What to do in Athens in 2 or 3 days: top attractions and itinerary

Updated on 16 de April de 2026 by Danae

Athens is a must-visit in any Greece itinerary, no matter the time of year.

I know a lot of people land in the country already thinking about rushing off to the islands and beaches, but trust me: it’s absolutely worth giving the Greek capital a chance. Athens has that kind of charm that doesn’t hit you right away, but before you know it, it’s completely won you over.

It’s an intense, lively, and slightly chaotic city, packed with history and, at the same time, incredibly welcoming. Within just a few minutes of walking, you can go from a 2,000-year-old ruin to a fantastic restaurant, sitting at a sidewalk table and soaking up that relaxed late-afternoon vibe that the Greeks do so well.

I recommend spending at least 2 full days in Athens. If you have the time, stay 3 days or more to enjoy the city at the pace it deserves. But even if you only have one day, you can still see a lot and understand why there’s so much more to what to do in Athens than just the Acropolis.

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We spent 2 and a half days in Athens during our road trip through mainland Greece. We flew to Greece with ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia), with a stopover in Rome, where we stayed for four days before continuing on to Athens.

Since we arrived in Athens in the afternoon, our first day was all about checking in and taking a walk around the Plaka neighborhood to start getting into that Mediterranean atmosphere.

The next two days were dedicated to exploring the city. I’ll share everything there is to do in Athens, but first, let’s decide where to stay in the Greek capital!
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In this post, you will find:

Where to stay in Athens

Athens offers a wide range of great places to stay for every style and budget.

We stayed in Plaka, one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city, with a perfect central location. From there, it’s easy to get around on foot, by public transport, or by taxi to all the main attractions.

Plaka is a historic neighborhood with narrow, stone-paved streets lined with small shops, cafés, and restaurants. It’s really nice to wander around, and the area has everything you need for your stay. It’s a great choice if you’re only spending a short time in Athens.

We initially chose the Plaka Hotel, which offers resonable prices, great views from its rooftop bar, and family rooms, in addition to standard double and triple options. However, based on a friend’s recommendation, we ended up staying a few blocks away, in an apartment rented on Airbnb, which is no longer listed on the platform.

Another great option in Athens is The Pinnacle Athens, which also offers family rooms.

Anafiotika and Monastiraki are other great areas to stay.

Check availability and rates here:

What to do in Athens – an overview

Here’s how we spent 2 days in Athens, and I highly recommend this itinerary:

Day 1:

Start your day at the Acropolis Museum
Have lunch in Plaka
Spend the afternoon exploring the Acropolis
Stop by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Gate, and the Panathenaic Stadium
Wrap up the day with dinner in Plaka or nearby
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A great way to explore Athens is by joining a free walking tour like this one.
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Day 2:

Start the day at the National Archaeological Museum and, if you have time, take a walk through the nearby Pedion tou Areos park (Field of Mars)
In the afternoon, head to Syntagma Square to watch the changing of the guard at the Parliament building, then take a break in the National Gardens
Explore the neighborhoods of Plaka, Anafiotika, and Monastiraki
If you still have time and energy, head to the Athenian Riviera in the late afternoon
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If you have a third day in Athens, you can slow down and spread these activities out, and also include a visit to the Ancient Agora and Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in the city, either on foot or by funicular. The sunset views from up there are said to be beautiful.
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Child sitting in front of the Parthenon, Athens, Greece

Acropolis & Parthenon

Visiting Athens without seeing the Acropolis is as unthinkable as visiting Rome and skipping the Colosseum.

Meaning “upper city”, the Acropolis is a collection of temples, monuments, and buildings built around 450 BC, during the time of Pericles. Some of the most famous include the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea.

Widely considered one of the finest examples of Greek architecture, the Parthenon is dedicated to the goddess Athena. Built between 447 and 432 BC, it is often seen as a symbol of democracy, which began to take shape during this period, although its meaning was quite different from what we understand today.

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The Parthenon measures about 70 meters long and 30 meters wide. It was surrounded by columns, with 8 on the main facades and 17 on the sides. Built with white marble from Mount Pentelicus, it was designed to house a colossal gold and ivory statue of Athena Parthenos, standing twelve meters tall, created by Phidias.

Over the centuries, the Parthenon has undergone several transformations that contributed to its deterioration. It served as a Byzantine church in the 6th century, was converted into a mosque in the 15th century, and in 1687, when it was used as an ammunition store by the Ottomans, it was severely damaged by an explosion. Additionally, between 1801 and 1803, several decorative elements were removed by the British, and in 1894, it was further damaged by one of the most significant earthquakes in Greek history.

Today, cranes and scaffolding are part of the Parthenon’s current landscape, yet its beauty and grandeur remain undeniable.
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The Propylaea marks the entrance to the Acropolis, and the Erechtheion is best known for its porch, where six caryatids, columns sculpted as female figures, support the roof. The ones you see today are replicas; the originals are housed in the Acropolis Museum, which is well worth a visit on its own.

The Temple of Athena Nike was built to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Salamis and once housed a statue of Athena Nike, the symbol of victory.

I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially if you’re visiting in high season, like we did.
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Acropolis, Athens. Woman with sunglasses looking at camera. www.danae-explore.com

Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum is an ultramodern building made entirely of glass and metal, and houses artifacts and structures uncovered at the Acropolis. With excellent explanations in English and a well-organized layout, it’s an essential stop when visiting Athens.

We visited the museum after touring the Acropolis, but in hindsight, I’d recommend visiting the Acropolis Museum first and then the Acropolis itself. This way, you can learn about the history, myths, and significance of the various structures before exploring the ruins. As a bonus, you might find smaller crowds at the Acropolis afterward. Since it’s Greece’s most popular tourist attraction, many people head there first thing.

You can buy your ticket in advance, or purchase it on the spot. There are usually queues, but they’re not as long as those at the Acropolis.
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Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens with towering columns, one of the top things to do in Athens

Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Gate

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, located just a short walk from the Acropolis, dates back to the 6th century BC but was only completed in 132 AD. Originally about 96 meters long and 40 meters wide, only 15 of the original 104 columns remain standing today.

Nearby is Hadrian’s Gate, an impressive marble arch standing 18 meters high that once marked the boundary between the ancient city (the city of Theseus) and the Roman city (the city of Hadrian). It was built in 131 AD in honor of the Roman emperor.

In the same area, it’s also worth stopping by the Panathenaic Stadium, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, built on the site of earlier athletic competitions known as the Panathenaia, held as far back as the 3rd century BC.
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Plaka and surroundings

Located right at the foot of the Acropolis, the Plaka neighborhood is a lovely area to wander around. Stop at the bars and restaurants, browse the shops (you’ll find a mix of touristy items and cheap souvenirs, but it’s still worth a look). Nearby, the neighborhoods of Anafiotika and Monastiraki are also great to explore, both during the day or night.
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Athens Archaeological Museum

Founded in the late 19th century, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens is not only the largest archaeological museum in Greece but also one of the most important in the world dedicated to Ancient Greece.

We spent an afternoon there, and the kids were especially drawn to the Egyptian collection. As someone who loves history and Greek mythology, I was initially a bit disappointed, but I quickly realized something important: we travel to spark curiosity about history, culture, beauty, and diversity. And what better way to start than with Egyptian mummies?

These are just a few of the main things to do in Athens, there is so much more to see and experience in the city. You’ll find plenty of other ideas for tours and activities here.
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Athenian Riviera

Athens’ most famous seaside area, known as the Athenian Riviera, includes the neighborhoods of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni. We didn’t have time to visit, but it looks like a great addition to your itinerary.
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Complete trip itinerary

Here is our detailed 15-day Greece itinerary. Just click to open it and save it to your Google account. When you start planning your next trip to Greece, you’ll already know where to start 😉

How to use this map: Click the menu tab in the upper left corner of the map to access different layers, including points of interest and routes. You can toggle layers on and off by checking the corresponding boxes. To see details about specific locations, click on the icons on the map.

To save this map to your Google Maps account, just click the star icon next to the map title. To access it later on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, tap the menu button, go to “Your Places”, select “Maps”, and you’ll find this map saved there.

Here are the websites I always use to plan my trips:
– 🛌 Accommodation: Booking
– ☀️ Tours & activities: Civitatis & Get Your Guide
– 📱 eSIM for mobile data: Airalo e-SIM – use promo code DANAE2375
– 🚗 Car rental: RentCars – use promo code DANAE

All our posts about traveling Greece, to inspire you and help you travel more:

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Spain

Balcans

Portugal

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