How to avoid crowds and dodge lines in Athens

Athens is one of the world’s most iconic ancient cities, with must-see sights like the Acropolis attracting millions of visitors every year. It’s possible to enjoy Athens without the crowds, though, even during the busy summer months.

This guide showcases the city’s calmer corners, from the peaceful streets of Anafiotika to the hidden courtyards of the Byzantine Museum. It also offers tips on the quietest times to visit the Greek capital’s top landmarks, like the Temple of Poseidon and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Here’s how to beat the crowds in Athens.

1. Catch golden hour at the Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient fortress that draws large crowds year-round, especially in the mornings when visitors try to beat the midday heat. Don’t get the same idea — wait until the guided tours have wrapped up and the cruise ships are calling back their passengers, and enjoy this iconic landmark in the late afternoon or early evening. From 4:00 PM onward, it’s almost deserted compared to the morning rush.

Insider tip

Download the Chronos app before you go. Its augmented reality features allow you to point your phone at the Parthenon temple and see what it would have looked like in its heyday.

Address

Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens 105 58

Opening hours

8:00 AM–7:30 PM every day

Opening hours vary by season, with shorter hours from mid-September to March.

2. Retreat to the Acropolis Museum at midday

Before you visit the Acropolis, take a crash course in its history at the Acropolis Museum, which houses thousands of artifacts from the ancient fortress, including original sculptures. Visit at noon, one of the museum’s least busy times, when most guests break for lunch. This will give you space to enjoy the exhibits without crowds, and air conditioning at the hottest time of the day is a very welcome bonus.

Insider tip

Head to the Parthenon Gallery on level three to see sculptures and carvings from the Parthenon, displayed in their original layout. The gallery’s glass walls provide an unobstructed line of sight to the temple itself, connecting the artworks to their original home.

Address

Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens 117 42

Opening hours

Summer: Monday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 AM–8:00 PM

Friday, 9:00 AM–10:00 PM

Winter: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Friday, 9:00 AM–10:00 PM

Saturday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–8:00 PM

3. Visit the Temple of Poseidon on a quiet weekday

Cape Sounion’s Temple of Poseidon — an ancient clifftop temple with stunning views of the Aegean Sea — is a popular excursion from Athens. It takes over an hour to get there from the city, so it’s best to book a tour with transport included. To avoid weekend road traffic and beat the crowds at the temple, book a weekday trip.

Best time to visit

Opt for an evening tour to enjoy sunset at the temple — the way the golden-hour light hits the temple’s columns is something you don’t want to miss.

Address

Sounion 195 00, Cape Sounion

Opening hours

9:30 AM-sunset every day (last entry 20 minutes before sunset)

4. Discover Athens’ street art scene

Take a break from lengthy lines at ancient ruins to explore Athens’ spectacular outdoor galleries and vibrant street art. The city’s Psyri, Gazi, and Monastiraki neighborhoods are all filled with giant murals and hidden works by local artists, including WD’s 3D-style pieces and lifelike portraits by Moralez.

Insider tip

Join a guided street art tour to get the full story behind the art. Local guides often know the artists personally and can share the political, social, and cultural messages behind the murals.

5. Cruise to hidden beaches on a catamaran

Swap busy city streets for calming waves on a catamaran day trip to Aegina Island. Most tours include stops at hidden beaches that can only be reached by boat, and some come with a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch on board to enjoy after your swim, snorkel, or paddleboard in the stunning turquoise water.

Insider tip

Trips depart from Palaia Fokaia port, which is about an hour from Athens by car. To make life easier, book a tour that includes port transfers.

6. Watch the sunset from Mount Lycabettus

Mount Lycabettus is Athens’ highest hill, topped with a white chapel and café. To avoid the crowds, consider hiking the scenic 30-minute trail to the top instead of taking the funicular, especially in the evening. The effort is worth it for the stunning 360-degree views of Athens and its ancient ruins.

Best time to go

Visit in the evening to watch the entire city light up from one of the best sunset spots in Athens. The funicular runs from 9:00 AM to 12:30 AM, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the view.

7. Get lost in peaceful Anafiotika

Escape the touristy Plaka area — just steps away is Anafiotika, a peaceful little neighborhood of whitewashed houses and narrow maze-like alleys. It was built in the 19th century by inhabitants from nearby islands, giving it the feel of a traditional Greek village.

Insider tip

Look out for the tiny Byzantine church of Agios Georgios in Anafiotika — it’s a quaint spot often overlooked by visitors.

8. Watch the Changing of the Guard midweek

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square, the Evzones (Presidential Guard) in traditional dress hold an hourly Changing of the Guard ceremony. Skip the big Sunday parade at 11:00 AM, which gets very busy, and visit on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. The standard ceremony is simpler but still a unique and respectful experience, with much less mayhem.

Insider tip

Look for a spot near the left side of the steps (facing the parliament building that the Evzones protect) to get a clear view as they march in and out.

Address

Leof. Vasilisis Amalias 133, Athens 105 57

Opening hours

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: 9:30 AM–7:30 PM every day

Changing of the Guard: Every hour, on the hour

9. Visit the Museum of Modern Greek Culture

Skip Athens’ bigger museums for the lesser-known Museum of Modern Greek Culture near Plaka. It showcases traditional Greek crafts, costumes, and shadow puppets in a quiet setting.

Insider tip

Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Central Municipal Athens Market. The lively food market is often overlooked by first-time tourists, but is a great place to try authentic street food.

Address

Areos 10, P.C 105 55, Athens

Opening hours

Monday and Thursday, 9:30 AM–4:30 PM (last entry 4:10 PM)

Wednesday and Friday–Sunday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM (last entry 7:40 PM)

Closed Tuesday

10. Hike Filopappou Hill for sweeping city views

Follow the shaded paths past olive trees and ancient ruins to the top of Filopappou Hill for one of Athens’ most stunning views. The best route to this lesser-known viewpoint starts at Apostolou Pavlou Street near the Acropolis Museum — it’s a 15-minute hike to the top.

Best time to go

Aim to arrive at the top around an hour before sunset — the city and the Acropolis look even more incredible bathed in a golden-hour glow. Head back down before it gets dark, as there’s no lighting on the trail.

11. Browse Byzantine art in a peaceful gallery

Despite its central location, the Byzantine Museum is not well known to tourists. Inside a beautiful neoclassical villa, its collection of paintings, textiles, jewelry, sculptures, and manuscripts from medieval Greece and early Christianity is well worth discovering.

Address

Leof. Vasilissis Sofias 22, Athens 106 75

Opening hours

Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM

Closed Tuesday