2 days in Athens: Your ultimate itinerary to Greece's Capital

Athens is often seen as a stopping point between flights to reach the Greek Islands, which is unfortunate because the city has so much to offer to travellers. Over the last few years, the city has changed considerably into a cool, trendy city with plenty of chic restaurants and bars to explore, some of the most adorable boutique stores selling Greek artisan products, and a variety of fun excursions to do around the city.

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The main attraction of Athens is of course, the incredible history. The city has been inhabited for over 3,000 years and was the main city of Ancient Greece. Greek people are extremely proud of Athens and how significant it has been over the years, and as you learn about the different ruins and sites left standing in the city, you’ll understand why. If there is one thing about Athens, it is that history is not lost, and the city takes great care of its ruins.

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Athens has also become a huge culinary destination. Chefs from all around Greece have come to the capital city to open their restaurants, and you can find any regional cuisine from around Greece right in the capital. With 8 Michelin-starred restaurants, Athens has embraced its Greek roots but has also begun experimenting with Greek fusion foods. If you’re into the gastronomy scene, you’ll be in awe at all the delicious restaurants to try and the wide variety that is more recent in the city.

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Day 1: Plaka, Monastiraki

Plaka is the old, historical neighbourhood of Athens that leads right up to the Acropolis, home to the iconic Parthenon. The neighbourhood has been transformed into one of the most exciting in Athens. Streets have been turned into shopping heaven, trendy bars and cafes are crowded with people socialising, and in summer enjoying the ideal Mediterranean climate, and ancient ruins at every turn.

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Right alongside Plaka is the neighbourhood of Monastiraki. Monastiraki connects the whole city of Athens, and is quite beautiful itself. It has a fun atmosphere of people gathering, street performers, funky shops, and cool restaurants. The neighbourhood also offers spectacular views of Plaka and the Acropolis, but it is also home to some of its own special ruins that aren’t first on the list of the city’s visitors.

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Spend your first day in Athens getting a feel for the city and its most popular locations. Explore the history and the old town of Athens, stumble upon archaeological sites wherever you go, and as you wander through the hilly, cobblestone streets, admire the traditional Greek architecture occupied by hip new places.

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Where to eat:

Mani Mani: Mani Mani strives to make inventive versions of classic Greek dishes, and they’re absolutely delicious.

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Arcadia Restaurant: Arcadia serves the traditional dishes of the Peloponnese region in Athens, which is a region producing some of the most authentic cuisine in the country. Find out more reasons to visit Peloponnese in our customised guide.

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Lukumades: This traditional Greek doughnut is to die for. The light fluffy balls are drizzled with the finest Greek honey and topped off with cinnamon, but Lukumades in Monistariki offers unique flavours such as filled with the traditional greek cheese mizithra, or topped with a delicious pistachio sauce. The menu seems endless and is difficult to choose from, but we definitely recommend trying the classic if you’ve never tried this traditional dessert before.

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Dionysus’ Zonar - This upscale restaurant offers traditional and modern Greek dining, and while the food is incredible, the views of the Acropolis at night are the reason you should be splurging on this restaurant.

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Ella Greek Cooking: Ella’s has a beautiful outdoor patio and serves some of the best renditions of traditional Greek food. Our favourite was the giouvetsi which is a slow cooked lamb alongside fresh Greek noodles.

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Tylixto Greek Wrap - Tylixto serves souvlaki and gyro wraps from a takeout stand in the heart of Monastiraki that won’t disappoint.

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Acropolis of Athens

Start off your first day in Athens by exploring arguably Greece’s most iconic landmark, and it dominates the capital city’s skyline. If it fits your schedule, try to get there right when it opens at 8am to avoid crowds, and if you’re visiting during the summer, you’ll also get to avoid the hot sun, as there’s very little shade in general on top of the Acropolis. Put on your comfiest shoes and get ready for the short hike to the top.

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The UNESCO Heritage site is best known for the Parthenon, the grand temple that was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena in the 5th century BC. The Parthenon is what draws most visitors to the Acropolis, but it is not the only incredible ruins in the ancient complex. The Theatre of Dionysus was built alongside the hill of the Acropolis, and its remnants are impressive. The other theatre, Odeon of Herodes Atticus is extremely well intact, and you can even see concerts here. Usually, the concerts held here are operas or Greek singers, but occasionally a big international name will make an appearance. No matter the performance, it is an incredible sight to see a concert at a theatre that has been in use since Roman times, and we really recommend checking out the schedule to see if any performances align with your stay in Athens.

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Since so much of the Acropolis was based on mythology, a great way to explore the ancient area is by taking a Mythology guided tour of the Acropolis. Your tour guide will be an expert on the Greek myths and legends that inspired these temples, and it is an interesting way to learn about the culture back in Ancient Greece. While Greece is mostly Greek Orthodox now and follows the bible rather than the Greek gods, the original religion in the country is ever so present in the country’s culture.

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Eat and listen to Greek music in a traditional taverna in Plaka

The area of Plaka at night is one of the most vibrant in all of Athens, especially if you’re visiting during the summer. From rooftops to open patios and small tables along the steps, eating outdoors amidst the music and chatter is what makes eating out in Plaka such a fun, traditional experience. Many restaurants in Plaka will also have Greek music and dancing, which is a fun addition to your standard dining experience.

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Eating out in Plaka can be intimidating because there are a lot of tourist traps, and the owners of the restaurants will come up to you on the streets trying to pressure you to eat at their restaurants. That being said, some of my favourite restaurants of Athens are in the area, like Geros Tou Moria, a traditional tavern right under the Acropolis that has been in business since 1926. A highlight on their menu is the moussaka, which was probably the best one that we tried in Greece, and horta, which are boiled greens served in olive oil and lemon. Another great restaurant in Plaka is called Yiasemi, a casual Greek restaurant with a beautiful outdoor patio and delicious spanakopita, a Greek pie made out of filo dough and stuffed with spinach and feta.

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Roman Forum of Athens

Transport back to Roman times by visiting the Roman Forum of Athens, some of the best preserved ruins in the city, and even all of Greece. The forum was originally built in the 1st century AD and was the hub of the city during the Roman period. Including commercial, social, and political activity, it can be argued that the forum was as important for the population during the Roman Empire as the Parthenon was for the Ancient Greek society.

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There are some incredible relics that you’ll come across on your visit to the Roman Forum, such as the Tower of the Winds. The Tower of the Winds was incredibly innovative for its time, and it was originally built for weather forecasting and timekeeping, and was fundamental to Athens during this period. Another beautiful structure is The Fethiye Mosque which is representative of all the history and occupations in Athens. Originally, it was built as a Christian church by the Romans, but during the Ottoman occupation of the city, it was converted into a mosque. There are also several political buildings like the Senate House and the Law Courts, which shows how the forum was the centre of political life in the city.

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Shop on Adrianou Street

Adrianou Street in Plaka is heaven for shopaholics. The street runs for blocks and is filled with a variety of different shops to find souvenirs at. You can find literally everything you’re looking for on this street. Many jewellery shops sell traditional Greek symbols like the mati, which is also known as the greek eye, and is a means of protection that is very popular for Greek people to wear and gift to their loved ones. There are many clothing shops selling clothing made in Greece, and you won’t run into any big chains on this street, you’ll just find small businesses. You can also find artisan shops selling the finest Greek olives, olive oil, and honey, which are my personal favourite. On my last visit to Greece I brought back a suitcase just for the olives!

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Anafiotika

This neighbourhood in Plaka is a residential neighbourhood that is often described as being a Greek Island in the centre of Athens. While the area of Plaka is mostly homes, it is worth it to take some time to walk around and admire the architecture. The buildings are incredibly scenic, and a lot of the alleyways have awesome views of the Acropolis. The neighbourhood often gets compared to the islands for its white architecture and Cycladic style, but another major reason is that in warmer months, the neighbourhood is filled with bougainvillaea, one of the most iconic flowers in the Greek islands.

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Agora of Athens

The Agora of Athens was a commercial, political, and social hub of the ancient city of Athens, and functioned from the 6th century BC until the 7th century AD, so it was incredibly fundamental to the logistics of the city for hundreds of years! One of the most impressive parts of the Agora of Athens is the Temple of Hephaestus. Constructed with marble, their temple is 13 columns long by 6 columns wide, and is known for being one of the most intact ancient ruins in all of Greece. The incredible details are still well preserved and leave its visitors in awe of how well the temple has held up over the years.

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Monastiraki Square

This vibrant hub is a great starting point to exploring the rest of Athens. The atmosphere is filled with travellers and locals spending their free time shopping, enjoying a cafe and people-watching, and dining. The historical square is one you won’t miss on your trip to Athens, as it is super accessible from all parts of the city.

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One of the highlights of Monastiraki Square is the Monastiraki Flea Market. For unique souvenirs and gifts, this is for you! The market is home to hundreds upon hundreds of vendors that sell a variety of different things like vintage clothing, jewellery, antiques, and handmade crafts. Even if you’re not into shopping, it is a great atmosphere to soak up.

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The square is also home to one of the most impressive ancient ruins in all of Athens, Hadrian’s Library. Hadrian’s Library was an ancient library built in the 2nd century AD and was one of the largest libraries in the ancient world, attracting intellectuals during the Roman period. The ruins are well intact, and it's crazy walking around Monastiraki Square one second, and all of a sudden you’re by old ruins the second!

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Temple of Olympian Zeus

This ancient Greek temple in the heart of Athens was one of the biggest ones in all of Ancient Greece, which was dedicated to the king of the gods in Greek mythology, Zeus. The temple began to be constructed in the 6th century BC, but interestingly enough, it wasn’t finished until the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD commissioned it to be finished. He was a huge fan of Greek culture and mythology, so he was extremely passionate that the temple be built.

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The original temple was 104 columns that measured 17 metres tall! After the fall of the Roman Empire however, the temple was gradually abandoned, so it unfortunately is not completely preserved to this day. However, the columns left standing are massive in person and definitely a sight to see in person.

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Where to Stay:

Budget-Friendly - Tempi Hotel

Tempi is a family run hotel in Monastiraki that offers budget private rooms with a shared bathroom, making it a great bank for your buck.

Mid-Range - Central Hotel

Modern rooms are strategically located in the heart of Plaka, with a rooftop terrace with Acropolis views.

Luxury- The Dolli at Acropolis

Elegant, traditionally decorated rooms offering views of the Parthenon from your room.

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Day 2: Psyri, Gazi, and Lycabettus

On your second day, venture out of the tourist-zone to Psyri, one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Athens. Once a rundown and dangerous place, the neighbourhood right next to Monistariki was reformed to accommodate the large number of people coming to Athens for the Olympics. Now, Psyri is filled with eclectic bars and cafes, some of the best cuisine in all of Athens, and picturesque streets.

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After discovering Psyri, you can go to the nearby Gazi, a neighbourhood mostly known for its rebellious street art and nightlife. Compared to the nightlife in Mykonos, this is the neighbourhood in Athens to come to if you’re looking for a party. Since no one goes out in Greece until 1 in the morning at least, you’ll have plenty of time to head out of the city to Lycabettus Hill. Lycabettus offers the best views of Athens and the Parthenon, and is a fun spot to come whether you’re travelling with friends, your partner, or alone, as everyone is there for the best views, and maybe to enjoy a few drinks!

Where to Eat:

Kuzina - Kuzina is home to creative Greek cuisine, with modern spins on traditional foods. Stop at their rooftop bar before dinner for incredible Acropolis views.

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Mamacas - A delicious Greek restaurant that turns into a dance floor after dinner, playing house music.

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Athens Central Market

One of my favourite markets in all of Europe has to be the Athens Central Market. From fresh arrays of seafood, vegetables and meat, you can literally find any food that you are looking for in this market. My personal favourite part of the market is the stalls selling some of my favourite Greek delicacies. Definitely try a variety of the barrel-aged fetas, and other traditional Greek cheeses like graviera and kefalotyri. Some stalls sell some delicious olives that make for a great snack. If you haven’t tried Greek pistachios or pumpkin seeds, that is a must buy when in the market. They are so much more flavourful than other ones we have tried, and that can be accredited to the small island of Aegina, which is one of the best regions in the world for cultivating pistachios.

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Little Kook

Little Kook is one of the most eccentric cafes in all of Athens, and is a favourite among families and kids who are visiting the city. The decorations of the cafe are extremely elaborate, and even extend into the street depending on seasonality. While the theme is constantly changing, something that stays the same about this cafe is how intricate and detailed the decorations are. During my visit to Athens, Little Kook’s theme was Alice in Wonderland. There were handcrafted decorations and props, including oversized mushrooms and teapots, but some other themes include Halloween and a pirate theme.

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Another super unique thing about Little Kook is that they curate the menu to match the theme. They serve cakes, pastries, and coffees, although they don’t take reservations so be prepared for a short wait if you’re hoping to dine at their restaurant.

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Taste the street food in the culinary neighbourhood of Psyri

Psyri is known for its cool and modern vibe, and along with that is a street food scene offering the best Greek cuisine in a casual manner. One of the best ways to see the neighbourhood is by taking a street food tour through Psyri. This tour offers either private or small group tours, and takes you to all the spots the locals eat at.

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While wandering around the lively neighbourhood of Psyri, you’ll get to try some of the favourite Greek street food, starting off with either a spanakopita, a spinach pie encrusted in filo dough, or a tiropita, another Greek pie with filo dough, this time stuffed with feta cheese. Afterwards, you’ll get to taste the succulent souvlaki, a traditional Greek skewer served on pita bread, either with meat or veggies for any vegetarians out there. Finally, you’ll get some dessert from a wide variety of pastries and loukoumades, which are light, fluffy doughnuts served with cinnamon and honey. Since Psyri is so well known for its food, and is a popular spot for locals to enjoy their dinners, this is the best place for you to do a food tour in Athens, as you’ll really get the local Greek experience and get the best, yet simple food.

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Go on a walking tour of Psyri and Gazi’s street art

From murals to graffiti, there is plenty of street art in Athens that has been implemented in these residential neighbourhoods. Often representing political or social commentary, the artwork has a deeper meaning behind it, and tells a story of the modern day struggles in the country. In Psyri and Gazi, you can walk around and take in the beauty of the street art. However, without knowing the political context of a lot of these works, it can be quite difficult to really understand just how impactful it is. To learn more about the street art, you can take a walking tour of Athens street art, which features stops in the neighbourhoods of Psyri and Gazi. It is easy to get lost in the Ancient history of Athens, but exploring street art is one of the most interesting ways to get a modern perspective on the city.

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Take the funicular up to Lycabettus Hill

Lycabettus Hill requires either a hike or a funicular to reach the top, and the panoramic views of the city has made it a popular destination to enjoy a drink, watch the sunset, or even go out for dinner at the only restaurant on top of the hill. If you want to have dinner on top of Lycabettus, there are two restaurants to choose from, Cafe Lycabettus, a more casual restaurant open all day long, and Orizontes Lycabettus, which is an upscale restaurant on the hill. Reservations must be made in advance to guarantee your spot.

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Once you’re up top on the hill, you’ll notice that there is a church up there! The Holy Church of Saint George of Lycabettus is a Greek Orthodox church that is open to the public, and for just a second you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a Greek Island with the white-washed church with painted-blue domes.

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Enjoy a night out in the Gazi neighbourhood

The Gazi neighbourhood is known for its amazing nightlife, and has even been compared by some to the island of Mykonos, which is known worldwide for its party scene. If you’re looking for a night out in Athens, Gazi is your best option to experience how Greeks party! The party scene in Gazi originally started as a neighbourhood known for its LGBT+ bars and clubs, but in recent years, the nightlife scene has expanded to include large clubs, upscale cocktail bars, cool pubs, while still maintaining its origins.

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There are some great places in Gazi for your night out in Athens. Shamone is a favourite option if you’re looking for an LGBT+ scene, and it is a large nightclub that has drag shows and DJ sets. All are welcome in this club and it has been named one of the best in the city. For a more relaxed vibe, go to MoMix Bar, which is completely dedicated to Art & Science of Molecular Mixology.

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Where to Stay:

Budget-Friendly - City Circus Athens

This hostel is housed in a beautiful neoclassical building, and features an incredible rooftop terrace for its guests to enjoy city views.

Mid-Range - Pallada Athens boutique rooms and apartments

Boutique rooms with eclectic designed rooms, and exceptionally kind staff members.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/palermo.html?

Luxury- Acropolis View Luxury Apartment

This modern, luxurious apartment features a hot tub with direct views of Plaka.

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