Have you ever ever questioned if it’s doable to discover Athens in simply someday? We’re right here to inform you that it’s doable! 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 at the moment’s world, everyone seems to be working quick on time, so we’ve put collectively the proper someday in Athens itinerary that can assist you benefit from 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 well-liked date and time slot
One-time entry to every website with the identical ticket
Athens Previous City (Plaka) self-guided audio tour
Acropolis and Parthenon self-guided audio excursions (if choice chosen)
You have got 5 calendar days from activation to make use of this cross, so if you’re spending extra time in Athens, you’ll be able to e-book timed entries to see every of those sights very first thing within the morning or later within the day.
Acropolis
Most probably, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will inform you 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 advocate reserving a lodge with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so you need to be effective. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and you should e-book your timed entry upfront. So do this proper now. Instances e-book shortly, and it would be best to ensure you get your slot.
We’ve stayed at many locations in Athens, however throughout our final go to, we beloved the Astor Lodge for its location, view of the Acropoli, and worth 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 primary archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It’s one of the best ways to see Athens in someday because it provides you 1 timed entry to every website with the identical ticket. You will have to plan properly to be on time in your entries, however belief me, it would be best to see all of it!
The foundations are consistently altering and is usually a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog put up How you can 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 modifications its thoughts.
You’ll want 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 continues to be in operation at the moment, and it’s spectacular to see.
On the backside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to refill your water bottle; be certain to do this as it can proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.
You’ll then begin making your manner downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your manner down the hill again in the direction of the town middle.
Historic Agora
Ebook your timed entrance to the Historic Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This gives you time to absorb 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 cross the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you wish to go to the Museum, put it aside for later within the day. It’s open till 9:00 p.m.
The Historic Agora is the very best preserved historical damage within the metropolis. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly within the morning gentle. Be sure 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. Truly, the phrase Agora interprets into “an meeting of the folks.” The principle spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is beautiful. The intricate particulars and delightful fluted columns make this temple one of many must-sees in Athens, particularly in case you love Greek structure.
Stoa of Attalos
Be sure to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. That is the museum with these rows of columns. They had been restored in 1954, and it’s a lovely place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you’ll be able to cool off earlier than transferring on.
I feel you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There’s a good museum inside that has air-con which you could try as effectively.
Roman Agora
Ebook your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your cross.
After you’ve visited the Historic Agora, you’ll come out to loads of outside cafes lining the road. If you wish to have lunch now, it is a good spot to take action. Nevertheless, we propose transferring on to see the Roman Agora. Sure, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is simply 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 a whole lot of time right here, however it’s value going into see.
We actually beloved the Roman Agora as a result of you’ll be able to 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 powerful historical past, however at the moment, not a lot continues to be standing, so that you solely want about quarter-hour to go to right here. Plus, it’s in your technique 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. When you have a transparent concept of your schedule, we propose reserving a desk upfront as a result of we aren’t having you cease at a road 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 propose 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 in case you solely have someday in Athens, we propose consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You may as well eat at MS Roof Backyard and Hyper Astrobar. These eating places are an occasion unto themselves, trying on the Acropolis and over Monastiraki Sq..
Afternoon
Whew, it has been a busy morning, however you can be joyful to have seen all of those historical wonders. Now, you’ll be able to loosen up and benefit from the vitality 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 road performers entertain, meals stalls provide genuine Greek meals, and loads of outlets are prepared that can assist you buy your excellent Athens memento. There’s a flea market proper off Monastiraki Sq. that’s value visiting.
Monastiraki is among 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 road connecting two of Athens’s largest squares, Monastiraki Sq. and Syntagma Sq.. It’s a enjoyable place to folks watch and do some buying. In the event you want water or snacks, it’s an awesome 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 cellphone in my hand and a outdated girl guarding the church almost swatted it out of my fingers.
Syntagma Sq.
Syntagma Sq. is the primary Sq. of Athens, the place there may be all the time one thing occurring. Normally, while you stroll as much as this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or giant gathering taking place. On the prime of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and middle.
Altering of the Guard
In the event you occur to be on the sq. on the prime of the hour (hopefully you’ve walked right here by 3 pm), you’ll be able to see the altering of the guards, which is sort of attention-grabbing. It occurs each hour, with essentially the most spectacular one happening on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Syntagma Sq. Subway
Syntagma Sq. Metro is the primary metro station within the metropolis, and you’ll hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. Nevertheless, even in case you don’t trip the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered vital relics, together with a mosaic flooring from the fifth century, an historical aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is value trying out.
Panathenaic Stadium
From Syntagma, you’ll be able to hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Situated on the east facet of the Nationwide Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the positioning of the primary trendy Olympic video games in 1896. The whole 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 had been a precursor to the Olympic Video games.
You possibly can pay to go inside and stroll round or you’ll be able to simply admire it from the skin. The selection is yours.
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch
As you stroll again towards the town, you’ll come across the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your cross. It has been beneath building for some time, however its columns are undoubtedly value seeing. With solely someday in Athens, although, we propose merely this from the skin and as a substitute 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 immediately beneath it, leaving the quiet complicated of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy road.
Cocktails and Sundown
Athens Gate is a superb cease for one more rooftop view of the Acropolis from the alternative facet of Monastiraki Sq.. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we predict is among the greatest views in Athens. It is a good spot to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to maintain you going till your late dinner, or you’ll be able to have dinner right here and loosen up for a few hours on the terrace.
Acropolis Museum
In the event you took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your technique 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 in case 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 might be on show beneath the muse.
When you have an hour, you may get a style of the museum, however to actually 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 bounce 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 situated right here in Plaka. Now we have a complete put up on the very best Greek meals that can assist you select from the menu right here.
There are many eating choices in Plaka because it is among the primary vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Level A Acropolis Level has lovely views of the Acropolis, providing you with one more angle from which to see this historical UNESCO World Heritage Website. You’re 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 night time 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. Positive, you will be exhausted, however you could by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to overlook out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?