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Things to do in Athens

A bucket-list must. Pair visits to the Acropolis' top with walks through the Greek Capital's grungy underbelly.

Our most recommended things to do in Athens

Athens: Acropolis & Top Attractions Tickets with Audio Guide

1. Athens: Acropolis & Top Attractions Tickets with Audio Guide

Explore the ancient Acropolis at your own pace with skip-the-line e-tickets. Choose to upgrade your experience with optional combo tickets to the city's top archaeological attractions and museums, including Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Kerameikos, Olympieion, Roman Forum, Hadrian's Library, Aristotle's Lyceum, and the National Archaeological Museum. You can select the ticket-only option or the ticket with audio option to access up to 6 captivating audio tours on your smartphone. Uncover the history of the city as well as a number of fascinating sites that shaped contemporary Athens on a self-guided audio walking tour. After booking, simply download your ticket and audio tours on your phone with the link sent to you. Once you enter each attraction, put on your headphones and discover the sites through the power of storytelling and learn historical information and uncommon anecdotes from ancient times.

From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch

2. From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch

Explore the Saronic Islands of Poros, Hydra, and Aegina on this day trip from Athens. Cruise over the azure waters of the Mediterranean sea and have free time on each island. Savor a mouth-watering buffet lunch and enjoy an app-based audio tour of the island of Hydra. After a morning transfer by bus from Athens to the port, hop on board a cruise ship and be invited to one of its spacious open decks. From the deck, you’ll have a great vantage point for enjoying views of the Greek coast. An app-based audio tour is also included in your trip. The first stop is the island of Poros, the smallest of the 3 islands you’ll visit on the tour. It’s separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strait. Have ample time to explore the island and once you’re on board again you’ll be served a delicious lunch as the ship sail towards Hydra. Take in the stunning views as you enter the port of Hydra and see the cove that at one time served as a shelter for pirates. From the open decks, marvel at the dramatic landscapes of this island. As an added perk, download the mobile app (instructions found on your confirmation voucher), put on your headphones, and listen as licensed guides and experts on storytelling present you with original stories and historical information about the area. There will be time for you to explore the narrow, stone-paved streets of the island on foot, or by saddled donkey, which is the traditional mode of transportation. If you choose to go by foot, you can walk along the old seaside promenade and perhaps stop at some of the small shops. When you return to the ship, the captain heads for Aegina which is the largest of the 3 islands on the tour. Apart from its beautiful harbor, there are numerous interesting sites that you’ll have a chance to discover on your own. Alternatively, you can join an excursion to the Temple of Aphaia at an additional cost. Return to your cruise-boat and enjoy your one-hour sail back to the port. Disembark and finish your trip (if option selected) in Athens.

Athens: Acropolis & Museum Tour with Optional Entry Tickets

3. Athens: Acropolis & Museum Tour with Optional Entry Tickets

Travel back in time on an informative and fun tour of the Acropolis of Athens. Guided by a field expert and licensed tour guide, discover the UNESCO World Heritage site through a journey into history, mythology, and storytelling. Continue with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, which has been ranked as one of the top museums in the world. All the original surviving masterpieces from the temples of the Acropolis are displayed with the use of natural light. Excavations are also visible under glass floors and walkways. Visit Acropolis hill. See the Dionysus Theater, where famous ancient dramas and tragedies were first performed. Walk around the stunning Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the sanctuary of the healing god Asclepius. On the top of the hill, visit the Propylea Temple of Nike and the Erechtheion Temple. See the Parthenon, which is the symbol of democracy and western civilization. Dating back to the 5th-century, these monuments are testimonials of the glorious ancient Athens and the Golden Age of Pericles. At the Acropolis Museum, explore the ground floor where exhibited artifacts reveal facets of the Athenian daily life. Get to know wedding customs, children's favorite toys, healing techniques, and religious practices. On the first floor, stand at a breathing distance from the mysterious archaic statues of the 6th century, which once adorned the Acropolis. Be fascinated as you walk next to the Caryatids and huge pieces of the Acropolis entrance. On the final floor, next to the breathtaking view of the Acropolis, admire the original unique concept and artistic excellence Parthenon frieze.

Athens: Delphi Guided Day Trip with Pickup & Optional Lunch

4. Athens: Delphi Guided Day Trip with Pickup & Optional Lunch

Explore the most famous sights of ancient Greece on a full-day guided mythology-inspired tour, at the same time with zero carbon footprint. Ignite your imagination with mythical tales of the culture and history of Delphi. Learn about the Oracle, ancient ruins like the amphitheater, and the Temple of Apollo, and immerse yourself in local history. Depart from Athens and travel to Delphi, located on the spur of Mount Parnassus. On your way, admire the Greek countryside and cross into the land of King Oedipus, a tragic mythical hero whose fate was determined after receiving a message from the Oracle from Delphi.  Start with a coffee break in Livadia. Once you’ve arrived in Delphi, visit the theater and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains. Gain insight into the world of the Ancient Greeks. Visit the Temple of Apollo and learn all about common ancient rituals. After the exploration of the Delphi site, discover the stories behind some of the most important artifacts of antiquity in the Museum of Delphi. Marvel at the unique bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx, and the Statue of Antinoos, which provide insight into ancient Greek culture and history. After a lunch break, visit the Athena Pronaia Sanctuary, the most photographed spot in Delphi. Head back to Athens via the beautiful mountain village of Arachova, situated on the hills of the Parnassus Mountains where the tour will stop for a short photo opportunity.

Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon, & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour

5. Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon, & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour

Meet your licensed tour guide, an experienced archaeologist, and then start your unique combination of a tour. Enter from the south slope of the acropolis and set off on your leisurely walking tour of some of the world’s finest monuments. Along the way, listen as your guide shares knowledgeable insight into the citadel’s ruins including excavation details. Visit the Theater of Dionysus, an amphitheater that is arguably the birthplace of performing arts. Perch yourself on a stone seat to imagine the sights and sounds experienced by ancient theatergoers who came to watch plays by Greek writers Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Also, pass the Odeon of Herodes Atticus; the theater is still used today during the Athens Festival from May to October. Find peace and quiet at an Asclepius, a healing temple that honored the god of medicine Asclepius, before the Parthenon. Wander around the temple to learn about how it was constructed for the goddess Athena. Once you familiarize yourself with the site's classical architecture, head indoors to the New Acropolis Museum for a brief break and refreshments (at own expense) in the cafe. Ranked one of the top 5 museums in the world, the New Acropolis Museum boasts collections of statues and other relics of everyday life in several galleries. In the Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, the glass floor occasionally reveals an archaeological excavation site.

Athens: Full-Day Meteora Trip by Train in English or Spanish

6. Athens: Full-Day Meteora Trip by Train in English or Spanish

Take a day trip from Athens to Meteora with a guide, with round-trip train tickets to Kalambaka and onward transportation included. Get a panoramic view of all 6 holy monasteries and enter 3 of the most popular ones. While exploring the region’s hidden gems, visit the hermit caves of Badovas. Redeem your e-ticket for the early morning departure from Athens at and travel to Kalambaka using the train tickets sent to you in advance. Sit back and admire the beautiful landscapes along the way.  The train ride takes about 4 hours and it is recommended that you bring your own food and drinks. Upon arrival in Kalambaka, meet your guide at the train station and start your customized Meteora tour. See all 6 monasteries of the stunning rock formation over 5 hours. Look inside 3 of the UNESCO World Heritage monuments for a glimpse behind their imposing walls. Stop taking photos of locations that only the locals know about. Have the chance after the tour for a nice walk in the city of Kalabaka and be prepared for the departure of the train. Be dropped off at Kalambaka Train Station to make the late afternoon departure for Athens.

Athens: Acropolis and 6 Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket

7. Athens: Acropolis and 6 Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket

Save time and money during your time in Athens with a pre-booked combo ticket that gives you skip-the-line access to 7 of Athens' top archaeological sites. Enjoy savings of up to 50% and avoid the long lines of tourists at the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Zeus, Aristotle's School, Hadrian's Library, and Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery. Marvel at the Parthenon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, standing on Acropolis Hill, and immerse yourself in this impressive structure's 2500 years of rich history. Whilst there, visit the Ancient Agora that lies on the north-western slopes of the Acropolis. Learn more about this former artistic, spiritual, and commercial center. Just north of the Acropolis, explore the site of the Roman Agora, which was once the focus of public life in Athens. You can also enjoy access to the renowned Hadrian's Library and Temple of Olympian Zeus in the Olympion Site, as well as Kerameikos, the ancient cemetery that stretches to the banks of the Eridanos River and the nearby Lyceum.

Athens: Cape Sounio & Poseidon Temple Trip with Audio Guide

8. Athens: Cape Sounio & Poseidon Temple Trip with Audio Guide

Drive along the south coast to the Athenian Riviera. Easily reach the otherwise hard-to-get-to Sounion. You’ll be dazzled by the famous landscape that surrounds the promontory of the Sounion. In the times of the ancient Greeks, this site was revered as sacred ground dedicated to the gods Poseidon and Athena. Marvel at the Temple of Poseidon perched upon the cliff’s edge 70 meters above the sea. Walk the blessed earth of the Sounion, one of the places sung about it in Homer’s Odyssey. Stand upon the same cliff where it is said King Aegeus threw himself off. The tale is told in Greek mythology that Aegeus told his son Theseus that if he defeated the Minotaur, he should return to Athens with ships bearing white sails. Theseus forgot this request, and when Aegeus saw Theseus’ black sails, he threw himself from the Sounion in despair. Watch the sunset over this legendary horizon.

Athens: Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon Sunset Tour

9. Athens: Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon Sunset Tour

With a guide, experience the Athens Riviera and uncover the history behind each turn. Witness the sun melt over the Aegean Sea on Cape Sounion and see the Temple of Poseidon. Depart Athens by bus from Halandri Metro station and reach Cape Sounion in time for the mesmerizing sunset. Learn about Sounion’s past and present from your archaeologist guide. Explore the Temple of Poseidon, one of the most important temples in Greece. See the signatures on the temple marble left by famous authors who visited, including the Romantic poet Lord Byron. Watch the sunset over the clear waters of the Aegean Sea.

Athens: Acropolis Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Guides

10. Athens: Acropolis Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Guides

Visit the Acropolis Museum at your own pace with a skip-the-line ticket and a self-guided audio tour on your smartphone. Have the option of choosing a combo ticket to other top attractions or to include audio guides. Choose to upgrade your experience with optional combo tickets to the city's top archaeological attractions and museums, including Acropolis Hill, the Ancient Agora, Kerameikos, Olympieion, the Roman Forum, Hadrian's Library, and Aristotle's Lyceum.  Join this self-guided audio tour and visit the Acropolis Museum. Walk around, listen to your narrator, discover the architectural wonders of the Golden Age of Athens, and see some of the finest examples of ancient Greek art. Hear fascinating tales from Greek Mythology depicted on the metopes and pediments of the temple, such as the birth of goddess Athena and the battle of the Centaurs, which will fire up your imagination.  Finally, marvel at the famed artworks of Ancient Athens, including the iconic Caryatids. Enjoy an unforgettable visit that will blow your mind. You can select the ticket-only option or the ticket with audio option to access up to 6 captivating audio tours on your smartphone. Uncover the history of the city as well as a number of fascinating sites that shaped contemporary Athens on a self-guided audio walking tour. After booking, simply download your ticket and audio tours on your phone with the link sent to you. Once you enter each attraction, put on your headphones and discover the sites through the power of storytelling and learn historical information and uncommon anecdotes from ancient times.

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Frequently asked questions about Athens

What are the best day trips and excursions from Athens?

The best day trips and excursions from Athens are:

Meteora

Insider tips: Planning a trip to Athens

Thomas Dowson is the founder of Archaeology Travel, a website for those seeking adventures in archaeology and history. As a professional archaeologist Thomas enjoys visiting archaeological and historical sites around the world. And sharing these experiences so that others can explore the world’s pasts more deeply. On his blog, you can find more information and all the details for planning a trip to Athens.

What should I do on my first trip to Athens?

Perhaps an obvious suggestion, but really no one should miss the Acropolis, and the Acropolis Museum. Find a guide, in whatever form, that will help you see more of this ancient citadel than the Acropolis of the 5th century BC. As spectacular as these ancient monuments are, there is more to the Acropolis than the Parthenon and Erechtheion.

What are some hidden gems to see in Athens?

Besides the Acropolis, and the other 5 well known ancient sites, there are many ruins dotted about the city. One of my favourites is in view of the Tower of the Winds. Just beyond the Roman Agora is a doorway that was once the entrance to an Ottoman era theological school, and then a prison. Very little of Ottoman Athens survives today, much of it destroyed deliberately - such as the mosque on the Acropolis. Little remnants like these add a lot to the story of Athens.

How much time should I spend in Athens?

Not surprisingly most people come to Athens to see the ancient sites. For this, three or four days will not only give you enough time to see most of these plus a day trip to Delphi and/or an afternoon trip to Sounion to watch the sunset. But, I strongly recommend adding a day or two to explore beyond the historical centre of Athens. Each neighbourhood has its own character: visit the Central Varvakios Market in Psirri or go in search of street art in Exarchia.

What food is Athens known for?

Athens is great for walking. And if anything goes well with walking it is street food. Gyros and souvlaki are my go to choices while exploring the city on foot. A gyros is a pita bread filled with shaved meat cooked on a rotisserie. Souvlaki on the other hand is diced meat on a stick cooked on a hot plate. Add a good tzatziki sauce to either and for me that is heaven in your hands. Vegetarian versions made using grilled cheese are just as good!

What is the best way to get around Athens?

Central Athens is easy to get about on foot. Here are all the main attractions and lots of good hotels. For those who want to stay a bit further out, there is a good metro system. Whether you arrive by air or sea, the metro also serves both the airport and the port.

What are the best months to visit Athens?

Having been visiting Athens for over 20 years, my favourite times of the year are the beginning of May and the beginning of October. In May the city is gearing up for summer and not yet crowded, and the Jacaranda trees are in bloom. In October the summer crowds have left, and it is not too hot.

What is neighborhood Exarchia known for?

Most visitors to Athens will only experience the Exarchia neighbourhood through the National Archaeological Museum. The streets might not look as inviting as in other areas, but this is definitely an area to explore, particularly if you like graffiti and street art. Exarchia is also known as the riot area of Athens, being the site of some major street riots in the history of Athenian politics.

What are the best neighborhoods for food?

As many of the historical attractions are in the Monastiraki and Plaka areas, there are also many restaurants serving the usual Greek cuisine for tourists. A better area in my opinion, and not far from the centre of Athens, is Psirri. I was introduced to this area on a food walking tour of Athens. Besides the central market area, you will find some great restaurants, bars and cafes, filled with local Athenians as well as a few visitors.

What are the best neighborhoods for shopping?

The southern slopes of Lycabettus Hill, between Syntagma and Evangelismos metro stations, is Kolonaki - one of the most upmarket areas of central Athens. Kolonaki is perfect for high-end shopping. A more affordable shopping experience can be found on the streets running between Syntagma and Monastiraki Squares.

What neighborhood should I stay in when I visit Athens?

Given how popular a tourist destination Athens is, there is a good choice of accommodation in most areas of the city to suit all budgets. When it comes to choosing one of these areas, I keep coming back to central Athens. For me, nothing beats a hotel with a view of the Acropolis.

What are the best annual events in Athens? 

The beautifully preserved Herodes Atticus Theatre just below the Acropolis, provides a truly evocative setting for the annual Greek Festival. On offer is a varied programme of dance and music from June to August.

What are the best areas for outdoor activities around Athens? 

For anyone who enjoys hiking, Athens has a number of green spaces that provide the perfect opportunity to get some outdoor activity while on holiday. And with spectacular views. Closer to the city centre is Filopappou Hill, a vast area with many walking routes through ancient ruins. For those feeling a bit more energetic, climb Lycabettus Hill - the tallest of the seven hills.

What are the best beaches around Athens? 

Although there are sandy beaches from the port of Piraeus to Cape Sounion, those closer to the port are probably not top of anyone’s list. And of course nothing could beat swimming in clear blue waters below the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. But the most popular beaches with easiest access from Athens can be found in the Kavouri-Vouliagmeni area.

Other Sightseeing Options in Athens

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What people are saying about Athens

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 23,420 reviews

Today was a really special Tour. Because it was also a group outing for the organizers. All these people know very well their work, their History, their Country and speaks in different languages. And above all, they know their mythology like the back of their hand and explain it with humor. The tour is dotted with interesting details that you learn something for yourself. These guides have experience, travel and have studied abroad. it feels positively from the start point. They are welcoming, took the time to get to know ALL the members of the group and talk to them with interest. Locations were interesting and you feel part of the group. it was fun. I absolutely loved it. it was like being with friends. It was a very good human and historical experience as much as current actual events, with very competent people that I recommend because I think its hard to do better than them. τέλεια "perfect" as I learned ! Antonis

The day tour was exactly as it was described with an excellent guide whose knowledgeable was exceptional. Both the driver and the guide were extremely polite and helpful each step of the way with very good sense of humour too. The views of the monasteries were wbreathtaking and the journey through the mountains was something not to be missed!

Marisa was the best guide we could ever have asked for! Very informative tour, highly recommend it

Great tour of 2 historical sites. Added extra of trip to Napfoli which was beautiful

Great tour with really experienced and entertaining guide