A Day in Athens: What You Must Do in the City

One thing we can say upfront: Even a short city trip to Athens is definitely worth it. The city has a lot to offer-you can expect friendly people, tons of insights into the history of ancient Greece, stunning viewpoints, and a charming downtown with shopping opportunities and cozy tavernas. But let's start from the beginning.

Your day in Athens starts early in the morning, because what would a trip to Athens be without visiting its most famous landmark: the Acropolis. As the hill with its various temples is a popular tourist attraction, it's worth getting there before 10 AM to avoid long wait times. After paying an admission fee of €24.50, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

Quick tip: If you want to see multiple attractions, it might be worthwhile to purchase a combo ticket online in advance.

Athens is also known for its many rooftop bars with stunning views. The Attic Urban Rooftop Bar is within walking distance of the Acropolis and is centrally located near Monastiraki Square. Up here, you're not only offered coffee, drinks, and food, but also the perfect photo spot.

For a late breakfast, it's worth stopping by The Brunchers. On the menu, you'll find not only classic Greek scrambled eggs but also some vegan delights and hearty pancake servings. By the way, eating vegan in Athens is generally not a big challenge-at Vegan Beats, for example, you can even enjoy vegan gyros.

What's on the agenda after a hearty breakfast? That's right: a digestive walk. Around Monastiraki Square and in the adjacent Psyri neighborhood, you can stroll wonderfully, browse for souvenirs, observe street art, and watch the hustle and bustle on the streets. The rustic tavernas adorned with flowers, where live music is often played, are particularly charming.

Just in time for sunset, you'll face another short walk, which is definitely worth it! Mount Lycabettus is the city hill of Athens and offers arguably the best 360-degree view over Athens, its Riviera on the Aegean Sea, and all the sights.

The path isn't particularly challenging, but you should wear comfortable shoes for the roughly 30-minute walk up. 'Lycabettus' means something like 'The Wolves' Path,' indicating that the area was inhabited by wild animals in ancient times. Wolves, however, haven't been seen here for a long time. The development of the entire hill is forbidden by law, so as you make your way up, you are surrounded by pine forests and idyllic nature.

In the evening, you have the dilemma of choosing between the many restaurants and tavernas. A major advantage of Athens is that you can explore almost everything on foot and can spontaneously let a food spot convince you. In Psyri or Plaka, you'll find many-although very touristy-Greek tavernas and ouzeries with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. Don't miss out on the meze-delicious Greek bites like keftedakia (fried meatballs), dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves), or saganaki (fried cheese). As main courses, handmade souvlaki, bifteki (beef patties), and pantsetakia (pork belly) are at the top of the menu.

With a glass of Greek wine or a liqueur like Cretan raki, you can end the evening in a relaxed way.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.