With its incredible history, Mediterranean climate and vibrant culture, Athens is one of Europe’s most captivating capital cities. In 2024, this cosmopolitan metropolis has plenty of exciting events, attractions and experiences in store for visitors.
| No. | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Climb Up to the Acropolis | Visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient Greek temples. |
| 2 | Marvel at the Parthenon Marbles at the Acropolis Museum | See the stunning marbles in a state-of-the-art museum. |
| 3 | Stroll Through Plaka’s Picturesque Streets | Explore Athens’ prettiest district with pastel-colored houses and cobblestone streets. |
| 4 | See the Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square | Witness the ceremonial march outside the Hellenic Parliament. |
| 5 | Take in Panoramic City Views from Lycabettus Hill | Enjoy breathtaking views of Athens and the surrounding sea. |
| 6 | See Ancient Treasures at the National Archaeological Museum | Explore the world’s richest collection of ancient Greek artifacts. |
| 7 | Explore Athens Central Market | Delight in the city’s finest fresh produce and local delicacies. |
| 8 | Relax at the Stavros Niarchos Park | Unwind in this expansive park with green lawns and excellent facilities. |
| 9 | Take in Street Art in Psyrri | Discover eclectic street art in this grungy-chic neighborhood. |
| 10 | Go Bar Hopping in Buzzing Gazi | Experience Athens’ nightlife with bars, clubs, and music venues. |
| 11 | People Watch with Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar | Enjoy sunset drinks with views of the Acropolis and the Aegean Sea. |
| 12 | Explore the Breathtaking Temple of Poseidon | Visit the elegant temple atop a headland overlooking the sea. |
| 13 | Wander Around the Booming Piraeus Harbor | Explore the bustling port and waterfront lined with cafes and restaurants. |
| 14 | Shop Your Heart Out in Kolonaki | Shop in Athens’ upscale downtown district with boutiques and cafes. |
| 15 | Take a Food Tour of the Central Market | Join a gourmet tour for tastings of Greek specialties. |
From admiring ancient sites to exploring new museums, savoring gourmet cuisine to lively nights out, Athens rewards travelers with memorable activities. Here are 15 of the best things to do in Athens, Greece in 2024:
Climb Up to the Acropolis
Name and Location: The Acropolis is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens, Greece. It sits about 156 meters above sea level.
History and Significance: The Acropolis was built in the 5th century BC and includes structures like the Parthenon, the Propylaea, and the Erechtheion. It was the center of ancient Athenian life and remains a potent symbol of Classical Greece.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore the ruins of ancient temples and buildings on the Acropolis. The views of the city and surrounding landscape from the top are breathtaking. The site gets crowded so go early or late to avoid crowds.
Visitor Information: The Acropolis is open daily 8am-5pm in summer, 8:30am-3pm in winter. Tickets cost 20 EUR and include entry to other sites. Wear comfortable shoes for walking the site. Guided tours are useful to understand the history.
No trip to Athens is complete without visiting the breathtaking Acropolis. Perched on a rocky outcrop above the city, this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses ancient Greek temples including the iconic Parthenon.
Explore the site’s majestic ruins and sweeping views of Athens that stretch all the way to the surrounding mountains and sea.
Marvel at the Parthenon Marbles at the Acropolis Museum
Name and Location: The Acropolis Museum is located at the base of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. The address is Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens 11742.
History and Significance: Opened in 2009, the museum was created to house artifacts and sculptural pieces from the Acropolis. The top floor displays the surviving Parthenon Marbles.
What to Expect: Visitors can admire over 4,000 artifacts and exhibits explaining the history of the Acropolis and Parthenon. The top floor overlooks the Acropolis. The museum uses glass floors and walls to create visual connections.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am-8pm, Fridays until 10pm. General admission is 10 EUR. Purchasing tickets in advance online is recommended to skip ticket lines. Guided audio tours are available.
After exploring the Acropolis itself, make your way to the state-of-the-art Acropolis Museum located at the base of the outcrop.
This award-winning museum opened in 2009 to house all finds from the archaeological site, including the stunning Parthenon Marbles. Their glass walkways provide jaw-dropping views of the Acropolis too.
Stroll Through Plaka’s Picturesque Streets
Name and Location: Plaka is a historic neighborhood situated on the northeastern slope of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It occupies a triangular area alongside the Acropolis and the Agora.
History and Significance: Plaka dates back to when Athens was first founded in the 7th century BC. Its narrow labyrinthine streets feature traditional architecture and hold significant ancient sites. The area offers a glimpse into historic Athens.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore charming pedestrian walkways lined with cafes, shops, and restaurants. Key sites include the Temple of Zeus, the Herodes Atticus Theater, and the Museum of Greek Folk Art.
Visitor Information: Plaka is open 24/7 and accessible via metro. Give yourself at least half a day to wander the atmospheric streets. Head up to Anafiotika village for stunning views. Visit early to beat the crowds.
With its pastel-colored houses, fragrant flowering trees and winding cobblestone streets, the historic neighborhood of Plaka is Athens’ prettiest district.
Nestled in the shadows of the Acropolis, wander its pedestrianized streets browsing colorful stores and admiring relics of Ancient Greece incorporated into the buildings. Stop for a meal or drink on a lively taverna terrace.
See the Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square
Name and Location: Syntagma Square is located in central Athens, Greece. It sits in front of the Greek Parliament building.
History and Significance: Syntagma Square has been a public plaza since ancient times. Today, it is the central hub and transportation center of modern Athens. The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place here.
What to Expect: The colorful Evzone guards march down Vasilissis Sofias Avenue to arrive at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour. Crowds gather to watch the ceremonial changing of the guards.
Visitor Information: The Changing of the Guard occurs on the hour from 6am to midnight daily. The ceremony lasts about 5 minutes. Arrive 15 minutes early to get a good viewing spot. Photography is allowed.
Athens’ central Syntagma Square is home to the Hellenic Parliament,backed by the National Garden. Time your visit to catch the changing of the guard outside Parliament at 11am each Sunday.
Evzones guards dressed in traditional skirts perform a ceremonial march that involves tense poses and high kicks—it’s a top Athens sight.
Take in Panoramic City Views from Lycabettus Hill
Name and Location: Lycabettus Hill is a limestone hill rising 277 meters over Athens, Greece. A funicular railway leads to the hilltop.
History and Significance: In ancient times, Lycabettus Hill was used as a sanctuary dedicated to Pan. Today, the hilltop offers some of the best panoramic views of Athens.
What to Expect: From the top, visitors can take in a sweeping 360° view of Athens, seeing landmarks like the Acropolis, Philopappos Hill, and the Aegean Sea. There are also open-air cafes and restaurants.
Visitor Information: The funicular runs every 30 minutes. Round-trip funicular tickets cost 7.70 EUR. Visitors can also hike up the hill along footpaths, which takes about 30-45 minutes. The hilltop is open 24 hours.
Rise up to the peak of Lycabettus Hill by funicular, footpath or cable car to enjoy breathtaking panoramas across Athens. The city unfolds below, with views stretching from the Acropolis to the modern cityscape and out across the Saronic Gulf. Watch the sunset from a rooftop bar for unforgettable vistas.
See Ancient Treasures at the National Archaeological Museum
Name and Location: The National Archaeological Museum is located in central Athens, Greece at Patision Street 44.
History and Significance: Founded in 1829, it is the largest archaeological museum in Greece. The museum houses important artifacts from Greek antiquity spanning thousands of years.
What to Expect: Visitors can see Greek Sculptures like the Varvakeion Athena statue, along with Bronze Age tools, Cycladic figurines, and stunning Mycenaean finds. Audio guides are available.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am-8pm, Fridays until 10pm. General admission is 10 EUR. Free on Sundays Nov-March. Metro lines 1 and 2 stop near the museum at Victoria Station.
One of the world’s great museums, the National Archaeological Museum houses the richest collection of ancient Greek artifacts on the planet.
Highlights include the Antikythera mechanism, golden Mask of Agamemnon and bronze Poseidon sculpture. With over 11,000 exhibits it’s an essential visit for understanding Greek history and culture.
Explore Athens Central Market
Name and Location: Athens Central Market, also called Agora, is located along Athinas Street in downtown Athens, Greece. The historic public market stretches from Omonia to Monastiraki.
History and Significance: Athens Central Market was established in 1910, though an open-air market has existed on this spot since ancient times. It is the renowned “stomach of Athens” where locals shop.
What to Expect: Visitors can browse through bustling stalls selling meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and more. The sights, sounds, and aromas are an authentic Greek market experience.
Visitor Information: Market hours are Monday-Saturday 7am-3pm but shops stay open later. The Monastiraki flea market section operates daily. Visit early morning for the full experience. Free to walk through and browse.
Foodies will love Central Market, a vast indoor space crammed with stalls selling the city’s finest fresh produce. Explore the meat, fish, cheese, spice and bakery sections. Taste local delicacies like feta, olives, honey and handmade sausages. Don’t miss the lively tavernas upstairs too—it’s the perfect spot for lunch Greek-style.
Relax at the Stavros Niarchos Park
Name and Location: The Stavros Niarchos Park is located 4 km south of central Athens, Greece along the coast in the Kallithea area. The main entrance is at 364 Syggrou Ave.
History and Significance: Completed in 2016, the park was designed by landscape architect Deborah Nevins. It covers 210 acres and provides recreation space for residents.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy expansive lawns, wooded areas, bicycle paths, sports facilities, playgrounds, and artificial hills offering panoramic views. The park also houses the National Library and Opera House.
Visitor Information: The park is open daily from 6am to midnight. Admission is free. Public transportation options include metro, bus, and tram. Guided tours are available through the website.
When it’s time to unwind, make your way to the lush Stavros Niarchos Park on Athens’ southern coast. This huge park mixes expansive green lawns, planting beds and wooded areas with excellent facilities. Go for a jog, rent bikes, enjoy a picnic or catch a free concert at its open-air Greek National Opera theater.
Take in Street Art in Psyrri
Name and Location: Psyrri is a central neighborhood in Athens located north of the Acropolis, between Omonoia Square and Thissio.
History and Significance: Psyrri was traditionally a working-class district. In recent decades, it has transformed into a youth culture hub with a thriving street art scene.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore the cobblestone streets to discover colorful murals, political graffiti, and urban installations by local and international artists. Some top works include a giant crayon and giraffe murals.
Visitor Information: Psyrri is very walkable. Guided street art tours are available, or visitors can freely explore. The neighborhood is liveliest at night when bars and tavernas open. Use caution after dark. Metro to Monastiraki station.
Psyrri is Athens’ eclectic neighborhood with a grungy-chic vibe thanks to its wealth of street art. Once a derelict industrial area, today it’s filled with an ever-changing gallery of political murals, arty graffiti tags and colorful designs on its walls and doorways. Snap an Instagram-worthy shot on every corner on a street art walking tour.
Go Bar Hopping in Buzzing Gazi
Name and Location: Gazi is an upscale cultural district in Athens located just west of the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. It stretches along Pireos Avenue.
History and Significance: The area was once home to Athens’ gasworks, later redeveloped into a hotspot for nightlife. Gazi has a vibrant bar, club and arts scene.
What to Expect: Visitors can bar hop through Gazi’s array of funky industrial-chic nightclubs, lounge bars, mezedopoleia and more. Live music and Greek spirits like ouzo and tsipouro fuel the energy.
Visitor Information: Most bars don’t open until 10pm or later. Take the metro to Kerameikos station, then walk or taxi to Gazi. Avoid poorly lit side streets at night. Check individual bar websites for events and hours.
After dark, Athens’ party really gets started. For a lively night out, head to Gazi district. The former gasworks area is now packed with pumping bars, clubs and music venues. Sip cocktails on terraces before hitting the dancefloor,or catch a gig by Greek bands or international DJs—the vibe here is electric.
People Watch with Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar
Name and Location: Athenians love rooftop bars with views of the Acropolis and city skyline. Popular rooftop bars are scattered all over Athens.
History and Significance: Rooftop bars took off in Athens around the 2000s and have become hotspots for sunset cocktails, people watching, and stunning views.
What to Expect: Bars like 360 Bar, A for Athens, and Duo Athens offer chic rooftop spaces to chill out with a drink and admire views of ancient ruins alongside sleek, modern cityscapes.
Visitor Information: Hours vary by bar, but are generally open into the late evening. Prices are moderate to expensive. Reservations recommended for prime sunset views. Check individual bar websites for more details.
Join fashionable Athenians for sunset drinks on a rooftop bar – the city has stacks to choose from. Sip cocktails while admiring panoramic views across Athens, with ancient monuments and the sparkling Aegean Sea visible in the distance. Bars around Monastiraki and Thissio have breathtaking Acropolis views.
Explore the Breathtaking Temple of Poseidon
Name and Location: The Temple of Poseidon is situated on Cape Sounion, at the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula, 68 km south of Athens.
History and Significance: Built in 440 BC, this Doric temple was dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea. The cliffside ruins offer panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore the temple ruins perched dramatically above the sea. Sunset views are stunning. The site includes the temple along with ruins of priests’ quarters and defensive walls.
Visitor Information: The site is open in summer from 8am-8pm, winter 8:30am-5pm. Admission is 12 EUR. Organized tours available from Athens. Reachable by rental car, tour bus, or taxi.
Make a day trip down the coast to visit Sounion, home to the Temple of Poseidon. Constructed around 440 BC, this elegant temple sits dramatically atop a headland overlooking the Aegean Sea. Journey an hour south of Athens, then hike up to the ruins at sunset when the temple and sea views are phenomenal.
Wander Around the Booming Piraeus Harbor
Name and Location: Piraeus is the largest port in Greece, located about 12 km southwest of central Athens on the Saronic Gulf.
History and Significance: Piraeus has served as Athens’ main harbor since ancient times. Today it is one of the Mediterranean’s busiest passenger ports and a hub of maritime activity.
What to Expect: Visitors can stroll the bustling docks and see ferries departing to Greek islands. The harborfront has seafood restaurants, bars, and views of ships coming and going. Top attractions include Zea Marina and Mikrolimano harbor.
Visitor Information: The harbor area is open 24/7. Reach Piraeus by metro, train, bus, or taxi from central Athens. Guided tours and boat cruises available. Use caution and avoid unlit areas at night.
Take the metro or a taxi to Piraeus, Athens’ hectic harbor. Explore its bustling passenger port before strolling along the redeveloped waterfront, now lined with cafes and restaurants.
Visit the archaeological museum displaying finds from Athens’ port through the ages. Or, take a day cruise to a Greek island like Hydra from here.
Shop Your Heart Out in Kolonaki
Name and Location: Kolonaki is an upscale central neighborhood of Athens located just northeast of Syntagma Square, bounded by Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
History and Significance: Kolonaki has been an affluent district since the early 20th century. Its pedestrianized streets are lined with boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants.
What to Expect: Visitors can spend hours browsing high-end Greek and international fashion as well as unique jewelry, furnishings, art, and antiques. Cafes offer prime people-watching.
Visitor Information: Most shops are open late, until 8 or 9pm. Metro stops include Syntagma and Evangelismos. Expect higher prices – Kolonaki is Athens’ priciest shopping area.
Set between Lycabettus Hill and Syntagma, Kolonaki is Athens’ upscale downtown district. Its leafy pedestrian streets are lined with boutiques, concept stores and cafes.
Shop for everything from luxury fashion and jewelry to homewares and quirky souvenirs here. Don’t miss the great people-watching opportunity from a cafe terrace too!
Take a Food Tour of the Central Market
Name and Location: Athens Central Market stretches along Athinas Street in the center of Athens, Greece from Omonia to Monastiraki.
History and Significance: The market has been the bustling heart of food shopping in Athens for over a century. This is where locals shop for fresh ingredients.
What to Expect: Food tours take visitors on a guided walk through the market to sample local delicacies like olives, feta, breads, and cured meats as vendors share their stories and insights.
Visitor Information: Tours typically last 2-3 hours and cost 50-90 EUR per person. Advance booking through sites like Culinary Backstreets is recommended, as spots fill quickly, especially for morning tours.
Dive into Athens’ incredible food scene by joining a gourmet tour of the Central Market. A guide will give you an insider introduction to the market’s highlights and culinary culture. Enjoy tastings of local cheeses, cured meats, pickles, spices, sweets and other Greek specialties as you explore. It’s a delicious experience!
Conclusion
With its rich cultural heritage and contemporary cool, Athens is an enthralling destination in 2024. From the majestic Acropolis to buzzing nightlife quarters, leafy parks to world-class museums, you’ll never run out of things to do in this vibrant capital city.
Savor the Mediterranean lifestyle over long lunches and cappuccinos before dancing the night away Greek-style. Athens will captivate your heart and senses.