Best way to see Athens in 3 days – Tips from a local expert

The Acropolis Hill

Of course you would want to start off with the highlight, the Acropolis. Not much of an introduction needed for the cradle of the western civilization, the Parthenon (marble made temple dedicated to Athena, protector godess of Athens) is standing tall for over 2,500 years now and will take your breath away.

*Useful tips

– Try to avoid walking up the hill in the middle of the day as it can get too hot and crowded 

– Buy your tickets online to avoid any waiting ( link here https://etickets.tap.gr/webengines/tap_b2c/english/tap.exe?PM=P1 )

– If you get up first thing in the morning (8am) you can see the military squad raising the Greek flag

-Usually you will spend around 90 minutes to visit the Acropolis– There is an elevator that you can use but generally the hill is not stroller friendly 

The ancient Agora

Next thing you know you will find yourself walking around the ancient Agora,where all the decisions where being made directly by the people 

Mixed up with Roman structures like Hadrian’s library and the Roman forum. Now imagine all the above, incorporated in the oldest neighboorhood of the city Plaka full of small streets (pedestrians only on most of them). On these streets you will find all sorts of things from traditional Greek restaurants to souvenirs and handmade jewelry to authentic leather sandals so you can do your shopping along the way and grab a bite to get you going for the day.

Monastiraki square  

Eventually you will find yourself in the hustle and bustle of Monastiraki square , a place so lively that can feel overwhelming. There you will find yet more clothes and souvenir shops and a bunch of places you can try the  gyros with pita and tzatziki (if that’s all Greek to you,wait until you get there and you will sort it out) 

From that point you can mainly choose 2 directions, one is east through Ermou street, the busiest shopping street of the city all the way up to Syntagma square and the parliament house where you can also see the changing of the guards that takes place every hour all day long.

The second is north, walking on Athinas street  where the central market is located. Meat,fish,fruits,vegetables and spices will have your smelling sensors overwhelmed. Feel free to buy anything,the prices are really good and don’t be surprised if the sellers offer some bit to try for free, it is something quite normal.Coming up next is the city hall and the impressive Kotzia square and at the end of the street is the renovated Omonoia square with its majestic fountain a nice spot to take some selfies.

*Useful tips

-Although generally Athens is a very safe city, keep an eye on your personal belongings if you use the subway or in the most crowded places

– Try to avoid the very touristic looking places (like everywhere in the world) 

– Taxi rates are very cheap so don’t be afraid to use them, just make sure they are running the meter and if you have any dispute ask for the price catalog and a receipt

– You can also use Uber (it only offers taxi service in Greece) or the local Beat taxi app

The new Acropolis museum

 The most impressive about this museum is neither the exhibits nor its unique architecture and the fact that it’s made of glass allowing the visitor to have the Parthenon as his background. The most impressive is what’s missing… So you will find yourself in front of a stand with 5 Karyatides (woman shaped statues serving as columns at Erectheion on the Acropolis hill) and an empty spot for the one missing, currently being kept at the British museum alongside with the rest of the Parthenon marbles.

*Useful tips 

– You can buy your tickets online here https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/etickets/ticketing.php?la=2

The Olympieion

Or the temple of Olympian Zeus as it’s more commonly refered to, is only a short walk from the Acropolis museum. The first thing that will catch your eye is the impressive Hadrian’s gate, the gate being used by Hadrian himself to enter the temple. The differences to the Parthenon are many like the height and decoration of the columns and they reveal the fact that this temple was constructed much later during the Roman times.

* Useful tips 

– You can use the Acropolis combo ticket if you have one

– If not, you can buy one at the entrance, there is hardly any queue

Zappeion and the National gardens

Take a moment from walking under the hot sun and drink some water under the trees of the national gardens. These gardens used to be the the royal gardens as they are the backyard of the palace (today is the Parliament house) 

Kallimarmaron stadium

 This impressive, completely made out of marble , open-air, ancient stadium was the venue to host the first modern Olympics in 1896. Today is being used for concerts and other cultural activities and is also the finishing point of the Athens classic marathon exactly 42.195 meters from Marathon recreating the famous runner Phedippides’s run to announce the victory against the Persians.

Athenian Riviera and the Temple of Poseidon

For the second half of this day you will get to discover the seafront stretching from Peiraeus all the way until Cape Sounio, a 60km beachside boulevard (the so called riviera) including some of Athens finest like Glyfada, Vouliagmeni lake and a ton of beaches to choose from. The highlight of the day will be no other than the sunset on the Temple of Poseidon arguably the best spot to see the sun setting into the deep blue Aegean sea.

*Useful tips

-You can get there by renting a car, by public bus (you will miss the Riviera part) or you can book our private tour Half day Sounio and Athenian Riviera tour – Athens Experiences 

– Make sure you arrive on time since the entrance is not allowed less than 20 minutes before sunset

– Grab a light jacket because it is usually windy 

The neoclassical trilogy

Athens Academy, Athens University and National Library buildings one right next to the other are the so called trilogy of neoclassical era of Athens. Built in the early 19th century by the German architect Ernst Ziller they are a fine example on how the ancient Greek architecture can be used creatively.

Exarcheia

This funky neighborhood is especially popular to students,artists and politically concerned people.You will see plenty of youngsters hanging around and a lot of graffiti on the walls.

National Archeological Museum

I know museums can be a bit boring sometimes but that’s hardly the case with the National Archeological Museum of Athens. Its vast collections include exhibits of all the times and places of Greek history and some are of invaluable worth such as the golden mask of Atreas or the bronze statue of Poseidon.

*Useful tips

-Find information about opening hours and tickets here https://www.namuseum.gr/en/episkepsi/

– It will take you roughly an hour to visit

Lycabettus hill

Want a bird’s-eye view over Athens? Well then the only thing you have to do is climb up Lycabettus hill. You probably have noticed but already the hilltop standing out and a small white structure on top, that’s a small Greek Orthodox church dedicated to Saint George.

You have to ways to get up there:

• take the cable car that takes you all the way to the top (link here https://g.co/kgs/7DZT7y )
• drive up to the parking lot and then walk a couple of steps (10 minutes approx.) 

You can always book our private city tour that includes a stop there

(Link here http://athensexperiences.gr/tours/half-day-city-tour/ )

Stavros Niarchos Foundation 

Have a relaxing afternoon stroll around this 52-acres park that’s around the newly built National Opera House and National Library. The stunning quarter mile long canal and the botanical garden are the parks highlights and you can also drink your coffee or grab a bite at the Agora restaurant.