In case your time in Athens is restricted to some days, cautious planning is important. Three days in Athens, Greece offers you sufficient time to see the highlights, pattern a pleasant slice of Athenian life, and get a way of simply how a lot of Western tradition comes from this historic metropolis.
Historic historical past and vibrant up to date life collide to create a sprawling and bustling metropolis constructed on the foot of its most vital website, the Acropolis. From afar, this website is a continuing reminder of the significance to humanity that this nice metropolis is. Up shut, the Acropolis is a portal into the previous and a shining instance of mankind’s ingenuity.
However Athens is a lot extra than simply the Acropolis. Charming and eclectic neighborhoods, world-class museums, historic monuments, and unbelievable meals and wine abound.
3 Days in Athens Greece
This packed 3 day itinerary will provide help to benefit from your transient journey to Athens Greece! It even consists of the preferred day journey from Athens.
Observe it to a T, or use it as a listing of stable ideas. Both method, your time in Athens will undoubtedly be stuffed with incredible instances and wondrous recollections.
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Day 1: Discover Historic Athens, Charming Neighborhoods, and Culinary Delights
- Acropolis
- Acropolis Museum
- Lunch in Plaka
- Plaka & Monastiraki Neighborhoods
- Historic Agora & Roman Agora
- Greek Wine Tasting
The Acropolis
In case you go to Athens throughout the busy season you’ll completely wish to head to the Acropolis within the morning to beat the crowds and the warmth.
A guided tour is very suggested to benefit from your go to to this UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Until you’re effectively versed on the historical past of the Acropolis, an expert information won’t solely fill you in on the historic significance of the location however may also paint a vivid image of what it was prefer to expertise the Acropolis in its authentic glory.
Tip: We suggest this guided tour of the Acropolis.
Acropolis Museum
After visiting the Acropolis, head to the close by Acropolis Museum to get an up shut view of artifacts discovered on the website.
The museum will present much more context and all of the visible instruments you’ll have to think about precisely how magnificent the Acropolis was in its authentic state.
Tip: We extremely suggest taking the self-guided audio tour on the museum. It’s a two hour tour of 60 of the museum’s most vital items. Plus, it’s completely free. Simply don’t overlook your headphones!
Lunch in Plaka
On the foot of the Acropolis lays a gateway to an enthralling and historic neighborhood of Plaka. Stuffed to the brim with retailers, cafes, tavernas, and eating places, it’s the proper place for a respite from the morning’s exploration and to recharge with a wonderful lunch.
Wander round and select at your leisure or go for one of many beneath ideas.
- Hermion Restaurant – Tucked away from the gang, this restaurant provides loads of Greek dishes, like conventional Greek salad and Gyros, amongst a full of life but calming setting.
- Psaras Tavern – One of many oldest eating places within the space, standout dishes embody the Cretan Dakos and Moussaka baked in clay.
Plaka & Monastiraki
After lunch, take a leisurely stroll round Plaka and neighboring Monastiraki. Each areas are stuffed with historical past, retailers, and cafes.
Between widow buying and sips of espresso be sure you go to the Roman Agora and the Hadrian’s Library, each in Plaka.
Historic Agora & Roman Agora
As soon as upon a time the traditional Agora was a gathering place for public life in historical Athens. Unsurprisingly, the traditional Agora was positioned within the coronary heart of historical Athens.
Right this moment you’ll be able to see the splendidly well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos, which homes the museum of the Historic Agora right now.
Only a 5 minute stroll away is the Roman Agora, which was constructed later and served as a market. This website will not be absolutely excavated, however nonetheless effectively price a go to.
You’ll be able to view the Tower of the Winds, an historical timekeeping and climate vane, and the Gate of Athena Archegetis.
Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library dates again to 132 AD and was constructed by Emperor Hadrian. In historical Athens it served as a cultural and mental hub, housed scrolls, and had studying and lecture rooms.
Right this moment, it provides guests a glimpse into the scholarly lifetime of historical Athens through the remnants of this once-great library.
Greek Wine Tasting on the Drunky Goat
A go to to Greece wouldn’t be full with out a sampling of native wines. The Drunky Goat is a singular, goat themed, Athenian tavern providing an distinctive collection of Greek wines, cheeses, and tapas.
Go for the self guided wine tasting and some tapas to nibble on. The tasting comes full with 4-6 Greek wines, a rating card, and a delightfully informative e book on every wine, varietal, and wine producing areas of Greece.
When you’re correctly buzzed, admire the goaty art work adorning the partitions of this tavern and head downstairs to soak up among the extra distinctive items resulting in the restroom.
Day 2: Tradition, Historical past, and Trendy Athens
- Panathenaic Stadium
- The Benaki Museum
- Lunch in Kolonaki
- Syntagma Sq. & Altering of the Guard
- Nationwide Archaeological Museum
- Mount Lycabettus Sundown & Dinner
Panathenaic Stadium
Kick off the day with a go to to the Panathenaic Stadium. This historic marvel is made solely of marble and is the location of the primary trendy Olympic Video games in 1896. That stated, this stadium dates method again to 566 BC!
Right this moment, the Panathenaic Stadium continues to be used for sporting occasions and stands as an emblem of the enduring legacy of athletic competitors. It’s a must-see website in Athens.
Ideas: Take the self-guided audio tour to benefit from your go to. Additionally, you’ll want to climb to the highest of the stadium and sit down beneath the Olympic rings for a wide ranging view of the stadium and Athens.
The Benaki Museum
Hop in a taxi and head indoors to the Benaki Museum for a have a look at Greek tradition from antiquity to the trendy period.
The Benaki Museum walks guests via all durations of Greek historical past through displays that embody pottery, sculpture, jewellery, tapestry, costumes, furnishings, and decor. In only a few hours guests can get a glimpse of Greek tradition from the previous to near-present.
Lunch in Kolonaki
Take a stroll and discover the upscale district of Kolonaki. Select one of many stylish eating places by likelihood, or go for one among these standouts.
- Mpirmpilo Restaurant is well known for its incredible Greek meals and wonderful location. Its every day menu options a big selection of Greek delights, and even accommodates vegan friends.
- Oikeio is one other glorious selection for lunch. This delightfully embellished Mediterranean restaurant provides native standouts like moussaka, chickpeas with dill, and stuffed zucchini.
Syntagma Sq. & Altering of the Guard
After lunch, take a stroll over to Syntagma Sq. to admire the Hellenic Parliament and see the ceremonial Altering of the Guard on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Altering of the Guard occurs each hour, on the hour, so you’ll want to time your go to proper.
Tip: On Sunday’s, this ceremony is extra elaborate and begins at 11:00 am. So, in case you are visiting Athens on a Sunday, it’s a should.
Nationwide Archaeological Museum
In case your ft aren’t aching but, and your mind is craving extra unbelievable historical past, head over to the Nationwide Archaeological Museum.
The museum has one of the vital complete collections of historical Greek artifacts.
Items come from throughout Greece and span prehistory to late antiquity.
Mount Lycabettus – Sundown & Dinner
You could assume the Acropolis sits atop the very best level in Athens, however you’d be unsuitable. This award goes to Mount Lycabettus which ascends 277 meters above sea stage.
Fortunately, it’s simple to go to and the proper spot for a shocking sundown and dinner. When you can hike to the highest, after such a protracted day of exploring, a greater choice is to take the funicular to the summit.
As soon as the solar has gone down, make the most of the journey, and head to Orizontes Lycabettus for a scrumptious seafood dinner with a panoramic view of Athens.
Day 3: Day Journey to Cape Sounion
- Cape Sounion
- Seaside Time
- Seafood Beachside Lunch
- Dinner in Psiri
Cape Sounion
Right this moment, head 70 km southeast of town to Cape Sounion. On the way in which, get pleasure from beautiful coastal views of the Saronic Gulf.
When you arrive, go to the Temple of Poseidon and soak up breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Replicate on the story of Aegeus, whom the ocean is known as for. Legend goes, the king was so grief-stricken after believing his son to be useless that he jumped to his personal demise.
Seaside Time
After you’ve had your fill viewing the ocean from above, take a while to loosen up at one of many close by seashores. Bathe within the sea and soak in some Greek solar at your leisure.
Seafood Beachside Lunch
It’s inevitable that your abdomen will start to rumble. So, between dips within the sea, you’ll want to take a look at one of many beachside taverns for a certainly distinctive seafood lunch.
Tip: In case you don’t really feel like planning today journey your self, we suggest this organized personal tour.
Dinner in Psiri
As soon as again in Athens and clear up and enterprise out to Psiri to get pleasure from its abundance of nightlife and eating choices.
Maybe go for a ultimate conventional Greek meal or strive one thing extra worldwide earlier than hitting one of many many taverns or bars. Listed here are a couple of ideas.
- Atlantikos – This restaurant is know for its freshly cooked seafood, together with crispy child octopus and prawns, grilled sardines, Greek Salad, fava bean dip, and extra.
- Dos Gardenias – In case you’re on the lookout for a really colourful and worldwide expertise, head to Dos Gardenias. This restaurant/bar provides excellent Spanish tapas paired with full of life Cuban music.
3 Days in Athens Wrap-up
This 3 day Athens itinerary combines historical historical past, tradition, scrumptious meals, and leisure to provide you a complete expertise of Athens in only a few days.
In case you don’t handle to work all the things in, don’t fear! You’ll be able to all the time return to this unbelievable metropolis. You’ll wish to anyway!
