Have you ever ever questioned if it’s doable to discover Athens in simply sooner or later? We’re right here to inform you that it’s doable! Many individuals fly into Athens and solely spend a day or two earlier than catching a flight or ferry to the Greek Islands, however Athens is a magical metropolis that deserves extra time. Nevertheless, in at the moment’s world, everyone seems to be operating quick on time, so we have now put collectively the right sooner or later in Athens itinerary that will help you profit from your keep.
One Day in Athens Itinerary
Morning – Historical past
To plan your 1 day in Athens itinerary, you should buy the Acropolis and 6 archaeological websites, together with the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Historical Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Aristotle’s Faculty and the Keramikos Historical Cemetery,
Entry to the Acropolis of Athens solely in your most well-liked date and time slot
One-time entry to every website with the identical ticket
Athens Previous City (Plaka) self-guided audio tour
Acropolis and Parthenon self-guided audio excursions (if choice chosen)
You have got 5 calendar days from activation to make use of this cross, so in case you are spending extra time in Athens, you may ebook timed entries to see every of those points of interest very first thing within the morning or later within the day.
Acropolis
More than likely, each Athens itinerary you’ve learn will inform you to move straight to the Acropolis, and they’re right! The Acropolis is the star of Athens, and it needs to be the primary place to go to. Going to the Acropolis very first thing within the morning helps you beat the crowds and beat the warmth!
Plan to get to the Acropolis at 7:30 a.m. We extremely advocate reserving a lodge with breakfast included, and most begin breakfast at 6:30 or 7 a.m., so you ought to be fantastic. The Acropolis opens at 8:00 a.m., and it’s good to ebook your timed entry upfront. So do this proper now. Instances ebook shortly, and it would be best to be sure you get your slot.
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We booked the Acropolis and 6 foremost archaeological websites combo, which nonetheless works. It’s the easiest way to see Athens in sooner or later because it provides you 1 timed entry to every website with the identical ticket. You’ll need to plan correctly to be on time to your entries, however belief me, it would be best to see all of it!
The principles are continuously altering and generally is a little unclear, so go to the ticket web site and to our weblog submit Find out how to spend a day on the acropolis to see what the up to date guidelines are. We’ll proceed to watch it as Greek tourism adjustments its thoughts.
It would be best to spend about 90 minutes admiring the Acropolis and its different temples, together with the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The Odean Theater remains to be in operation at the moment, and it’s spectacular to see.
On the backside of the Odeon, there’s a fountain to replenish your water bottle; make certain to do this as it would proceed to warmth up because the day goes on.
You’ll then begin making your method downhill to see The Theatre of Dyonisis and different monuments as you make your method down the hill again in direction of the town heart.
Historical Agora
E-book your timed entrance to the Historical Agora for 10:00 or 10:30 am. This provides you with time to soak up the highlights of the Acropolis beforehand.
From the Acropolis, you’ll stroll downhill for about quarter-hour to the Historical Agora and temple of Hephaestus. You’ll cross the Acropolis Museum, however time is of the essence, and if you wish to go to the Museum, put it aside for later within the day. It’s open till 9:00 p.m.
The Historical Agora is the perfect preserved historic wreck within the metropolis. We discovered it extra spectacular than the Parthenon, particularly within the morning gentle. Be sure you stroll round it to see it from all angles.
It was based within the sixth century BC. The Historical Agora of Athens was initially used as a gathering place or a spot to congregate. Truly, the phrase Agora interprets into “an meeting of the individuals.” The primary spotlight right here is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is beautiful. The intricate particulars and delightful fluted columns make this temple one of many must-sees in Athens, particularly for those who love Greek structure.
Stoa of Attalos
Make certain to go contained in the Stoa of Attalos. That is the museum with these rows of columns. They have been restored in 1954, and it’s a stunning place. Plus, it’s shaded, so you may cool off earlier than transferring on.
I believe you solely want 1 hour to 90 minutes right here. There’s a good museum inside that has air-con that you would be able to take a look at as properly.
Roman Agora
E-book your timed entry for 11:30 or 12:00 pm. The Roman Agora is included in your cross.
After you may have visited the Historical Agora, you’ll come out to loads of out of doors cafes lining the road. If you wish to have lunch now, it is a great spot to take action. Nevertheless, we recommend transferring on to see the Roman Agora. Sure, there are two Agora’s.
The Roman Agora is simply a brief stroll from the Historical Agora, and it’s good to see this earlier than the mid-day warmth will get to grow to be an excessive amount of. You don’t want plenty of time right here, however it’s value going into see.
We actually liked the Roman Agora as a result of you may stroll among the many ruins and stand up near the traditional pillars and arches. It takes about half-hour to discover.
Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library is simply subsequent door, and your ticket consists of entry to that. In-built AD 132, the pillars and wall are nonetheless standing. It has a formidable historical past, however at the moment, not a lot remains to be standing, so that you solely want about quarter-hour to go to right here. Plus, it’s in your method to Monasteraki Sq., which is your subsequent cease for lunch!
Noon / Lunch: Greek Delicacies and Native Tradition
1:00 pm is the time you’ll lastly sit down for lunch. When you’ve got a transparent thought of your schedule, we recommend reserving a desk upfront as a result of we aren’t having you cease at a avenue vendor or sidewalk cafe. You’re going as much as overlook Monastiraki Sq. with a fowl’s eye view of the Acropolis.
Monastiraki Sq. is surrounded by rooftop bars and eating places, and we recommend A Is for Athens. It overlooks the sq. and has the straight on view of the Acropolis. It’s open for Brunch from 11:00 am.
There are different rooftop bars across the sq., and for those who solely have sooner or later in Athens, we recommend consuming all of your meals at one of many eating places with a view. You can too eat at MS Roof Backyard and Hyper Astrobar. These eating places are an occasion unto themselves, trying on the Acropolis and over Monastiraki Sq..
Afternoon
Whew, it has been a busy morning, however you’ll be blissful to have seen all of those historic wonders. Now, you may loosen up and benefit from the power of Athens within the afternoon.
Monastiraki Sq.
2:00 pm ish…After lunch, be part of the hustle and bustle of Monastiraki Sq., the place avenue performers entertain, meals stalls provide genuine Greek meals, and loads of outlets are prepared that will help you buy your excellent Athens memento. There’s a flea market proper off Monastiraki Sq. that’s value visiting.
Monastiraki is among the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, and that is the place you’ll begin your afternoon strolling tour.
Ermou Avenue
Ermou Avenue is a 1.5 km pedestrian-only avenue connecting two of Athens’s largest squares, Monastiraki Sq. and Syntagma Sq.. It’s a enjoyable place to individuals watch and perform a little buying. In case you want water or snacks, it’s an amazing place to replenish your mid-day stroll.
There are many outlets and eating places, and ensure to cease on the Church of Panagia and Previous Byzantine Church, which is free to enter. No pictures inside although and they’re very strict about this. I merely had my telephone in my hand and a outdated lady guarding the church practically swatted it out of my fingers.
Syntagma Sq.
Syntagma Sq. is the principle Sq. of Athens, the place there may be at all times one thing occurring. Often, while you stroll as much as this sq., there’s a protest, occasion, or massive gathering taking place. On the high of the steps, the Greek Parliament Buildings stand entrance and heart.
Altering of the Guard
In case you occur to be on the sq. on the high of the hour (hopefully you may have walked right here by 3 pm), you may see the altering of the guards, which is kind of fascinating. It occurs each hour, with essentially the most spectacular one going down on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Syntagma Sq. Subway
Syntagma Sq. Metro is the principle metro station within the metropolis, and you may hop on the subway from right here to your subsequent vacation spot. Nevertheless, even for those who don’t trip the subway, go inside to see the archaeological exhibition. When constructing the metro line, they discovered important relics, together with a mosaic flooring from the fifth century, an historic aqueduct, pottery, lamps, and even human bones. The museum is free to go to and is value testing.
Panathenaic Stadium
From Syntagma, you may hop on the subway or name an Uber to take you to the Panathenaic Stadium. Situated on the east aspect of the Nationwide Gardens, the Panthenaic Stadium was the location of the primary trendy Olympic video games in 1896. The whole stadium is made out of marble, and it’s spectacular to see. The location itself has much more historic significance as within the sixth century BC, it was residence to the Panathenaic Video games, which have been a precursor to the Olympic Video games.
You possibly can pay to go inside and stroll round or you may simply admire it from the surface. The selection is yours.
Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch
As you stroll again towards the town, you’ll encounter the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is free to enter together with your cross. It has been beneath development for some time, however its columns are positively value seeing. With solely sooner or later in Athens, although, we recommend merely this from the surface and as an alternative strolling to Hadrian’s Arch.
Hadrian’s Arch was constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD. It’s nonetheless standing, and you may stroll immediately beneath it, leaving the quiet complicated of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to a bustling, busy avenue.
Cocktails and Sundown
Athens Gate is a good cease for one more rooftop view of the Acropolis from the other aspect of Monastiraki Sq.. It additionally overlooks the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian providing what we predict is among the greatest views in Athens. This can be a great spot to benefit from the sundown as you sip on cocktails and appetizers to maintain you going till your late dinner, or you may have dinner right here and loosen up for a few hours on the terrace.
Acropolis Museum
In case you took our recommendation and skipped the Acropolis Museum this morning, now you can make your method to the wonderful museum for a brief go to. The Acropolis Museum is only a quick stroll from Athens Gate and is open till 8 pm.
Even for those who don’t go inside to tour the museum correctly, it’s value seeing the surface and going into its lobby to stroll over the glass flooring that reveal archeological discoveries which are on show beneath the muse.
When you’ve got an hour, you will get a style of the museum, however to actually discover it you’ll want 2 or 3 days in Athens and that’s one other Athens itinerary.
Dinner in Plaka
From the Acropolis Museum, you’re a hop, skip, and a leap from essentially the most picturesque neighborhood in Athens, Plaka. End up a rooftop restaurant or, in case you are rooftopped out (which is unimaginable), order some genuine Greek delicacies at one of many many institutions situated right here in Plaka. We’ve a complete submit on the perfect Greek meals that will help you select from the menu right here.
There are many eating choices in Plaka because it is among the foremost vacationer areas in Athens and one of many oldest neighborhoods. Level A Acropolis Level has stunning views of the Acropolis, supplying you with yet one more angle from which to see this historic UNESCO World Heritage Website. You’re solely in Athens for sooner or later, and belief me, you’ll by no means tire of seeing this view.
Nightlife
If you wish to preserve the night time going, head again to Monestaraki Sq. to benefit from the nightlife between there and Syntagma Sq..
Wow, what a day in Athens! From the traditional echoes on the Acropolis to the beautiful sundown views from Athens Gate, this 1-day Athens itinerary is nothing wanting epic. Positive, you’re going to be exhausted, however you might by no means come again. Wouldn’t it suck to overlook out on the traditional ruins of this fascinating metropolis?