Athens City trip: Our 9 highlights & travel tips

Attention city grouches! Athens has the potential to inspire even you. The city center of Athens has its charm, even culture buffs are impressed by the many historic buildings. In between are hip trendy districts that even make Berlin-Friedrichshain look old.

In the heart of the metropolis of millions, the world-famous Temple Mount towers reverently – the Acropolis, symbol of European democracy. Before our first trip to Athens, we had no idea that two days would hardly be enough to visit one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe.

In addition to the Acropolis of Athens, the city offers many other sights that many other metropolises in the world could probably be envious of. Enclosed we will tell you our personal Athens highlights and give you the best travel tips for a short trip to the Greek capital.

#1 Monastiraki and the historic old town

The ideal starting point to explore the historic old town is the Monastiraki Square. The metro station of the same name is right next to it. The many historic buildings that gather picturesquely around the square immediately catch the eye. The 10th-century Virgin Mary Pantanassa church is one of the oldest in the city and is well worth a visit.

Monastiraki Square has been considered the business center of the capital for centuries. Even today, a flea market takes place every Sunday. In the summer months, the square is well attended, with street performers and hawkers everywhere. Since there are a lot of people out and about here, you should take care of your valuables.

From an elevated platform, you can watch the hustle and bustle with a view of the Acropolis. You can get the best view of the old town from one of the numerous Athenian Rooftop Bars. Our favorite is the bar of the hotel “A for Athens”. With a cool drink you can enjoy the magnificent panorama of Athens.

#2 Plaka: Village idyll in the big city

If you follow the souvenir mile to the Roman Agora you will come to Plaka, the oldest district of Athens city. The pretty alleys of Plaka are located right at the foot of the Acropolis. Pastel-colored houses from the 18th century and colorful bougainvillea characterize the image of this neighborhood.

There are beautiful photo motifs on every corner, in the partly village-like part of Athens. Of course, Plaka is largely traffic-calmed and so you can stroll through the old town district for hours. Along the Adrianoy Street you will also find many souvenir shops, boutiques and jewelry stores.

After a stroll through the city, countless taverns and cafés, sometimes with Acropolis View, invites you to linger. Especially in the evening, Plaka has a special charm. Tourists and locals linger in the restaurants and bars everywhere and enjoy the unique city flair with village character.

#3 Anafiotika: A hidden island dream

Anyone who thinks that it can’t get any nicer after an extended visit to Plaka is mistaken. Just below the northeast slope of the Acropolis is the tiny Anafiotika neighborhood. The best way to explore the area is to navigate to Saint George of the Rock Church and explore the narrow streets from there.

Anafiotika looks like a Cycladic village, completely dreamy, one whitewashed cube house follows the other. The neighborhood is maintained with great attention to detail, magnificent plants and flower pots are everywhere, colorful bougainvillea climbs up the house facades. As a visitor, you really feel like you’ve been transported to a Greek island.

In the 19th century, craftsmen came to Athens from the Cycladic island of Anafi in search of a better future and built the Anafiotika district here, modelled on a small island village. The result is enchanting right away and should not be missed on a visit to Athens.

Especially around noon, the alleys are beautifully illuminated by the sun. Although Anafiotika is no longer an insider tip, only a few tourists get lost here. None accommodation is available in Anafiotika, the neighborhood is firmly in the hands of locals, respect for their privacy goes without saying.

#4 Acropolis of Athens

From Anafiotika you can get directly to the Athens Acropolis, the city’s landmark and the most popular Sight of Greece. Especially in summer it is worthwhile to be there early, because around noon the rush to the Acropolis is greatest and it gets really hot on the shadowless temple complex.

If you want to explore the Acropolis relatively undisturbed, then we recommend a visit directly at 8 a.m. or in the late afternoon at 5 p.m. The Entrance to the Acropolis currently costs 30 euros per person for the summer season. The ticket can already be purchased online.

Acropolis Insider Tip: If you already own the Acropolis Tickets , you can relax and skip the long line in front of the Acropolis and go straight in. The ticket is bookable on GetYourGuide*: To the online ticket*

Visit to the Acropolis Museum

It is best to visit the Acropolis Museum, located below the Temple Mount, after visiting the Acropolis itself. On over 14,000 m² and four floors, finds and relics from all eras are exhibited. This opens up many connections and conveys a more understandable picture of the ancient site.

There is also a café inside the museum, which can be visited without an entrance ticket. Just ask at the cash desk for the entrance to the café. From the roof terrace you have a beautiful view of the Acropolis and the southern outdoor area. For history buffs, we recommend a guided tour in the Acropolis Museum or a mythological city tour. Click on the links and get more information about the tours on GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the online ticket incl. guide*

➲ To the mythological walk*

#5 The Athens City Hills

If you are not such a fan of tourist crowds and still want to admire the Acropolis in its full beauty, then we recommend a visit to one of the many Athens city hills.

In addition to the Acropolis, you can also enjoy a fantastic view of Athens from these hills: Philopappos, Pnyx, Nymphes, Areopagus and Lycabettus. With the exception of the latter, all viewpoints are in the immediate vicinity of the Acropolis.

Our favorite is the one opposite the Acropolis: Philopappos Hill (also Filopappou) in the city park of the same name. It is located southwest of the Acropolis and, at 147 m high, is slightly lower than the Temple Mount. Countless footpaths lead through a shady coniferous forest up to this city mountain.

On the summit there is a monument from which you can see a magnificent Panorama of Athens with the Acropolis on one side, as well as the port town of Piraeus and the Saronic Gulf on the other. In the cozy city park near the observatory there are also the magnificent viewpoints Nymphes and Pnyx.

Sunset from Areopagus and Lycabettus

Particularly popular at sunset is the Areopagus Hill (also called Areopag) right next to the Acropolis. From here you can watch from a comfortable distance as the masses push up to the Acropolis.

In the high season, you have to share this idyllic spot with numerous other people. Instead, you can expect a magical moment when the evening sun bathes the whole city in a warm light and sinks behind the horizon at the end.

By the way, the highest elevation in the inner city area is the Lycabettus Hill (also Lycavitos or Lycabettus). The 277 m high mountain is located about two kilometers northeast of the Acropolis. From up here you can look directly at the Athenian landmark.

On clear days, the impressive view even extends to the Saronic Islands like Salamina and Aegina. You can reach the summit of Lycabettus via a hiking trail, by funicular or by car. At the top there are several café-bars and restaurants, as well as the church of Agios Georgios. A great sunset spot!

Athens Roof-Top Restaurants: For an unforgettable stay in Athens, treat yourself to dinner or a drink in one of the rooftop bars. The Acropolis is beautifully illuminated in the evening and the atmosphere is simply magical. Our recommendations for restaurants in Athens can be found further down in the article.

 

#6 Psyri: The hip district of Athens

If you want to experience the best of Athens’ nightlife, then you must visit the Psyri district. Numerous music cafés, bars and clubs have settled in this hip trendy district, which is also absolutely worth seeing during the day. Especially as a graffiti lover, you will get your money’s worth here.

For everyone who likes Alice in Wonderland, you can expect another highlight in Psyri. Before 2012, Pittaki Street was still called “Athens Toilet”. Pedestrians avoided the dingy alley at all costs. But a non-profit company and a lighting design studio completely turned the image of the street upside down.

Crazy lampshades from all over the world were installed, the walls of the alley were painted pastel and comfortable seating was set up. The dirty backyard has become a hip city-district and the colorful Pittaki Street now attracts thousands of visitors every year.

#7 National Museum of Athens

Holidaymakers interested in history should definitely visit the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. It is the most visited museum in the city and is also considered the most important collection of ancient works of art and relics in all of Greece. Special finds include the golden mask of the legendary Mycenaean king Agamemnon and the colossal bronze statue of the god Poseidon.

The National Museum of Athens is located about 1.5 km northeast of the Acropolis and can be reached on foot. By the way, the façade of the museum was designed by the German architect Ernst Ziller in the 19th century. Admission: 12 € | Opening hours: April to October Wed.-Mon. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., as well as November to March Wed.-Mon. 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., always shortened on Tuesdays. Click on the link and get more information about the tour on GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the online ticket for the museum*

#8 Athens National Garden and Syntagma Square

If you have at least two days available for Athens, you should definitely take a look at the green lung of the city. The former Athens Palace Garden (Greece was a monarchy until 1973) borders on the current parliament building, the former city palace, in the northwest and the Zappeion in the south.

From sunrise to sunset, the National Garden is open free of charge to all visitors. Coming from the Syntagma Square you enter the park via the main entrance with its 12 huge palm trees and escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis on almost 15 hectares. On weekends, many Athenians meet here for picnics.

In addition to countless tree and plant species, there are also ancient excavations, a botanical museum, a lake, a café, playgrounds and a children’s library on the site. At the southern exit of the park stands the imposing Zappeion, one of the most beautiful buildings in Athens, which hosts changing events in the summer.

Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square is considered the most important square in Athens, as it is home to the government building of the Greek Parliament. The most expensive hotels in the city have settled here, including the Hotel Grande Bretagne (Watch on Booking.com*). The real highlight for many visitors is the ceremonial changing of the guard.

Every hour on the hour, the guards protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament building are relieved in traditional uniform. Several busloads of visitors are dropped off in front of Syntagma Square to visit this Athens highlight. In the morning hours, the silent ceremony is still observed relatively undisturbed.

#9 Kallimarmaro: Panathenaic Stadium

After visiting the National Garden, you can visit the Panathenaic Stadium, also called Kallimarmaro (Greek for beautiful marble) by the Athenians. It was discovered by Ernst Ziller in 1870 and reconstructed a short time later. In 1890, the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held here.

The 236 m long Kallimarmaro today has a capacity of 50,000 spectators and has the shape of a horseshoe. In 1968, 120,000 people are said to have been in the stadium for the basketball game between AEK Athens and Slavica Prague. The north side is kept open, which offers spectacular views of the city from the upper rows of seats.

At the back of the stadium, you can leave the stadium via a 100 m long tunnel and reach a sports museum (focus: Olympic Games). In the summer months, sporting events and concerts are held in the stadium. The tour of the sports facility costs €12 and is possible daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More Athens Travel Tips & Info

Beautiful guided tours in and from Athens

Through GetYourGuide you can book tours and excursions from local operators on site. Here we have three beautiful Athens tours for you from culinary city tours to excursions to Meteora (Kalambaka) or Delphi. Click on the links and get more information about prices and availability of the tours on GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the guided street food tour*

➲ To the excursion to Kalambaka*

➲ To the excursion to Delphi*

Our recommendation for restaurants

Athens offers a wide range of dining options, especially in the Monastiraki, Psyrri and Thiseio districts, which are located near the Acropolis. Some restaurants even have a roof terrace with a view of the Acropolis.

It’s best to reserve a table about an hour before sunset and enjoy the warm summer evening in the capital in a tavern before you plunge into the hustle and bustle of the bars.

Six d.o.g.s Bar, Psyri

We didn’t even find the entrance to this hip bar. After passing through an inconspicuous backyard, a green oasis of well-being awaits you. The atmosphere at six d.o.g.s. is unique and cozy.

Chilled music is playing and you sit on chic wooden furniture and can sip a cool Freddo Cappuccino far away from the hustle and bustle of traffic. In the evening, the bar is beautifully lit by the numerous light bulbs and you can end your day relaxing.

To Koudounaki, Psirri

The small tavern To Koudounaki is somewhat hidden in a side street (Odos Ivis) in the district of Psirri. The ambience is a bit rustic, but cozy. The two friendly owners cook with the greatest passion classic Greek dishes. The prices are unbeatable for Athens and all the food tasted delicious and homemade. A real Athens insider tip!

This is Loco, Koukaki

Located in the Koukaki district south of the Acropolis, away from the hustle and bustle, you find this cute vintage café. There are delicious cappuccinos and delicious breakfast creations to choose from. The staff is friendly and the ambience is convincing.

Accommodations and hotels in Athens

Athens offers a very wide range of accommodation options, from simple low-budget studios to luxurious boutique hotels, you’ll find it all. If you are looking for a central accommodation in Athens, then we recommend the districts around the Acropolis: Monastiraki, Plaka, Koukaki, Kolonaki, Psyri and Thissio.

→ Beautiful Athens Hotels and apartments of all price ranges can be found here: Booking.com*

Keep in mind that the closer the hotel is to the Athens Acropolis, the higher the nightly prices. Although most of the city centre is traffic-calmed, the nightly peace and quiet can be impaired due to the many restaurants and bars, some of which are open until late at night. It is worth studying the reviews carefully.

→ On Booking.com* you will find many places to stay in Athens and you can check prices here:

Hotel recommendations for downtown Athens

Moon & Stars Boutique Hotel

Aparthotel with roof terrace between Psyrri and Thiseio. Tasteful rooms, friendly staff, delicious breakfast and proximity to the metro station. Fair prices despite the central location. Click on the link to view the accommodation at Booking.com*:

➲ To book the Moon & Stars Hotel (Booking.com)*

360 Degrees Hotel

Popular hotel on Monastiraki Square right in the heart of the old town. The rooms are modernly furnished. Good value for money and a magnificent 360-degree panorama from the hotel terrace.

➲ Book from 360 Degrees Hotel (Booking.com)*

InnAthens

Chic hotel in the historic district of Plaka, not far from Syntagma Square. Modern rooms, quiet courtyard, helpful staff and good breakfast buffet!

➲ To book from InnAthens (Booking.com)*

A77 Suites by Andronis

Aparthotel located between Monastiraki and Plaka with very tasteful suites. Good breakfast and courteous service. Dreamlike penthouse suite above the rooftops of the city with whirlpool and Acropolis view.

➲ Book A77 Suites (Booking.com)*

Getting around Athens

Metro of Athens (Stasy)

The Metro network of Athens is still quite manageable in contrast to other metropolises. The public transport company Urban Rail Transport S.A.short Stasy currently has three lines, the fourth is being expanded. Each line has its own color, which makes it easier to find your way around. Here is the Athens metro network at a glance:

You should just be careful not to get on in the wrong direction. Most of the time, the terminus is displayed from the outside, but it has happened to us in our hurry that we accidentally almost made an unplanned trip to Piraeus. 😉

• Athens Metro Line 1 (Green): Piraeus (Πειραιάς) ↔ Kifissia (Κηφισιά)
• Athens Metro Line 2 (Red): Anthoupoli (Ανθούπολη) ↔ Elliniko (Ελληνικό)
• Athens Metro Line 3 (Blue): Nikea (Νίκαια) ↔ Airport (Αεροδρόμιο)

In the city centre, the metro runs every 3-5 minutes from 05:30 to 00:30. A one-way ticket (90 min) costs about 1.20 euros in the city area. A day ticket (24 hours) costs about 4.10 euros. Multi-trip tickets (including 5×90 min) are available from 8.10 euros per person. Tickets for metro and buses are provided by the company OASA. S.A.

→ More information about the Metro of Athens is available on: STASY Metro

Bus routes in Athens

Almost all districts of Athens that are not connected to the metro network can be reached by bus operated by the transport company OASA S.A. The provided ATH.ENA Ticket allows flexible journeys and combines bus, train and metro lines. If you stay longer in Athens, you can purchase the 3-Day Tourist Ticket including airport transfer.

→ More information about the bus routes in Athens is available on: OASA Bus

Places in the wider metropolitan area (including the port of Piraeus and Glyfada) and in the Attica region (including Cape Sounion and the port of Rafina) are reliably connected by KTEL Attikis intercity buses. The timetable is available on the website of: KTEL Attikis

→ If you’re only planning a 24-hour getaway in Athens, you might even want to take the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (book on GetYourGuide*) for you.

How do I get from Athens airport to the city center?

The blue line (Metro Line 3: Nikea – Airport) connects Athens Airport to the metro network. The airport is located 40 km outside of Athens and the transfer takes about 40 minutes by metro from the city center, by bus about an hour. The airport’s metro stop is about 5 minutes from the terminal.

The Airport Ticket is subject to a separate fare and currently costs 6 euros by bus (line Χ95: Syntagma – Airport) and 9 euros by metro for a one-way ticket. Tickets must always be validated before the trip. Tickets can be purchased at the official OASA ticket offices or at the ticket machine at the stops.

→ Current information about the public transport and bus network in Athens can be found on: Athens Transport

Taxi Transfer Athens and Airport

If you want to make your arrival or departure a little more comfortable and stress-free, then a taxi transfer service is worthwhile. We have had very good experiences with Manolis Lepiroglou and his team of Taxi TransferAthens. The booking is done online. Simply select the start and destination location, as well as the desired date/time.

The journey from Athens city centre to the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport costs 46,90 EUR, vice versa it is the same price. If possible, the friendly taxi drivers will be on site 15 minutes before the agreed time. The journey to Athens Airport takes between 25 and 35 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic.

→ Here you can book your Athens Taxi directly: Taxi TransferAthens

Flights and how to get to Athens

From several German airports, there are daily direct flights to the capital Athens. The best flight prices are with EasyJet and Ryanair, for example, from Berlin (BER). Especially in the low season, you can get a return flight from 40 euros (hand luggage only). You can research and book flight connections to Athens via our partner Skyscanner*:

➲ Search for flights with Skyscanner*

Holiday parking at Berlin Airport (Advertisement*)

For holidaymakers in Greece who travel from Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) to Athens and drive to the Berlin airport in their own car, we can recommend the car park and transfer service from Dein Stellplatz.

The provider maintains a large outdoor car park for holiday parking and long-term rental just five minutes from BER Airport. We have already dropped off our car here several times and have always been very satisfied with the service.

The prices for the secure parking spaces are absolutely fair and the longer you park, the cheaper the daily price becomes. The online booking process and on-site handling are smooth and the staff are always helpful and super friendly.

There are free shuttles to the airport at the location, which will pick you up again after your return. The shuttle buses run regularly, so the waiting times are usually quite short. You can find more information about the provider at: Your parking space: Dein Stellplatz*

→ More useful Athens travel tips and 11 helpful information can be found in our article: Athens Holidays

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