What to Do in Athens in 3 Days: The Perfect Itinerary
Most of our friends spend only 3 days in Athens. Then off they go to their favorite island. We never tire of suggesting they spend more time in the capital, but it seems that’s all the time they have.
Therefore, we have learned to tour our city in a short time. We rush a bit, but we are convinced we show them our best. Since everyone that visits us ends up in love with Athens, we like to think we are good.
We have prepared the following itinerary through Athens’ most important and authentic sites. You will see some of the world’s most iconic architecture and experience Greek culture. Since we are locals, we take you to our favorite bars and restaurants too.
Day 1
The Acropolis
We begin with the one and only Acropolis. Though we live pretty near and see it every day, we still find it majestic. Athens’ most iconic landmark is on top of a hill in the center of the city.
Access to the Acropolis is through Apostolou Pavlou pedestrian street. The entire place is huge. There are remains everywhere, so don’t rush. The views from the Acropolis are the best in the city. You will see all of Athens and the sea.
Do not forget to stop at the Acropolis Museum in front. The Tschumi – Photiades building is a dazzling as the collection inside. If you visit in the summer, go early in the morning or afternoon to avoid the heat.
The Agora
Once you come down from the Acropolis, walk north along pedestrian Apostolou Pavlou. It’s our favorite walk in the city. You will see cute cats lounging about. Loop around Thisseio metro station and access the one and only Agora.
One of the main reasons to visit Athens is to explore its ancient sites. Take your time and look out for the many remains that dot Pavlou Street on your way. To refresh and recharge, we recommend the restaurants and bars on Jacqueline de Romilly Square.
The Agora is within a massive park and includes several remains, such as a prison, the Temple of Hephaestus, and a library. The Museum is inside the Stoa of Attalos. The terrain is flat and trees provide shade.
Kerameikos
Kerameikos is a 10 minute walk northwest of the Agora. Do not confuse it with the neighborhood of the same name. We are talking about the remains of the biggest ancient cemetery in the city and an onsite museum.
Kerameikos used to be the most important ceramic quarter in the city. In fact the Modern Ceramic Center Museum is next door. Once inside the cemetery, get lost and travel in time. Look out for the city’s ancient walls, the Dyplon access gate, and the Tomb of the Diver.
There are a couple of resident tortoises within the cemetery. One of our favorite museums is behind Kerameikos. The Benaki Museum of Islamic Art is small but has a fantastic collection. Athens old and new synagogues are one block from the museum.
Psyri
End your day, or begin your night, in Psyri. You can eat, drink, listen to music, walk about, and search for street art in Athens’ coolest neighborhood. It’s one of the unusual things to do in Athens. Psyri is behind Monastiraki square and ends roughly at the historic municipal market.
Spend some time in the market. We always buy spices and nuts there. You can eat and listen to live Greek music inside. We gravitate towards Iroon Square. Our favorite restaurant in Psyri is En Iordani. For traditional Greek desserts go to Zoubourlou.
Walk along Athinas Street. Most shops here cater to locals. For drinks we go to Agia Irini Square. All types of shops and eateries line Pedestrian Aiolou Street. We always go to Six Dogs with friends to drink, listen to music under trees, and see some art.
Day 2
Lycabettus Hill
Begin your day on Lycabettus Hill, the highest hill in the city with the giant Greek Flag. You can walk up for half an hour to the top of Lycabettus. If you are tired, take the funicular from Aristippou Street. You can also take an inexpensive taxi. The views from the hill are epic.
Look for the two historic chapels and the biggest flag in the country. The coffee shop on top of the hill is pretty good. There’s an amphitheater and a nice forest where you can chill.
Kolonaki is the neighborhood on the slope of Lycabettus, north of Syntagma. Everybody who is somebody visits the hood to socialize. Its epicenter is Kolonaki Square and pedestrian Tsakalof Street.
National Garden and Kalimarmaro
The National Garden and Zappeion Garden are behind the Parliament building. From Kolonaki walk to the Greek Parliament. You will see elegantly dressed soldiers marching along the street to raise the flag in front of the parliament.
Enter the park and take a leisurely walk. There are plants from all over the world, and Roman remains! Continue to the Zappeion Garden. The Zappeion Hall was built for the first modern time Olympics in 1888.
The only theater in the world made entirely in marble is in front. Go up and enjoy jaw dropping views. Kalimarmaro goes back to the 6th Century BC, though most of what can be seen today is from 1888. Every 4 years the Olympic flame is lit here.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
Walk back to Zappeion and towards the Akropoli along Leof. Vasilissis Olgas Street, next to the Athens Tennis Club. You will reach the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Construction of the massive temple began in the 6th Century BC. It was the largest Greek temple during Roman Times. Today, you can see 16 giant columns and other remains.
The 1st Century AC Arch of Hadrian is behind. The 60 feet (18 m) structure is entirely made of marble and perfect for pictures. Look out for the Holy Church of Saint Photine at Ilisos, one of the oldest churches in the city.
The sacred river that crossed ancient Athens was here. Stop for lunch at Athens Gate Rooftop Bar & Restaurant. Unforgettable views and delish food guaranteed.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
A public bus takes you from Akropolē bus stop (across the Arch of Hadrian) to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center on the coast in 15 minutes. You can also take an inexpensive taxi there. We usually bike to the center from our home in Thissio, but take a taxi when going at night for a concert.
Renzo Piano designed the 900 million dollar complex, which opened in 2016. It homes the national library, the national opera, and concert halls. A park covers the roof of the center. Go up and enjoy awesome views of the sea, the city, and beyond.
See, Athens architecture didn’t stop thousands of years ago. If you are lucky maybe you can see a performance in this contemporary masterpiece. Walk around the building, mingle with the locals or chill by the lagoon.
Day 3
National Archeological Museum
Begin your third day at the National Archaeological Museum. It’s a 25 minute walk from Monastiraki Square. You can also take the metro to Victoria and then walk a couple of blocks. A 10 minute taxi ride there from your hotel shouldn’t be much.
Ludwig Lange and Ernst Ziller designed the impressive neoclassical building. It opened in 1889 and homes some of the best objects found around Greece dating back as far as the Neolithic. Look for the 1500 BC golden Mask of Agamemnon.
However, its most famous object is the elegant Artemision Bronze Sculpture. You have to see it to believe it. Everything is perfectly explained and you can rent audio books in several languages. From the museum, walk 10 minutes to Omonoia Square.
City Center
Omonoia Square was refurbished a couple of years ago. It can be a bit rough, not dangerous, at night, so better go in the morning. Check it out and then walk along Panepistimiou Avenue towards Syntagma Square.
Theophil Hansen designed the gorgeous university and administrative buildings on the avenue in the 1850s. The Attika department store occupies a former military building from the 1930s. Syntagma is one block away. It’s the city’s financial center, and main meeting point.
Have breakfast in Public, the city’s best bookstore. The views from the rooftop restaurant are fabulous. The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture is two blocks behind the parliament. It’s totally worth your time.
Monastiraki and Plaka
From Syntagma walk along the pedestrian Ermou to Monastiraki Square, the city’s most popular and fun square. You will see the Acropolis up on the hill, a historic mosque now a museum, archaeological remains, and many musicians and street performers.
Hadrian’s Library and the Roman Forum of Athens are one block behind Monastiraki, towards the Acropolis. Anafotikia is the mini neighborhood on the slope of the Acropolis, a couple of blocks up the Roman Forum. It looks like a village and is full of trees.
Continue walking about Plaka. The entire area is lovely. Look for the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciantion of the Virgen (the Cathedral) and the Church of Saint Catherine. Stop for some local wine in Athens oldest distillery, Brettos from 1909.
Philopappos Hill
We want you to finish your last day in Athens in our favorite part of the city: the parks in front of the Acropolis. We are talking about Philopappos Hill and Nymphs Hill, next to each other. These hills have the best viewpoints in Athens.
The easiest access to Philopappos is in front of the Acropolis. Go all the way up admiring the plants and reach the Philopappos Monument. Look for one of the oldest churches in Athens, Saint Demetrios Loumbardiaris.
Continue to Nymphs Hill. Walk to the old observatory. We live beneath it! The Pnyx Monument is there, and offers the best views of the Acropolis, directly in front. Go to the viewpoint to the south to see a killer sunset over the sea. You’ll probably be the only foreigner here.
Where to Stay in Athens
Our favorite area in Athens is Thisseio. We live in Thisseio and love our neighborhood. It is next to the ancient sites, yet somewhat secluded. In spite of its central location it is pretty authentic and local.
That said, if you only have 3 days the best location to stay would be close to Syntagma and Monastiraki squares. The modern metro to the airport and to Piraeus port stops under both squares, while the old metro to Piraeus port stops in Monastiraki.
Electra Palace Hotel
We always recommend our friends to stay at the Electra Palace Hotel. No other hotel in the area has such a lovely garden and a rooftop pool with memorable views over the Acropolis. The Electra is on a quiet street in Plaka. You can walk everywhere in no time. Treat yourself to a room with a balcony overlooking the Acropolis.
360 Degrees
The only hotel directly on Monastiraki Plaza is the 360 Degrees Hotel. Due to its double glazed windows it’s pretty quiet. The best rooms have views and a seating area. The complimentary breakfast is delicious and served in the rooftop terrace overlooking the Acropolis.
