Last updated: December 10th, 2024
Is 2 Days in Athens enough? Here’s how to make the most of it!
If you’re like me, you might have heard mixed reviews about Athens. Some travelers fall in love with its energy, while others leave unimpressed. From my experience, those who didn’t enjoy their visit probably didn’t go to the RIGHT spots. Luckily, my 2 days in Athens were absolutely perfect, and in this itinerary, I’ll show you exactly how to plan your trip to ensure the same experience.
You might be questioning, is 2 days in Athens really enough time? I think 2 days is a great way to introduce yourself to the city, get a feel for it, and maybe even visit the surrounding area; which is exactly what this itinerary will do for you. Could you spend longer there? I would say probably! One extra day could give you more time to visit other ancient monuments and more time to discover new foodie finds. You could probably even add on a 4th day to go on a day trip!
This itinerary is designed to help you:
✅ Explore Athens’ most iconic landmarks,
✅ Discover some of its best foodie spots, and
✅ Even squeeze in a visit to the surrounding area for a well-rounded experience.
But, if you working with a tight schedule or just planning a quick stopover, 2 days in Athens is great! This itinerary will break down for you what can manageably be achieved for 2 days in this iconic city. We accomplished everything on this list, so you definitely can too!
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2 days in Athens Itinerary Outline:
🏛️ Day 1: Immerse Yourself in Ancient History
🌊 Day 2: Athenian Culture & Coast
Arriving in Athens
✈️ Arriving by plane: If you’re flying into Athens, the easiest way to get to the city center is via the Blue Line (metro line 3). It runs every 30 minutes between 6:30 am and 11:30 pm, and the journey typically takes around 40 minutes, depending on your destination. It’s a convenient and affordable option, especially if you’re staying near a metro stop. You can also prearrange a taxi with Kiwitaxi – I’d recommend doing this if you have lots of luggage or don’t want to worry about the hassle of finding your way when you first arrive.
🚂 Arriving by train: If by chance you arriving in Athens by train, you most likely will be arriving at Larissa Station – this is the main train station in the city. You can transfer to the metro here at St. Larissis Station and can take the metro or public transit to wherever you need.
🏨 Where to stay in Athens: During our 2 days in Athens, we stayed in Plaka – one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Athens. We stayed in a rooftop Airbnb that had spectacular views of the Acropolis. Everything was within walking distance and we felt safe the entire visit. It was also a very reasonably priced place but if you are looking for budget-friendly accommodations, check out these cool hostels on Hostelworld.
Day 1: Immerse Yourself in Ancient History
HIGHLIGHT: Stroll around the Acropolis
You can’t spend 2 days in Athens without exploring the Acropolis! And let me tell you, it’s absolutely worth it! One thing I didn’t realize before visiting Athens was that there is actually a lot to see at the Acropolis beyond the iconic Parthenon! Also included in your ticket is access to the remains of other sites such as the Theatre of Dionysus, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the Temple of Nike Athena!
⏰ We spent just over 1-2 hours exploring the grounds
⛰️ Reminder: the acropolis sits on top of a hill so there will be some uphill walking required!
💰We spent around 40 euros (this ticket included access to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum)
🌅I’d recommend visiting right when they open, it’s usually before the big groups come through. If you are visiting in the hotter months, avoid visiting mid-day when temperatures are at the highest!
PRO TIP: If you want to see even more of Athens, there is a Combo Ticket that might be worth your while. A Combo Ticket allows you to access the Acropolis, plus 6 other archeological sites around Athens. Typically when you book the combo ticket, you book a timed entry for the Acropolis and then have 5 days to enjoy the other sites including the Ancient Agora, Hadrien’s Library, and the Roman Agora. If you have more than 2 days in Athens or are interested in seeing more sites than just the Acropolis, I’d definitely consider the combo ticket! (This particular ticket doesn’t include access to the Acropolis Museum!)
Visit the Acropolis Museum
I mentioned above that our ticket to the Acropolis also included access to the Acropolis Museum. A must-visit in Athens, the Acropolis Museum houses many of the original relics from the Acropolis. The building is very modern which is interesting considering the amount of historical treasures that are found inside. You’ll also find an active archaeological site right outside the museum, which you can admire with the price of your ticket.
⏰ We spent about 2 hours visiting
☕️ There is a cafe inside that offers a great view of the city
🎒 You have to check your bags at the door (for free)!
🎧 We didn’t pay for a guided tour but if you want an audio tour, make sure you bring head phones! The audio tours are accessed from your phone.
Walk through Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki Square is the lively heart of Athens, bustling with activity – you need to visit at least once. Here, you’ll find historic landmarks like Hadrian’s Library and the Ancient Agora, alongside flea markets, shops, and many restaurants. It is one of the oldest areas (making it one of the most historic) of the city and truly feels like you’re in the heart of ancient Athens!
Take a break in a cafe or rooftop bar
The Monastiraki area is full of bars, cafes and restaurants. One thing I LOVED about Athens was the attention to detail for each restaurant’s decor. Every place was absolutely beautiful! So, this is a really great spot to take a break after your busy morning!
If you want to try a unique cafe:
Just around the corner from Monastiraki Square is Little Kook. I have NEVER seen anything like this! The entire street leading up to the cafe is covered in decorations, head to toe, around a certain theme. During the Christmas season, there have been winter and Nutcracker themes. When I went it was Alice in Wonderland theme.
They have a few shops and snack options around but the main cafe is where you should grab a seat. It is a complete sensory overload with decorations from the ceiling to the floor, music, and that craziest menu! I will admit, this is not a cheap place to eat. You pay for the food and the experience. But it is definitely the most unique place we visited during our 2 days in Athens.
If you want to try a rooftop bar:
Athens is known for having many rooftop restaurants and bars. They all compete to offer beautiful views of the city and the best view of the Acropolis. We opted for A for Athens Rooftop bar in Monastiraki Square. This bar had the best view by far! It is quite a popular spot because they are known for their view so we decided to book a table in advance. We had to pay a minimum of 25 euros per person, which was perfect for a drink and an appetizer!
Watch the sunset from a hilltop
Another must-do activity in Athens is to watch the sunset from one of the many hilltops. The three main hilltops in Athens are Philopappos Hill, Areopagus Hill, and Lycabettus Hill. We opted for Lycabettus Hill and it didn’t disappoint! It is a bit of a hike to get there but it was super worth it – the views from up top are spectacular! There is also a tiny church at the top of the hill and, when we were there, there was a service going on which was really special to witness.
⏰ From the bottom of the hill, it took us around 15 minutes to get to the top (but it took us longer since we were walking from the city center)
🌅 The earlier you arrive the better, it’s a nice view of the sunset so there will be a lot of people
⛰️You don’t necessarily need to make it all the way to the top for the nicest view. It was way too crowded when we were there so we found a nice spot a little way down the hill to watch the sunset. There is also a restaurant on the way up as well that has patios and tables to enjoy a drink with the view!
Enjoy live music in a Taverna
For authentic Greek cuisine, make sure you visit a Taverna! The Psyri neighbourhood is an excellent place to find plenty of dinner options and my recommendation would be to stop by Taverna Tou Psirri! This restaurant had a beautiful backyard patio surrounded by plants and to top it off, they also had live music! You can get plenty of local food here including fish, baked feta, and a variety of salads!
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Day 2: Athenian Culture & Coast
See the changing of the Guard
If your 2 days in Athens include a Sunday, then head to Syntagma Square at 11 am to witness the official Changing of the Guard ceremony. The official ceremony happens every Sunday at 11 am but there are also small guard changes that happen hourly. The ceremony is a unique tradition that offers a glimpse into Greek culture.
Take a walking tour of Athens
Once you’ve explored Athens’ famous landmarks and tourist spots, it’s time to get to know the other neighborhoods in the city. And a walking tour is the BEST way to do that! Spend the morning being shown Athens by a local, get to know the hidden gems, and uncover facts you might not have known about before.
We opted for a food walking tour and this particular one was everything I needed and more. Our guide was amazing and introduced us to authentic Greek cuisine that went far beyond the typical salad, moussaka, and souvlaki! We explored local markets, cafes, shops and even enjoyed a cheese and olive tasting all while exploring new areas of Athens. Every spot was authentic and 90% of the foods we tried I had never heard of before – I left with a new love for Greek food!
Here is a link to the exact tour we took – I really enjoyed it!
Do some shopping in Plaka
If you haven’t already done so, spend some time shopping in Plaka. Plaka is the heart of Athens when it comes to shopping, and it’s an excellent way to support local artisans while finding unique souvenirs.
One of my favorite stores was Flaneur Souvenirs & Supplies, a charming local shop that collaborates with Greek and Athenian artists to create one-of-a-kind items. From stickers and postcards to T-shirts and prints, this shop has something special for everyone. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a meaningful keepsake designed by locals.
HIGHLIGHT: Visit the Athenian Riviera
If you can, make some time in your 2 days in Athens itinerary to visit the coast. If I’m honest, I hadn’t heard of the Athenian Riviera until we were looking for one last activity to finish off our day. This beautiful coastal area, just an hour outside Athens, offers stunning beaches, cultural landmarks, and breathtaking sunsets.
Here are some spots you can visit along the Athenian Riviera:
🏊🏼♀️ Lake Vouliagmeni: A thermal lake that was historically a cave
🏖️ Sounio Beach: A serene beach located at the foot of Poseidon’s Temple with crystal clear waters
🏛️ Poseidon’s Temple: Arguably the BEST spot in mainland Greece to watch the sunset!
We visited all of these spots through an Airbnb experience and it was one of the highlights of our trip. All of these spots are only an hour outside of the city – which means you would normally need to either take a tour or figure out public transportation. From my experience, this tour did everything for you. It was just our group and our guide and we got to learn a little bit more about the area from a local!
Here is a link to the tour we took but there are plenty of tours I’ve linked below for you to check out:
Tips for visiting Athens
📆 The best time to visit is in September: Be sure to visit during shoulder season if you want to avoid crowds and uncomfortably hot temperatures. While we visited in April and found the temperatures comfortable enough for long pants, I’ve since learned that September offers the perfect balance of ideal weather and warm water temperatures if you’re interested in going for a swim!
🚊 You DO NOT need a 3-day metro pass: When I arrived in Athens, I purchased a 3-day metro pass, thinking I’d use it often. In reality, I only used the metro to get to and from the airport. Athens is an incredibly walkable city for the most part, and you can easily explore most neighborhoods on foot. Unless your accommodation is far from the city center, you might want to skip the metro pass and save the extra expense. However, some spots can be a bit of a walk, so decide what you want to see during your time in Athens and plan accordingly!
🏨 Choose your accommodation in the right neighborhood: One of the reasons I’ve heard people didn’t enjoy Athens was because they felt unsafe. Choosing your accommodations in a good neighborhood is particularly important when visiting Athens. We stayed in Plaka and had no problems at all! Here is the link to our Airbnb! Another popular and vibrant neighborhood to consider is Psyri, known for its lively atmosphere and charming streets.
READ MORE: 7 things you need to know before visiting Athens
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2 days in Athens: is it worth it?
Absolutely, 2 days in Athens in worth it! You can probably tell that I actually really enjoyed Athens. From its rich history to its incredible food and fascinating culture, our 2 days in Athens were well balanced between these different sides of Greek culture. If you’re planning your own 2-day Athens itienrary, I hope these tips and recommendations help you create an equally memorable experience!
Did you know: I also offer customized travel itineraries and guides to help make your travel planning a little less stressful!
If Athens is just the starting point for your trip to Greece, you might be heading on to the islands next! If you are heading over to Santorini, be sure to check out ALL of the island and not just the popular town of Oia. You can read more on my 7 things to do when visiting Santorini post.
