Have you ever ever puzzled if it’s doable to discover Athens in simply at some point? We’re right here to inform you that it’s doable! Many individuals fly into Athens and solely spend a day or two earlier than catching a flight or ferry to the Greek Islands, however Athens is a magical metropolis that deserves extra time. Nonetheless, in immediately’s world, everyone seems to be operating quick on time, so now we have put collectively the right at some point in Athens itinerary that can assist you take advantage of your keep.
One Day in Athens Itinerary
Morning – Historical past
To plan your 1 day in Athens itinerary, you can purchase the Acropolis and 6 archaeological websites, together with the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Historic Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Aristotle’s Faculty and the Keramikos Historic Cemetery,
Entry to the Acropolis of Athens solely in your most popular date and time slot
One-time entry to every web site with the identical ticket
Athens Previous City (Plaka) self-guided audio tour
Acropolis and Parthenon self-guided audio excursions (if possibility chosen)
You may have 5 calendar days from activation to make use of this cross, so if you’re spending extra time in Athens, you may e-book timed entries to see every of those points of interest very first thing within the morning or later within the day.
Acropolis
Most definitely, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will inform you to move straight to the Acropolis, and they’re appropriate! The Acropolis is the star of Athens, and it must be the primary place to go to. Going to the Acropolis very first thing within the morning helps you beat the crowds and beat the warmth!
Plan to get to the Acropolis at 7:30 a.m. We extremely suggest reserving a lodge with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so try to be advantageous. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and you want to e-book your timed entry upfront. So try this proper now. Occasions e-book shortly, and you’ll want to be sure to get your slot.
We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we liked the Astor Lodge for its location, view of the Acropoli, and value level—it didn’t break the financial institution! If you’re staying longer in Athens, learn our full information for The place to Keep in Athens.
We booked the Acropolis and 6 foremost archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It’s one of the best ways to see Athens in at some point because it offers you 1 timed entry to every web site with the identical ticket. You will want to plan properly to be on time on your entries, however belief me, you’ll want to see all of it!
The principles are continuously altering and could be a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog publish The best way to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We’ll proceed to watch it as Greek tourism adjustments its thoughts.
You’ll want to spend about 90 minutes admiring the Acropolis and its different temples, together with the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The Odean Theater remains to be in operation immediately, and it’s spectacular to see.
On the backside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to replenish your water bottle; be certain to try this as it can proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.
You’ll then begin making your approach downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your approach down the hill again in direction of town middle.
Historic Agora
Guide your timed entrance to the Historic Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This offers you time to absorb the highlights of the Acropolis beforehand.
From the Acropolis, you’ll stroll downhill for about quarter-hour to the Historic Agora and temple of Hephaestus. You’ll cross the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you wish to go to the Museum, reserve it for later within the day. It’s open till 9:00 p.m.
The Historic Agora is the very best preserved historical wreck within the metropolis. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly within the morning gentle. Be sure you stroll round it to see it from all angles.
It was based within the sixth century BC. The Historic Agora of Athens was initially used as a gathering place or a spot to congregate. Truly, the phrase Agora interprets into “an meeting of the folks.” The principle spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is beautiful. The intricate particulars and exquisite fluted columns make this temple one of many must-sees in Athens, particularly in case you love Greek structure.
Stoa of Attalos
Be sure that to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. That is the museum with these rows of columns. They had been restored in 1954, and it’s a stunning place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you may cool off earlier than transferring on.
I feel you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There’s a good museum inside that has air-con which you can try as properly.
Roman Agora
Guide your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your cross.
After you have got visited the Historic Agora, you’ll come out to loads of out of doors cafes lining the road. If you wish to have lunch now, this can be a great spot to take action. Nonetheless, we recommend transferring on to see the Roman Agora. Sure, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is just a brief stroll from the Historic Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to turn out to be an excessive amount of. You don’t want plenty of time right here, however it’s value going into see.
We actually liked the Roman Agora as a result of you may stroll among the many ruins and stand up near the traditional pillars and arches. It takes about half-hour to discover.
Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library is simply subsequent door, and your ticket contains entry to that. In-built AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a formidable historical past, however immediately, not a lot remains to be standing, so that you solely want about quarter-hour to go to right here. Plus, it’s in your technique to Monasteraki Sq., which is your subsequent cease for lunch!
Noon / Lunch: Greek Delicacies and Native Tradition
1:00 pm is the time you’ll lastly sit down for lunch. In case you have a transparent concept of your schedule, we recommend reserving a desk upfront as a result of we aren’t having you cease at a road vendor or sidewalk cafe. You’re going as much as overlook Monastiraki Sq. with a fowl’s eye view of the Acropolis.
Monastiraki Sq. is surrounded by rooftop bars and eating places, and we recommend A Is for Athens. It overlooks the sq. and has the straight on view of the Acropolis. It’s open for Brunch from 11:00 am.
There are different rooftop bars across the sq., and in case you solely have at some point in Athens, we recommend consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You may as well eat at MS Roof Backyard and Hyper Astrobar. These eating places are an occasion unto themselves, wanting on the Acropolis and over Monastiraki Sq..
Afternoon
Whew, it has been a busy morning, however you’ll be completely satisfied to have seen all of those historical wonders. Now, you may loosen up and benefit from the vitality of Athens within the afternoon.
Monastiraki Sq.
2:00 pm ish…After lunch, be part of the hustle and bustle of Monastiraki Sq., the place road performers entertain, meals stalls supply genuine Greek meals, and loads of retailers are prepared that can assist you buy your excellent Athens memento. There’s a flea market proper off Monastiraki Sq. that’s value visiting.
Monastiraki is likely one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, and that is the place you’ll begin your afternoon strolling tour.
Ermou Road
Ermou Road is a 1.5 km pedestrian-only road connecting two of Athens’s largest squares, Monastiraki Sq. and Syntagma Sq.. It’s a enjoyable place to folks watch and do some buying. When you want water or snacks, it’s an awesome place to replenish your mid-day stroll.
There are many retailers and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Previous Byzantine Church, which is free to enter. No images inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my telephone in my hand and a previous girl guarding the church almost swatted it out of my palms.
Syntagma Sq.
Syntagma Sq. is the principle Sq. of Athens, the place there’s at all times one thing happening. Often, while you stroll as much as this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or giant gathering occurring. On the prime of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and middle.
Altering of the Guard
When you occur to be on the sq. on the prime of the hour (hopefully you have got walked right here by 3 pm), you may see the altering of the guards, which is sort of attention-grabbing. It occurs each hour, with probably the most spectacular one happening on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Syntagma Sq. Subway
Syntagma Sq. Metro is the principle metro station within the metropolis, and you’ll hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. Nonetheless, even in case you don’t journey the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered vital relics, together with a mosaic ground from the fifth century, an historical aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is value trying out.
Panathenaic Stadium
From Syntagma, you may hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Positioned on the east aspect of the Nationwide Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the positioning of the primary trendy Olympic video games in 1896. Your complete stadium is made out of marble, and it’s spectacular to see. The positioning itself has much more historic significance as within the sixth century BC, it was house to the Panathenaic Video games, which had been a precursor to the Olympic Video games.
You may pay to go inside and stroll round or you may simply admire it from the surface. The selection is yours.
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch
As you stroll again towards town, you’ll stumble upon the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter along with your cross. It has been below development for some time, however its columns are undoubtedly value seeing. With solely at some point in Athens, although, we recommend merely taking a look at this from the surface and as a substitute strolling to Hadrian’s Arch.
Hadrian’s Arch was constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD. It’s nonetheless standing, and you’ll stroll instantly below it, leaving the quiet advanced of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy road.
Cocktails and Sundown
Athens Gate is a superb cease for one more rooftop view of the Acropolis from the alternative aspect of Monastiraki Sq.. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we predict is likely one of the greatest views in Athens. This can be a great spot to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to maintain you going till your late dinner, or you may have dinner right here and loosen up for a few hours on the terrace.
Acropolis Museum
When you took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your technique to the wonderful museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a quick stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.
Even in case you don’t go inside to tour the museum correctly, it’s value seeing the surface and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which can be on show below the muse.
In case you have an hour, you may get a style of the museum, however to actually discover it you’ll want 2 or 3 days in Athens and that’s one other Athens itinerary.
Dinner in Plaka
From the Acropolis Museum, you’re a hop, skip, and a leap from probably the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. End up a rooftop restaurant or, if you’re rooftopped out (which is not possible), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions positioned right here in Plaka. Now we have a complete publish on the very best Greek meals that can assist you select from the menu right here.
There are many eating choices in Plaka because it is likely one of the foremost vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Level A Acropolis Level has stunning views of the Acropolis, providing you with yet one more angle from which to see this historical UNESCO World Heritage Web site. You might be solely in Athens for at some point, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view.
Nightlife
If you wish to hold the evening going, head again to Monestaraki Sq. to benefit from the nightlife between there and Syntagma Sq..
Wow, what a day in Athens! From the traditional echoes on the Acropolis to the beautiful sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing wanting epic. Certain, you will be exhausted, however chances are you’ll by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to overlook out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?