8 spectacular ways to celebrate your birthday in Athens

The Greek capital of Athens is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, with its ancient history, Mediterranean food, and electric nightlife scene. The plethora of options might include a luxurious rooftop dinner with a view of the Acropolis, a traditional Greek dinner with live music and dancing, or an adventure like a cruise along the Athenian Riviera — and way more beyond that, too. Whether you prefer staying in the city or taking a day trip, planning a daytime activity or fully embracing local nightlife, your birthday in Athens will be one for the books with these eight great ideas.

1. Cruise along the Athenian Riviera

Take a day out of town on a scenic cruise along the Athenian Riviera. The Saronic Gulf makes for incredible scenery, and depending on the cruise, you’ll also get to stop off at nearby islands like Agistri Island, Moni Island, and Aegina.

There’s a boat for any party vibe and most budgets, including luxe yacht rentals for an intimate group experience and catamaran parties you join as part of a group tour. Soaking up the Mediterranean sun on a boat deck, glass of wine in hand? Sounds like an ideal birthday in Athens.

Insider tip

Book a sunset cruise to see the golden-hour glow along the coastline. If you can, request a stop off near Vouliagmeni’s hidden caves or Kavouri Beach for a less crowded swimming experience.

2. Hidden bar crawl in Psyri and Monastiraki

Embark on a hidden bar crawl around the lively neighborhoods of Psyri and Monastiraki. You might wind up stepping behind unmarked doors, weaving between the racks of a vintage shop, or heading down graffiti-covered alleyways to discover the incredible speakeasies that make up part of Athens’ lively nightlife scene.

Insider tip

Many of Athens’ secret bars are in disguise, so keep a sharp eye out as you walk around for signs that a venue is not all it appears. Clumsies in Psyri was ranked among the World’s Top 50 Bars and hides inside a grand Athenian townhouse, while Baba Au Rum is tucked away down a small side street between Syntagma and Monastiraki.

3. Have a birthday celebration with a Greek feast

A good meal is always the best way to start a new year right, and having a birthday in Athens gives you a chance to discover the city’s incredible food and drink scene.

Greek cuisine is all about fresh ingredients and delicious flavors, and one of the best ways to experience it is to head to a taverna and dig into some meze, traditional Greek small plates shared between family and friends.

Insider tip

Don’t leave Athens without tasting all the most-loved Greek foods. There’s souvlaki (grilled meats served on a skewer), moussaka (a layered casserole-style dish with meat, eggplant, and tomato), saganaki (fried cheese), and dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), as well as so much more to try. Dine as the Greeks do by ordering a selection of meze, or small sharing plates, to maximize the flavors you get to try.

4. Dive into Greek arts and crafts with a workshop

Get creative with a Greek craft workshop during your birthday in Athens. Whether you try molding your own ancient-style pottery, have a go at a traditional kombolói (worry beads), or learn the art of Byzantine icon painting, you’re guaranteed to have plenty of fun. Bonus? You’ll even get your very own handmade souvenir to take home.

Insider tip

Try something close to Greek tradition, like leather-sandal-making or learning to carve marble. It’s a unique way to learn about Greece’s cultural history while adding a new skill or two to your toolbox.

5. Sample Greek wine with a tasting in Attica

Escape the city to raise a glass to your birthday during a sun-soaked wine tasting in Attica’s world-famous vineyards. It’s an ideal day trip from Athens to take since most vineyards are only a short drive away. Plus, you’ll have the chance to experience Greek wine culture at its roots (literally) as you learn about winemaking and sip crisp assyrtiko and robust agiorgitiko straight from the source.

Insider tip

Go all out for your special day with a private sunset tasting. For something truly special, ask to taste the small-batch retsina wines.

6. Dine in the sky with epic sunset views

Elevate your birthday in Athens at Dinner in the Sky, a landmark restaurant in the capital. Dine on gourmet Greek cuisine as you watch the sun dip below the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill from 131 feet above the ground. Sit at a table suspended 131 feet (40 meters) above ground and tuck into a delicious four-course meal prepared by a local chef and accompanied by excellent Greek wine.

Insider tip

Book your table for one hour before sunset for a magical golden-hour experience and the chance to see the twinkling lights appear across the city as it transitions from day to night. For the best views, request the “Acropolis-facing side” when booking.

Address

Dinner in the Sky Athens, Technopolis, Athens 118 54, Greece

Opening hours

Open 4:30 PM to midnight every day. Slots are available at 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.

7. Discover ancient history at the Acropolis

No trip to the Greek capital is complete without checking out the city’s most iconic landmarks, the ancient Acropolis and Parthenon, and a visit during a birthday in Athens is bound to make history buffs happy. You’ll get an insight into the incredible history and architecture of ancient Greece and see stunning panoramic views of the city below.

Insider tip

Arrive early in the morning or just before sunset to escape the midday heat and crowds. Skip the main Dionysiou Areopagitou gate and enter via the tucked-away entrance at the southeast path near the Acropolis Museum for shorter lines and fewer crowds.

Address

Acropolis, Athens 105 58, Greece

Opening hours

April 1 to September 15, 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM
September 16 to 30, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
October 1 to 15, 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
October 16 to 31, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
November 1 to March 31, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

8. See traditional Greek performers at a dinner show

For a lively (and delicious) birthday in Athens, book a table for your friends or family at a traditional Greek dinner and show. Enjoy a lively evening of delicious Greek food, live music, and energetic dancing at one of the city’s traditional tavernas. Expect traditional costumes, rhythmic bouzouki music, and some plate-smashing, too. Take the chance to enjoy shared meze platters, grilled meats, and Greek wine on your big day.

Insider tip

Head to neighborhoods like Plaka or Psiri, and scope the crowd inside to see if the diners include Greeks, not just tourists (it’s a handy tipoff that it’s a good spot). Greeks dine later in the evening, so book your table between 9:00 and 11:00 PM. Pair your meal with ouzo (an anise-flavored spirit) or retsina (resin-aged Greek wine) for the full experience.

Opening hours

Restaurants have varied opening hours and days.