Athens is one of the greatest European cities and the perfect destination for a city break. This city is magnificent! With excellent street art, incredible food, colorful neighborhoods, and so much history, there is something for everybody.
Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Athens. You can visit the city’s top attractions, like the Acropolis and the Parthenon, and some less-known sites worth exploring. Also, there is plenty of time for shopping and dining in some of Athen’s best neighborhoods.
But with so much to see and do, figuring out where to start can take time. Here is how to spend the perfect 3 days in Athens itinerary!
Best time to visit Athens
The best time to visit Athens is from April/May to mid-June and again in September and October.
The weather is still warm and sunny during these months, but there are fewer tourists than in the peak summer season. You’ll enjoy all the city offers without dealing with huge crowds.
If you plan a summer trip, be prepared for high temperatures and big crowds. I definitely recommend getting to attraction sights early!
In winter, Athens can be a great destination.
How to get around in Athens
Athens is very walkable, and most attractions are within walking distance.
However, if you want to save time or feel like something other than walking, there are several options to get around the city.
Metro is the most popular transportation option. It is efficient and easy to use, and you can get it anywhere. Buses and trams are also options.
Uber: That always makes getting around a less stressful experience! I used Uber to get from the airport to my hotel.
Where to stay in Athens
Athens is a beautiful place for a city break in a luxury cocoon.
Many of the best luxury hotels in Athens cluster around Syntagma Square in the heart of the city, within walking distance of key sights. But you’ll also find plenty of smaller, intimate luxury hotels in traffic-free Plaka and distinctive places to stay on the outskirts of town in the excellent and leafy, upscale neighborhood of Kifissia on the slopes of Mt Pendeli.
I recommend the Electra Metropolis, a luxury 5-star hotel offering elegant rooms and suites. Centrally located in downtown Athens, bustling urban entertainment is around every corner. The design is retro-chic and undeniably cool. A breathtaking rooftop with a bar, pool, and epic views of the Parthenon make this hotel a must-stay.
3 Days in Athens Itinerary
Day 1 in Athens
Areopagus Hill
Start your trip with a magical sunrise at Areopagus Hill, which involves waking up early, and I promise you will not regret it. The hill is a 10-minute walk from Monastiraki Square and offers stunning views over Athens, especially the Ancient Agora, just underneath it.
Areopagus Hill (also known as Hill of Ares) was the site of the Council of Nobles and the Judicial Court, which mainly dealt with homicide. Nowadays, it’s a popular spot for locals to hang out and tourists to take in the city views.
Pro tip: The spot is usually very windy, and the rocks are slippery! Take the metal stairs to climb to the top. Once at the top, be careful when walking around, especially near the edges, as there are no barriers or protection to stop you from slipping and falling.
Acropolis
The iconic Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization. They form the most remarkable architectural and artistic complexes bequeathed to the world by Greek Antiquity.
This UNESCO Heritage Site is a must-see in Athens. The most important monuments are the Parthenon, built by Ictinus, the Erechtheon, the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles, and the small temple Athena Nike.
If you plan to visit this top-rated tourist destination on your own, I recommend purchasing this Athens combo ticket, where you’ll enjoy skip-the-line access to major Athens Attractions.
Another option is to take a guided tour. A small group tour of the Acropolis will allow you to avoid crowds and learn more about the history and significance of the site.
Check out my detailed guide on how to visit the Acropolis in Athens.
Exploring the Acropolis
The best time to visit is first thing in the morning when it opens at 8 am, especially if you’re traveling in the summer. And if you follow this itinerary, you’ll be right there after watching the sunrise at Areopagus Hill.
There are two entrances: the main entrance on the west side and a side entrance on the southeast.
Once inside, allow plenty of time to explore all the different buildings and ruins. Make sure to have enough time to enjoy the incredible views over Athens.
Pro tip: Purchase an Archeological Sites Combo ticket to visit more archeological sites in Athens. This ticket includes 7 ancient sites, the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the Temple of Zeus.
Lunch at Cherchez La Femme
Cherchez La Femme is a fantastic little restaurant blending classic and modern Greek flavors.
As part of the Terrablue family, it reimagines the classical coffee place with a contemporary touch. Embracing traditions, valuing quality products, and showcasing ecological sensitivity, this spot is a gastronomic gem.
Everything is spot on, from delightful maze-style dishes to an exceptional cup of real Greek coffee and excellent service! The interior of the place is equally inspiring, combining tradition and trendiness. It’s warm ambiance and thoughtful design add to the overall dining experience.
It is a must-visit for those seeking an authentic taste of Athen’s culinary scene. When visiting, order their incredible octopus. I promise you won’t regret it!
Anafiotika
Next, explore the Anafiotika neighborhood. This traditional Greek island-style village is one of Athens’ best-kept secrets.
The village is made of whitewashed houses with colorful doors and flower-filled balconies.
A stroll along cobblestoned alleys and picturesque passageways will take you away from the city’s noise and give you a glimpse of the Cyclades’ scenery.
Plaka
Now it’s time to head to Plaka, adjacent to Anafiotika. This neighborhood is located right at the base of the Acropolis, on your way down from Anafiotika, and it’s one of the most popular tourist spots you can’t miss when spending 3 days in Athens.
Full of neoclassical buildings, Plaka has a traditional feel and is often referred to as the ‘old city’ or the ‘historical center.’
Plaka has many things to see and do. Explore the narrow streets, go shopping, and check out some restaurants. There are plenty of great options, like Anafiotika Cafe or Yiasemi Bistro.
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is located at the base of the Acropolis and houses a collection of Acropolis artifacts and an excavation site where you can see the foundations of the Parthenon.
It’s a big museum, so you could spend a few hours here.
The Acropolis Museum is not included in the Archeological Sites Combo Ticket. You can purchase a separate entry ticket, or you can get a combo ticket that consists of the museum and Acropolis.
Dinner on Mnisikleous Street
Enjoy dinner at Mnisikleous Street in Plaka, one of Athens’ most popular dining spots. It’s a pedestrian street full of traditional Greek restaurants, cafés, and bars, making it the perfect place to enjoy a meal or a drink.
Check out Yiasemi or Geros Tou Moria Restaurant for a traditional Greek meal. Both places serve excellent Greek food at reasonable prices.
Anafiotika Cafe is perfect for something lighter, like salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
After dinner, stroll around Plaka again and enjoy one of Athens’ most charming neighborhoods. It’s the perfect place to end your day.
3 Days in Athens itinerary
Day 2 in Athens
Brunch
Your 3 days in Athens started with a hectic day one. So, start day two with a delicious brunch.
Little Kook is a themed cafe and unique brunch spot in Athens. The charming restaurant is decorated like a children’s book and serves some of the most creative dishes.
It wasn’t my first choice, but the decorations are still worth it. The cafe themes change with the seasons, which makes it the perfect Instagram spot.
Great choices in the Psyrri neighborhood are also the iFeel Brunch Restaurant and Kalimeres. These two spots have more traditional brunch menus with items like eggs Benedict and pancakes, but they’re both delicious.
Ellyz Cafe Athens is another option. Ideally located in the heart of Athens city center, Ellyz café is a fairytale spot for brunch, lunch, or an afternoon drink with friends.
A chic neon sign says, “Happiness is coffee and flowers” – the perfect background for the perfectly curated Instagram feed.
Ancient Agora of Athens & Stoa of Attalos
Ancient Agora of Athens is one of the most important public squares in Ancient Greece that served as a center for political and social life and a marketplace.
Nowadays, the site is home to ruins of several ancient buildings, including the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the most well-preserved temples from Ancient Greece. The temple is dedicated to the Greek god of blacksmiths and fire, Hephaestus.
Another important building on the premises is The Stoa of Attalos, which served as a covered marketplace. Today, the Stoa of Attalos houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora.
The Ancient Agora Site is spacious, and there’s much to explore, so I recommend spending at least an hour or two here. You can purchase tickets on-site for €10 per person. Alternatively, entrance is included in the Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket.
Roman Forum of Athens (Roman Agora)
The Roman Forum of Athens is a significant landmark situated just a short 5-minute walk away from Ancient Agora.
During the Roman era, it was the central hub of public life in Athens.
The forum was built by Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, between 19 and 11 BC and served various purposes, such as political meetings, public speeches, and judicial procedures.
The Tower of the Winds, also known as the Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhestes, is the most notable building within the forum and functions as a clock, a sundial, and a weather vane.
Visiting the Roman Forum costs €8 per person, or you can purchase the Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket, which includes the Roman Forum.
Hadrian’s Library
A short walk from the Roman Forum will take you to Hadrian’s Library, built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132AD. It was the largest library in ancient Greece and housed almost 200,000 books and scrolls.
The library was damaged by fire in 267AD, but it was later rebuilt by Herculius, the Prefectus of the Illyricum. Only Hadrian’s Library’s ruins remain today, but it’s still worth a visit.
A ticket for Hadrian’s Library is €6 or free if you’ve purchased an Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket.
Monastiraki Square & Flea Market
The Monastiraki Square is one of Athens’s most popular spots, always packed with tourists. It’s located in the heart of the city, and cafes, restaurants, and shops surround it.
The Monastiraki Flea Market is famous and the perfect place to find souvenirs, gifts, and antiques.
Check out the shops on Iffestou Street, just off Monastiraki Square. The street is famous for jewelry shops and is worth visiting.
A for Athens Rooftop Bar
No Athens trip is complete without visiting one of the city’s iconic rooftop bars! And you have choices 🙂
A for Athens is one of the most popular rooftop bars in Athens, and it offers stunning views of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the city.
The bar is on the top floor of the A for Athens Hotel and is open daily from noon to midnight. It has two levels, so there’s plenty of space to enjoy the views.
However, it does get crowded, especially in the summer, so it’s best to go early or make reservations. Have drinks before dinner with a fantastic view! Or flip the itinerary and enjoy a magical sunset.
Another option is the Attic Urban Rooftop, a cocktail bar restaurant. Attic Urban Rooftop is on a terrace overlooking the Acropolis, Lycabettus, and almost all of Attica. Stylish rooftop, great drinks, and fantastic views!
The Attic is very popular and gets very crowded. Make a reservation to enjoy the incredible views.
Fine dining dinner at Makris
If you’re looking for an extravaganza, I recommend booking a fine dining experience at Makris Athens by Domes, tucked away in the historic part of the city, offering a front-row seat to the ancient market and the Acropolis.
From the moment you step in, the ambiance reflects history and charm. The restaurant has a farm at the foothills of Corinth, where organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, olives, and vines are grown and used to cook. You can be sure about the highest quality of ingredients.
Choose from an 7 or 11-course tasting menu, over 250 wines, and an incredible cocktail list. Each dish was a true masterpiece, and the service was just outstanding. A truly unforgettable experience.
3 Days in Athens itinerary
Day 3 in Athens
National Archaeological Museum
Start Day 3 at the National Archaeological Museum.
This museum, established towards the end of the 19th century, is the largest in Greece and is renowned as one of the most significant archeological museums in the world.
It hosts an extensive collection of artifacts from the Greek Bronze Age, the Mycenaean period, and the Cycladic civilization. Among the most famous exhibits are the Mask of Agamemnon, a gold death mask that dates back to the 16th century BC, and the statue of Kouros, a life-size marble statue of a young man from the 6th century BC.
The admission fee for the National Archaeological Museum is €12.
Hadrian’s Arch & The Temple of Olympian Zeus
The next stop is Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Hadrian’s Arch, built in 131 AD to honor the Roman Emperor Hadrian, is an iconic landmark of Athens.
On the other hand, the Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the largest temples ever built in the ancient world, taking over 600 years to complete.
Although it now stands in ruins, the temple is still remarkable, especially the towering columns.
While there’s no fee to visit Hadrian’s Arch, admission to the Temple of Zeus costs €6 per person. Alternatively, you can purchase the Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket, which includes the entry.
National Garden
The National Garden is a green oasis in the heart of the city and should be included in the 3 days in Athens itinerary.
The park covers an area of 40 acres. It’s a great relaxing spot and home to numerous statues, fountains, and a small zoo.
There is a playground and petting zoo, which are perfect for traveling with kids.
The National Garden is open every day, and the entrance is free.
Panathenaic Stadium
Head to the Panathenaic Stadium after the National Garden.
Initially built in the 4th century BC, the stadium was used for the Panathenaic Games, held every four years in honor of the goddess Athena.
In 140 AD, the stadium was rebuilt by Herodes Atticus to accommodate 50,000 people. In 1896, it hosted the first modern Olympic Games.
Today, the Panathenaic Stadium is again used for sporting events and is also open to the public. You can visit the stadium for €10, which is open daily.
Travel tip: The stadium has no shades, so visiting earlier is best to avoid the heat.
Zappeion Garden & Zappeion Hall
Another green oasis in Athens is the Zappeion Garden.
The garden is just behind the stadium, and it’s a great relaxing spot and heat escape. It’s also one of Athens’s most popular photo spots, so have your camera ready!
Zappeion Hall, one of Athens’s most iconic buildings, is in the garden’s center.
The hall was built in 1874 and has been home to significant events such as European summits and political conferences. Today, Zappeion Hall is used as a conference and exhibition center.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens, and the square is home to the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Inside the Greek Parliament is the main library, which is open to the public and there is no admission fee.
All other rooms of the parliament building can be visited as part of a guided tour. The free tours are in English and last 1.5 hours.
You can also watch the changing of the guards’ ceremony. The guards change every hour; however, the biggest ceremony occurs on Sundays at 11 am.
Stroll around Kolonaki
Kolonaki is located just behind Syntagma Square, and it’s the perfect spot for a stroll and some people-watching.
Stylish Kolonaki is a hub for upscale shopping, fine dining restaurants, modern tastes in Greek cooking, and trendy bars.
The next destination on your 3 days in Athens itinerary, Lycabettus Hill, is in Kolonaki, so spend some extra time in the neighborhood before heading up to the hill.
Check out Stadiou Street, one of the busiest streets in Kolonaki, with many high-end boutiques.
There are also plenty of great restaurants and cafes in Kolonaki where you can grab a bite.
Lycabettus Hill
Watching a magical sunset on Lycabettus Hill is a fantastic way to end your 3 days in Athens itinerary.
There are two ways to reach the top of Lycabettus Hill: taking the funicular railway or hiking up the hundreds of steps leading to the summit.
Suppose you’re visiting Athens in the summer. In that case, I recommend taking the funicular because it is hot, and there is no shade on the hiking trail (I hiked the trail in July, not worth it! It’s a very strenuous hike, but it only takes about 20-30 minutes to reach the top).
The funicular runs every 30 minutes from 8.30 am to 2.30 am; a return ticket costs €10 while the one-way ticket is €7. Unfortunately, the funicular runs inside a closed tunnel, so there are no views.
Pro tip: The funicular will help you skip the hike, but getting to it is also quite a workout!
The funicular station is at the bottom of many steps, so take a taxi or Uber, or be prepared for a steep walk!
Once you reach the top, you see panoramic views of Athens, the Acropolis, and the Aegean Sea. Get in time to watch the sunset. It is a fantastic experience.
There is also a restaurant and bar at the top where you can have a drink or grab a bite while enjoying the views.
Dinner in Kolonaki
Walk down the hill and head to dinner in one of the finest Athens neighborhoods.
Kiouzin is one of the top-rated restaurants in Kolonaki, which serves traditional Greek food with a modern twist.
Athens offers abundant history, culture, and natural beauty, and there is something for everyone. With so much to see and do in this vibrant Greek city, you will love spending 3 days in Athens.
If you still need convincing, read Why Visit Athens, and hopefully, you will take the trip!
