What to do in Athens in 2 or 3 days

Athens is a must-visit in any Greece itinerary, no matter the time of year.

Even if you're visiting the country primarily for the islands and beaches, it's worth spending a few days in the Greek capital.

I recommend staying at least two full days in Athens. If you have the time, three days (or more!) would be ideal to fully enjoy the city at the pace it deserves. However, even in just one day, you can experience much of what Athens has to offer — history, culture, and cuisine!

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We spent two and a half days in Athens during our road trip through mainland Greece 15-day itinerary through the Peloponnese.

We went to Greece on an ITA (formerly Alitalia) flight, flying from Guarulhos to Rome. We took advantage of the stopover in Rome, stayed there for 4 days and then headed to Athens.

We arrived in Athens in the afternoon, so the first day was spent checking into our Airbnb and taking a stroll around the Plaka neighborhood to soak in the Mediterranean atmosphere.

The next two days were dedicated to exploring the city — I'll share our itinerary, but first, let's find a place to stay!

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Where to stay in Athens

Athens offers no shortage of excellent accommodation options for all styles and budgets.

We stayed in Plaka, one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city, with a perfect location right in the center. It offers easy access, whether on foot, by public transport, or by taxi, to all the main attractions.

Plaka is an historic neighborhood with narrow, stone-paved streets full of little shops, cafes, and restaurants. It's a delight to walk around and the area has all the amenities you need on a trip. It's perfect if you're only staying in the city for a short time.

We initially chose thechosen thePlaka Hotel, which offers great prices, incredible views from the rooftop bar, and family rooms (in addition to the traditional double and triple rooms). However, on a friend’s recommendation, we stayed a few blocks away, in a house rented via Airbnb (which, unfortunately, is no longer listed on the platform).

Another fantastic option in Athens isThe Pinnacle Athens,, which also offers family rooms. 

The Anafiotika and Monastiraki neighborhoods are also great areas to stay in Athens.

Check availability and rates here:

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What to do in Athens

Here's what we did in 2 days in Athens, which I highly recommend:

Day 1:

• Visit the Acropolis Museum in the morning.
• Have lunch in Plaka
• Spend the afternoon exploring the Acropolis.
• Make a quick stop at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Gate, and the Panathenaic Stadium.
• Enjoy the late afternoon and dinner in Plaka or the surrounding area.

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Day 2:

• Start your morning at the Archaeological Museum (and visit the nearby Πεδίον του Άρεως park - Field of Mars).
• In the afternoon, head to Syntagma Square to watch the changing of the guard at the Parliament, and then relax in the National Gardens.
• Explore the Plaka, Anafiotika, and Monastiraki neighborhoods.
• If you have time and energy, visit the “Athenian Riviera” in the late afternoon.

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If you have a third day, you can take a more relaxed approach to these activities and include a visit to the Ancient Agora and a climb to the Lycabettus Hill viewpoint (the highest point in the city), either on foot or by funicular—they say the sunset there is beautiful!

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Acropolis & Parthenon

Visiting Athens without seeing the Acropolis is as unthinkable as going to Rome and missing the Colosseum.

The Acropolis, meaning “upper city,” is a collection of temples, monuments, and buildings constructed around 450 BC during the rule of Pericles. Among the most famous are the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea.

The Parthenon,one of the greatest examples of Greek architecture,is dedicated to the goddess Athena. Built between 447 and 432 BC, it has always been regarded as a symbol of democracy, which had its beginnings during this era — though the concept was quite different from what we understand today.

Approximately 70 meters long and 30 meters wide, the Parthenon was surrounded by columns, with 8 on the main facades and 17 on the sides. Constructed with white marble from Mount Pentelicus, it was designed to house a colossal gold and ivory statue of Athena Parthenos, standing twelve meters tall, created by Phidias.

Over the centuries, the Parthenon has undergone various transformations that have contributed to its deterioration: it served as a Byzantine church in the 6th century, was converted into a mosque in the 15th century, and in 1687, when used as an ammunition magazine by the Turks, it suffered an explosive detonation that damaged the structure. Additionally, between 1801 and 1803, several decorative elements were taken by the English, and in 1894, it was affected by one of the most significant earthquakes in Greek history.

Today, cranes and scaffolding are part of the Parthenon's photographic landscape, yet the beauty and grandeur of the site remain unshaken.

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The Propylaea serves as the entrance to the Acropolis, and the Erechtheion is renowned for its gallery where six caryatids — columns in the form of women — support the roof. The columns we see today on the site are replicas; the originals are housed in the Acropolis Museum, which alone is worth a visit!

Temple of Athena Nike was built to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Salamis and housed a statue of Athena Nike, the symbol of victory.

I strongly recommend buying tickets in advance, especially if you visit during the high season, as we did.

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Acropolis Museum

This ultramodern museum, made entirely of glass and metal, houses objects and structures found at the Acropolis. With excellent explanations in English and a well-organized layout, it's an essential stop on your visit to Athens.

We visited the museum after touring the Acropolis, but in hindsight, I think it’s more beneficial to visit the museum first . This way, you can learn about the history, myths, and significance of the various structures before exploring the ruins. and then go to the ruins.

As a bonus, you might encounter smaller crowds at the Acropolis afterward. Since it’s Greece's most popular tourist attraction, many people tend to rush there at the earliest opportunity.

You can secure your museum ticket in advance, or purchase one on the spot—there are usually queues, but they’re not as long as those at the Acropolis.

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Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Gate

Temple of Olympian Zeus, located very close to the Acropolis, dates back to the 6th century BC but was only completed in 132 AD. Originally measuring 96 meters long and 40 meters wide, only 15 of the original 104 columns remain standing today.

Nearby, you'll find Hadrian's Gate, an impressive marble arch standing 18 meters high that once separated the ancient city (the city of Theseus) from the modern city (the city of Hadrian). It was built in 131 AD in honor of the Roman emperor.

In the same area, it’s also worth visiting the Panathenaic Stadium, the venue of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, built on the site where, in the 3rd century BC, athletic competitions called the Panathenaia were held.

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Plaka and surroundings

Located practically at the foot of the Acropolis, the Plaka neighborhood is a delightful area to stroll through. Enjoy the bars and restaurants, browse the shops (you’ll find a mix of junk and cheap souvenirs, but it’s worth exploring). Nearby, the neighborhoods of Anafiotika and Monastiraki are also lovely to wander around, whether by day or night.

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Athens Archaeological Museum

Founded in the late 19th century, the Archaeological Museum of Athens is not only the largest archaeological museum in Greece but also one of the most important museums in the world dedicated to Ancient Greece..

We spent an afternoon there, and the children were captivated by the Egyptian wing of the Museum . As someone who loves history and Greek mythology, I was initially disappointed, but I quickly realized something important: we travel to spark an interest in history, culture, beauty, and diversity. And what better way to begin these discoveries than with Egyptian mummies?

These are just a few of Athens' main attractions—there is so much more to see and do in the city. You’ll find many other suggestions for tours and activities here.

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Athenian Riviera

The most famous seaside region in Athens, known as the Athenian Riviera, includes the neighborhoods of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni. We didn’t have time to visit, but it looks beautiful...

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Complete trip itinerary

Here is our detailed detailed 15-day itinerary through mainland Greece. Just click and save it to your Google account. When you plan your next trip to Greece, you’ll already know where to start 😉

In this post, I explain how I use Google MyMaps to plan a trip. It’s an amazing tool for saving locations, calculating routes and distances, and organizing your entire journey. I highly recommend giving it a try!

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