A Day in Athens: The Ultimate Itinerary
- fanispapadimas
- Feb 24
- 8 min read
Athens - the birthplace of democracy and a great cosmopolitan metropolis of modern Greece. A place that combines ancient myths with modern life. But is one day enough to explore all the gems of this historical city?
The answer is YES and in this blog, we will focus on the highlights of Athens for the best experience of the city!
The Acropolis
Start your day at the Acropolis, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The word Acropolis, comes from the greek words άκρον (akron), which means the highest point and πόλις (polis), which means city, so if we translate the word Acropolis, it means the highest point in the city. At the top of the archaeological site, you can admire the ancient landmarks, such as the Propylaia, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Theater of Dionysos, the Erechtheion and of course the imposing temple of Athena, Parthenon.
We suggest to visit the archaeological site as early as possible. By arriving early, you will be able to avoid the long lines of crowd and you will have the oportunity to explore the site in ease, without having to deal with the unbearable heat, especially in the summer months.
Opening Hours
Winter: 08:00 - 17:00, Last Entrance: 16:30
Summer: 08:00 - 20:00, Last Entrance: 19:30
How to get there
Tickets
Website
Location
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is one of the most fascinating landmarks of Greece, which is located just 300 meters away from the hill of Acropolis in the heart of Athens. The Museum first opened on the 20th of June 2009, in order to host the artifacts from the hill of Acropolis. The museum has over 4.000 exhibits, which are displayed on four levels:
Ground Floor: Findings from the sanctuaries, located in the slopes of the Acropolis
First Floor: Gallery from the Archaic period to the 5th Century BC and the end of antiquity
Third Floor: The Parthenon Gallery, including decorations from this imposing temple
Underground Floor: Ruins of the ancient neighbourhood
Opening Hours
The Museum
Winter (1 November - 31 March):
Monday to Thursday: 09:00 - 17:00, Last Entrance: 16:30
Friday: 09:00 - 22:00, Last Entrance: 21:30
Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 - 20:00, Last Entrance: 19:30
Summer (1 March - 31 October):
Monday to Thursday: 09:00 - 17:00, Last Entrance: 16:30
Friday: 09:00 - 20:00, Last Entrance: 19:30
Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 - 22:00, Last Entrance: 21:30
The archaeological exvavation of the Museum
Winter (1 November - 31 March):
Monday to Thursday: 09:00 - 17:00, Last Entrance: 16:30
Summer (1 March - 31 October):
Monday: 09:00 - 17:00, Last Entrance: 16:30
Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 - 20:00, Last Entrance: 19:30
How to get there
Location
Tickets
Website
Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium, is a cool sports spot in Athens, Greece. It's famous for being made entirely out of marble, something you won't find anywhere else in the world! It was first built in 330 BC by limestone at a simple design to host the Panathenaic Games, a festival including athletic competitions and religious ceremonies. The stadium refurbished in 1896 to host the first modern Olympic Games. Nowadays, it's a symbol of ancient Greek culture and sports, drawing visitors from all over the world to check out its stunning architecture and rich history. Another name for the stadium is Kallimarmaro, which in Greek translates to beautiful marble, as it is constructed from Pentelic marble, regarded as the highest quality marble globally.
Opening Hours
Winter (1 November - 31 February):
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 - 17:00, Last Entrance: 17:00
Summer (1 March - 31 October):
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 - 19:00, Last Entrance: 19:00
How to get there
Location
Tickets
Website
Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Temple of Olympian Zeus, is an imposing ancient spot right in the middle of Athens. It is a temple dedicated to god Zeus, master of the gods, and was one of the largest temples in the ancient world. Its construction began in the 6th century BC, but it wasn't completed until the 2nd century AD, during the Roman Emperor' s Hadrian arrival in Athens. Originally, it had 104 massive columns, and today only 15 of those are still standing and the 16th is laying on the ground after a thunderstorm in 1852.
Fun Fact: Back in 2001 this archaeological site was used as an open music stage, since one of the greatest musicians of Greece, Vangelis Papathanasiou organized a chorus with musicians from all over the world. The project was called Mythodea and it was organized in context of Nasa's mission to Mars.
Opening Hours
Winter (1 November - 31 March):
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 - 15:00, Last Entrance: 14:30
Summer (1 April - 31 October):
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 - 20:00, Last Entrance: 19:30
How to get there
Location
Tickets
Website
Changing of the Guards / Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Changing of the Guards in Athens is a fascinating event that happens right in front of the Parliament of Greece at Syntagma Square. The guards, that they are called Evzones are dressed up in their traditional outfits and they guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which honors the soldiers who died fighting for Greece. The ceremony is all about precise movements and military discipline, with the guards doing a series of synchronized steps. The Changing of the Guards not only highlights Greece's rich heritage but also shows the country's dedication to remembering its past.
You can catch The Changing of the Guards every hour, on the hour, but if it happens to be in Athens on a Sunday, this is when the big show takes place. Every Sunday on 11:00 am, the guards dressed with their traditional white uniform they perform the Great Changing in front of the Parliament of Greece, which lasts for about 25 minutes.
Location
How to get there
Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki Square is a vibrant and historic place right in the heart of Athens. It's a combination of ancient ruins, modern shops and restaurants, making it a go-to place for everyone. It's name means little monastery, and it was given to the area because of the small monastery near the metro stop on the area. Nearby, you'll find the ancient Agora and the famous Tzistarakis Mosque, adding to the area's rich cultural scene.
In the area of Monastiraki is the main flea market of Athens located, where you can check out stalls selling everything from classic Greek souvenirs to shoes, books and even fresh products. Monastiraki Square isn't just about shopping; it's also a place of a great history, since various archaeological sites, such us the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora and the Hadrian's Library make it a must - visit for anyone in Athens.
Fun Fact: According to history, in order for the marble plaster of the walls of Tzistarakis mosque to get builtnone of the columns of the Temple of the Olympian Zeus had to be demolished.
Location
How to get there
Plaka
Plaka is a delightful neighborhood right at the heart of Athens. Wander around its narrow picturesque alleys and experience the lively vibe. Plaka is full of cute little antique shops and traditional restaurants - tavernas -, making it a hit with both tourists and locals. And of course we can't forget to mention Anafiotika, one of the oldest settlements in Athens. Anafiotika is an area that nestles below the northern slopes of Acropolis and is characterized by its blue and white house that radiate the vibe of a typical Cycladic village.
The toponym Anafiotika it is said to be derived by the greek Cycladic island of Anafi. If we take a glimpse back to history, we will find out, that in 1841, builders from the island arrived to the city under an invitation of king Otto to work for him on his project to refurbish the Royal Palace. As they settled themselves in the area, they took advantage of an existing Ottoman law, according to which, if you could put up a structure between sunset and sunrise the property became yours.
Fun Fact: The toponym Plaka, comes from the Albanian word Pliak, which means old and the area was called Pliak Athena, Old Athens by Turks and Albanian soldiers.
Location
How to get there
Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus Hill, is a hill in the center of Athens, reaching about 277 meters high. From up there, you get amazing views of the city, including famous sights like the Acropolis and the Aegean Sea. You can either take a funicular railway or enjoy a scenic hike to get to the top. At the top of the hill, there's the cute Chapel of St. George, a little whitewashed church, a perfect spot for a relaxing walk and catching stunning sunsets.
Fun Fact: Myth has it that Lycabettus was formed when the goddess Athena accidentally dropped a limestone rock intended for the Acropolis's construction.
How to get there
Nearest Bus Stop: 7th Lycabettus - Bus: 060
20 minutes walking to the top
Nearest Metro Stop: Panepistimio (Red Line)
30 minutes walking to the top
How to reach the top
Location
Website
Athens is not just a stop, is an experience. In just one day, you can have a sip of the majesty of this ancient city and explore the modern life. A city that exists inbetween the myths and reality is the perfect destination for those who want uncover its history and hidden gems.
If you want a hassle free experience, you can always check on our opinion of Athens with our Athens Tour:
Sources