Athens travel guide

A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.

day1

Getting to know Athens

An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.

Morning
Alternative Athens
4.9· 4406 reviews
Nr. 19 von 427 Essen & Trinken in Athen
Athen 105 54 Griechenland
Alternative Athens — rated 4.9 across 4406 reviews · Nr. 19 von 427 Essen & Trinken in Athen · Athen 105 54 Griechenland.
Lunch
Geco Athens
4.9· 1113 reviews
Nr. 9 von 3.694 Essgelegenheiten in Athen
Lekka 14, Athen 10562 Griechenland
Mon: 17:30–23:30
A good lunch stop is Geco Athens — rated 4.9 across 1113 reviews · Nr. 9 von 3.694 Essgelegenheiten in Athen · opening hours: Mon: 17:30–23:30 · Lekka 14, Athen 10562 Griechenland.
Afternoon
Athens Walks
4.9· 7272 reviews
Nr. 20 von 427 Essen & Trinken in Athen
Porinou 5, Athen 11742 Griechenland
Athens Walks — rated 4.9 across 7272 reviews · Nr. 20 von 427 Essen & Trinken in Athen · Porinou 5, Athen 11742 Griechenland.

Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.

day2

The main sights

The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.

Morning
City Sightseeing Athens
4.0· 2054 reviews
Nr. 301 von 1.829 Touren in Athen
Athen 11742 Griechenland
City Sightseeing Athens — rated 4.0 across 2054 reviews · Nr. 301 von 1.829 Touren in Athen · Athen 11742 Griechenland.

Up to 34 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.

day3

Museums, history and local food

A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.

Afternoon
The Greek Food Experience (Max 8 persons)
5.0· 196from €108
The Greek Food Experience (Max 8 persons) — rated 5 from 196 reviews, about 4h.

Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.

day4

A day out of town

Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.

All day
Aktion
Aktion is 168 km from Athens, about 2h 58m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Athens

day5

Walking and what you missed

A free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.

Afternoon
Athens Greek Cooking Class Pita Gyros from Scratch with a Local
5.0· 195from €110
Athens Greek Cooking Class Pita Gyros from Scratch with a Local — rated 5 from 195 reviews, about 3h.

Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.

day6

A tour, or a second trip out

A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.

All day
Araxos
Araxos is 257 km from Athens, about 2h 56m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Athens

day7

Last day and departure

A calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.

Afternoon
Athens Old City Private Photoshoot Tour/ 3hours
5.0· 80from €169
Athens Old City Private Photoshoot Tour/ 3hours — rated 5 from 80 reviews, about 3h.

Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.

What to see in Athens in 7 days

Getting to know Athens

The main sights

Museums, history and local food

A day out of town

Walking and what you missed

A tour, or a second trip out

Last day and departure

2–3 day routes

Route map

What to see and where to eat

What to see and where to eat in Athens

Tours from the city

Where to stay

What travellers say about places in Athens