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
Athens by Bike
5.0· 6318 reviews
N. 1 di 588 Attività all'aperto a Atene
Atene Grecia
Mon: 08:00–20:00
Athens by Bike — rated 5.0 across 6318 reviews · N. 1 di 588 Attività all'aperto a Atene · opening hours: Mon: 08:00–20:00 · Atene Grecia.
Afternoon
Alternative Athens
4.9· 4406 reviews
N. 19 di 427 Cibo e bevande a Atene
Atene 105 54 Grecia
Alternative Athens — rated 4.9 across 4406 reviews · N. 19 di 427 Cibo e bevande a Atene · Atene 105 54 Grecia.

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
Athens Walks
4.9· 7272 reviews
N. 20 di 427 Cibo e bevande a Atene
Porinou 5, Atene 11742 Grecia
Athens Walks — rated 4.9 across 7272 reviews · N. 20 di 427 Cibo e bevande a Atene · Porinou 5, Atene 11742 Grecia.
Afternoon
Geco Athens
4.9· 1113 reviews
N. 9 di 3.694 Posti Dove Mangiare a Atene
Lekka 14, Atene 10562 Grecia
Mon: 17:30–23:30
Geco Athens — rated 4.9 across 1113 reviews · N. 9 di 3.694 Posti Dove Mangiare a Atene · opening hours: Mon: 17:30–23:30 · Lekka 14, Atene 10562 Grecia.

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.

Morning
Hill Athens
4.6· 999 reviews
N. 31 di 3.694 Posti Dove Mangiare a Atene
Apostolou Pavlou 27, Atene 118 51 Grecia
Mon: 13:00–01:00
Hill Athens — rated 4.6 across 999 reviews · N. 31 di 3.694 Posti Dove Mangiare a Atene · opening hours: Mon: 13:00–01:00 · Apostolou Pavlou 27, Atene 118 51 Grecia.
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.

Morning
Ella Athens
4.5· 969 reviews
N. 156 di 3.694 Posti Dove Mangiare a Atene
Mitropóleos 26, Atene 10563 Grecia
Mon: 10:00–00:00
Ella Athens — rated 4.5 across 969 reviews · N. 156 di 3.694 Posti Dove Mangiare a Atene · opening hours: Mon: 10:00–00:00 · Mitropóleos 26, Atene 10563 Grecia.
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.

Morning
Downtown Athens
4.4· 145 reviews
N. 7 di 82 Cose da fare a Athens
250 West Broad Street, Athens, GA 30601
Downtown Athens — rated 4.4 across 145 reviews · N. 7 di 82 Cose da fare a Athens · 250 West Broad Street, Athens, GA 30601.
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.