How many days do you need in Athens?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Salamis Island and Daphni Monastery).

What are the top things to do in Athens?

Highlights: Parthenon, Platonic Academy, Classical Athens, Erechtheion and Panathenaic Stadium. The map has 29 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Athens city centre?

Athens International (ATH): Metro line 3 ≈ 40 min or X95 bus ≈ 60 min

What is the emergency number in Athens?

Emergency: 112 (police 100, ambulance 166, fire 199).

Do you tip in Athens?

Tipping isn't required; 5–10% or rounding up is common.

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Athens Things to do and walking itinerary

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Athens travel guide

29 things to do in Athens, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

Top things to do in Athens

Parthenon — former temple of Athena on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
Platonic Academy — ancient philosophical, research and educative center, founded by Plato in Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Classical Athens — city-state in ancient Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
Erechtheion — ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Panathenaic Stadium — stadium in Athens, Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
Temple of Athena Nike — ancient Greek temple built in the fifth century CE on the Acropolis of Athens in honor of Athena as the goddess of victory, located in Athens Municipality, Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
Lyceum — public meeting place in Classical Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
National Archaeological Museum of Athens — museum in Athens, Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
Temple of Olympian Zeus — ancient Greek temple in Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Temple of Hephaestus — ancient Greek temple in Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Acropolis Museum — museum in Athens, Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
Tower of the Winds — a Roman tower in Athens that once housed an early weather vane, large clepsydra, and multiple sundials to function as an early clocktower (visit ≈ 40 min)
Theatre of Dionysus — ancient theater in the Acropolis of Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Odeon of Herodes Atticus — ancient theater in Athens Acropolis (visit ≈ 60 min)
Ancient Agora of Athens — major archaeological site of Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Syntagma Square — square in Athens, Greece (visit ≈ 15 min)
Kerameikos — ancient graveyard and neighborhood in Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Hadrian's Library — Roman library in Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Pnyx — hill and archaeological site in Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens — church building in Athens, Attica Region, Greece (visit ≈ 35 min)
Athena Promachos — ancient sculpture of Phidias in Athens Acropolis (visit ≈ 15 min)
Benaki Museum — museum in Kolonaki, Athens, Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
Choragic Monument of Lysicrates — ancient Greek choragic monument in Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Philopappos Monument — ancient Greek mausoleum in Muses hill in Athens (visit ≈ 60 min)
Monastiraki — square and neighborhood in Athens, Greece (visit ≈ 15 min)
National Garden of Athens — public park in Athens, Greece (visit ≈ 45 min)
Athens Concert Hall — performing arts and conference centre in Athens, Greece (visit ≈ 20 min)
Old Royal Palace — building of the Hellenic Parliament, formerly a royal palace (visit ≈ 90 min)
Museum of Cycladic Art — museum in Athens (visit ≈ 120 min)

2-day Athens walking itinerary

Starting point: Plaka. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 7.2 km · 9,690 steps · 1 h 35 min on the way): Panathenaic Stadium → Lyceum → National Archaeological Museum of Athens
Day 2 (≈ 8.1 km · 10,930 steps · 1 h 48 min on the way): Platonic Academy → Classical Athens → Temple of Athena Nike → Parthenon → Erechtheion

Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Athens

Psyrri — Old craftsmen's quarter with street art, small workshops and tavernas that buzz at night. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Varvakios Market — Athens' historic central market, loud with fishmongers and butchers. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Church of Kapnikarea — 11th-century Byzantine church standing in the middle of busy Ermou shopping street. (visit ≈ 15 min)
Benizelos Mansion — Ottoman-period mansion in Plaka, one of the oldest surviving houses in the city. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Tzistarakis Mosque — 18th-century Ottoman mosque on Monastiraki Square, now displaying a ceramics collection. (visit ≈ 20 min)
Numismatic Museum (Iliou Melathron) — Coin collection in Schliemann's grand mansion, with a peaceful garden café. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center — Renzo Piano complex housing the opera and national library; its sloping roof park looks over Faliro Bay to the Acropolis. (visit ≈ 90 min)
Exarchia — Student district near the university, known for second-hand bookshops, record stores, dense street art and a lively square. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Zappeion — Late-19th-century neoclassical exhibition hall at the south end of the National Garden, with a colonnaded courtyard. (visit ≈ 20 min)
Vallianeio National Library — Part of the neoclassical trilogy on Panepistimiou Street; see it together with the University and Academy buildings. (visit ≈ 20 min)
Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art — Private collection museum in Pangrati, from Van Gogh and Picasso to Greek modernists. (visit ≈ 75 min)
Dionysiou Areopagitou Promenade — Broad pedestrian walk skirting the south slope of the Acropolis, the city's loveliest evening stroll. (visit ≈ 30 min)

Where to stay in Athens

Plaka: At the foot of the Acropolis, historic and walkable; touristy but lovely.
Monastiraki / Psyrri: Flea market, street food and bars; metro hub for two lines.
Syntagma: The city centre; airport metro and bus leave from here.
Koukaki: Calm, local area near the Acropolis Museum.
Kolonaki: Chic shops and cafés; close to Lycabettus Hill.
Piraeus: Ferry port for the islands; ideal for early sailings.

Getting from the airport to Athens

Athens International (ATH): Metro line 3 ≈ 40 min or X95 bus ≈ 60 min

Getting around

The historic centre is walkable; the metro is fast and clean for longer hops. Metro, bus and tram share tickets, and contactless cards work.

Classic places to eat

Thanasis: Monastiraki classic for minced-meat kebab in pitta.
Bairaktaris: Souvlaki and gyros on Monastiraki square since 1879.
Kostas: Tiny old souvlaki shop; simple pitta with tomato.
Diporto: Basement eatery by the central market with no menu, home cooking.
Krinos: Loukoumades and ice cream since 1923.
Stani: Greek yoghurt with honey and milk puddings since 1931.
Brettos: Plaka distillery-bar since 1909, famous for its colourful bottles.

Romantic views

Mount Lycabettus (Sunset): From the city's highest point you see the Acropolis and the sea.
Areopagus Hill (Sunset): A rocky lookout right below the Acropolis.
Filopappou Hill (Sunset): You face the Acropolis through pine trees.
Anafiotika (Evening): Narrow lanes of white houses feel like an island village.
National Garden (Afternoon): A shady, quiet garden behind the Parliament.

Football stadiums in Athens

Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium: Home of Panathinaikos F.C.
Karaiskakis Stadium: Home of Olympiacos F.C.
Agia Sophia Stadium: Home of AEK Athens F.C.
Nea Smyrni Stadium: Home of Panionios F.C.

Day trips

Salamis Island — 21 km from the centre
Daphni Monastery — 9 km from the centre

Good to know before visiting Athens

Fine: Removing stones or artefacts from ancient sites is a serious crime.
Fine: Photographing military installations, especially in border areas, is prohibited.
Fine: In Athens you must validate metro and bus tickets; inspectors fine riders without one.
Fine: Smoking indoors is banned; lighting fires outdoors in summer is fined.
Warning: Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries; some ask women to wear skirts.
Warning: Stiletto heels are banned at ancient sites like the Acropolis to protect the stone.

Emergency: 112 (police 100, ambulance 166, fire 199)
Plugs: C/F, 230V
Tap water: Tap water is fine in Athens and Thessaloniki; on islands bottled water is usual.
Tipping: Tipping isn't required; 5–10% or rounding up is common.

Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Greece, Wikivoyage — Greece, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Athens travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Athens?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Salamis Island and Daphni Monastery).
What are the top things to do in Athens?: Highlights: Parthenon, Platonic Academy, Classical Athens, Erechtheion and Panathenaic Stadium. The map has 29 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Athens?: Plaka: At the foot of the Acropolis, historic and walkable; touristy but lovely. Other options: Monastiraki / Psyrri, Syntagma, Koukaki, Kolonaki and Piraeus.
How do you get from the airport to Athens city centre?: Athens International (ATH): Metro line 3 ≈ 40 min or X95 bus ≈ 60 min
How do you get around Athens?: The historic centre is walkable; the metro is fast and clean for longer hops. Metro, bus and tram share tickets, and contactless cards work.
What is the emergency number in Athens?: Emergency: 112 (police 100, ambulance 166, fire 199).
Do you tip in Athens?: Tipping isn't required; 5–10% or rounding up is common.

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