Athens Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Athens, Greece's capital, offers a captivating blend of ancient history and modern culture. Visit the iconic Acropolis, explore the vibrant Plaka district, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Monastiraki Square. Don't miss the exquisite National Archaeological Museum.
With 317+ hand-picked places to explore, Athens rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Athens
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with The Arch of Hadrian — a monumental gateway showcasing the grandeur of Roman architecture and history in Athens. Just as worthwhile is Byzantine and Christian Museum: an elegant neo-classical mansion housing one of the world's largest collections of Byzantine art. Filopappou Hill completes the picture: a scenic hill that serves as a peaceful stop during a day of exploring Athens, ideal for leisurely strolls and picnics.
The Arch of Hadrian
Athens • Monuments & Statues
A monumental gateway showcasing the grandeur of Roman architecture and history in Athens.
Byzantine and Christian Museum
Athens • Famous Landmarks
An elegant neo-classical mansion housing one of the world's largest collections of Byzantine art.
Filopappou Hill
Athens • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
A scenic hill that serves as a peaceful stop during a day of exploring Athens, ideal for leisurely strolls and picnics.
Temple of Athena Nike
Athens • Famous Landmarks
A classical temple offering insights into ancient Greek architecture and remarkable views of Athens.
Museums & Culture in Athens
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Athens Concert Hall (Megaron): central Athens hosts the Athens Concert Hall, an architectural icon for cultural events and exhibitions. Locals will also point you to Epidaurus Theater — incorporate a visit to the Epidaurus Theater into your exploration of ancient Greek culture and architecture. And for something different, there's National Archaeological Museum: home to one of the world’s most significant collections of ancient Greek art, this museum is a cultural cornerstone.
Athens Concert Hall (Megaron)
Athens • Theaters
Central Athens hosts the Athens Concert Hall, an architectural icon for cultural events and exhibitions.
Epidaurus Theater
Athens • Theaters
Incorporate a visit to the Epidaurus Theater into your exploration of ancient Greek culture and architecture.
National Archaeological Museum
Athens • Museums
Home to one of the world’s most significant collections of ancient Greek art, this museum is a cultural cornerstone.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Athens • Theaters
Ideal for culture enthusiasts and couples seeking a memorable evening under the stars.
Best Things to Do in Athens
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Adventure Rooms Athens — engage in an exciting escape room experience on Asklipiou Street in Athens, Greece. Athens Parkour Academy earns its reputation too — a dedicated indoor facility for parkour enthusiasts of all skill levels in Athens. Round out the shortlist with Hymettus Mountain Trails — a hike on Hymettus Mountain fits perfectly into a day exploring Athens, combining nature and history.
Adventure Rooms Athens
Athens • Indoor
Engage in an exciting escape room experience on Asklipiou Street in Athens, Greece.
Athens Parkour Academy
Athens • Sports
A dedicated indoor facility for parkour enthusiasts of all skill levels in Athens.
Hymettus Mountain Trails
Athens • Outdoor
A hike on Hymettus Mountain fits perfectly into a day exploring Athens, combining nature and history.
Parnitha Adventure Park
Athens • Outdoor
Explore outdoor adventure in the scenic Parnitha mountains, offering treetop courses and zip lines near Athens.
Where to Eat in Athens
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Funky Gourmet — located on Paramithias Street, this fine dining spot specializes in innovative Greek cuisine with two Michelin stars. Just as worthwhile is Spondi: a Michelin-starred restaurant known for innovative interpretations of traditional Greek cuisine in a stylish setting. Sushimou completes the picture: end your day in Athens with an intimate sushi experience, where tradition meets local freshness.
Funky Gourmet
Athens • Fine Dining
Located on Paramithias Street, this fine dining spot specializes in innovative Greek cuisine with two Michelin stars.
Spondi
Athens • Local Cuisine
A Michelin-starred restaurant known for innovative interpretations of traditional Greek cuisine in a stylish setting.
Sushimou
Athens • Asian Cuisine
End your day in Athens with an intimate sushi experience, where tradition meets local freshness.
Varoulko Seaside
Athens • Local Cuisine
Situated along Akti Koumoundourou in Piraeus, this seafood restaurant pairs dining with seafront views.
Athens After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Boiler Room: ideal for nightlife enthusiasts looking to experience Athens' electronic music scene. Locals will also point you to Skyfall Cocktail & Food Bar — direct views of the Acropolis set the scene for cocktails at this stylish Athens rooftop bar. And for something different, there's Strange Brew Taproom & Bottleshop: ideal for craft beer enthusiasts seeking a dynamic selection in a casual setting.
Boiler Room
Athens • Nightclubs & Discos
Ideal for nightlife enthusiasts looking to experience Athens' electronic music scene.
Skyfall Cocktail & Food Bar
Athens • Rooftop Bars
Direct views of the Acropolis set the scene for cocktails at this stylish Athens rooftop bar.
Strange Brew Taproom & Bottleshop
Athens • Craft Beer Bars
Ideal for craft beer enthusiasts seeking a dynamic selection in a casual setting.
360 Cocktail Bar
Athens • Rooftop Bars
A rooftop bar in Monastiraki with sweeping views of Athens and the Acropolis, perfect for a night out.
Where to Stay in Athens
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it A for Athens — a rooftop bar ideal for unwinding after a day exploring Athens, especially at sunset. AthensWas Hotel earns its reputation too — this boutique hotel caters well to couples and luxury travelers seeking comfort and stunning views. Round out the shortlist with Coco-Mat Athens BC — after exploring Athens, unwind in a sustainable retreat near the Acropolis.
A for Athens
Athens • Mid-Range Hotels
A rooftop bar ideal for unwinding after a day exploring Athens, especially at sunset.
AthensWas Hotel
Athens • Luxury Hotels
This boutique hotel caters well to couples and luxury travelers seeking comfort and stunning views.
Coco-Mat Athens BC
Athens • Bed & Breakfast
After exploring Athens, unwind in a sustainable retreat near the Acropolis.
Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso
Athens • Spa Hotels
Located in Vouliagmeni, this beachfront hotel specializes in thalassotherapy treatments and wellness offerings.
Shopping in Athens
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Athens Designer Outlet — a prime spot for luxury brands at discounted prices, especially during summer sales. Just as worthwhile is Forget Me Not: a stop for modern Greek souvenirs that complements a leisurely day exploring Athens' historic streets. Kolonaki Shopping District completes the picture: a blend of luxury shopping and cultural exploration in a historic district of Athens.
Athens Designer Outlet
Athens • Outlet Shopping
A prime spot for luxury brands at discounted prices, especially during summer sales.
Forget Me Not
Athens • Souvenir Shops
A stop for modern Greek souvenirs that complements a leisurely day exploring Athens' historic streets.
Kolonaki Shopping District
Athens • Luxury Shopping
A blend of luxury shopping and cultural exploration in a historic district of Athens.
Monastiraki Flea Market
Athens • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A lively marketplace perfect for exploring Athens' past and picking up unique vintage finds.
Parks & Green Spaces in Athens
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Diomedes Botanic Garden: ideal for nature lovers and families seeking an educational outdoor experience in Athens. Locals will also point you to Flisvos Park Playground — a modern playground situated by the sea, perfect for families seeking outdoor fun. And for something different, there's Mount Parnitha National Park: ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking diverse landscapes and wildlife in Athens.
Diomedes Botanic Garden
Athens • Botanical Gardens
Ideal for nature lovers and families seeking an educational outdoor experience in Athens.
Flisvos Park Playground
Athens • Playgrounds
A modern playground situated by the sea, perfect for families seeking outdoor fun.
Mount Parnitha National Park
Athens • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking diverse landscapes and wildlife in Athens.
Parnitha Trail - Bafi Refuge
Athens • Hiking Trails
A scenic hiking trail that connects nature lovers to the Bafi Refuge and stunning views of Athens.
86 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Athens that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Athens list:
- The Clumsies· Secret Bars & Speakeasies
- The Acropolis of Athens· Monuments & Statues
- Dionysos Zonar's· Local Cuisine
- Lycabettus Hill· Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
- Astir Beach· Beaches
Planning where to stay in Athens?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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