2 Days in Athens: The Ultimate Itinerary for an Unforgettable Trip

Growing up, I’ve always been obsessed with ancient history—whether it was the legendary Spartans of Greece (I’m sure the movie 300 only added to that fascination!), the mystery of the Egyptians building the Pyramids, or the Mayan civilization like in Tikal and their sophisticated calendar. So when we started planning our trip to Greece, there was no way we were skipping Athens. We had to witness in person the marvels of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and dive into the rich history and mythology behind these iconic landmarks.

A lot of people treat Athens as just a pit stop on their way to the Greek islands, but we’re here to tell you—it’s absolutely worth your time! If you’re thinking about exploring this incredible city, we’ve done all the hard work for you. Based on our personal experiences and extensive research, we’ve crafted the ultimate 2-3 days Athens itinerary—packed with must-see sights, insider tips, and logistical details so you can hit the ground running and enjoy every moment.

Best Experiences in Athens Itinerary

When we were first planning our Greece itinerary, so many people told us to skip Athens altogether. They described it as chaotic, dirty, and noisy—but after experiencing it firsthand, we completely disagree. 

Yes, Athens has a bit rough-around-the-edges, but it’s also charming, vibrant, and deeply intertwined with history in a way few cities are. 

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth staying in Athens, our answer is a resounding yes! And to prove it, here are some of the best experiences you can have in 2-3 days in this incredible city:

2 Days in Athens Itinerary

With only two days in Athens, there’s no way to see every incredible archaeological site—but don’t worry, we’ve crafted this itinerary to focus on the most unforgettable experiences. You’ll dive deep into the Acropolis, soak in its rich history, and uncover hidden gems and local viewpoints that make Athens truly special. 

And rest assured, this isn’t one of those itineraries that feel like you’re running the Amazing Race and rushing to complete a scavenger Hunt checklist. We’ve personally done and love this itinerary, so it’s designed for a comfortable, enjoyable pace with plenty of unique and memorable experiences along the way!

Quick Overview of Our 2 Day Athens Itinerary:

• Day 1: Visit the Acropolis/Parthenon in the morning, then go to Aeropagus Hill for amazing view of Acropolis, relax or shop in Plaka early afternoon, and then climb up to Lycabettus Hill Viewing Area for an epic sunset, and finally dining at a hidden gem restaurant with breathtaking view of the Acropolis.
• Day 2: Visit the Acropolis Museum in the morning, then climb up Philopappos Monument hill for a gentle hike and beautiful viewpoint overlooking Acropolis, then finish the day with an amazing Greek Food Tour or Greek Cooking class with rooftop dinner!

Day 1: Acropolis + Sunset over Athens + Dinner with a View

Morning: Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon

Start off your Athens itinerary with one of the most spectacular and breathtaking archeological ruins in history, the Acropolis/Parthenon. In this section below, we’ll go over all the most important details about how to best visit the Acropolis, what ticket to buy, where to enter, and all the logistics!

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Acropolis Vs. Parthenon

Kick off your Athens itinerary with a visit to one of the most awe-inspiring archaeological wonders of all time—the Acropolis and its crown jewel, the Parthenon.

Now before you ask, the Acropolis and the Parthenon are closely related but not the same thing. 

The Acropolis is the entire ancient citadel on the hilltop of Athens comprising of theatres, sanctuaries, and temples, one of which is the Parthenon. 

The Parthenon, on the other hand, is the iconic columned temple within the Acropolis and was dedicated to Athena. This is important to clear up so you’ll know what you need to visit and which tickets to buy!

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Do you need to visit the Acropolis Museum first?

Ok now that we’ve got that out of the way, visiting the Acropolis is truly one of the most amazing experiences in Athens, and maybe even in all of Greece.

But to get the full appreciation of it, it is important to also visit the Acropolis Museum. There, you’ll gain a deeper insight into the site’s construction and evolution, but more importantly, it houses many of the original pieces of the Parthenon that are now carefully preserved.

I’m not usually too fond of museums, but the Acropolis Museum truly elevated the appreciation of our Acropolis visit. Personally, we would recommend first going to the Acropolis, and then visiting the Acropolis Museum the next day!

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How to Visit the Acropolis/Parthenon

Alright, back to the Acropolis! To visit the Acropolis, you have the option of entering through the Southern or Northern Gates. The Southern gate is close to the Acropolis museum and you’ll need to climb the entire slope to reach the Acropolis. The Northern gate on the other hand is already quite high up so will give you a closer and more direct access to the Acropolis.

Entrance Gate to the Acropolis

As you make your way up the hill, the first structure to greet you is the monumental Propylaea, the grand gateway to the Acropolis. This was the first sight that truly took my breath away—its sheer size and towering columns are absolutely awe-inspiring. It’s also one of the few structures you can actually walk through, letting you experience the same sense of wonder that countless philosophers, worshippers, and statesmen once felt as they stepped into this sacred citadel.

The Parthenon

Once you pass through the gates, you’ll step into the heart of the Acropolis and catch your first glimpse of the legendary Parthenon. Try to picture it in its prime—this was the religious and cultural epicenter of ancient Athens, a powerful symbol of the city’s greatness. The Parthenon wasn’t just another temple; it was a masterpiece, dedicated to Athena and celebrated for its stunning architecture and intricate friezes.

When we visited, there was quite a bit of construction and restoration happening, which did take away some of the magic.

But that’s exactly why we recommend heading to the Acropolis Museum afterward—it gives you a chance to see the Parthenon’s original sculptures up close and appreciate its history without the scaffolding! Although we recommend going the next day since a visit to the museum takes a good 4 hours!

In total, expect to spend around 2 hours to visit the Acropolis as well as the structures on the Southern Slope (such as the Theatre of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes, Temple of Asklepios etc…). 

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Tips for Visiting the Acropolis/Parthenon

The first thing to decide is whether you want to explore the Acropolis on your own or join a guided tour. A tour gives you deeper insight into the significance of each structure and the fascinating history behind them. We opted to visit independently so we could take our time photographing everything at our own pace—plus, we knew we’d be diving deep into its history later at the Acropolis Museum!

However, if you prefer a guided experience, we highly recommend checking out this small group walking tour of Acropolis, or if you are short on time and want to visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum in one go, then check out this tour. 

Next, we highly recommend booking your tickets in advanced and going right at the opening time of 8am. We arrived at 7:40am, lined up, and once the gate opened, headed straight for the Acropolis. The site was fairly manageable for the first 45 minutes but by around 9:00-9:30am, there were huge crowds and tour groups arriving. 

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Late Morning: See the viewpoint from Aeropagus Hill

After exploring the Acropolis, exit through the Northern Entrance and make a quick detour to Areopagus Hill for one of the best panoramic views of the Acropolis complex.

It is located just a few minutes from the Northern Entrance and is a massive rock with a staircase leading up to the top. Be careful when you walk around the top though since the rock’s surface is worn smooth from all the visitors and can be surprisingly slippery!

Expect to spend around 15-20 minutes here admiring the view of the Acropolis!

Afternoon: Relax at your hotel or go shopping in Plaka/Anafiotika

After an early morning exploring the Acropolis, take some time to unwind—whether that means relaxing at your hotel or heading out for a little shopping spree!

There are plenty of great spots to browse, but if you love charming boutiques, we highly recommend wandering through Plaka. This historic neighborhood is full of narrow, picturesque streets lined with unique shops and hidden gems waiting to be discovered! Another popular spot for some beautiful and colourful streets reminiscent of Santorini is in Anafiotika just West of Plaka. So it’s worth making a little side trip there!

If you’re in the mood for a more modern shopping experience, head over to Ermou Street, where you’ll find a mix of popular retail stores and lively street performances. When we visited, a group of musicians was putting on an incredible show, and right in the center of it all, an elderly Greek man was dancing with pure joy—completely lost in the music!

Evening: Sunset viewpoint at Lycabettus Hill Viewing Area

Lycabettus Hill Sunset View

For one of the best sunset views of the Acropolis, head to the top of Lycabettus Hill. From this vantage point, you’ll get a breathtaking panoramic view of Athens, with the Parthenon glowing as the sun dips behind it in a fiery orange haze. You can drive up to the viewpoint, but if you’re up for a little adventure, we highly recommend the hike! It’s not too difficult—just enough effort to justify all those spanakopitas you devoured at lunch!

Changing of the Guards

If you have some time before sunset, you can head along Athens National Garden to see the Arch of Hadrian and then see the Changing of the Guards at the Monument of the Unknown Soldiers.

Benaki Museum

Then, along the way to Lycabettus Hill, you will pass Benaki Museum which showcases an impressive collection of ancient Greek Artifacts. After spending our trip through the Peloponnese admiring beautifully handcrafted jewelry, it was fascinating to see the roots of Greek artistry and how these intricate designs have evolved over time! 

What’s more is that every Thursday from 6pm-12am, the permanent exhibit at the Benaki Museum has free admission! Otherwise, it costs 12€ for full admission. 

Dinner at Prasini Tenta, Lykavitos

Wrap up your first day in Athens with a dinner with a view! Just a short descent from Lycabettus Hill, you’ll find Prasini Tenta, a charming outdoor terrace restaurant that offers unparalleled views of the Acropolis at night. 

We were lucky enough to meet up with a local Greek friend who introduced us to this hidden gem, and it did not disappoint! Sitting under the stars, enjoying a delicious meal with the Parthenon glowing in the distance, was the perfect way to end the day.

Day 2: Acropolis Museum, Panoramic View Acropolis, Food Tour/Cooking Class

Morning: Acropolis Museum

On your second day in Athens, you’ll get to enrich your previous visit to the Acropolis and gain a full appreciation of the history, and get up close to seeing the incredible detail and the sheer scale of the friezes and sculptures that once stood on the Parthenon.

We recommend visiting the Acropolis Museum early in the morning before the tour groups arrive, and so that you have enough time to visit slowly before your afternoon activity. 

What we absolutely loved about the Acropolis Museum was how seamlessly it connects – both visually and historically – with the actual archeological site. For example, on the ground floor after you enter the museum, there is a display called “Slope of the Acropolis” showcasing ancient Athenian artefacts that were historically discovered on the actual Southern slope leading up to the Acropolis itself. 

Then on the third floor, you’ll find the Parthenon Gallery which showcases the original Parthenon Friezes, displayed and positioned exactly as it was on the temple. In fact, with the museum’s massive floor-to-ceiling windows, you can look directly out at the Parthenon, making it even easier to admire the grandeur and precision of the sculpted friezes and the incredible stories they depict!

The Acropolis Museum spans four floors, and to truly take it all in, plan to spend at least four hours exploring. For an even deeper dive into its history, take advantage of the included audio guide, which is packed with fascinating insights! 

Also, make sure to also visit on the underground level where there are glass bridges and platforms showcasing the actual archeological remains that exist below the Museum! 

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Early Afternoon: Philopappos Monument and panoramic view of Acropolis

Now that your brain is overflowing with Acropolis history, it’s time to give it a break with a scenic stroll up to the Philopappos Monument, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Acropolis. 

The trail starts right next to the Acropolis Museum and takes about 20 minutes to reach the top. Once there, you’ll find peaceful viewing spots where you can simply sit back, relax, and admire the Parthenon in all its glory. We spent around 1 hour there in total including the hike up and down.

Afternoon to Evening: Option of doing a Greek Food Tour or Greek Cooking Class

There is no better way to finish your itinerary in Athens than by indulging in the incredible Greek Cuisine!

You will have the option of either doing a guided food tour where you’ll discover some of Greece’s best street food or embark on a Greek Cooking Class!

Here are some quick details about each to help you decide!

This post is part of our series about Greece. If you want to learn more about Greece, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:

9 Best Things to do in Corinth, Greece (2025)

Peloponnese Road Trip: 14 Days Greece Itinerary (2025)

14 Unforgettable Things to do in Nafplio, Greece

3 Day Athens Itinerary (if you have more time)

If you are lucky enough to have an extra day in Athens, then we would highly recommend doing one of the day trips departing from Athens. 

The two most spectacular sights that you can visit from Athens is the ancient monastery of Meteora that was built atop towering rock formations, and the site of Delphi where a high priestess once delivered ancient prophecies.

They are both full-day tours lasting from 10-14 hours but are some of the most unique places you’ll get to witness in Greece.

If you have a vehicle, you can also do a day trip over into the Peloponnese and visit the beautiful coastal town of Nafplio, which takes around 1h45 drive. From there, you can see the famous Palamidi Fortress, explore the charming town, and still have time to visit the archeological site of Mycenae or Epidavros. If you want more information about Nafplio and all the best things to do there, check out our Nafplio Activities Guide. 

Where to Eat in Athens

Okay, this might be a bit unconventional, but we highly recommend trying some of the non-Greek restaurants in Athens.

Hear us out! By the time we arrived in Athens, we had just wrapped up a two-week road trip through the Peloponnese, where we had eaten our weight in calamari, spanakopita, lamb chops, and moussaka. And honestly? We had already experienced some of the best, most authentic versions of these dishes at hidden mom-and-pop tavernas along the way.

So, if you’re in the same boat and craving a little culinary variety, Athens has some incredible international food spots worth checking out!

• Tuk Tuk Thai Street food: They serve amazing autentic thai dishes at a very affordable price. The place is quite small but totally worth the wait! The vibe there is also really awesome and thematic! 
• This is Loco:Amazing Brunch spot! We spent several hours there doing some work and waiting for our late night flight. They serve delicious brunch food and coffee and have strong wifi! 
• Hanoi Athens:Ok this was our favourite! We even went back there twice! We’ve been to Vietnam before and the quality of the food here rivals what we had in Hoi An! Make sure to order their Crispy duck with rice. It is to die for! 

How Many Days to Visit Athens

We would recommend spending a good 3-4 days to explore Athens. With two days, you will have enough time to fully appreciate the Acropolis and its history, but not have enough time to really soak in the charm of Athens. 

With 3-4 days, you will have one additional day to really spend exploring Athens, and one day to do a day trip to Meteora, Delphi, or the nearby towns of Corinth or Nafplio. 

In total, we had spent 4 days in Athens and felt like it was the perfect amount of time! Although in all honesty, there are still countless amazing things we didn’t get to do yet, so we’ll just have to plan another return visit! 

How to Get Around in Athens

To get around Athens, you will have the choice of walking, taking public transportation, or Ubers/taxis. During our 4 days in Athens, we ended up walking everywhere and highly recommend doing so. In this way, you will get to see all the different neighbourhoods of Athens and see all the details that make the city charming.

Walking

If you will be following our 2-3 day itinerary, then you will not need to take public transportation as all the sights can be reached in about 20-40 minutes of walking (this of course depends where you are staying in Athens, but more on that later). 

Metro system

If you prefer to take the metro system, then you will mostly be using the Red line between the stops of Sygrou-Fix, Acropoli, Syntagma, to Panetistimo. The metro system is quite affordable with a single 90-minute ticket costing 1.20€, a daily ticket at 4.10€, and a 3-day tourist ticket which includes the metro lines to the airport at 20€. 

For the most up to date pricing information, check out the official Athens Metro website. 

Uber/Taxis

Finally, you can also use Uber in Athens but they are essentially just the local yellow taxis. Using the Uber app (or FreeNow as an alternative) can be especially useful when you need to get to a specific local address—particularly if your driver doesn’t speak English.

Where to Stay in Athens

When deciding where to stay in Athens, it’s best to pick a neighborhood near the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, as most of the city’s top attractions are within walking distance.

Staying in this area allows you to explore Athens entirely on foot, without the need for public transport or taxis. Plus, these neighbourhoods are home to some of the best restaurants, boutique shops, and the most charming corners of the city. Finally, it is safer there.

Below, we’ve put together a neighbourhood guide with our top hotel recommendations to help you find the perfect place to stay!

If you want our quick recommendation, then we would say choose between Plaka and Koukaki!

Best Neighbourhoods in Athens

• ⭐ Plaka is the oldest area, mostly pedestrian, and filled with cute boutique shops. This is also the place that we recommend exploring on foot when you have free time since there are countless cute boutique shops there.
• Monastiriki is a historic district located north of the Acropolis, and is known for shopping at major retailers and also where you’ll find Ermou street (shopping).
• Syntagma Square is located North East of the Acropolis right beside Athens National Garden, the Monument of Unknown Soldiers where you’ll see the changing of the guards, and walking distance to many of our favourite restaurants.
• Makriyanni is an up-scale mini neighborhood located right beside the Acropolis Museum. We walked through there several times and they have beautiful restaurants there. 
• ⭐ Koukaki is an affordable and mostly locals neighbourhood, with a relaxed-vibe despite its convenient location just south of the Acropolis Museum. This is the area that we ended up staying in since it was a lot more affordable than the other neighbourhoods while being still ideally located. 

How to get to Athens From Athens Airport

To reach Athens, you will first be arriving at Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos” Airport, located about 40 minutes from Athens City Centre. From there, you will have a few options for getting to the city, and we have done all the research to help you pick the best option:

⭐ Top Choice: Private Transportation

Private Transport with WelcomePickups: This is the most convenient and personalized option, while remaining surprisingly affordable!

The cost of WelcomePickups from the Airport to Athens City Centre is only 43€ for the car, where we assumed 2 passengers and their luggage (This is in comparison to a private transport available on Viator which costs 70€).

What’s more is that with WelcomePickups, after you reserve and set your time, they will monitor your flight and wait for you even if there are any delays. The drivers are very professional and also all speak English, making your arrival stress-free.

Uber/Taxi

Uber/Taxi: Ordering an Uber through the App is the equivalent of ordering a regular local yellow taxi. The cost of the ride from the Airport to City Centre is between 42-47€. For this reason, we would still prefer using WelcomePickups for a fully private and personalized transport without worrying about communication or safety.

Metro

Metro: From Athens Airport, you can take Metro Line 3 which connects you to Syntagma Square. The Journey Time is approximately 45 minutes and trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30am to 11:30pm.

A one way ticket costs 9€ per person, and a return ticket costs 16€. This means of transportation is efficient and cost-effective, but navigating through the very busy metros with our luggages was a challenge.  

Bus

Bus: Finally, there is a 24-hour express bus service connecting Athens Airport to Kifissos Station (X93), Syntagma Square (X95), Piraeus Port (X96), or Elliniko (X97).

The transportation service departs from the Arrivals area and takes between 45-90 minutes, depending on your final destination.

The cost of a one-way ticket is only 5.50€ per person. This can be a very efficient way to get to your hotel if it is located nearby one of those stops. 

Using WISE card in Greece

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Recap: 2 days Athens Itinerary

Athens completely took us by surprise! After hearing from countless travelers that it was messy, chaotic, and not worth visiting, we honestly didn’t have high expectations. But wow—Athens charmed us in ways we never expected. From its fascinating history and breathtaking views of the Acropolis to its vibrant culture, it quickly became a place we’d love to return to. With this 2-day Athens itinerary, you’ll get to experience all the incredible highlights that made us fall in love with this city!

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