The Best Things to Do in Athens

Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, and its ancient monuments sit right in the middle of a lively modern capital. You can climb to the Parthenon in the morning, eat souvlaki in a busy square at lunchtime and watch the sun set from a rooftop bar in the evening.

1. Climb the Acropolis

The Parthenon and the other temples on the Acropolis are the reason most people come to Athens, and they don't disappoint. Book a timed ticket online and go as early as possible – the light is beautiful, and you'll avoid the worst heat and crowds. Wear shoes with good grip; the marble paths are slippery.

You climb the worn marble steps through the Propylaea and the Parthenon appears, golden against a deep blue sky, with the whole city spreading white to the mountains and the sea. The marble is slippery and there's almost no shade – wear shoes with grip, bring water and come at opening time or in the last hours before closing.

2. Visit the Acropolis Museum

At the foot of the hill, this modern museum displays the original sculptures from the Acropolis, with a glass floor that looks down onto an excavated ancient neighbourhood. The top-floor gallery, facing the Parthenon itself, is unforgettable.

Glass floors let you look down into excavated houses beneath your feet, and on the top floor, the Parthenon frieze runs around a glass gallery, with the real temple visible through the windows. Have a coffee on the terrace afterwards.

3. Wander Plaka and Anafiotika

Plaka's narrow streets are full of neoclassical houses, small churches and tavernas. Just above it, the tiny whitewashed lanes of Anafiotika feel like a Cycladic island village in the middle of the city.

Above Plaka's tavernas and souvenir shops, the whitewashed houses of Anafiotika cling to the Acropolis rock, with cats on the steps and bougainvillea over the doors – like a Cycladic island in the middle of the city.

4. Walk through the Ancient Agora

The heart of ancient Athenian public life is now a peaceful, green archaeological site. Don't miss the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus.

Among olive trees and fallen columns, you walk where Socrates once argued, with the beautifully preserved Temple of Hephaestus on the hill. It's much calmer than the Acropolis.

5. See the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium

The few giant columns that remain of the Temple of Olympian Zeus give a sense of its enormous size. A short walk away, the marble Panathenaic Stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

The giant columns of Zeus's temple tower over the park, and nearby, the white marble stadium shines in the sun – run a lap on the track where the first modern Olympics were held.

6. Explore the National Archaeological Museum

One of the greatest collections of ancient Greek art in the world, including bronze statues, gold from Mycenae and the mysterious Antikythera mechanism.

The bronze Poseidon (or Zeus) seems about to throw his spear, and the gold mask of Agamemnon glows behind glass – one of the greatest collections of ancient art anywhere.

7. Shop at Monastiraki

Monastiraki Square and its flea market are busy, noisy and fun. Look for antiques, leather sandals and souvenirs, then head to a rooftop bar nearby for a view of the Acropolis.

The flea market spills into the square with antiques, vinyl, leather sandals and souvenirs, and the Acropolis rises behind the rooftops. Sunday mornings are the liveliest.

8. Eat your way through the Central Market

The Varvakios Agora on Athinas Street is a working market full of fish, meat, spices, olives and cheese. Small tavernas nearby serve some of the most authentic food in the city.

Butchers shout prices, fish glisten on ice and the smell of spices and olives fills the hall. Grab a bowl of tripe soup or grilled fish in one of the tavernas inside, where the locals eat.

9. Eat souvlaki – and lots of it

Grilled meat wrapped in pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki is the classic Athenian street food. It's cheap, fast and delicious.

The pita is warm, the meat is juicy and charred, and the tzatziki drips down your fingers – the perfect cheap meal, eaten standing on the street.

10. Order a freddo espresso

Athenians drink their coffee iced for much of the year. A freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino is the local way to cool down.

Athenians sit for hours over an ice-cold, frothy freddo espresso in the cafés – order one, take a seat and watch the city go by.

11. Watch the sunset from Lycabettus Hill

The highest point in central Athens offers a 360-degree view over the city to the sea. Walk up or take the funicular.

From the top of the hill, the city spreads white in every direction, the Acropolis glows gold and the sea shimmers in the distance as the sun sets. Take the funicular up if you don't want to climb.

12. See the changing of the guard

The Evzones, the presidential guard in traditional uniform, change guard in front of the Parliament on Syntagma Square every hour.

The evzones march in slow motion, their pom-pom shoes clicking on the marble in front of the parliament – the Sunday ceremony is the grandest.

13. Escape to the Athens Riviera

The coast south of the city has beaches, beach clubs and Lake Vouliagmeni, a natural swimming lake fed by warm springs.

Just 30 minutes from the city, beach clubs, coves and the warm thermal water of Lake Vouliagmeni offer a refreshing break from the heat.

14. Take a day trip to Cape Sounion

The Temple of Poseidon stands on a clifftop at the tip of Attica, about an hour and a half from the city. Arrive in the late afternoon and stay for the sunset.

The white columns of the Temple of Poseidon stand on the cliff above the Aegean, and at sunset the sea turns gold and the stone glows pink – arrive early to find a spot.

Getting around

Athens has an efficient metro system, including a line from the airport to the city centre. The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot.

More European inspiration

Planning a wider trip? See why Portugal is the perfect place to visit or slow down with one of Europe's best scenic rail journeys.