Last Updated on June 30, 2026
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Athens is one one of the oldest European cities with a rich history that goes back thousands of years. On one hand it’s a vibrant, modern capital and on the other, there are ancient ruins scattered throughout the city. 2 days in Athens is usually enough time to experience both.
Many people pass through Athens on their way to the Greek islands or as a final stop before heading home. A day or two is typically how long they stay in the city. If you’re based in Europe, Athens also makes for an excellent weekend destination. Either way, be sure to spend at least a couple of days, as there are quite a few things to do in Athens.
Visiting the Acropolis is what comes to mind first, and that is what’s on everyone’s Athens itinerary, but there is so much more to do and see in the city beyond the famous citadel. You’ll also find many other ancient ruins, beautiful neighborhoods, vibrant squares and markets, museums, plenty of cafes and rooftop bars with great views of the Acropolis.
Because Athens is fairly compact and many of the top attractions and sights are close to one another, it’s easy to fit a lot into a couple days. If you’re planning to visit soon, here’s my idea of what to do in Athens, Acropolis and beyond, where to stay and other travel tips to help you plan your visit.
How to get from the airport to city center
Athens International Airport (AIA) is located about 35 km from the city center and this is where you will arrive if you’re coming by air. Getting to the city center takes anywhere from 40-60 minutes, depending on what transportation you choose.
- Metro – Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) goes directly from the airport to Syntagma Square. It’s a 40 minute ride and it requires a separate ticket, which costs €9 one way and €16 round trip. This is a great and inexpensive option and the biggest perk is, you avoid Athens traffic.
- Bus – the cheapest option is taking the X95 bus, which runs from Athens airport to Syntagma. One way ticket costs €6, which you can buy at the ticket kiosk or from the driver. The bus runs every 20 minutes or so and with the frequent stops (and traffic) it takes about one hour. The bus runs 24/7.
- Uber – Uber is also available at Athens airport for both pick ups and drop offs. Know that when you order your Uber ride, it will be operated by regular yellow Athens taxis rather than private drivers. Expect to pay €40-50, more late at night. It took 40 minutes to get from the airport to Plaka, but can be up to one hour in bad traffic.
- Private transfer – for door-to-door service and the ultimate convenience, you can book a private transfer.
How to get from Pireaus Port to city center
Pireaus port is the biggest port in Greece and one of the busiest passenger ports in Europe. If Athens is the last stop on your Greece trip and you’re coming from the islands, this is where you’ll most likely arrive.
The port is 10-12 km outside of the city center and you can go directly from there by Metro, either Blue or Green Line. Both lines stop at Monastiraki Square, which is the most convenient stop if you’re staying in the center of Athens. It’s a 20-25 minute journey.
You can also hop on the 040 bus, which runs 24/7 and goes between Pireaus and Syntagma Square. And of course, there’s taxi, Uber and Private transfer, which are the most convenient, but also most expensive options. Travel time depends on the traffic, but it usually takes 25-35 minutes.
How to get around Athens, Greece
Walking is the best way to explore Athens. The city is surprisingly compact with most of the top attractions relatively close to each other. Stay in a central location like Plaka, Syntagma or Monastiraki and you will be able to walk everywhere. Almost everything you see on this Athens itinerary, you can do on foot.
But if you need a break from walking, taxis/Ubers are everywhere and there’s also a metro system.
Metro in Athens has 3 lines (Green, Red and Blue). A single ticket costs €1.20 and it’s valid for 90 minutes. There’s also a daily ticket for €4.10. Don’t forget to validate your ticket when you board!
While it wouldn’t be my first choice for getting around Athens, there are also a couple of Hop on Hop off Buses, that do a loop around the city stopping at all the major sites. If you’re visiting Athens for the first time, it could be a good way to get oriented (it’s around 90 minutes without getting off). But for getting around the city, the heavy traffic will often make it slower than walking or taking the metro.
Visiting Athens in 2026 – Combo Ticket
If you are planning a trip to Athens in 2026, one of the biggest changes is that you can no longer buy the very popular Combo ticket. The €30 ticket covered the Acropolis and six other archeological sites in Athens, which was huge money savings.
Sadly, the Combo ticket has been discontinued since April 2025 and now you need to buy individual tickets to each site you want to visit. Just the Acropolis ticket costs €30 and prices to the other sites range from €5 to €20.
2 days in Athens itinerary – Day 1
Hadrian’s Arch
The first stop of the day is Hadrian’s Arch, an 18 meter tall marble structure, built to honor the Roman emperor Hadrian. It dates back to 132 AD and it served as a symbolic gateway between the old Athens and Hadrian’s new Roman city.
Hadrian’s Arch is located along the one of the busiest streets in Athens, right on the edge of Plaka. It’s a quick stop and a popular photo spot, with the Acropolis in the background.
Stop at Temple of Olympian Zeus
Right next to Hadrian’s Arch is Temple of Olympian Zeus, once one of the largest ancient temples ever built in Greece. The construction started in the 6th century BC, but wasn’t fully completed until 600 years later.
Originally it had 104 tall columns, but was later damaged during invasions. Today only 15 of the columns remain, but looking at their size, you can get a sense of how massive the temple once was.
A lot of people feel like the entrance fee of €20 is steep for what you can actually see, so they skip going inside and view it just from outside of the fence. I personally enjoyed walking around the site and seeing the columns up close. You also get a nice view of Hadrian’s Arch and might see some turtles walking around the grounds.
But I do see why people skip it, as there are many sites to visit in Athens and entrance fees add up, especially now that there’s no combo ticket.
Opening hours: 8 am – 6.30 pm (shorter in winter)
Entrance fee: €20
Watch the Change of Guard at Hellenic Parliament
After visiting the Temple of Olympian Zeus, head towards Syntagma Square to watch the Change of Guard ceremony, which takes place in front of the Hellenic Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk, depending on your pace.
If this day happens to be a Sunday, you want to be there for the 11 am ceremony. While the Change of the Guard happens every day on the hour, the Sunday ceremony is the most elaborate and impressive. It’s a bigger event with a marching band and you can see Evzones, the elite presidential guards, dressed in traditional uniforms (including the pom-pom shoes).
This particular Change of Guard draws big crowds, so plan to arrive about 30 minutes earlier to get a good spot. I got there about 15 minutes before it started and it was already packed. The entire ceremony lasts about 20 minutes.
It’s definitely something worth seeing and one of the free things to do in Athens!
Stroll through National Garden
Right behind the Parliament building is the National Garden of Athens, a big park, that is a great escape from the city’s busy streets. It has plenty of walking paths, ponds, variety of trees and plants and plenty of benches if you just want to relax and take a break from sightseeing.
If you are visiting Athens in the summer, you’ll especially appreciate the shade after watching the Change of Guard ceremony in the sun. And on top of that, it’s another one of the free things to do in Athens.
Aside from the main gate, the National Garden has a few other entrances, a couple of them right near the Parliament building. This is very convenient if you visit the park right after the Change of Guard ceremony. Just go to the right or left of the Parliament building and you’ll see an entrance on either side.
Visit the Panathenaic Stadium
After a visit to the National Park, make your way towards the Panathenaic Stadium, which is located right next to it. Just make sure you leave the garden through one of the exits closest to the stadium. Either Zappeion exit (or the one on Irodou Attikou street (you can find them both here). Otherwise you’ll have to loop around the garden to reach it.
The historic Panathenaic Stadium was where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896. Summer Olympics returned to Athens and that very same stadium again in 2024. Even if you’re not a huge sports fan, this places is worth adding your Athens itinerary.
The stadium is still used today, mostly for special events and concerts. In fact, I was there just one day after a Robbie Williams’ concert, which must have been such a great setting for a show.
To visit the Panathenaic Stadium there is an entrance fee of €12, which includes an audio guide. There’s a QR code you scan at the entrance to download the guide onto your phone.
During your visit, you can walk through the stands and even around the track. The day of my visit the track was closed, because they were dismantling the stage from a concert the night before, but it’s usually open to visitors.
Don’t miss the small museum, that is part of the stadium. It has a nice collection of displays and memorabilia from the modern Olympic Games. My favorite part were the official Olympic posters from as far as 1896 to more recent ones.
To access the museum, go through the tunnel under the stands on the right side of the stadium, then at the end head up the stairs and you are there. The museum visit is included in the entrance ticket.
The entire visit doesn’t take more than one hour.
Panathenaic Stadium is open every day from 8 am – 7 pm (March-October) and 8 am – 5 pm (November-February). Tickets can be bought on the spot at the box office (cash or credit) or pre-booked online (although that’s not necessary).
You can also book this Olympic Games Small-Group Workout and Race, where you get a chance to run and train inside the stadium.
Lunch in Plaka
By the time you’re finished with your stadium visit, you’ll most likely be ready for a bite to eat. I recommend heading to Plaka for lunch. It’s going to be about a 20 minute walk or you can hop for a very short taxi ride (won’t be more than €5-7).
Plaka is a great place to stop for lunch because you’ll find plenty of restaurants there, just by wandering around. It’s also close to the Acropolis and Ancient Agora, which are part of the Athens itinerary for the afternoon.
Ancient Agora
After lunch make your way to Ancient Agora, which sits just below the Acropolis.
Ancient Agora is a huge archeological site, that served as a gathering place for thousands of years. People met there for political debates, teachings, and to shop. It’s also known as the birthplace of democracy.
Out of the many temples, altars and shrines that once stood in the Ancient Agora, only a few remain. The highlight is Temple of Hephaestus, which is one of the best preserved temples in Greece.
Most people spend 1.5-2 hours there. Since the next stop is the Acropolis, you can plan how long you stay at the Ancient Agora around your timed entry ticket for the Acropolis. It’s about a 12 minute walk to the main Acropolis entrance, a bit longer if you want to use the side entrance (which I recommend).
It’s a bit of an uphill walk though, so I’d leave the Ancient Agora about 30 minutes before your times entry, just to be safe and avoid rushing.
Entrance fee: €20
Visit the Acropolis
No Athens itinerary is complete without visiting the Acropolis. The hilltop citadel is one of the most visited places, not only in Greece, but in the world. This is where you find some of the most important temples like Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, Propylaea and Erechtheion (my personal favorite).
Book your Acropolis tickets well in advance on the official website. Especially if you planning on visiting Athens in the high season.
The Acropolis is the number one attraction in Athens and draws huge crowds throughout the day. Best times to visit are either in the morning right when it first opens or later in the afternoon. I planned it for the afternoon to time it with the golden hour and sunset on Areopagus Hill (more on that below).
There are two entrances to the Acropolis and I recommend using the side entrance, which is close to the Acropolis Museum. The line is usually much shorter there. The walk is longer and steeper, but takes you past
You can visit the Acropolis on your own, as it’s very easy to navigate, but I recommend reading up on it before or downloading Rick Steve’s free audio guide. Or you can book one of the highly rated Acropolis tours, to learn about the history and get the most out your visit. Choose something like this Small Group Guided Tour of Acropolis & Parthenon or First Access Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Tour.
For a detailed Acropolis guide, check out my other post: How to visit the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
Enjoy the sunset from Areopagus Hill
When you are done visiting the Acropolis, leave through the main entrance. From there, you are very close to the Areopagus Hill, also known as Mars Hill.
In Ancient Athens the hill used to be a meeting place for the city council . Today it’s a very popular spot for people to come and enjoy great views and take photos.
From the small hill you get some of the best views of the Acropolis, especially later in the day when the sun is glowing. It’s one of the most popular sunset spot in Athens, so it des get crowded that time of day.
This is one of the reasons I booked my Acropolis tickets for the afternoon, to time it with the sunset.
It’s just a short climb, and you can go up either a stone path, the steps or a metal staircase. If you use the path, the stones are very smooth and slipper, so be careful.
Dinner in Plaka or Monastiraki
Afterwards you can head into Plaka or Monastiraki for dinner. Both are great areas with tons of restaurants and traditional tavernas. Just walk around and see what looks good.
2 days in Athens itinerary – Day 2
Visit the Acropolis Museum
Start your second day in Athens with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, which is one of the best archeological museums in the world. It’s a great complement to a visit to the actual Acropolis.
The museum holds an impressive collection of artifacts discovered on the Acropolis hill. Spread over three floors, you can find sculptures, pottery, tools and other everyday objects. One of the highlights is the display of the original Caryatids, the female sculptures that supported the Erechtheion temple. The ones you see at the Acropolis are replicas.
Photography is allowed everywhere except for one display.
Plan to spend a couple of hours at the museum, maybe longer if you decide to stop at the cafe. On the second floor there’s one with an amazing Acropolis views from the terrace.
As a non museum person, I really enjoyed my visit. You’ll hear different opinions which one to visit first. Some like to visit the Acropolis first, others prefer to start with the museum to get the background of what you’ll be seeing at the Acropolis hill later. Honestly, I don’t think it matters.
I split them over my 2 days in Athens to avoid Acropolis overload and logistically this order worked well with my itinerary.
The Acropolis Museum opens at 9 am and I recommend visiting first thing in the morning. People start lining up a little before that, but if you show up a few minutes before 9 am, you’ll get in fast. Later in the day, the line and wait time is much longer.
The museum is independent from the Acropolis and requires a separate ticket, which costs €20.
You can also also prebook your ticket online and those, just like the Acropolis, have a timed entry, so you’ll have to select the date and time of your visit.
You can also book The Acropolis Museum Guided Tour to better understand the artifacts and history.
Explore Anafiotika
Next, you’re off to visit one of the hidden gems in Athens and arguably the most picturesque part of the city. Anafiotika is a tiny village tucked within Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in Athens. It’s filled with whitewashed houses, colorful doors and shutters, beautiful plants and tiny alleys. Very different from the rest of Athens.
To get there from the Acropolis Museum head uphill through Plaka towards the main Acropolis entrance until you reach the small white Holy Church of Saint George of the Rock. Anafiotika is right above that church, just look for stone steps and follow the narrow alleys off of the main street. That will bring you into the heart of Anafiotika and you’ll know when you get there.
Anafiotika was established by workers and craftsmen who arrived in Athens from the island of Anafi. They built a community and houses that were similar in style to those back home. That’s why Anafiotika feels more like a Greek island village than part of a busy capital city.
Best way to explore Anafiotika is to just wander around and get lost in the maze of the narrow alleyways. Just remember that this is a residential neighborhood, not an open air museum. so be respectful of people’s homes.
While it’s not marked as an official viewpoint, there is a great spot to get amazing views of Athens. To get there, all you need to do is to keep walking towards the highest parts of the neighborhood, right under Acropolis walls.
Roman Agora & Hadrian’s Library
After Afitioka, head down towards Monastiraki Square, one of the central squares in Athens. On the way there you’ll pass two archeological sites Roman Agora and Hadrian’s Square. Both are just down the street from each other.
Roman Agora – this was a commercial center of Athens and functioned as a marketplace for buying and selling goods. While it’s mostly in ruins now, some structures remain and are well preserved. The two main ones are the impressive Gate of Athena and Tower of the Winds, which was the first meteorological center in the world.
Hadrian’s Library – built in 132 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian, it was a cultural center for the city during the Roman period. It was a big complex with a courtyard, several halls and rooms used for studying and lectures. While a lot of the site is gone today, several walls and columns still remain.
Both Roman Agora and Hadrian’s Library have an entrance fee of €10 each. But both can also be seen from outside their fences without paying for a ticket. For many people that’s enough. You can decide for yourself whether it’s worth paying and entering or you’re happy with what you see.
Monastiraki Square
From Hadrian’s Library you are just steps away from Monastiraki Square, which is the next stop in your Athens itinerary. This is one of the main squares in the city and a popular meeting point. It’s very lively, with plenty of going on. Lots of restaurants, bars, stores and the main metro station is right there.
There are a couple of buildings in the square, that stand out. The first is the Tzistarakis Mosque
The other one is a small church of the Virgin Mary Pantanassa. It’s a tiny church, but it was once part of a big Byzantine monastery. In fact, that’s how the square got its name (from the Greek word monastiri). The church is all that remains, it’s really small but beautiful and you should definitely step inside if it’s open. It’s free to visit.
Right by the Metro station starts Ifestou street, which leads to the Monastiraki flea market, which is iconic in the city. If you love browsing local markets for unique finds, this is one of the best things to do in Athens. There you can find anything from cheap clothes, jewelry, antiques, leather goods, coins, souvenirs – you name it, they have it. The market has a fun and vibrant atmosphere, so if you enjoy those kinds of things, this is a must stop.
Last but not least, you get great Acropolis views from the square, which brings me to the next stop.
Rooftop bar
If you are ready for a break, you can stop for a drink with a view at one of the rooftop bars. There are a couple in and near Monastiraki Square.
The most popular is A for Athens, which overlooks the bustling square and has great views of the Acropolis. Others are 360 Coctailbar, Attic Urban Rooftop and MS Roof Garden.
Little Kook
Next stop is something completely different from most attractions on this Athens itinerary.
Little Kook is a cafe, in the Psirri neighborhood, known for over the top decor, which goes beyond the cafe itself. The themed decorations and displays extend onto the surrounding streets, making it look like it’s a tiny themed neighborhood. This has made Little Kook one of the most popular cafes in Athens, less for the food and more as a place to take some fun photos.
The decorations change a few times a year, usually for big holidays such as Christmas, Halloween and some kind of fairy tale theme in the spring. I was in Athens in October, so it was all about Halloween and spooky decor, but the second floor of the cafe had a Christmas theme.
If you’re spending 2 days in Athens, Little Kook is a fun stop to include in your itinerary, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
The cafe is just around the corner from Monastiraki Square, about a 5 minute walk. From the square take a left onto Ermou, then right onto Pittaki Street and the cafe will be at the end. You’ll see the decor before you even get to Little Kook.
For the Halloween decor, visiting after dark is much better. Because of all the lights and spooky atmosphere, the display has a much more impressive effect at night. If you are in Athens in the fall, you can switch the order and visit Little Kook after dinner.
Visit Varvakios Central Municipal Market
I love local markets and always try to find one wherever I go.
The main market in Athens is the Central Market, also known as Varvakios, located not far from Monastiraki. It’s a great place to get a glimpse into a daily life of locals, with people shopping and vendors selling sea food, meat and produce.
This is a very authentic market, lively and loud. Be prepared for wet floors and fishy smell, especially around the seafood sections. You’ll also see lots of hanging meats, so if you’re squeamish about that, you might want to stick to the outside of the market.
Outside you’ll find stands selling olives, spices, nuts, cheese etc. Great place to pick something up if you want a food souvenir from your Athens trip.
The market is closed on Sundays.
Dinner at Tavern Klimataria
For dinner I recommend Tavern Klimataria, which is a family run Greek Tavern, about a 5 minute walk from the Municipal Market. It’s on a side street and easy to miss, as it looks fairly simple from the outside, but here is the exact location.
The have really great food and atmosphere. You’ll find all the Greek staples like Mussaka, Greek Salad, lamb, stuffed zucchini and more. Lamb with potatoes is one of the most popular dishes and it totally lived up to the hype. The meat was cooked to perfection and basically falling off the bone.
They have live music most nights starting around 9 pm, so if you want to be there for that, plan on later dinner. And definitely make reservations, as it gets packed.
Tips for visiting Athens, Greece
Book the Acropolis tickets way in advance – especially in high season. And remember, September is still very much a busy time in most of the European cities.
Visit the Acropolis either in the morning or in the afternoon – you’ll not only avoid the biggest crowds, but also mid day heat. Early mornings and afternoons also have better lighting for photos.
Only Acropolis and Acropolis Museum require timed entry slots – other Athens attractions and sites are flexible and can be visited anytime during the opening hours, even with online tickets.
Some Athens attractions can be seen from outside the fence – there are many sites to see and the entrance fees can add up. But several of them can be seen without entering (Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library etc.). If you’re visiting Athens on a budget, that’s a good way to save some money.
Book a hotel with a view – since the Acropolis sits up on a hill, it can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. If possible, book a hotel or an apartment with a terrace facing the hill, so you can enjoy the Acropolis views from your room.
Best Tours in Athens, Greece
This 2 day Athens itinerary is perfect for anyone who’s an independent traveler and it will give you a solid overview of the city. But there are also many excellent guided tours in Athens, that you might want to look into. You can either add it to the itinerary or swap out certain activities, based on your personal interests.
- Best of Athens Half-Day Private Tour – if you want to make the most out of your short time in Athens, this highly rated tour gives you an excellent overview of the city. You can choose from a 4 or 5 hour experience, or, if you’d like to explore Athens at night, a 3 hour night tour. Since it’s a private tour, it can be customized based on your interests and places in Athens you want to see the most. The price of the tour does not include entrance fees.
- Original Athens Food Tour (Full Meal Experience) – learn about the culture through food on this 4 hour food tour, that takes you through local markets, taverns and bakeries. You’ll get to try variety of authentic local dishes and wine, and there will be so much of it, it will fill you up for a while. Go hungry!
- Greek Cooking Class in Athens Including Rooftop Dinner with Acropolis View – you can also take it one step further and learn how to make some Greek dishes. This hands on cooking class is a lot of fun and afterwards you get to enjoy a 5 course meal with your new friends and rooftop views.
- Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour – this 4 hour tour starts at the Acropolis, then continues to the Acropolis Museum, offering a full experience. It’s very informative and well paced. Private tours available as well.
- Acropolis and Mythology Highlights Small Group Tour – this tour gives you a great insight into Greek mythology as you explore not only the Acropolis but also other important sites like Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Olympic Zeus and Ancient Agora.
Where to stay in Athens, Greece
For a short stay such as 2 days in Athens, best areas to stay are Plaka, Monastiraki and near Syntagma. Each area has a different vibe, but they are all very convenient for sightseeing.
The very picturesque Plaka is where I stayed and I highly recommend it, especially if it’s your first time in Athens. Yes, it’s touristy, busy and accommodation prices are higher, but you can’t beat the location and proximity to all the action. And it’s one of the prettiest parts of the city.
Monastiraki is also a great area to stay in Athens, very central and lively. But it can be noisy, even late at night. So keep that in mind.
Electra Palace – one of the best hotels in Athens. Great place to stay if you want a bit of luxury in an unbeatable location in Plaka. The hotel has a rooftop restaurant and a swimming pool with the best Acropolis views.
Plaka Hotel – this is a solid 3 star hotel in a perfect location. Great value for money and comes with breakfast. Some rooms have views of the Acropolis. One of the favorite amenities is the rooftop bar.
A for Athens – located right in Monastiraki Square in the center of all the action. Many bars and restaurants around, as well as the biggest metro station. The hotel has one of the best rooftop bars in Athens.
The Athens Gate Hotel – this hotel is located right across from Hadrian’s Arch and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Rooms are modern and some have views of the Acropolis or the Temple. While the location is very central, rooms facing the busy Syngrou Avenue can be noisy, so go for the rooms on the other side. Breakfast is included and served at the rooftop restaurant, which has some of the best panoramic views in Athens.
READ MORE:
- How to visit the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
- Visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain
- 2 days in Granada, Spain Itinerary – Alhambra and Beyond
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