Things To Do In Athens Greece
- Laura
- Nov 18, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 19, 2025
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Big and bold Athens, Greece is a fascinating mix of modern and ancient elements. Equal parts messy and mesmerizing, the capital city is known the world over as the birthplace of democracy. Our list of things to do in Athens Greece will introduce you to its most remarkable sites including the Acropolis, Plaka, museums, monuments, and markets.
One of the oldest cities in the world, Athen’s skyline tells the story of the Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations that built it. Many of the sites listed in our article lie in the city’s walkable historic center. Within this district, journey through 3,400 hundred years of history in the colorful and chaotic open-air museum that is Athens.
Follow our list of things to do in Athens to visit the Parthenon, Roman Agora, Monastiraki Flea Market, National Archeological Museum, and more.
DAY TRIPS FROM ATHENS GREECE
BEST TIME TO GO TO ATHENS GREECE & WEATHER
Winters in Athens are cold and rainy (in the 40’s F) – but crowds are few. Summers are sunny with long hours of daylight (in the 90’s F) – but crowds are heaviest. The best time to visit Athens is during the months of April, May, June, September, and October when the weather is pleasant, flowers are in bloom, and the crowds are not at peak level.
ATHENS GREECE TOURS
Athens is a large cosmopolitan city with many neighborhoods – some edgier than others. The city has efficient public transport. However, time tables can be difficult to navigate in an unfamiliar language. In addition, most heritage sites have timed entry tickets with long security lines – requiring some coordination to see more than one site in a day.
One solution to all of these pain points is a guided tour. A quality guided excursion will provide a knowledgeable tour guide, tickets, and transportation. Many tours in Athens leave from the waterfront area (cruise port), the city’s historic center, and major hotels.
Look for tours that offer air conditioned transport, a guide that speaks your language, and individual audio headsets. For tours to any outdoor site schedule early morning excursions for fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.
Consider these well reviewed Athens Greece tours:
HOTELS IN PLAKA DISTRICT ATHENS
If you are able to spend a night in Athens, we recommend finding a hotel in the Plaka district. Located in the heart of the city’s historic center, the neighborhood is walker-friendly and central to major museums and archaeological sites. The district’s charming streets are full of open-air dining, shops, markets, and tavernas.
Try these hotels:
Acropolis Stay: Budget friendly, short walk to major sites
Plaka Hotel: Budget friendly, short walk to major sites
The Athens Gate Hotel: Rooftop Dining with Views of Acropolis
Herodion Hotel: First-class hotel with pool and hot tub
ATHENS GREECE MAP
THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS GREECE
Enjoy an Acropolis Tour
On a first-time visit to Athens, an Acropolis tour is a must-do activity. The name Acropolis means “high city” in ancient Greek. The ruins of the hilltop citadel and religious center command breathtaking views of Athens and beyond. The complex consists of several areas and sites to see:
Parthenon and Other Temples
The origin of the Acropolis date back to the 5th century BC. The largest and most famous temple on the site, the Parthenon, was dedicated to the city’s deity, Athena. Nearby, are the Erechtheum Temple and Temple of Athena Nike. (Included in basic ticket price.)
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
This open-air stone theater sits at the foot of the Acropolis. The stadium dates back the 2nd century AD. It is still in use today for concerts and other festivals. (Included in basic ticket price.)
Try these Acropolis tours:
Acropolis Museum
With over 4,300 artifacts the Acropolis Museum is packed with antiquity. The museum houses archeological finds taken from the hilltop Acropolis. (Separate admission price.)
TIPS: For your Acropolis and Parthenon tour, make sure to schedule an early morning time slot (fewer crowds and cooler temps); and/or consider a “fast-track” or “skip-the-line” ticket. This is a site that gets VERY crowded, very early – so be sure to reserve ahead.
Reserve your ticket here: Acropolis Museum Ticket. & Audio Tour
Find Things to Do in Plaka
The Plaka district, on the northern side of the Acropolis, is the oldest neighborhood in Athens. Its streets have continuously bustled with commerce for over 3,000 years. In Plaka, the city’s Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman buildings blend harmoniously. Its narrow streets are filled with neat boutiques, cozy patisseries, and colorful galleries.
When exploring Plaka don’t miss the Mnisikleous Stairs. The famous stairway is lined with tavernas and cafes. Eateries set up tables along the stairs; making the area perfect for people watching. Or, step inside a restaurant and head up to one of many rooftop bars. Linger here for a glass of wine and some Greek tapas.
After your snack, stroll on into the lovely neighborhood of Anafiotika. Modeled after the Island of Anafi, the district’s white washed houses and flower-filled alleys are sure to charm. Try this tour: Athens by Night: City Tour & Plaka.
FUN THINGS TO TRY IN ATHENS
Discover the National Archaeological Museum
Housed in a spacious neoclassical building, the Hellenic National Archaeological Museum displays and protects antiquities from all over Greece. The museum’s permanent collections include Egyptian, Mycenaean, Cycladic, and Neolithic antiquities. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of Greek sculptures in the world.
Click here to reserve your Archaeological Museum ticket and audio guide.
Visit Varvakeios Market and Take a Food Tour
Visit the Varvakeios Market for a slice of kreatopita (meat pie), a slice of spanakopita (spinach and cheese pie), and a slice of local life. The market, only about a kilometer from the Plaka neighbhorhood, is where the Athenians shop.
From the market, walk to Plaka. On your stroll pass food trucks, fishmongers, street stalls, tavernas, and shops selling traditional Greek delicacies. Athens is the perfect city to indulge in a food tour:
Climb Lycabettus Hill
Climb, or take a funicular ride, to the highest point in Athens, Lycabettus Hill. At the hill’s summit, enjoy panoramic views of the city, Acropolis, and Aegean Sea. Locate the Church of St. George, and take a look around. Then, stroll back down the path to the city. Especially beautiful at sunset.
TRY THESE ATHENS NIGHT TOURS
Stroll the Roman Agora
Located on the outskirts of the Plaka district, find the Roman Agora (public market). Some 2,000 years ago the archeological site brimmed with traders. In addition to its columned entry, a highlight of the site is the well-preserved Tower of the Winds – an ancient marble meteorological station. Although this site is not as large as some others in Athens, we enjoyed its quieter and less crowded location.
Shop the Monastiraki Flea Market
For an eclectic, frenetic, and authentic Greek shopping experience, venture over to the Monastiraki Flea Market. The market is located in a triangle of streets just off the Abyssinias Square in Athen’s historic center (at the edge of the Plaka neighborhood).
In the shadow of the Acropolis, the permanent bazaar (“flea market” tables come out on Sunday) is one of the most popular shopping districts in Athens. In its picturesque alleys find souvenir, jewelry, ceramic, antique, and clothing shops.
Walk the Waterfront at the Port of Piraeus
About 6 miles (10 kms) outside of Athens is Piraeus, one of Europe’s busiest port towns. There are two museums in this harbor town; The Archaeological Museum of Piraeus and the Hellenic Maritime Museum. Also worth visiting is the Zea Theatre (ancient Greek ruins). Or, simply walk the pretty waterfront and enjoy the lively tavernas, cafes, and shops.
Try this tours:
Immerse in Ancient Greek Ruins
Athens is a literal open-air museum. The Acropolis and Parthenon are only the beginning; there are ancient Greek ruins in every neighborhood. A guided tour with air-conditions transport between stops is a great way to take in the sites. Look for an Athens itinerary that take in the following sites: Temple of Zeus (Olympieion), Ancient Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, and Hadrian’s Library.
Try these tours:
Explore the Panathenaic Stadium & National Garden
The Panathenaic Stadium is an all-marble stadium originally built for religious and athletic festivals. Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the 50,000 seat stadium dates back to 144 CE. It was rebuilt for the modern Olympic games in 1869, and then again in 2004. The adjoining National Garden is a lovely public garden with over 15 hectares of green space (free admission).
At the stadium, sign up for an Olympic Games Workout Session with Instructor.
Τα λέμε αργότερα (see you later), Laura and Randy
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