Have you ever ever questioned if it’s potential to discover Athens in simply someday? We’re right here to let you know that it’s potential! 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 brief on time, so we now have put collectively the proper someday in Athens itinerary that will help you profit from your keep.
One Day in Athens Itinerary
Morning – Historical past
To plan your 1 day in Athens itinerary, you should buy the Acropolis and 6 archaeological websites, together with the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Historical Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Aristotle’s College and the Keramikos Historical Cemetery,
Entry to the Acropolis of Athens solely in your most well-liked date and time slot
One-time entry to every website with the identical ticket
Athens Previous City (Plaka) self-guided audio tour
Acropolis and Parthenon self-guided audio excursions (if choice chosen)
You might have 5 calendar days from activation to make use of this cross, so in case you are spending extra time in Athens, you possibly can ebook timed entries to see every of those sights very first thing within the morning or later within the day.
Acropolis
Almost definitely, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will let you know to move straight to the Acropolis, and they’re right! 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 advocate reserving a lodge with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so you have to be advantageous. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and it’s worthwhile to ebook your timed entry prematurely. So try this proper now. Occasions ebook rapidly, and you’ll want to be sure you 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 simplest ways to see Athens in someday because it offers you 1 timed entry to every website with the identical ticket. You will want to plan properly to be on time to your entries, however belief me, you’ll want to see all of it!
The foundations are always altering and is usually a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog publish Learn how to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We are going to 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; make certain to try this as it is going to proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.
You’ll then begin making your manner downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your manner down the hill again in direction of town middle.
Historical Agora
E book your timed entrance to the Historical Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This gives you time to absorb the highlights of the Acropolis beforehand.
From the Acropolis, you’ll stroll downhill for about quarter-hour to the Historical 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, put it aside for later within the day. It’s open till 9:00 p.m.
The Historical Agora is the very best preserved historic break within the metropolis. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly within the morning gentle. Ensure you stroll round it to see it from all angles.
It was based within the sixth century BC. The Historical Agora of Athens was initially used as a gathering place or a spot to congregate. Really, the phrase Agora interprets into “an meeting of the folks.” The primary spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is gorgeous. The intricate particulars and delightful fluted columns make this temple one of many must-sees in Athens, particularly should you love Greek structure.
Stoa of Attalos
Make 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 lovely place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you possibly can 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 that you may take a look at as nicely.
Roman Agora
E book your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your cross.
After you have got visited the Historical Agora, you’ll come out to loads of outside cafes lining the road. If you wish to have lunch now, this can be a excellent place to take action. Nonetheless, we propose transferring on to see the Roman Agora. Sure, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is just a brief stroll from the Historical Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to change into an excessive amount of. You don’t want plenty of time right here, however it’s price going into see.
We actually liked the Roman Agora as a result of you possibly can stroll among the many ruins and rise 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 strategy 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. When you’ve got a transparent thought of your schedule, we propose reserving a desk prematurely 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 hen’s eye view of the Acropolis.
Monastiraki Sq. is surrounded by rooftop bars and eating places, and we propose 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 should you solely have someday in Athens, we propose consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You too can 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 can be comfortable to have seen all of those historic wonders. Now, you possibly can calm down 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 outlets are prepared that will help you buy your excellent Athens memento. There’s a flea market proper off Monastiraki Sq. that’s price 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 procuring. If you happen to want water or snacks, it’s an excellent place to replenish your mid-day stroll.
There are many outlets and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Previous Byzantine Church, which is free to enter. No pictures inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my cellphone in my hand and a previous girl guarding the church practically swatted it out of my arms.
Syntagma Sq.
Syntagma Sq. is the principle Sq. of Athens, the place there may be all the time one thing occurring. Normally, if 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
If you happen to occur to be on the sq. on the prime of the hour (hopefully you have got walked right here by 3 pm), you possibly can see the altering of the guards, which is kind of attention-grabbing. It occurs each hour, with essentially 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 may hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. Nonetheless, even should you don’t experience the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered important relics, together with a mosaic ground from the fifth century, an historic aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is price testing.
Panathenaic Stadium
From Syntagma, you possibly can 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 fashionable Olympic video games in 1896. Your complete stadium is made out of marble, and it’s spectacular to see. The location itself has much more historic significance as within the sixth century BC, it was dwelling to the Panathenaic Video games, which had been a precursor to the Olympic Video games.
You’ll be able to pay to go inside and stroll round or you possibly can 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 encounter the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your cross. It has been underneath building for some time, however its columns are undoubtedly price seeing. With solely someday in Athens, although, we propose merely taking a look at this from the surface and as an alternative strolling to Hadrian’s Arch.
Hadrian’s Arch was constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD. It’s nonetheless standing, and you may stroll straight underneath it, leaving the quiet complicated of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy road.
Cocktails and Sundown
Athens Gate is a superb cease for an additional rooftop view of the Acropolis from the other 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 excellent place to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to maintain you going till your late dinner, or you possibly can have dinner right here and calm down for a few hours on the terrace.
Acropolis Museum
If you happen to took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your strategy to the wonderful museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a brief stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.
Even should you don’t go inside to tour the museum correctly, it’s price seeing the surface and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which are on show underneath the inspiration.
When you’ve got an hour, you may get a style of the museum, however to essentially 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 essentially the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. End up a rooftop restaurant or, in case you are rooftopped out (which is unattainable), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions situated right here in Plaka. We now have a complete publish on the very best Greek meals that will help 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 lovely views of the Acropolis, providing you with yet one more angle from which to see this historic UNESCO World Heritage Website. You’re solely in Athens for someday, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view.
Nightlife
If you wish to preserve 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 gorgeous sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing wanting epic. Positive, you’ll be exhausted, however it’s possible you’ll by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to overlook out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?