Have you ever ever puzzled if it’s attainable to discover Athens in simply in the future? We’re right here to inform you that it’s attainable! 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 present’s world, everyone seems to be working brief on time, so we now have put collectively the right in the future in Athens itinerary that will help you profit from your keep.

One Day in Athens Itinerary

Morning – Historical past

Acropolis

Most probably, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will inform you to move 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 try to be superb. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and it’s essential to e book your timed entry prematurely. So do this proper now. Occasions e book rapidly, and it would be best to be sure to get your slot.

We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we beloved the Astor Resort for its location, view of the Acropoli, and worth level—it didn’t break the financial institution! If you’re staying longer in Athens, learn our full information for The place to Keep in Athens.

We booked the Acropolis and 6 most important archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It’s one of the best ways to see Athens in in the future because it offers you 1 timed entry to every website with the identical ticket. You’ll need to plan correctly to be on time to your entries, however belief me, it would be best to see all of it!

The foundations are continuously altering and generally is a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog put up Learn how to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We’ll proceed to observe it as Greek tourism adjustments 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 continues to be in operation at present, and it’s spectacular to see. 

On the backside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to refill your water bottle; make sure that to try this as it is going to proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.

You’ll then begin making your means downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your means down the hill again in direction of town heart.

Historic Agora

Ebook 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 go 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 most effective preserved historic smash within the metropolis. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly within the morning gentle. Be sure to 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 meeting of the folks.” The primary 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 should you love Greek structure.

Stoa of Attalos

Be sure to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. That is the museum with these rows of columns. They had been restored in 1954, and it’s a stunning place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you’ll be able to cool off earlier than shifting on. 

I feel you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There’s a good museum inside that has air con you could try as nicely.

Roman Agora

Ebook your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your go.

After you might have visited the Historic Agora, you’ll come out to loads of out of doors cafes lining the road. If you wish to have lunch now, this can be a great spot to take action. Nonetheless, we propose shifting on to see the Roman Agora. Sure, there are two Agora’s.

The Roman Agora is just a brief stroll from the Historic Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to turn into an excessive amount of. You don’t want numerous time right here, however it’s value going into see.

We actually beloved the Roman Agora as a result of you’ll be able to stroll among the many ruins and rise 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 contains entry to that. Inbuilt AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a powerful historical past, however at present, not a lot continues to be standing, so that you solely want about quarter-hour to go to right here. Plus, it’s in your strategy 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. You probably have a transparent concept of your schedule, we propose reserving a desk prematurely 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 fowl’s eye view of the Acropolis.

Monastiraki Sq. is surrounded by rooftop bars and eating places, and we propose 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 should you solely have in the future in Athens, we propose consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You may also 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’ll be able to calm down 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 supply 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 without doubt one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, and that is the place you’ll begin your afternoon strolling tour.

Ermou Road

Ermou Road 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. Should you want water or snacks, it’s an incredible place to replenish your mid-day stroll.

There are many retailers and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Outdated Byzantine Church, which is free to enter. No images inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my telephone in my hand and a outdated lady guarding the church almost swatted it out of my arms.

Syntagma Sq.

Syntagma Sq. is the principle Sq. of Athens, the place there may be at all times one thing happening. Normally, once you stroll as much as this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or massive gathering occurring. On the high of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and heart.

Altering of the Guard

Should you occur to be on the sq. on the high of the hour (hopefully you might have walked right here by 3 pm), you’ll be able to 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’ll hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. Nonetheless, even should you 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 flooring 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’ll be able to hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Positioned on the east facet of the Nationwide Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the location of the primary trendy Olympic video games in 1896. The whole stadium is made out of marble, and it’s spectacular to see. The location itself has much more historic significance as within the sixth century BC, it was house to the Panathenaic Video games, which had been a precursor to the Olympic Video games.  

You’ll be able to pay to go inside and stroll round or you’ll be able to simply admire it from the skin. The selection is yours.

Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch

As you stroll again towards town, you’ll stumble upon the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your go. It has been underneath building for some time, however its columns are undoubtedly value seeing. With solely in the future in Athens, although, we propose merely taking a look at 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’ll stroll immediately underneath it, leaving the quiet complicated of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy road.

Cocktails and Sundown

Athens Gate is a superb cease for an additional rooftop view of the Acropolis from the alternative facet of Monastiraki Sq.. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we expect is without doubt one of the finest views in Athens. This can be a great spot to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to maintain you going till your late dinner, or you’ll be able to have dinner right here and calm down for a few hours on the terrace.

Acropolis Museum 

Should you took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your strategy to the superb museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a brief stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.

Even should you 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 underneath the muse. 

You probably have an hour, you will get a style of the museum, however to essentially 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 leap 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 positioned right here in Plaka. We have now a whole put up on the most effective Greek meals that will help you select from the menu right here.

There are many eating choices in Plaka because it is without doubt one of the most important vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Level A Acropolis Level has stunning views of the Acropolis, providing you with one more angle from which to see this historic UNESCO World Heritage Website. You’re solely in Athens for in the future, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view. 

Nightlife

If you wish to hold 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. Certain, you will be exhausted, however you could by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to overlook out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?