was. I tried their “turkey special” which is a turkey sausage, topped with coleslaw, caramelized onions, dressings, with a side of fries.

Bougatsadiko Psirri – Bougatsa is a famous Greek food pastry, filled with either semolina, custard, cheese, or minced meat. I tried bougatsa and kataifi here! Staff was so welcoming, too!

360 Cocktail Bar – Great choice if you’re looking for a more high-end restaurant with tasty cocktails, PLUS a great view of the Acropolis! Very small and limited menu, but equally delicious.

Still need Greek food inspo? Check here for my top 10 foods you must try in Greece!