Top 25 Must-Do Activities in Athens, Greece

If you are akin to us, arriving at the cradle of civilization resembles a child’s delight in a confectionery store. The array of Doric and Ionic temples, statues, vases, and Archaic figurines is seemingly inexhaustible before fatigue sets in.

Within museums, one can observe the ballot disks employed in Ancient Greek courts, visit the Theatre of Dionysus, where playwrights Euripides and Aristophanes staged their notable works, or walk through the Agora, aware that you are traversing the same paths once followed by Plato and Socrates.

However, Athens transcends being merely an archaeological entity; it is a vibrant metropolis that encompasses a concrete urban jungle and Plaka, a network of alleyways established over the ancient residential quarters of Athens. Hills such as Mount Lycabettus and Philopappos Hill provide a panoramic view of the city, allowing one to appreciate the Acropolis seated atop its rocky elevation.

Let us delve into the most significant attractions in Athens:

1. Acropolis

There is little that remains to be said about Athens’ iconic ancient citadel that has not already been articulated extensively.

The Acropolis stands proudly on a steep rocky outcrop above the city, featuring globally recognized Classical landmarks that attract individuals who spend lifetimes yearning to witness them in person.

The crowning achievement is undoubtedly the Parthenon, yet the Propylea, the Erectheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike are also essential components of this historic site. Engaging with a knowledgeable, registered guide allows you to bypass long waits while gaining fascinating insights regarding ancient Greek democracy and philosophy.

The ascent involves navigating steep, worn marble pathways until reaching the flat summit, with preparations necessary for the presence of construction cranes and scaffolding, a fitting requirement for a World Heritage Site.

2. Parthenon

Regarded as the pinnacle of the Doric Order and as Classical Greece’s most significant structure extant into the 21st Century, the Parthenon is emblematic of western civilization as well as Athenian democracy.

This temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena, with construction commencing in 447 BC, a period when the Athenian Empire reigned supreme in the Aegean.

Co-designed by Ictinus and Callicrates, it initially served as a city treasury, then transitioned into a church in the 6th century and later, during the 1460s, became a mosque.

Historically, several sculptures from the Parthenon were removed by The Earl of Elgin at the commencement of the 18th century and subsequently sold to the British Museum, where they remain today.

The remaining original frieze and pediment sculptures can be admired at the Acropolis Museum, detailed next.

3. Acropolis Museum

Designed by Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi, the Acropolis Museum is located on the southeast slope and was inaugurated in 2009 to display the multitude of artifacts unearthed at the Acropolis archaeological site.

This museum has been strategically aligned to ensure continuous views of the Parthenon, and it is constructed atop ancient ruins, with much of the ground level featuring glass panels and open spaces, showcasing the historical foundations beneath.

Visitors embark on a chronological journey across three levels, commencing with the archaic finds showcased in a spacious trapezoidal hall, which also includes discoveries from the Erechtheion, the Propylaea gateway, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

Following this, visitors move to admire the marbles from the frieze (including metopes) and pediments of the Parthenon in a gallery that mimics the dimensions, column spacing, and orientation of the temple.

The exploration continues downward through the remnants of Roman and early Christian Athens.

4. Erechtheion

Situated on the northern flank of the Acropolis, the Erechtheion is a temple dedicated to Athena and Poseidon, constructed in the Ionic style between 421 and 406 BC. In subsequent eras, this edifice served various purposes, including a Byzantine church, a palace during the Frankish period, and later, a dwelling for the harem of the Ottoman command.

A standout feature to behold is the southern Porch of the Maidens, characterized by six splendorous caryatids that support its roof, sculpted by Callimachus or Alcamenes.

The existing caryatids are replicas, with five originals housed in the Acropolis Museum and one at the British Museum.

5. National Archaeological Museum

A true treasure trove of ancient artistry, the National Archaeological Museum in Athens ranks among the largest and most opulent globally.

The exhibition halls are filled with premier artifacts that have captivated scholars for generations.

Notably, items derived from the Antikythera wreck, discovered in 1900 and dating back to the 4th century BC, yielded the Antikythera Mechanism, the world’s oldest analogue computer, alongside the reflective Philosopher’s Head.

Additionally, the Mask of Agamemnon, a golden funerary mask from the 16th century BC, presumably made for Mycenaean nobility, attracts visitors, albeit its date being too early for actual association with Agamemnon himself.

Other remarkable exhibits include the Eleusinian relief from the 5th century BC, Bronze Age frescoes originating from the islands of Santorini and Thera, and the captivating Jockey of Artemision, a statue of a racehorse dating from 150-140 BC.

6. Temple of Hephaestus

Perched upon the 65-meter Agoraios Kolonos hill on the northwest side of the Agora of Athens, the Temple of Hephaestus is a wonderfully preserved Doric peripteral temple.

Construction commenced in the latter half of the 5th century BC and faced delays of three decades due to the diversion of funds and labor towards constructing the Parthenon.

Engineered by Ictinus, this temple was dedicated to Athena and Hephaestus, the ancient deity of fire and craftsmanship, featuring six fluted columns at its western edge and 13 along its northern and southern faces.

Sculpted elements are abundant, depicting the Labors of Hercules on the metopes of the eastern side, alongside scenes in the pronaos and opisthodomos representing Theseus with the Pallantides and the conflict between Centaurs and Lapiths.

7. Museum of Cycladic Art

Initiated in the 1960s, Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris accumulated the largest global collection of prehistoric art from the Cycladic Islands within the Aegean region.

By the 1980s, this collection warranted the establishment of a museum, which commenced operations in 1986. It houses over 3,000 works of Cycladic, Ancient Greek, and Cypriot art, tracing back to 3,000 to the 4th century BC. However, it is the Cycladic marble figurines that garner the most admiration.

Modern art enthusiasts will note striking resemblances between the minimalist and abstract forms of these artifacts and the works of artists such as Giacometti and Henry Moore.

8. Temple of Athena Nike

Positioned advantageously on a bastion on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena Nike dates back to 420 BC and was the initial complete Ionic Order temple on the hill.

This temple is the most recent in a series of structures accredited to Athena Nike at the Acropolis, the previous ones having been destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC. Designed by Callicrates, this building is a tetrastyle Ionic temple featuring four elegantly slender columns on the front and rear porticos, characterized by the distinctive Ionic volutes or scrolls.

Fragments of the frieze and relief around the parapet are displayed at the Acropolis Museum, showcasing the exquisite wet drapery sculpture of the goddess fastened in her sandal.

9. Plaka

Serving as a counterpoint to both the solemn ancient temples and the congested modern cityscape, Plaka emerges atop the ancient residential quarters of Athens, nestled under the shadow of the Acropolis.

This district is characterized by its narrow, winding alleyways, adorned with 19th-century façades embellished with blooming bougainvillea during the summer months.

Plaka is filled with family-owned shops, each offering unique items, from ceramics and musical instruments to handcrafted jewelry and specialty food stores brimming with olives and spices.

For a meal, whether you wish to indulge in a gyro or savor a traditional meze, Plaka serves as an excellent destination for dining and nightlife.

Directly below the rocky northeastern slope of the Acropolis lies Anafiotika, a steep, whitewashed neighborhood established during the 19th-century reign of King Otto of Greece, as laborers sought residence amid the renovations of King Othon’s Palace.

10. Temple of Olympian Zeus

Currently, little remains of this temple situated east of the Acropolis, but its remnants sufficiently indicate its past grandeur.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus embarked on an extended construction timeline, commencing in the 6th century BC but not concluding until the era of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd Century AD. During this period, the architectural style transitioned to the Corinthian, with the 15 surviving columns of the original 104 display decorative scrolls and acanthus motifs.

The edifice was largely dismantled during the Herulian sack of Athens in 267, occurring shortly after its completion, and its stones were repurposed for other structures throughout the city.

11. Benaki Museum

The Benaki Museum offers an extensive survey of Greek history and culture, established by art collector Antonis Benakis in 1930, in memory of his father Emmanuel, who was a notable politician, having passed away the previous year.

Within its three floors, visitors can trace the evolution of Greek art from prehistoric to contemporary times.

The ground floor features remarkably sophisticated Neolithic vases, alongside Archaic ceramics and figurines as well as Classical sculptures.

The first floor presents artifacts from the late Byzantine period and Ottoman governance, showcasing religious icons and traditional garments.

Following the cafeteria located on the third level, the top floor exhibits paintings, documents, and armaments from Greece’s War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire, spanning from 1821 to 1829.

12. Ancient Agora of Athens

The Agora served as the marketplace and public forum of Classical Athens, positioned between the Acropolis to the southeast and Agoraios Kolonos hill to the south.

Established during the 6th century BC, it encompasses a vast area containing the remnants of over 30 structures and monuments.

Visiting requires a leisurely stroll, an accurate map, and letting your imagination wander.

Alternatively, consider hiring a guide who can elucidate on the ancient customs, such as ostracism, during which individuals seen as threats to the state were preemptively exiled.

13. Museum of the Ancient Agora

One of the prominent structures in the Agora, the Stoa of Attalos, underwent complete reconstruction in the 1950s.

This covered walkway, originally erected by Attalos II in the mid-2nd century BC, was devastated by the Herules in 267. The modern design was meticulously based on the archaeological findings of the time and now houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora, which displays artifacts uncovered during excavations conducted by the American School of Classical Studies.

A diverse range of artifacts from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Geometric period are exhibited, including figurines, weapons, and vases recovered from tombs and wells.

Significant pieces related to Athenian democracy in the Classical and Late Classical periods are also featured, including an official bronze weight, ostracons for ballots, clay measurement instruments, and bronze and lead ballot disks used in trials.

14. Panathenaic Stadium

Constructed for the 1896 Olympics, the Panathenaic Stadium is a contemporary rebuild of an ancient athletic venue used during the Panathenaic Games, established in 330 BC. This ancient structure was later reconstructed in marble by the Athenian Roman senator Herodes Atticus approximately two centuries later.

With a U-shaped design, the Panathenaic Stadium is a near-exact replica of the 2nd century BC original, constructed entirely from marble.

This venue garnered international attention during the 2004 Athens Olympics by hosting the archery events and serving as the finish line for both men’s and women’s marathons.

The amphitheater accommodates 45,000 spectators, with its uppermost tiers providing views of the Acropolis and the adjacent National Garden.

15. Mount Lycabettus

Contrary to Athens’ most renowned peak, Mount Lycabettus is accessible for climbing by foot at no expense, though a funicular can also transport visitors to the summit.

Located northeast of the city center, this cretaceous limestone elevation rises to 300 meters, its lower slopes adorned with pine trees that gradually thin out as one ascends toward the rocky peak.

The hike is best undertaken in the winter instead of the sweltering summer months in Athens, while the funicular operates on the hour and half-hour.

From the summit, one is treated to breathtaking views of the cityscape, including the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Piraeus Coast, and surrounding heights such as Pentelicus—famous for its marble used in constructing the Acropolis—and the towering Parnitha to the north.

16. Odeon of Herodes Atticus

This concert hall from the Roman period was commissioned in 161 AD by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus, presumably in memory of his wife Aspasia Annia Regilla.

Initially, this venue featured a roof fashioned from cedar wood, with the capacity to seat 5,000 until its devastation by the Herules in 275. Over the subsequent 1,700 years, the edifice fell into obscurity, and the ruins evaded comprehension from visitors during the Medieval period.

The first excavation occurred in 1848, led by archaeologist Kyriakos Pittakis and the scholar Alexandros Rizos Rangavis, observed by Otto of Greece.

The theatre was restored during the 1950s, utilizing the same marble sourced from Mount Pentelicus for its stone tiers.

Attending an evening performance offers an opportunity to experience the Odeon as Athenians would have done two millennia ago.

17. Philopappos Monument

The pine-clad elevation adjacent to the Acropolis to the southwest is identified as the Hill of the Muses, also known as Philopappos Hill.

This name honors Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos, a prince from the Kingdom of Commagene during the 1st and 2nd centuries.

His passing in 116 is said to have caused considerable mourning among the citizens of Athens, particularly his sister Julia Balbilla, who erected a lasting tribute in his honor.

Rising two stories high, the monument features a frieze on its lower level depicting Philopappos as a Roman consul, seated in a chariot and flanked by lictors (bodyguards). The upper damaged section displays sculptural representations of Antiochus IV, the last king of Commagene, alongside Philoppapos, accompanied by an inscription positioned beneath his likeness.

18. Byzantine and Christian Museum

Having explored the richness of Archaic and Classical Greece, you may now turn your attention to the Byzantine era, which extended from approximately the 200s to the 1400s, revealing numerous wonders.

Situated in the neo-Renaissance Villa Ilissia constructed in 1848, the Byzantine and Christian Museum opened in 1914 and was renovated for the 2004 Olympics. Its captivating collection includes sculptures, icons, frescoes, jewelry, architectural fragments, religious vestments, manuscripts, books, and mosaics.

Visitors will discover landmark events, such as the legalization of Christianity by Constantine and the transition of Roman power from Rome to Constantinople in the 4th century.

The museum also addresses the decline of Byzantine strength and how territories under Venetian control, characterized by cosmopolitan populations, contributed to the Renaissance’s emergence in Europe.

19. Kapnikarea

A fitting complement to the Byzantine Museum, Kapnikarea is an 11th-century church located on Ermou Street, Athens’ premier commercial thoroughfare.

Consecrated around 1050, Kapnikarea ranks among the city’s oldest churches, constructed atop an ancient Greek pagan temple, likely dedicated to Demeter or Athena.

The vibrant iconography adorning the interior is a recent work by the artist Photis Kontoglou from the mid-20th century, although older decorative elements can also be found in the church’s friezes and the sculpted column capitals inside.

20. Areopagus

Another prominent white outcrop, surrounded by pines and cypress trees, lies just northwest of the Acropolis.

Carefully navigating the slippery marble steps will reward you with views of the Port of Piraeus, the Acropolis, and the northern neighborhoods of Athens from the Areopagus.

As a significant site within the Classical city, numerous myths are associated with this rock.

Among these is the trial of Ares for the murder of Poseidon’s son Halirrhothius.

Historically, the Areopagus served as the seat of the city council until the 5th century BC, when Ephialtes enacted reforms that curtailed the council’s authority.

Thereafter, it became predominantly an Athenian homicide court.

21. Theatre of Dionysus

The genesis of European drama took place at the Theatre of Dionysus, which held its inaugural performances in the 6th century BC. Carved into the rocky southern slope of the Acropolis, it marks the first theater ever constructed.

The existing structure originates from the mid-4th century BC, a period during which the statesman Lycurgus oversaw the municipal finances, although it underwent numerous modifications during the Roman period.

This monument boasts profound historical significance: the Theatre of Dionysus hosted the historical Dionysia Festival, featuring dramatists such as Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Menander, and Aristophanes.

It can be awe-inspiring to recognize that you are observing the same platform on which many Classical masterpieces were performed for the first time.

22. Psiri

While Plaka serves primarily as a venue for sightseeing and shopping, Psiri has emerged as Athens’ foremost nightlife district, bustling with revelers until dawn on weekends.

Historically, Psiri was notorious, from the establishment of the modern Greek state in 1828 until the 1990s.

In the 19th century, it was frequented by Koutsavakides, individuals who were as good as above the law, marked by long mustaches, coats extending to their ankles (often concealing weapons), and pointed high-heeled boots.

In recent decades, Psiri has evolved, offering an extensive array of music tavernas, bars, restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs catering to diverse preferences.

23. National Garden

Situated conveniently close to both Psiri and Plaka, the National Garden serves as a refreshing green oasis amidst the ancient sites and the contemporary urban sprawl.

Previously known as the Royal Garden, the National Garden opens to the south of the Old Royal Palace and was commissioned by Amalia of Oldenburg in the late 1830s.

A brief respite can be enjoyed here, as visitors idle beneath the pergolas and along the majestic palm tree-lined avenues, often bringing children to engage with the turtles and ducks in the two ponds.

The park also features a small zoo housing peacocks, birds of prey, wolves, and monkeys, as well as a botanical museum.

In true Athenian fashion, expect to encounter remnants of the ancient city, such as mosaics and columns.

24. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Located beneath the façade of the Old Royal Palace on Syntagma Square, this cenotaph honors all Greek soldiers who have perished in wartime.

The monument, sculpted in the early 1930s, melds elements of French Empire design with Athens’ ancient architectural legacy, also incorporating contemporary Art Deco features particularly visible in its relief work.

The tomb is guarded by the Evzones (the elite infantry of the Presidential Guard), and a ceremonial changing of the guard occurs every hour.

Around the steps and walls enclosing the monument, inscriptions commemorate the battles fought in the First and Second Balkan Wars, the Greco-Turkish War, World War I, and World War II.

25. Eating on the Move

If you are pressed for time and need to combine dining with touring the temples or museums, Athens caters to your culinary needs from dawn until dusk.

In the early hours, bakeries offer delectable pastries such as tiropita (cheese and egg) and spanakopita (spinach, feta, and onions). Another morning favorite is koulouri, a circular loaf coated with sesame seeds, fresh from the oven, along with bougatsa, a filigree pastry filled with minced meat, semolina custard, or cheese.

For something more substantial, the ubiquitous souvlaki is an ever-popular choice—typically pork accompanied by onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki, all wrapped in pita bread.

For an economical yet satisfying option, patsa—a soup prepared from pig’s offal—is a long-established comfort food found at dedicated establishments throughout the city.