From unmissable hilltop temples to secret skinny-dipping coves, Athens, the capital of Greece, is a wonderful mishmash of ancient traditions and modern mischief. Ruminate over the day with the radicals of Exarcheia, wander back in time in the city’s many museums, and find your beachy paradise along the Athens Riviera. Here are the best things to do in Athens, Greece.
Discover the secrets of the Acropolis
No trip to the "Cradle of Western Civilization" is complete without a glimpse of the Acropolis, one of the most famous historic sites in Greece. This 2,500-year-old hilltop citadel, dedicated to the goddess Athena, is still kicking it with the youth of Greece’s modern capital. The structure looks unbelievable for its age. Climb the marble steps to the Parthenon to fully appreciate the wonder of this classical icon.
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Study sculptures at the Acropolis Museum
Frieze, it’s sculpture time! Behind every great ruin lies a great museum. Some artifacts are just too pricey to leave lying around in the Parthenon, so they’ve been brought inside for safekeeping, most notably the 161m-long (528 ft) section of the Parthenon frieze that's carved with gods, goddesses, musicians, chariots, and sacrificial animals. Made from weighty marble, it would have wrapped around the upper band of the Parthenon to form what looked like a continuous procession.
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Ponder the ancient world in the Agora
Once a lively meeting place for robed politicians, merchants, and philosophers, the Agora is now a shaded retreat for tourists and city dwellers. Wander the crumbly paths to Hephaestus Temple, a mini Parthenon built to honour the gods of blacksmithing and pottery. Over the years, it's been a festival site for artisans and a place of worship. There’s also an 11th-century Byzantine church, still wonderfully intact and filled with stories from the past.
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Find treasures at Monastiraki Flea Market
If you love a bargain, then Saturday’s flea market at Monastiraki is well worth a visit. Set between two of the oldest districts of Athens, the stalls are sure to be hiding plenty of secondhand Greek treasures, including vintage clothing, oddities, and bric-a-brac. If you have the time, you could lose a whole day in this beautifully chaotic neighbourhood.
The rooftop cocktail bars in Monastiraki also make it one of Athens’ best nightlife spots. Order a stiff drink from Baba au Rum or 360 Cocktail Bar and enjoy the panorama. Other great districts for a night out include Koukaki for live music and a more laid-back feel, Psirri for trendy boutique bars, and Gazi for the dance-all-night mega clubs.
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See the National Archaeological Museum
To prevent you from falling over all the ancient treasures, Athens has kindly boxed them up into one convenient museum. Admire jewellery, sculptures, pottery, frescoes, and artifacts spanning the centuries, from the Neolithic to the Classical eras. One of the biggest draws is the golden death mask of Agamemnon. There’s also the colossal portrait head of Emperor Hadrian, confirming rumours that the Roman ruler was indeed incredibly big-headed.
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Bring a picnic blanket to Filopappou Hill
Filopappou Hill, also called the Hill of the Muses, is one of Athens’ most-loved parks and picnic spots. It has a Byzantine chapel, an ancient quarry, and a silver-domed observatory with an antique telescope for stargazing. With stunning views of the Acropolis, it’s the perfect place to put down a blanket and watch the sunset after a long day exploring. Fill your picnic basket with Greek food and drinks. For a convenient finger-picky option, go for dolmades, stuffed grape leaves with rice, pine nuts, cheese, and ground meat. Or seek out souvlaki, a fast-food staple of grilled meat wrapped in pita and doused in tzatziki. For dessert, treat yourself to a selection of baklava. Wash it all down with ouzo and lemonade. Don’t forget the olive bread!
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Watch opera at Stavros Niarchos
Turns out modern-day Greece can also produce architectural gems. It’s in their blood. The impressive, architecturally acclaimed Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is home to the National Opera and the National Library of Greece. The surrounding gardens, complete with playgrounds, cafés, and a man-made river, provide the perfect add-on for families.
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Wander around the graves of Kerameikos
Kerameikos is Athens’ ancient necropolis. The 4.5-hectare (11-acre) cemetery is the final resting place for high priestesses, noble families, decorated athletes, and warriors who died in battle. Many of the graves and monumental tombstones are carved with vivid scenes that tell the story of these past lives. To get the full layout of the site, head to the small museum, which also houses a great marble bull and a very obedient stone mountain dog.
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Marvel at the Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Temple of Olympian Zeus took 700 years to build. Emperor Hadrian finished it in 131 AD and added a giant statue of Zeus, along with a giant statue of himself. In its prime, it was Greece’s largest and most imposing temple. Today, it has lost a few legs, and only 15 of the 104 columns remain, but it’s still a mighty sight.
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Catch a movie by moonlight at Cine Thisio
With about 60 open-air cinemas, Athens must be the world capital of alfresco movie nights. Some are built in Roman aqueducts, while others hide in lush gardens. And then there’s Cine Thisio. Designed in 1935, this cult classic has the most romantic setting of them all. Overlooking the moonlit Acropolis, it doesn't really matter what movie you go to see; you won’t be watching it anyway.
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Dip into paradise on the Athens Riviera
Turns out you can have all the fun of the Greek islands without straying too far from the city. The Athens Riviera runs from the southern suburbs of Athens to the tip of Attica, where the Temple of Poseidon gazes out onto the Aegean Sea. The beaches here come with good food, plenty of bars, and crystal-clear swimming spots.
Head to Faliro to mingle with the yacht-owning marina crowd, Glyfada for boutiques and bars, Voula for family-friendly beach clubs, Vouliagmeni for lake swimming, or Varkiza for watersports and seafood. Away from the coastal resorts, you’ll find plenty of hidden coves where bronzed bodies fling themselves off the rocks, a favourite pastime of young Athenians. If you like the quieter life, then the best of Athens’ beaches has to be Vamvakousi Beach, hidden behind a bakery. Take the trail through the tamarisk trees and oleanders until you reach an opening. The waters here are calm and well-loved by locals.
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Walk like royalty in Athens' National Garden
A beautiful green retreat in the heart of Athens, the National Garden was once part of a royal residence designed by Queen Amalia in 1838. It has let itself go a bit since the regal days, but being overgrown actually suits its prime purpose as a calming escape from the city heat. Meander through 6.5 hectares (16 acres) of shaded paths, picnic by the ponds, and peek at the peacocks. With a playground and a tiny zoo, this green space is also great for families.
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Catch a show at Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Sitting subserviently at the base of Acropolis Hill, this ancient theatre is one of the best preserved performance spaces in the world. It was built in 161 AD by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife and then lovingly restored in the 1950s. Like many Greek antiquities, this memorial for eternal love is so well built that it’s still used for concerts and events. If you’re visiting in the summer or during the Epidaurus Festival, be sure to book a night of Greek drama in the 5,000-seat space. You don’t have to be a thespian to appreciate the magic of this place.
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Find hipster Athens in Exarcheia
Exarcheia is the hipster hangout of Athens, home to students, artists, migrants, and musicians. Old bookbinders and bouzouki (traditional instrument) makers stand alongside modern art shops and sustainable streetwear stores. The sandwiches here are messy, the ceramics wonky and the residents rebellious. It’s a place where vinyl never went out of fashion, where community and tradition are still important, and where rents are still reasonable, making it attractive to creatives. Stare at local art in the back room of a coffee shop, catch a band at a converted warehouse, or rub shoulders with the radicals in central square, reminiscing of the riots in days past.
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Convene with coffee drinkers in Kypseli
Kypseli is a cultural melting pot, an eclectic mix of architectural styles, restaurants, and residents. Kurdish kebab houses mix with traditional ouzeries, crumbling mansions have become exhibition spaces, and domino duels kick off in curbside cafés. Kypseli is actually home to Athens’ first artist residency, which has been the jumping-off point for many creatives in the Greek capital. If you’re a coffee house hound, then Fokionos Negri Boulevard has some of the best cafés in Athens. It’s where old-world Greece meets new world. Grab a table by the left fountains and watch the city pass by. Many of the bars and cafés are open past midnight, so don’t start on the ouzo too early!
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