Athens rewards those who visit it at a gentle pace. The itineraries below are designed for first-time visitors who want to see the essentials without rushing, allowing for summer heat and site opening hours. They can be combined and adapted.
Athens in one day
One day is short, but enough to see the heart of the ancient city.
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 8.00 | Acropolis, with the first pre-booked time slot |
| 10.30 | Acropolis Museum, with a coffee break on the terrace |
| 13.00 | Lunch in Makrygianni or Plaka |
| 14.30 | Stroll through Plaka and Anafiotika |
| 16.00 | Ancient Agora and the temple of Hephaestus |
| 18.00 | Monastiraki and the flea market |
| 19.30 | Sunset from the Areopagus or Philopappos |
| 21.00 | Dinner in Psyrri or on a terrace with an Acropolis view |
If you only have a few hours between a ferry and a flight, focus on the Acropolis, Plaka and Monastiraki.
Athens in two days
Day 1. As above: Acropolis, museum, Plaka, Agora, Monastiraki, sunset and dinner.
Day 2. Morning at the National Archaeological Museum (at least three hours). Lunch near the central market, with a walk among the spice and cheese shops. In the afternoon Syntagma Square, the changing of the guard, the National Garden, the Olympieion and the Panathenaic Stadium. At sunset climb Lycabettus, then dinner in Kolonaki or Pangrati.
Athens in three days
Add a third day of your choice to the first two:
- Museums and neighbourhoods: the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Benaki Museum in the morning, the Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds and Kerameikos in the afternoon, an evening in Gazi or Exarchia.
- Sea: tram to the Riviera, a visit to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, a swim at Vouliagmeni or in the thermal lake, fish dinner by the sea.
- Day trip: Cape Sounion in the afternoon, to watch the sunset from the temple of Poseidon.
Athens in four days
With four days you can devote a whole day to a trip out of the city:
| Trip | Length | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Delphi | Full day, 2.5 hours' drive each way | The oracle's sanctuary on Mount Parnassus |
| Argolid | Full day | Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio |
| Saronic islands | Full day by hydrofoil or cruise | Aegina, Poros and Hydra |
| Cape Sounion | Half day | The temple of Poseidon at sunset |
| Marathon | Half day | The burial mound of the fallen of 490 BC |
See all day trips from Athens.
Tips for every itinerary
- In summer do outdoor visits early in the morning and late in the afternoon; in the middle of the day museums, lunch and rest.
- In winter sites close early: reverse the order and leave museums for the afternoon.
- Book the Acropolis in advance and, in summer, terraces for dinner.
- Athens is a walking city: comfortable shoes and a bottle of water are essential.
- With children, see Athens with children; on a tight budget, Athens on a budget.