Best Things to Do in Athens, Greece

Whether you're visiting Europe for the first time, are completely new to Greece, or already have your own Greece itinerary edited and adjusted for the year ahead (go, you!), there are always new things to do in Athens that might just surprise you. As Greece's capital, it is naturally going to be the starting point for lots of people's adventures out here.

A city that's full of history, legend, and incredible architecture, balanced with brilliant weather and delicious food - if you're ever stuck for things to do in Athens, Greece, all you have to do is look around you! That said, if you're a few hundred miles away and would prefer to get a quick lowdown on what's recommended for newbies, you're in the right place.

Athens overview for first time visitors

SIMOVO's team has a few Greek travelers among us, meaning we're in a good position to give any complete newbies to Athens some solid advice on what to expect. Firstly, we seriously recommend you prioritize the city's history. It's completely inescapable - and, as you'll see from our guide below, there are lots of sites of interest we think you should add to your must-see list when you get here.

When it comes to the best of Greek food, Athens really does corner much of the market. There are vendors and high-end restaurants alike - just be aware that if you want to settle down for dinner, people here tend to eat quite late. In fact, many restaurants in Athens will close long after 9pm!

Getting to and from Athens is pretty simple, regardless of where you are in the world, because it's fantastically well-connected. In fact, many people build their Greece itineraries with Athens as a base - even if they're venturing deeper into Europe, too.

We also suggest, if you'd prefer to spend more time exploring and less time planning, to take a few tours around the city so you can see all its best bits without missing out. The choice is yours, of course, as many travelers here really prefer to do their own thing, and there are strong pros and cons to either method.

Best things to do in Athens Greece

Narrowing down the absolute best things to do in Athens, Greece, isn't simple by any stretch of the imagination, and getting the SIMOVO crew members who have visited the capital to agree on just six top spots was even trickier! 

Thankfully, we've unanimously agreed that you can't visit Athens for the first time without experiencing the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, Plaka, Monastiraki Square, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Lycabettus Hill. Of course, we all have different tastes, but for the full Athenian experience, here's where you need to get started.

Acropolis and Parthenon

The Acropolis and Parthenon are non-negotiable places to see when you visit Athens - believe us! The incredible Acropolis dates back to the 5th century BC, with the very fact it is still standing being an impressive feat all on its own. 

The Parthenon was once a temple built in honor of Athena, who is - naturally - the deity of Athens. You'll want to explore the broader statues, temples, and pillars, but keep in mind that this area does get pretty touristy.

Acropolis Museum

If you prefer more of a guided tour into the history of Athens' most famous landmark, the Acropolis Museum brings together artifacts found around the area and adds helpful contexts. It's a surprisingly modern building, too - and one we recommend you visit first unless you really know what you're getting into with the Acropolis and Parthenon on their own.

Plaka neighbourhood

Bursting with beautiful flowers and just the absolute peak of picturesque Greek neighborhood walks, Plaka is a neighborhood that is Athens to its core, as one of the oldest communities around the city reaches. It's here where you will find some of the city's best-loved cafes and tavernas, and it's very close to the Acropolis.

That also means you're going to find plenty of tourists roaming the neighborhood, meaning if you're not really one for crowds, you might want to head here during late spring or early fall/autumn, when it's much quieter.

Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square is one of the best-loved market scenes in the whole of Athens, and for excellent reason. Its flea markets are well worth exploring if you'd like to bring home something authentic, and when the markets aren't out, you'll usually find the area bustling with all kinds of performers and local scenes.

Temple of the Olympian Zeus

The Temple of the Olympian Zeus is right in the heart of the capital, and, like the Acropolis, has been around since before the modern calendar even started. It actually went incomplete for several centuries, believe it or not, thanks to disputes! However, you can still see remnants of the original architecture to this day in downtown Athens.

Lycabettus Hill

Lycabettus Hill is one of several vantage points over Athens that will give you an incredible perspective. It is, in fact, the highest you'll get in the capital, meaning if you're willing to take the walk up, you'll see the vast majority of what's out there.

Best museums and cultural sites in Athens

Those were our picks of the best things to do in Athens, Greece - but, there are a few extra sites of interest we think you'll want to check out if your itinerary allows for them. Here's a quick lightning round:

• Panathenaic Stadium
• The Museum of Cycladic Art
• The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
• Hadrian's Library
• The National Archaeological Museum

Best time to visit Athens

If you're looking for cheap destinations to visit worldwide, Greece doesn't always come at the top of the list, but you might find that it's reasonable to fly to and stay in Athens during April or October, when the weather is mild and the crowds are more dispersed.

In fact, we more or less agree that mid-spring and mid-fall/autumn are the best times of year to visit Athens, if not Greece, period. The weather isn't too hot at these times, but it's sunny and crisp enough for you to really feel the benefit.

Just keep in mind that, if you travel to Athens too far out of the spring or summer, some attractions might not be open to you.

Athens travel tips

Whether it's your first time visiting Athens or your 40th, there are lots of different ways you can make your city break that bit easier (and even more exciting!). Here are some tried and tested tips we all recommend:

• Always keep your valuable items either close at hand or locked away in a safe place at your accommodation. Unfortunately, Athens is known to suffer from pickpockets in tourist spots.
• Download an eSIM for Greece from SIMOVO so that you have complete control over the mobile data you'd like to use while you explore the city. You won't have to worry about hunting down WiFi or paying extra for mobile roaming when you get home!
• Be ready to have a choice between card and cash when paying for food, drink, and souvenirs across the city and its neighborhoods.
• Dress comfortably and with the weather in mind, but remember to try and keep your shoulders and knees covered, if possible, when you visit holy places.

Above all, have fun out there - and see what history you can unearth!