3 days in Athens
The city of Gods
To celebrate my thirtieth birthday, I took a weekend city trip to Athens, Greece. As a busy mum, it was important for me to plan a stress-free and enjoyable trip, so I carefully planned out three days to see as much of the ancient city as possible. Athens is a popular destination for world travellers, and it’s not hard to see why. With a 3,000 year old history and rich culture, the city boasts some of the oldest standing structures in Europe.
If you’re visiting Athens for the first time, it can be overwhelming to decide what to see. However, there are some sites that should be prioritized, such as the ancient ruins that speak to the city’s origins, world-class museums, excellent food unique to the area, and the charming streets of the Plaka neighborhood.
Check out how I explored the destinations with food and culture experiences if you are a first time visitor:
Table of Contents
WHAT TO SEE IN ATHENS:
DAY 1: Spend the day exploring the main square and local surroundings by foot
After checking in at the hotel, we started walking through the streets of Athens to a nearby neighbourhood called Plaka. The old streets of Plaka are a must-see when it’s your first time in Athens and a perfect way to start off your city trip in Athens.
Plaka is the oldest section in Athens that’s become a destination in itself. There isn’t one specific spot that you should visit here, instead a broad area that you have to explore by foot. Most of the streets have been closed to automobile traffic, though you should still keep a watchful eye for speeding motorcycle or delivery trucks.
With its coloured buildings, cobbled streets, and charming alleyways, Plaka is an incredibly photogenic and romantic area to explore. It’s the perfect introduction to Athens, and there are many authentic Greek restaurants scattered throughout.
As we wandered through Plaka, we stumbled upon Anafiotika, a cluster of small houses built on the slopes of the Acropolis. It’s the perfect place to experience the feeling of a Greek island in the heart of a bustling city. If you’re looking to experience the backstreets of Mykonos, Anafiotika is the closest you can get.
From Anafiotika, you can either follow the signs to walk up to the Acropolis or make your way back down to the centre. We chose to head downwards towards Monastiraki Square, the Flea Market, and Little Kook to continue exploring the streets of Athens.
While walking through the streets, we stumbled upon the charming Little Kook café tucked away on a narrow street in the Psyrri area. This café is anything but traditional, as it’s decorated like a real-life fairy tale. It’s a popular spot among locals and tourists alike for its fairy-tale themed decor and delicious cakes.
Little Kook’s themes change regularly, depending on the season (Christmas. Easter, Halloween etc.), when we visited, it seemed like a mix of Madagascar and Spring. If you are planning on visiting this unusual café in Athens, let me know how it’s decorated right now. To make the experience unforgettable,the staff also dresses up according to the café’s theme, adding an extra touch of authenticity to this magical place.
As you enter through a cute narrow street covered by colourful umbrellas, you’ll find the perfect spot to snap some photos. Don’t be surprised if you see Instagrammers here – it’s a very popular spot. I know I’ll definitely be bringing my girls here on my next visit, as it’s a great place for kids to enjoy a sugary desserts while diving into a fantasy world. However, the cakes are quite sweet, so be aware of the possibility of a sugar rush. But don’t think, Little Kook is just for children – there’s something magical waiting for visitors of all ages.
You can easily locate Little Kook on Google Maps, and it’s just a short walk from Monastiraki Square
After exploring the area, we stopped at a local jazz restaurant (details below) for lunch. The food was amazing and the staff was very friendly. Sitting out on the verandah in the middle of the streets of Athens added to the magical atmosphere.
Following lunch, we visited the National Garden of Athens, a historic park with a variety of native and exotic plants, archaeological exhibits, a small zoo, a playground, and a children’s library. This park is known as the green lungs of Athens, providing a refreshing escape. So if you need a break from the exhaust rich city, this is the perfect place to sit down and relax your feet. Though we didn’t take a long break, we explored the garden and walked through to the Zappeion Garden.
The Zappeion Garden is a quiet little park in front of the Zappeion from the 1880s. It features numerous trees, footpaths, statues, and a romantic fountain. This was the perfect place to take a break, watch the sunset, and reflect on our day in Athens. It was peaceful and not too crowded, providing us with the opportunity to talk, appreciate nature, and feel grateful for this wonderful trip.
DAY 2: Sightseeing Athens and Piraeus
We had an amazing breakfast at our hotel, but I’ll tell you about that later. On our second day in Athens, we decided to explore the city using the Hop-On Hop-Off bus. This bus is a great way to see all the major sights and get around Athens easily. Keep in mind that there are different colored buses, so make sure you only get on the one you bought your ticket from. We purchased our tickets from www.citysightseeing.gr and took the Athens and Piraeus Line. I highly recommend checking their website to find the perfect package for your trip and the sites you want to see.
When you board the bus, you receive free headphones to plug into the side of your seat. You can choose from 13 different languages and listen to the fascinating history of the city and surrounding areas, from ancient to modern times, while enjoying the view from the open-top bus. You don’t have to get off at every stop – some sites can be seen while simply driving by. The summer season runs from April 1st to October 31st, with daily departures from 8:30am-8:30pm. You can use your 24-hour ticket on 2 operating days and explore each destination at your own pace.
I recommend making the Acropolis your first stop in the morning, as it can get very crowded and hot later on. The busiest time to visit is from 11am until 1pm, regardless of the time of year. The bus takes you straight up to the top, and from the bus stop, it’s a short but epic walk up to the entrance, where you can buy your ticket if you haven’t already.
We began our exploration at the grand amphitheater, known as the Odeon Herodes Atticus, on the south slope of the hill. We then walked up through the gate of Propylaea to see the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Erechtheum, and, of course, the Parthenon. Don’t forget to take a walk downwards on the southwest slope of the Acropolis, where you’ll find more monuments and archaeological sites. Here, you’ll discover real architectural wonders, such as the Theatre of Dionysus, the Asclepieion, the Stoa of Eumenes, and the Temple of Thrasyllos.
After visiting the Acropolis, we got back on the bus and took a drive around Athens to see more of the city and other sites from the open roof bus. We then got off in Piraeus, where we enjoyed a lovely walk along the beach and stopped at a charming little beachside restaurant (details below) for lunch. The view and atmosphere were so peaceful and relaxing, and since it was my birthday, all I wished for was a slow and stress-free day. I’m sure every mom can understand that desire. So, we spontaneously decided to stay there and take a break.
As we sat on the verandah looking out over the clear ocean and having meaningful conversations, I couldn’t help but feel grateful and proud of myself for how far I’ve come. But not to forget, photos have to be taken to remember this epic trip. Right next to the restaurant is a great tourist photo spot that we just had to stop by.
Back in Athens, we went on a shopping trip before getting ready for my birthday dinner. One of the must-see sights in Athens is the Lycabettus Hill at night, which offers an unforgettable view. There are two ways to reach the top: you can hike all the way up or take the cable car. Since our hotel was only 20 minutes away, we decided to walk up to the cable car ticket office, but you can also take a taxi.
At the top, the first stop is the viewing platform in front of the church, which provides a sparkling view of Athens by night. We spend our last night in Athens, dinning at the hilltop restaurant Orizontes with this amazing view.
WHERE TO STAY
IN[N] ATHENS
You need a great night’s sleep to be able to spend your sightseeing days in Athens. In[n] Athens is a mix of comfort and modern design, the Greek marble and steel come together harmonically and bring out the Greek chic character. In the perfect location right in the center of Athens just a few minutes away from Syntagma square and Monastiraki Square, you are able to walk to almost every location I have put together in this guide.
After a full day in the busy city and sightseeing, In[n] Athens hidden garden full of plants offers you a magical quiet place to relax and plan your next day.
Quick FACTS and INFOS
HOP ON HOP OFF BUS:
- Summer season is from April 1st till October 31st
- Depature times from 8:30am – 8pm (last bus at 7pm)
- Free WIFI, headphones
- Commentary in 13 languages
- Barrier-free
More details: www.citysightseeing.gr
ACROPOLIS ENTRANCE FEE:
You can choose between a single or combi ticket to enter other archaeological sites. It varies depending on which structures you want to see, the dates and age. Regular-price tickets are the usual price for a ticket during most of the year. Reduced-price tickets are the price of tickets from November 1 – March 31. Here is a little breakdown of the costs for visitors.
Tickets to the Acropolis and its Slopes
- Regular ticket: 20€
- Reduced ticket: 10€
- Regular ticket: 30€
- Reduced ticket: 15€
*The seven other sites that you can get entrance to with this ticket are (this includes the Acropolis): Ancient Agora of Athens, Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, Archaeological Site of Lykeion, Hadrian’s Library, Kerameikos, Museum of the Ancient Agora, North Slope of the Acropolis, Olympieio, Roman Agora of Athens, and South Slope of Acropolis. You will have 5 days to use this ticket and you can only use it once per site.
WHERE TO STAY:
In[n] Athens
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