Athens is where European history starts, and a weekend is enough to feel it. Climb to the Parthenon in the morning, walk the ancient marketplace where Socrates argued, and eat souvlaki in a square with the Acropolis lit up above you. It suits history lovers, food lovers and anyone looking for sun outside the summer peak.
Why go
The Acropolis is one of the world’s great sights, and it’s right in the middle of a living city. Around it, the ancient sites, the Plaka’s lanes and the Monastiraki markets are all within walking distance.
Athens has also become a great food city. Classic tavernas sit beside modern Greek kitchens, and the souvlaki and gyros are some of the best street food in Europe.
The weather is a big draw. Spring and autumn are warm, and even winter brings plenty of bright days. In October and November the light is golden and the crowds are thinner.
Athens
Don’t miss
The places that make the trip, and why each one deserves your time.
Giles Laurent / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 The Acropolis
Walk through the Propylaia to the Parthenon and the Erechtheion with its Caryatid porch, high above a living city, with the cool morning light on the marble.
Book the 8am slot and use the south entrance.
Txllxt TxllxT / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Acropolis Museum
The top-floor gallery lays out the Parthenon sculptures at the same orientation as the temple, with the real building visible through the glass above you.
Book a timed ticket online.
C messier / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Anafiotika
A tiny cluster of whitewashed houses built by islanders on the slopes beneath the Acropolis, reached through the Plaka's lanes and feeling like a Cycladic village in the city.
Walk up in the evening, then dine in the Plaka.
Joanbanjo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Plaka
Pedestrian lanes beneath the Acropolis, with taverna terraces where you can eat dinner looking up at the floodlit Parthenon, and Platanos serving traditional dishes under its plane tree.
Chabe01 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ancient Agora
The heart of ancient Athenian public life, where Socrates argued. Its Temple of Hephaestus is one of the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere, and the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos holds the museum.
Needs its own ticket; there is no combined pass.
George E. Koronaios / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Monastiraki
A flea market and busy streets around it, with some of the best street food in Europe: Thanasis grilling kebab-style souvlaki since 1964 and Bairaktaris serving gyros nearby.
Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 Temple of Olympian Zeus
Only a handful of its giant columns still stand, but their scale is striking, and Hadrian's Arch next door marks the old boundary of the ancient city.
Ticketed separately from the Acropolis.
Mister No / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Panathenaic Stadium
A stadium built entirely of marble, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Its gleaming tiers curve around the track in a way no photo quite captures.
The 48-hour route
Day 1
Morning: Start at the Acropolis as early as you can. Entry is by a one-hour time window, booked on the official site, tickets.hh.gr, and there is a daily visitor cap. You can change your date or time up to two hours before, twice. From 16 October the site is open from 8:00 to 18:00, and from 1 November to 31 March it closes at 17:00. Use the south entrance, near the Acropolis Museum, which is usually less crowded than the main west gate. Walk through the Propylaia to the Parthenon and the Erechtheion with its Caryatid porch.
Afternoon: Walk down to the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill. Its top-floor gallery displays the Parthenon sculptures at the same orientation as the temple, with the real building visible through the glass. Book a timed ticket online. Afterwards, have lunch in Koukaki, the residential neighbourhood just south of the museum.
Evening: Wander up through the Plaka to Anafiotika, a tiny cluster of whitewashed houses built by islanders on the slopes beneath the Acropolis. Then come back down for dinner at a Plaka taverna, ideally on a terrace with a view of the floodlit Parthenon.
Tip: Book the 8am Acropolis slot. You get the cool morning air and the best light, and you can be down before the tour groups arrive.
Day 2
Morning: Visit the Ancient Agora, the heart of ancient Athenian public life. Its Temple of Hephaestus is one of the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere, and the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos houses the site museum. The Agora needs its own ticket, as the old combined ticket for the ancient sites no longer exists. Then explore Monastiraki’s flea market and the streets around it.
Afternoon: Walk past the Roman Agora and the Library of Hadrian, then across to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Only a handful of its giant columns still stand, but their scale is striking. Next door, Hadrian’s Arch marks the old boundary of the ancient city. Continue to the Panathenaic Stadium, the marble stadium that hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. If you have time, the Byzantine and Christian Museum nearby has a beautiful collection of icons and mosaics; it opens from 8:30 to 15:30 and is closed on Tuesdays.
Evening: Watch the sunset from Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in central Athens, or from the Philopappos Hill opposite the Acropolis. Then head to Psyrri for dinner and drinks.
Tip: The ancient sites are free on 28 October, and on the first and third Sundays of each month from November to March. Expect more crowds on those days.
Where to stay
- Plaka: Pedestrian lanes beneath the Acropolis, close to everything. Best for first-timers and couples.
- Koukaki: Residential and relaxed, by the Acropolis Museum, with good cafés. Best for those who want a local feel.
- Monastiraki and Psyrri: Lively, central and full of bars and street food. Best for night owls and groups of friends.
- Kolonaki: Upmarket and calm, with smart shops and cafés below Lycabettus. Best for repeat visitors.
What to eat and drink
- Souvlaki and gyros: Grilled meat in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki, the classic Athenian snack.
- Moussaka: Layers of aubergine, spiced meat and béchamel, baked until golden.
- Gigantes plaki: Giant beans baked in tomato sauce, a taverna staple.
- Meze: Small plates to share, from grilled octopus to fried cheese (saganaki).
- Loukoumades: Fried dough balls drizzled with honey, best eaten hot.
- Ouzo and house wine: Ouzo with meze, or barrel wine by the carafe.
For souvlaki, Thanasis in Monastiraki has been grilling since 1964 and is famous for its kebab-style souvlaki, and Bairaktaris nearby has served gyros since the 19th century. Diporto Agoras, a basement taverna near the central market, has no menu: you eat what’s cooking, with wine from the barrel. It takes cash only and closes early in the evening, so go for lunch. Karamanlidika tou Fani serves cured meats and cheeses from northern Greece. In the Plaka, Platanos Taverna has served traditional dishes under its plane tree since 1932. In Psyrri, Klimataria serves Asia Minor dishes, with live rebetiko music on weekend nights.
Getting around
The historic centre is compact and walkable, and many streets around the Acropolis are pedestrianised. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip: the marble paths on the Acropolis are polished smooth and can be slippery.
The metro has three lines. Acropoli station on line 2 is right by the Acropolis Museum, and Monastiraki and Syntagma connect lines. From the airport, take metro line 3 into the centre or the express bus. Trams run from Syntagma down to the coast.
Tip: Carry water and a hat, even in October. There’s little shade on the Acropolis, and the sun reflects off the marble.
Good to know
- Book the Acropolis: Entry is by one-hour time window, booked online at tickets.hh.gr. There’s a daily cap, and tickets are non-refundable.
- Separate tickets: The Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the other ancient sites each need their own ticket.
- Seasonal hours: Ancient sites close earlier from November to March. Check the official hours before you go.
- Free days: Ancient sites are free on 28 October and on the first and third Sundays from November to March.
- Museum closing days: Some museums close one day a week, such as the Byzantine Museum on Tuesdays.
- What’s on: See this weekend for events.
FAQ
Do you need to book Acropolis tickets in advance?
Yes. Entry is by a one-hour time window booked online, and there’s a daily visitor cap. Book as early as you can, especially for the morning slots.
What time does the Acropolis open?
It opens at 8:00. Closing times change through the year: from 16 to 31 October it closes at 18:00, and from 1 November to 31 March at 17:00. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing.
Is there a combined ticket for Athens’ ancient sites?
Not any more. The official combined ticket was withdrawn in 2025, so the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the other sites are ticketed separately.
Is two days enough for Athens?
Two days covers the Acropolis, its museum, the Agora and the Plaka, with time for food and a sunset. Add a day for Cape Sounion or the island of Aegina.
When are the ancient sites free in Athens?
On 28 October and on the first and third Sundays of each month from November to March, among a few other dates.
Athens is the perfect start to a Greek island trip. See our best places to visit in Greece, or pair it with Istanbul for two ancient capitals in one trip. For more ideas, browse our best city breaks in Europe.
