Athens itineraries: 1, 2, 3 and 5 days
Simple plans that follow the city’s own rhythm: early starts for the ancient sites, long lunches, late evenings. Each step links to the places on Heart Athens.
1 day: the ancient city inside the modern one
- Morning: the Acropolis and its slopes, as early as you can.
- Late morning: the Acropolis Museum, then lunch nearby in Koukaki or Makrygianni (see tavernas).
- Afternoon: walk the pedestrian street round the monuments to Thiseio, the Ancient Agora and Monastiraki (see places to see).
- Evening: meze in Psyrri, then a drink on a rooftop facing the Acropolis.
2 days: add the squares, the stadium and the hill
- Day 1 as above.
- Day 2 morning: Syntagma, the National Garden (see parks) and the Panathenaic Stadium.
- Lunch in Pangrati (see Pangrati restaurants and tavernas).
- Sunset from Lycabettus, then dinner in Kolonaki or back in Pangrati.
3 days: markets, museums and rebetiko
- Days 1 and 2 as above.
- Day 3 morning: the central market and lunch in a market cook shop (see the market tavernas).
- Afternoon: a big museum, chosen from places to see.
- Evening: Exarcheia for a kafeneio and live rebetiko.
5 days: the coast and an island
- Days 1 to 3 as above.
- Day 4: down the Riviera to a beach, then on to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio for sunset.
- Day 5: an island day trip from Piraeus (see day trips and the Island Hopper), with fish for dinner at a Piraeus taverna.
Opening hours change by season and on holidays. Check each site’s official page before you go. These plans are our editorial suggestions, not paid placements.
Where to sleep: areas and prices. Arriving: airport guide.