Athens

Acropolis views, souvlaki joints & Psiri nights

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Athens is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Vrahakia (Areopagus Rocks), Acropolis & Parthenon and Acropolis Museum. Food lovers should not miss Elvis Souvlaki and Panellinion Chess Coffee-House. Below you will find 49 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Athens at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Vrahakia (Areopagus Rocks) and Acropolis & Parthenon
Where to stay: Kerameikos and Monastiraki
Local picks: 49 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Athens

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

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Where to stay in Athens

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Acropolis

Acropolis & Parthenon

The sacred rock crowned by the Parthenon – the defining monument of ancient Greece and of Athens itself. Buy a timed ticket and go at opening or late afternoon to beat the heat and the crowds; a combo ticket covers the other ancient sites.

★ 4.9

Makrygianni

Acropolis Museum

A stunning modern museum at the foot of the rock, its top-floor Parthenon Gallery framing the temple through glass. The finds – caryatids, friezes, painted marbles – make the Acropolis make sense. Don’t miss the excavations under the glass floor.

★ 4.8

Acropolis

Acropolis Skip-the-Line Tour

Skip the ticket queue and climb the sacred rock with an expert guide who brings the Parthenon and its myths to life. Morning slots dodge the worst of the heat and crowds; many tours add the Acropolis Museum.

★ 4.7

Exarchia

Ama Laxei stis Nefelis

Set in a leafy courtyard of a former school in Exarchia, this is a gorgeous spot for modern mezedes – gourmet sausages, walnut-crusted fish, mussels with ouzo and clever vegetarian plates. Book for the courtyard on a warm night.

★ 4.6

Plaka

Anafiotika

A tiny pocket of whitewashed, island-style houses climbing the north slope of the Acropolis, built by 19th-century workers from the Cyclades. It feels like a Greek island dropped into the city – a magical, hushed wander.

★ 4.7

Monastiraki

Ancient Agora

The civic heart of ancient Athens where Socrates once held forth – now a green archaeological park with the beautifully preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos museum. Peaceful and often uncrowded.

★ 4.7

Makrygianni

Athens Backpackers

A friendly, well-located hostel moments from the Acropolis Museum, with dorms, privates, a rooftop bar (Acropolis view included) and a big social scene. The easy, affordable base for younger travellers.

★ 4.4

Centre

Athens Central Market Food Tour

A guided graze through the raucous Varvakios market and the surrounding delis – olives, cheese, cured meats, spices, koulouri and Greek coffee – with a local unpacking Athens’ food culture. Come hungry.

★ 4.7

Centre

Athens Highlights Walking Tour

A guided stroll linking Plaka, Monastiraki, the Agora and Syntagma – 3,000 years of history, from ancient democracy to the modern city, in a couple of easy hours. The perfect orientation for day one.

★ 4.7

Coast

Athens Riviera Sunset Tour

An evening cruise down the glamorous Athens Riviera – seaside suburbs, swimming spots and the coastal drive to Cape Sounion for the sunset over the sea and the Temple of Poseidon. A romantic escape from the city.

★ 4.6

Makrygianni

AthensWas

A cool design hotel right on the pedestrianised Acropolis promenade, with mid-century interiors and a rooftop restaurant looking up at the Parthenon. Quiet, stylish and about as close to the ancient sites as you can sleep.

★ 4.7

Psiri

Atlantikos

One of central Athens’ most-loved seafood spots, a creative little meze taverna where the menu changes daily with the catch. Democratic, buzzy and genuinely inventive – book, as it’s tiny.

★ 4.7

Psiri

Avli

A tiny, rustic taverna hidden in a Psiri courtyard, running since the 1980s on simple, honest cooking – keftedes, spetzofai and a rotating board of mezedes. Loud, cheap and full of life; cash is king.

★ 4.5

Kolonaki

Benaki Museum

A beautifully arranged private museum tracing Greek culture from antiquity through Byzantium to the modern era, in an elegant Kolonaki mansion. Cap it with coffee on the rooftop cafe overlooking the National Garden.

★ 4.6

Plaka

Brettos

Athens’ oldest distillery, running in the heart of Plaka since 1909, its back wall stacked with a glowing rainbow of bottles. Come for a shot of house ouzo, mastiha or brandy in one of the city’s most photogenic bars.

Kerameikos

Cabezon

A relaxed, arty all-day bar in up-and-coming Kerameikos, good for coffee and a bite by day and drinks with a laid-back local crowd by night. A neighbourhood favourite off the tourist trail.

Psiri

Cantina Social

A hidden bar tucked inside an old lodge, beloved by fans of alternative music from techno to indie rock. The tiny interior is a proper dancing den that goes until dawn, while the larger courtyard is perfect for a laid-back drink. There’s no sign from the street, so follow the map to find it.

★ 4.4

Day trip

Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon

A scenic drive down the Athens Riviera to the marble Temple of Poseidon perched on a cliff above the Aegean – famously breathtaking at sunset. Guided half-day trips handle the transport and the legends (Byron carved his name here).

★ 4.7

Before you go

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Athens travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Athens?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Athens at a relaxed pace. See our Athens itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Athens?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Athens guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Athens?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Athens?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Athens is worth visiting year-round.