Received two days in Athens, and questioning whether or not you’ll have time to squeeze in all of the sightseeing you wish to do whereas nonetheless having enjoyable?
There’s undoubtedly quite a bit to see and do there, so planning a visit will be fairly overwhelming. This itinerary for 2 days in Athens is right for first-time guests.
Based mostly on my quick Jet2 Metropolis Break there in April 2023, it can aid you see all of Athens’ greatest bits together with essentially the most well-known sights, cool bars and memorable views.
Now, I don’t need you to be alarmed. This will look like a busy Athens itinerary, however I promise it’s not overly formidable!
The beauty of Athens is that loads of the most important vacationer points of interest are very shut collectively, so you possibly can see the town’s hottest spots even if you happen to solely have 48 hours in Athens.
Use this real looking Athens sightseeing itinerary to cowl the same old attracts for vacationers just like the Acropolis and Hadrian’s Library, in addition to among the extra hidden gems.
The perfect itinerary for 2 days in Athens
When you’ve received greater than 48 hours in Athens, try the options for excursions and day journeys from Athens on the backside of this information.
You must also check out my information to the very best issues to do in Athens as there are 40+ suggestions!
When you’re stopping within the Greek capital throughout an extended interval of journey round Europe, you is perhaps on this 10 day Europe backpacking journey itinerary too.
Itinerary for day one in Athens
First, you’ll must get from Athens airport to the town centre. A taxi prices round 45 euros, or you possibly can take the metro.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re solely in Athens for 2 days you must e-book a personal switch forward of your journey. Glide previous the queues, drop your luggage at your resort and hit the streets!
Arriving in Athens within the late afternoon or night? Head straight to the Plaka space for dinner, drinks and an opportunity to take in the atmosphere of the town. You can begin following the beneath itinerary very first thing the following morning.
Morning 1: the highest historic points of interest
You first port of name if in case you have two days in Athens ought to be the Acropolis and the Parthenon. You’ll must go very first thing within the morning to beat the crowds.
When you’re arriving into Athens later within the day, I like to recommend following the day one itinerary I’ve outlined right here on day two and vice versa.
Principally, you must prioritise visiting the Acropolis advanced as early within the day as you possibly can, significantly if you happen to’re visiting Athens through the busy season.
The Acropolis opens at 8am, so get there early. This fashion, you’ve ticked some main Athens points of interest off your checklist earlier than different vacationers have even left the resort buffet. The Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Odeon of Herodotus Atticus are all on this web site.
TIP: If the combo go I discussed earlier doesn’t really feel best for you, I’d as an alternative advocate shopping for this ticket for the Acropolis. It provides you the skip-the-line privileges however is cheaper than the combo go and is appropriate for anybody not wanting to go to all seven of the traditional points of interest you get entry to with the combo go. Alternatively, this go features a guided tour.
When you’re solely in Athens in two days, you gained’t wish to waste time ready in lengthy queues so a skip-the-line go is important! Belief me, we received fairly a shock once we realised how busy it was.
On the identical web site because the Acropolis, you’ll discover the Acropolis Museum, which opens at 9am.
It’s greatest to go to the museum after slightly than earlier than the Acropolis itself to get a head begin on the crowds. Spend an hour to 90 minutes there, being positive to not miss the glass-floored basement, which is constructed over an archeological web site.
If you’ve seen all the pieces you wish to see within the museum and maybe stopped for a espresso within the museum cafe, you possibly can go to the close by Theatre of Dionysus. It sits on the Acropolis hill to the south and is kind of a sight to behold.
Lunch in Plaka
Now that you just’ve seen among the prime vacationer points of interest in Athens, you possibly can get pleasure from a nice stroll via the charming Plaka neighbourhood.
I really like this a part of Athens. Wisteria-shrouded buildings line cobbled streets packed cheek-to-jowl with memento outlets, upmarket boutiques and cosy tavernas.
It’s a fantastic place to seize some lunch, browse the outlets and boutiques, or simply wander aimlessly.
When you discover this picturesque space, you may encounter The Benizelou Mansion. That is the oldest home in all of Athens and undoubtedly value a fast go searching, so you possibly can think about life within the capital within the seventeenth century.
When you’re in Plaka, you may additionally wish to discover the gorgeous whitewashed neighbourhood that sits simply beneath the Acropolis, Anafiotika. It’s like being teleported to one of many Greek islands.
When you select to go to, please keep in mind it’s a residential space so that you must be respectful of the individuals who stay there.
Afternoon: Rooftop views and procuring (or extra historical past)
Subsequent, make your method in the direction of Monastiraki Sq., which is the town’s beating coronary heart. It’s a fantastic spot for people-watching and whether or not you have got in the future in Athens or every week there, you’re sure to seek out your self in Monastiraki Sq. in some unspecified time in the future.
One of many factors of curiosity within the sq. is the Panagia Pantanassa, which is among the oldest church buildings within the metropolis.
It ought to be time for a chilly drink now, so head to one of many many rooftop bars in Athens to refuel. Our favorite was MS Roof Backyard, as a result of it has implausible views of the Acropolis and Monastiraki Sq. beneath.
Suitably refreshed, it’s time to go to Hadrian’s Library.
Hadrian’s Library is accessed through Monastiraki Sq., so you possibly can go to this well-known historic Greek attraction subsequent once you return to floor stage. Use your combo go to skip the road and save time.
Had your fill of historical past? As a substitute for Hadrian’s Library, go to the Athens Flea Market.
When you’re in Monastiraki Sq. dealing with the metro station, the doorway to the market is simply to the best of the station.
Sundown and Athens nightlife
From there, I like to recommend heading again to Plaka for sundowners or maybe grabbing an ice cream and strolling some extra.
Alternatively, take a sundown tour to Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon. You’ll get to see the oldest theatre, Thorikos, and soak up some spectacular views.
When you’re trying to keep out late throughout your two days in Athens, it’s in all probability greatest to avoid wasting the partying till your final night time.
Not scared? Try Diego’s for Asian & South American meals with a DJ offering the soundtrack.
Day two itinerary for Athens
After breakfast on day two in Athens, you possibly can sit up for a extra relaxed day with fewer crowds and queues.
Morning: Olympic Stadium, gardens and a free present
Begin with ticking off two extra Athens must-see landmarks which might be conveniently only a minute’s stroll from each other: the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.
Subsequent, head to the Panathenaic Stadium, which prices 10 euros to enter. It is a actual Athens must-see and though we solely spent round 40 minutes there, I discovered it actually thrilling to see such an vital a part of Greece’s historical past.
There’s a small exhibition hooked up to the stadium which I undoubtedly advocate visiting too.
Subsequent, you possibly can get pleasure from a tranquil stroll via the Nationwide Gardens. It is a beautiful spot to flee the crowds in Athens. It has a park, ponds, small petting zoo, a restaurant, museum and botanical backyard.
Exit the Nationwide Gardens close to the Hellenic Parliament Constructing and time your journey to catch the altering of the guard ceremony.
This occurs each hour on the hour in entrance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When you’re in Athens on a Sunday, you possibly can watch a extra elaborate ceremony at 11am.
Use the metro to get from Syntagma station (close to the parliament constructing) to Monastiraki and brace your self for what you’re about to expertise!
Afternoon: candy treats and your alternative of chilled time
Cease for a candy deal with at Little Kook, the wackiest cafe in Athens.
Little Kook is a singular place to have espresso and cake, however the meals isn’t the primary attraction. This kitsch cafe has an ever-changing theme, and the decor may be very spectacular.
Throughout our two days in Athens, the theme was Alice and Wonderland. The decorations had been loopy! The employees had been even dressed up as characters just like the Queen of Hearts.
For the remainder of the afternoon you possibly can then spend a little bit of time uncovering among the metropolis’s assorted avenue artwork, procuring within the varied upmarket outlets or discovering the very best locations to eat in Athens on a connoisseur meals tour.
Sunset: hike for views (or take the straightforward route), then go to the good bar in Athens
How does sundown on a mountain sound to place the cherry on prime of your Athens break?
You may have a few choices relating to getting a superb view from above. Hike to the highest of Philopappos Hill for panoramic golden hour views of the town, or deal with Lycabettus Hill, which is the best level in Athens.
Philopappos Hill is simpler to get to and gives good views of the Acropolis. Then again, from the highest of Lycabettus you possibly can see all the way in which out to Piraeus and past to Aegina on a transparent day.
In case this sways you, there’s a cable automotive you should utilize to get to the highest of Mount Lycabettus!
Toast the top of your two days in Athens with drinks in Psyri or try among the many superb bars in Athens as soon as darkness descends.
We completely liked The Clumsies, which is on the Prime 50 Finest Bars checklist. Tom’s cocktail was served with a scented piece of paper, offering an expertise for a number of senses. When you like cocktails, this can be a must-visit throughout your metropolis break in Athens.
What to do if in case you have three, 4, 5 days in Athens
When you have longer than two days in Athens and also you’ve visiting in Summer season, you may like so as to add on a day on the seashore.
Head to the glamorous Athenian Riviera to your third day in Athens to flee the excitement of the town. The Metropolis Sightseeing bus will take you there and again.
Alternatively, go to one of many many museums or artwork galleries within the metropolis.
Received three days or extra in Athens? Try the preferred day journeys from Athens beneath.
Full-day cruise from Athens to the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina
Monasteries and hermit caves on a Full-Day Meteora Journey from Athens
Mycenae, a serious centre of Greek civilisation, the Hellenic theatre of Epidaurus and Nauplia
Is 2 days in Athens sufficient?
Truthfully, two days in Athens will barely assist you to scratch the town’s floor. I really feel like I may spend the entire summer time there and discover a unique space every day!
Nevertheless, two days within the metropolis centre might be sufficient so that you can see the primary sights, following this Athens itinerary.
When you’d love to do a day journey exterior of Athens or spend time on the seashore, I’d advocate including on an additional day or two.
See extra of my Europe journey guides right here
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