Things to Visit in Athens: Ancient Ruins and Greek Food
Walk through 2,500 years of history from the Acropolis to the Ancient Agora, then eat your way through Athens' tavernas. Covers major archaeological sites, neighborhoods, markets, and day trip options.
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Ancient Sites and Archaeological Landmarks
Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon
The combined ticket (€30) covers the Acropolis plus 6 other archaeological sites and is valid for 5 days. Arrive by 8 AM in summer — by 10 AM the crowds and heat make it miserable. Wear shoes with good grip; the marble paths are polished smooth and slippery.
See the Parthenon up close
Walk through the Propylaea gateway
Find the Erechtheion and its Caryatid porch
Tour the Acropolis Museum
This modern museum at the base of the Acropolis hill houses original sculptures from the Parthenon and a glass floor revealing ongoing excavations below. Entry is €15. The top-floor gallery aligns with the actual Parthenon visible through the windows.
Explore the Ancient Agora
The civic heart of ancient Athens where Socrates taught and citizens voted. The reconstructed Stoa of Attalos now serves as a museum. Covered by the combined archaeological ticket. Allow 1-2 hours.
See the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Only 15 of the original 104 Corinthian columns remain, but each stands 17 meters tall — taller than the Parthenon's columns. Covered by the combined ticket. A 10-minute walk from the Acropolis.
Visit the Panathenaic Stadium
The only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, originally constructed in 330 BC and rebuilt for the first modern Olympics in 1896. Entry is €10 and includes an audio guide. You can run on the actual track.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Wander through Plaka
The oldest neighborhood in Athens sits at the foot of the Acropolis, with neoclassical buildings, narrow pedestrian streets, and countless tavernas. Anafiotika, the hidden village-within-a-village on the north slope, feels like a Greek island — whitewashed houses and bougainvillea.
Browse the Monastiraki Flea Market
Open daily but biggest on Sundays when vendors spill across the surrounding streets selling antiques, vinyl records, and vintage clothing. The permanent shops around Avyssinias Square have better prices than the touristy stalls.
Explore Psyrri for street art and nightlife
This former warehouse district is now Athens' creative hub with street art, craft cocktail bars, and live music venues. The bars along Iroon Square fill up after 10 PM. Much cheaper than the tourist areas.
Walk through Exarchia
Athens' alternative/anarchist neighborhood is covered in political street art and home to independent bookshops, vinyl stores, and cheap student tavernas. Strefi Hill park in the center offers a quiet Acropolis view away from tourists.
Views and Green Spaces
Climb Lycabettus Hill for sunset
The highest point in central Athens (277 meters) with 360-degree views including the Acropolis, the sea, and on clear days, the Peloponnese. Walk up (30 minutes), take the funicular (€10 round trip), or drive. The hilltop restaurant is overpriced — bring your own drinks.
Watch the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square
The Evzones (presidential guards) perform a ceremonial change every hour in traditional uniforms with pompom shoes. The full elaborate ceremony happens every Sunday at 11 AM with a full platoon and military band.
Stroll through the National Garden
A 15-hectare green oasis behind the Parliament building with shaded paths, a small zoo, and a botanical museum. Free to enter. A welcome escape from the concrete and summer heat.
Food and Drink
Eat souvlaki in Monastiraki
Athens has fierce souvlaki rivalries. A pita wrap with meat, tomato, onion, and tzatziki costs €3-4 at most spots. The area around Monastiraki Square has multiple competing shops open until 3 AM.
Try moussaka at a traditional taverna
Layers of eggplant, ground meat, and béchamel baked until golden. A portion at a neighborhood taverna costs €8-12. Restaurants in residential areas like Pangrati and Koukaki serve better versions at lower prices than the tourist zones.
Visit the Central Market (Varvakios Agora)
Athens' main food market since 1886 has a meat hall, fish hall, and surrounding fruit/vegetable stalls. Visit in the morning when vendors are calling out prices. The small restaurants inside the meat hall serve bowls of patsas (tripe soup) — a local hangover cure.
Drink coffee like an Athenian
Greek coffee culture runs deep. Order a freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino (iced versions shaken frothy) in summer — it's the local standard. A coffee at a café with a view costs €3-5. Sitting is never rushed.
Try loukoumades (Greek doughnuts)
Crispy fried dough balls drizzled with honey, cinnamon, and chopped walnuts. A portion of 8-10 costs about €5-7. Street vendors in Psyrri and Monastiraki serve them fresh and hot.
Museums Beyond the Acropolis
Visit the National Archaeological Museum
One of the world's great archaeological collections, with the gold Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera mechanism (an ancient analog computer), and Cycladic figurines dating to 3000 BC. Entry is €12. Allow at least 3 hours.
Explore the Benaki Museum
Covers Greek culture from prehistory to the 20th century in a beautifully restored neoclassical mansion. The rooftop café overlooks the National Garden and the Parthenon. Entry is €12; free on Thursdays.
See the Museum of Cycladic Art
The finest collection of Cycladic marble figurines (3300-2000 BC) — the minimalist sculptures that inspired Picasso and Modigliani. Small enough to see in an hour. Entry is about €10.
Day Trips
Visit Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
A 70 km drive (or organized bus tour) south along the coast to a clifftop temple overlooking the Aegean Sea. Time your visit for sunset — it's one of the most dramatic in Greece. Entry to the site is €10.
Day trip to Aegina or Hydra island
Fast ferries to Aegina (40 minutes, about €15) and Hydra (90 minutes, about €30) run daily from Piraeus port. Hydra bans cars and motorcycles — the only transport is donkeys and water taxis. Both islands are easily explored in a day.
Visit Delphi (full day)
The ancient oracle site is about 2.5 hours by bus from Athens. The ruins sit on a mountainside with views across an olive tree valley to the sea. Budget the full day — the archaeological site and museum take 3-4 hours combined. Organized tours cost €50-80 including transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Athens?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including ancient sites and archaeological landmarks, neighborhoods to explore, views and green spaces at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Athens?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Athens?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Athens?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Athens?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.