Have you ever ever questioned if it’s attainable to discover Athens in simply someday? We’re right here to let you know that it’s attainable! Many individuals fly into Athens and solely spend a day or two earlier than catching a flight or ferry to the Greek Islands, however Athens is a magical metropolis that deserves extra time. Nevertheless, in as we speak’s world, everyone seems to be working quick on time, so now we have put collectively the right someday in Athens itinerary that will help you take advantage of your keep.
One Day in Athens Itinerary
Morning – Historical past
To plan your 1 day in Athens itinerary, you should buy the Acropolis and 6 archaeological websites, together with the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Historic Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Aristotle’s Faculty and the Keramikos Historic Cemetery,
Entry to the Acropolis of Athens solely in your most popular date and time slot
One-time entry to every web site with the identical ticket
Athens Previous City (Plaka) self-guided audio tour
Acropolis and Parthenon self-guided audio excursions (if choice chosen)
You’ve got 5 calendar days from activation to make use of this go, so if you’re spending extra time in Athens, you possibly can guide timed entries to see every of those sights very first thing within the morning or later within the day.
Acropolis
Probably, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will let you know to go straight to the Acropolis, and they’re right! The Acropolis is the star of Athens, and it ought to be the primary place to go to. Going to the Acropolis very first thing within the morning helps you beat the crowds and beat the warmth!
Plan to get to the Acropolis at 7:30 a.m. We extremely suggest reserving a resort with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so try to be superb. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and you must guide your timed entry upfront. So try this proper now. Instances guide shortly, and it would be best to be sure you get your slot.
We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we cherished the Astor Lodge for its location, view of the Acropoli, and value level—it didn’t break the financial institution! In case you are staying longer in Athens, learn our full information for The place to Keep in Athens.
We booked the Acropolis and 6 predominant archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It’s one of the simplest ways to see Athens in someday because it offers you 1 timed entry to every web site with the identical ticket. You have to to plan properly to be on time to your entries, however belief me, it would be best to see all of it!
The principles are always altering and is usually a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog publish Tips on how to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We are going to proceed to watch it as Greek tourism adjustments its thoughts.
It would be best to spend about 90 minutes admiring the Acropolis and its different temples, together with the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The Odean Theater remains to be in operation as we speak, and it’s spectacular to see.
On the backside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to refill your water bottle; be certain that to do this as it can proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.
You’ll then begin making your method downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your method down the hill again in direction of town middle.
Historic Agora
E-book your timed entrance to the Historic Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This offers you time to soak up the highlights of the Acropolis beforehand.
From the Acropolis, you’ll stroll downhill for about quarter-hour to the Historic Agora and temple of Hephaestus. You’ll go the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you wish to go to the Museum, reserve it for later within the day. It’s open till 9:00 p.m.
The Historic Agora is the very best preserved historic smash within the metropolis. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly within the morning mild. Ensure you stroll round it to see it from all angles.
It was based within the sixth century BC. The Historic Agora of Athens was initially used as a gathering place or a spot to congregate. Really, the phrase Agora interprets into “an meeting of the individuals.” The principle spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is beautiful. The intricate particulars and exquisite fluted columns make this temple one of many must-sees in Athens, particularly should you love Greek structure.
Stoa of Attalos
Be certain to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. That is the museum with these rows of columns. They have been restored in 1954, and it’s a lovely place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you possibly can cool off earlier than transferring on.
I believe you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There’s a good museum inside that has air-con that you could take a look at as nicely.
Roman Agora
E-book your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your go.
After you have got visited the Historic Agora, you’ll come out to loads of out of doors cafes lining the road. If you wish to have lunch now, it is a great spot to take action. Nevertheless, we recommend transferring on to see the Roman Agora. Sure, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is just a brief stroll from the Historic Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to turn into an excessive amount of. You don’t want numerous time right here, however it’s value going into see.
We actually cherished the Roman Agora as a result of you possibly can stroll among the many ruins and stand up near the traditional pillars and arches. It takes about half-hour to discover.
Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library is simply subsequent door, and your ticket consists of entry to that. Inbuilt AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a formidable historical past, however as we speak, not a lot remains to be standing, so that you solely want about quarter-hour to go to right here. Plus, it’s in your strategy to Monasteraki Sq., which is your subsequent cease for lunch!
Noon / Lunch: Greek Delicacies and Native Tradition
1:00 pm is the time you’ll lastly sit down for lunch. In case you have a transparent thought of your schedule, we recommend reserving a desk upfront as a result of we aren’t having you cease at a avenue vendor or sidewalk cafe. You’re going as much as overlook Monastiraki Sq. with a hen’s eye view of the Acropolis.
Monastiraki Sq. is surrounded by rooftop bars and eating places, and we recommend A Is for Athens. It overlooks the sq. and has the straight on view of the Acropolis. It’s open for Brunch from 11:00 am.
There are different rooftop bars across the sq., and should you solely have someday in Athens, we recommend consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You can too eat at MS Roof Backyard and Hyper Astrobar. These eating places are an occasion unto themselves, wanting on the Acropolis and over Monastiraki Sq..
Afternoon
Whew, it has been a busy morning, however you may be blissful to have seen all of those historic wonders. Now, you possibly can calm down and benefit from the power of Athens within the afternoon.
Monastiraki Sq.
2:00 pm ish…After lunch, be part of the hustle and bustle of Monastiraki Sq., the place avenue performers entertain, meals stalls supply genuine Greek meals, and loads of outlets are prepared that will help you buy your excellent Athens memento. There’s a flea market proper off Monastiraki Sq. that’s value visiting.
Monastiraki is likely one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, and that is the place you’ll begin your afternoon strolling tour.
Ermou Avenue
Ermou Avenue is a 1.5 km pedestrian-only avenue connecting two of Athens’s largest squares, Monastiraki Sq. and Syntagma Sq.. It’s a enjoyable place to individuals watch and perform a little purchasing. Should you want water or snacks, it’s an excellent place to replenish your mid-day stroll.
There are many outlets and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Previous Byzantine Church, which is free to enter. No images inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my telephone in my hand and a previous lady guarding the church almost swatted it out of my palms.
Syntagma Sq.
Syntagma Sq. is the principle Sq. of Athens, the place there’s at all times one thing occurring. Often, while you stroll as much as this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or giant gathering occurring. On the prime of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and middle.
Altering of the Guard
Should you occur to be on the sq. on the prime of the hour (hopefully you have got walked right here by 3 pm), you possibly can see the altering of the guards, which is sort of fascinating. It occurs each hour, with essentially the most spectacular one going down on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Syntagma Sq. Subway
Syntagma Sq. Metro is the principle metro station within the metropolis, and you’ll hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. Nevertheless, even should you don’t experience the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered important relics, together with a mosaic flooring from the fifth century, an historic aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is value trying out.
Panathenaic Stadium
From Syntagma, you possibly can hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Situated on the east aspect of the Nationwide Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the positioning of the primary fashionable Olympic video games in 1896. Your complete stadium is made out of marble, and it’s spectacular to see. The positioning itself has much more historic significance as within the sixth century BC, it was house to the Panathenaic Video games, which have been a precursor to the Olympic Video games.
You may pay to go inside and stroll round or you possibly can simply admire it from the skin. The selection is yours.
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch
As you stroll again towards town, you’ll come across the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your go. It has been below building for some time, however its columns are positively value seeing. With solely someday in Athens, although, we recommend merely taking a look at this from the skin and as an alternative strolling to Hadrian’s Arch.
Hadrian’s Arch was constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD. It’s nonetheless standing, and you’ll stroll instantly below it, leaving the quiet complicated of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy avenue.
Cocktails and Sundown
Athens Gate is a good cease for one more rooftop view of the Acropolis from the other aspect of Monastiraki Sq.. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we expect is likely one of the finest views in Athens. This can be a great spot to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to maintain you going till your late dinner, or you possibly can have dinner right here and calm down for a few hours on the terrace.
Acropolis Museum
Should you took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your strategy to the wonderful museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a quick stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.
Even should you don’t go inside to tour the museum correctly, it’s value seeing the skin and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which are on show below the muse.
In case you have an hour, you will get a style of the museum, however to essentially discover it you’ll want 2 or 3 days in Athens and that’s one other Athens itinerary.
Dinner in Plaka
From the Acropolis Museum, you’re a hop, skip, and a soar from essentially the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. End up a rooftop restaurant or, if you’re rooftopped out (which is unattainable), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions positioned right here in Plaka. We’ve a complete publish on the very best Greek meals that will help you select from the menu right here.
There are many eating choices in Plaka because it is likely one of the predominant vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Level A Acropolis Level has lovely views of the Acropolis, supplying you with yet one more angle from which to see this historic UNESCO World Heritage Website. You might be solely in Athens for someday, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view.
Nightlife
If you wish to maintain the evening going, head again to Monestaraki Sq. to benefit from the nightlife between there and Syntagma Sq..
Wow, what a day in Athens! From the traditional echoes on the Acropolis to the beautiful sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing in need of epic. Certain, you will be exhausted, however chances are you’ll by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to overlook out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?