One Day in Athens: Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring the City

Athens, Greece

When I began planning my trip to Greece, I knew my journey would start in Athens. Many people suggested I skip Athens entirely and head straight to the islands, but I’m so glad I ignored that advice. I had an incredible time. If you’re visiting Greece for the first time, I strongly recommend experiencing the vibrant energy and rich history of the capital city. In this guide, I’ll share my top recommendations for spending one full day in Athens.

Morning

If you are traveling from the United States, you will likely arrive in Athens in the morning, depending on your flight schedule. Once you arrive you should bring your luggage to your hotel. Even if early check-in is not available, most hotels will gladly store your bags so you can start exploring.

• I recommend beginning your adventure with a visit to the Acropolis. No trip to Athens is complete without seeing this iconic landmark. It's best to visit either early in the morning or later in the evening before closing time, during the day it’s way too hot. The Acropolis is open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, with the last admission at 7:00 PM. Be sure to check the official website beforehand, as hours may change. To save time, purchase your tickets in advance here.

  • Be cautious as the rocks on the path to the Acropolis can be extremely slippery. Wear shoes with good grip, and take your time as you walk up, allowing yourself to fully enjoy the views.

• Enjoy a meal at restaurants within walking distance of the Acropolis that serve traditional Greek cuisine.

  • Arcadia Restaurant (5 minute walk)

  • Liondi Traditional Greek Restaurant (5 minute walk)

• Alternatively, you can go on a walking tour. Fun Fact: You can usually find FREE walking tours in major cities, especially in Europe. Check out a few options here.

Afternoon

If you arrived in Athens in the morning and couldn’t check-in early, you should now be able to settle into your hotel, take a shower, and relax. If you're like me, you might want to take a quick nap. But if you still have energy, I've listed a few rooftop bars below that you can explore.

• Check out the Psiri area - with trendy bar options

• 360 Cocktail Rooftop Bar

• Olive Garden (no this is not the American franchise, btw) - Located on top of Titania Hotel

• Couleur Locale

• Attic Urban Rooftop

Evening

Dine at an authentic Greek restaurant—I highly recommend the below. Check out the menu and food options. Just look at how much delicious food you can get for such a great price! After experiencing the prices in Santorini and Mykonos, this will definitely put a smile on your face (haha)!

Night

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the nightlife in Athens. The atmosphere was incredible, and I met some of the nicest people while hopping between different bars. Here are my top recommendations for a night out in Athens:

• Draxmi Bar

• The Penthouse Athens RnB & Hip-Hop

• The Bank Job

  • If you walk around this area, there are a ton of different bars that you can scope out based on your vibe

• Definitely grab a late night snack at Etnico Street Cuisine, the food was amazing!

Other Places to Check out in Athens:

• Athens City Center

• Ancient Agora

• Panatheaic Stadium

• Lycabettus Hill

• Zappeion, Plaka

• Monastirki Flea Market

• Stroll down Aiolou Street

Affordable Hotels to Consider for a Night:

• Titania Hotel (★★★★): I stayed here for one night and enjoyed my stay, the rooms are a little outdated (in my opinion), but a comfortable stay nonetheless. I loved their rooftop resturant / bar (Olive Garden) Book your room here.

• Brown Acropol (★★★★): I stayed here the night before I left Greece, the room is comfortable and such a vibe. Nice rooftop with hot tubs and a bar. Book your room here.

Check out my travels turned into reels on Instagram and TikTok! Thanks for reading :)