Take a trip back in time with these things to do in Athens. Choose from ancient relics, historical architecture, and sublime scenery as you navigate your way around the iconic Greek capital. Read on to find out about our tips and tricks on making your holiday one to remember.
Things to do in Athens: Step back in time
Check out the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum
A trip to Athens wouldn’t be the same without checking out the array of history the ancient city has to offer. Starting at the Acropolis, an ancient citadel high above the city on a rocky outcrop, you can explore the remains of several buildings. With an abundance of stunning architecture, such as the Parthenon, history lovers will get a chance to step back in time and imagine what it was like living in ancient Greece.
You’ll have to climb some quite challenging gradients to get to the Acropolis, but you’ll finally be rewarded with stunning views and glimpses into history. On the south-east slope, you can also visit the Acropolis Museum, which homes thousands of artefacts discovered at the Acropolis site. Inside the museum, you’ll be taken on a journey through the centuries, from the earliest discoveries to the Athens of the early Christian period.
Visit the Parthenon
The Parthenon is one of the most popular sites to visit at the Acropolis. Considered one of the most significant buildings to survive to the 21st century, it symbolises Athenian democracy. The impressive structure dates back to 447 BCE and has been a treasury, church, and mosque through the ages. If you want to beat the queues, you can opt for a guided tour, which will also provide you with enthralling insights into ancient Greece.
Things to do in Athens with children
Take a trip on the Happy Train
Whilst kids are sure to love the history of this fascinating city, it’s always good to mix things up a bit to ensure they don’t get bored. If you are travelling with young children, taking a trip on the Happy Train is one of the things to do in Athens. You can catch the toy-like train from Ermou Street, just off of Syntagma Square. The train journey lasts for about 40 minutes and takes in some of the key landmarks along the way.
One of the great things about this trip is that the ticket is valid for 10 hours, so you can hop on and off as you pass by sites that your children want to visit. Some of the most popular landmarks you go past include the Panathenaic Stadium and the Museum of Cycladic Art. There are also numerous restaurants and cafes that you can pop into during the journey, so your kids (and you) don’t go hungry.
Head up Mount Lycabettus
Another of the things to do in Athens if you’re with children is to take the cable car up to Mount Lycabettus. As the legend goes, Mount Lycabettus was formed when the Greek goddess Athena dropped a rock onto the city on hearing bad news. The mountain is about 900 feet tall, so it is easily visible from most of Athens. Once at the top, your kids will love the panoramic views.
Not only is the whole city visible from the top, but you can also see as far as the Aegean Sea and the Peloponnese Mountains, which provides you with a perfect photo opportunity. Our tip is to visit the mountain in the late afternoon, so you can witness a breath-taking sunset whilst you’re up there.
Things to do in Athens this weekend
Visit the Temple of Athena Nike
If you’re looking for things to do in Athens on a weekend visit, you’ll be spoilt for choice. One of our top tips is to check out the Temple of Athena Nike, which can be found in the Acropolis. Created in 420 BCE, this was the first Ionic Order-styled temple to be built entirely on the hill. A must-visit for all lovers of historical architecture, there aren’t many better places to spend a weekend.
Take a trip to the Panathenaic Stadium
Built for the 1896 Olympic Games, this stadium was based on the grand arena once used for the Panathenaic Games in 330 BCE. Composed almost entirely of marble, it is a structure that has wowed crowds for centuries. More recently, at the 2004 games in Athens, the archery event was held here, and it was both the starting and finishing point for the marathons. The 50,000-seater stadium is an excellent addition to any weekend itinerary in Athens, especially if your visit takes place during the summer months when live concerts are also staged here.
Best museums in Athens
National Archaeological Museum
One of the things to do in Athens when you’re visiting is to check out its incredible range of museums. The National Archaeological Museum is a popular location for tourists, boasting a wide selection of ancient art. With a wide range of temporary and permanent exhibitions and superb collections of antiquities, sculptures, metalworks, and more, you’ll find it easy to spend hours on end in this fascinating museum.
Museum of Cycladic Art
If you finish up with the National Archaeological Museum and want even more ancient awesomeness, head to the Museum of Cycladic Art, about a 10-minute bus journey away. A collection of prehistoric art that was amassed by Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris in the 1960s, it opened to the public in 1986. Boasting more than 3000 pieces of art from the Cycladic, Cypriot, and Ancient Greek periods, it’s a great day out not only for art historians but for everyone else, too.
Best things to do in Athens for couples
Enjoy an evening at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where better to go for a romantic trip than to the home of Eros. With the Greek god of carnal love watching over you, you’ll be sure to have a romantic getaway to remember. After you’ve spent hours wandering the streets, stopping at quaint bars and cafes, and enjoying local cuisine, you should take a trip to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. A Roman-era concert hall that dates back to the 2nd century, it’s an excellent spot for you and your partner to admire the views across the city.
There aren’t many more romantic activities in the summer months than getting a ticket for an evening concert and experiencing the Odeon as locals would have done 2000 years earlier. Having hosted greats including Luciano Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra in the past, it’s clear that entry to the Odeon is one of the hottest tickets in town. Our tip for attending a concert at the Odeon is to wear comfortable and flat shoes. Depending on where you are sitting, there will likely be a steep climb to get to your seat.
Stroll around the National Garden of Athens
Designed in 1846, the National Garden of Athens is a great place to go for a romantic stroll with your loved one. Inside the gardens, you can dander past various plants and trees, and there are some ancient ruins, statues, and a sundial to enjoy, too. Once you’ve finished your peaceful walk around the gardens, why not visit the mini zoo where you can get up close and personal to your favourite animals.
The Diomidous Botanical Garden in the Haidari neighbourhood is another peaceful and romantic place for promenading; it has over 3500 plant species for you to appreciate. Alternatively, in the area of Mesogeia, Cultural Park is a popular place for couples to visit. With its wide range of art workshops to explore, you are bound to find the perfect romantic gift for your partner here.
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