Things to do in Athens
Ancient stones, coastal swims, and cocktails that earn their price tag.
This is Athens for someone who wants the real thing without overpaying for it: rooftop coffee with a view of the Acropolis, an afternoon at a sea-cliff cove, and an evening on Lycabettus. Three days move between the historic centre, the Vouliagmeni coast, and the Acropolis Museum and Plaka, mixing culture and leisure in roughly equal measure. Come if you want to eat and drink the way locals do, with one proper splurge each evening.
Day 1: Monastiraki, Agora, Acropolis
Start on a rooftop with the Acropolis in front of you, walk the ancient civic heart of the city, then climb up to the thing itself in the afternoon light before a great-value dinner and serious cocktails.
- 9:30 AM
Couleur Locale
Rooftop café up an arcade in Monastiraki; morning coffee with the Acropolis straight ahead.
Map - 10:30 AM
Ancient Agora of Athens
Walk the Ancient Agora, the beating civic heart of classical Athens, right next to Monastiraki.
Map - 12:30 PM
Epmeion
Ermeion, a classic Monastiraki taverna: point at the oven dishes of the day and order a carafe.
Map - 2:30 PM
Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis itself, save this iconic climb for the golden afternoon light after lunch.
Map - 7:30 PM
Akra
Great-value Greek cooking, memorable yet unfussy, the one splurge dinner the budget allows.
Map - 9:30 PM
Baba au Rum
Rum-led cocktails in a small, friendly bar in the old centre; sit at the counter and ask what's good.
Map
Day 2: Coast Road to Vouliagmeni
A full day at the Athenian riviera: coastline walking, a local lunch at Avra, an unhurried afternoon at a sea-cliff cove, and a Greek dinner worth the detour.
- 10:30 AM
Vouliagmeni Coast
Walk the coast road between Vouliagmeni coves, swimming ladders and pine shade.
Map - 12:30 PM
Avra Bar
Casual Greek lunch in Vouliagmeni at a fair price; grilled fish, salads and a cold beer.
Map - 2:30 PM
Second Limanakia Β' Λιμανακια
Rocky coves below the coast road with clear, deep water; bring shoes for the rocks.
Map - 4:30 PM
Apollonia Beach Vouliagmeni A Paralia Apollonies Voulas Α
Voula's organised beach for a last swim and a sunbed before dinner; small entry fee.
Map - 7:30 PM
Day 3: Museum, Plaka and Lycabettus
The Acropolis Museum, a wander through Anafiotika, lunch at Karamanlidika tou Fani, the funicular up Lycabettus and dinner at Oikeio in Kolonaki.
- 9:30 AM
Acropolis Museum
The Parthenon frieze in a glass gallery that faces the temple; give it a full morning.
Map - 12:00 PM
Anafiotika
Whitewashed island-style houses tucked under the Acropolis rock; free, and quiet before lunch.
Map - 1:30 PM
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani
Cured meats, pastourma and sausages from a deli that cooks them too; share a spread of meze.
Map - 5:00 PM
Lycabettus Hill funicular
Take the funicular up from Kolonaki to the summit chapel for sunset over the whole city.
Map - 8:30 PM
Oikeio
Small Kolonaki taverna for home-style Greek cooking at fair prices; book, it fills with regulars.
Map
Where to stay
Monastik Living in Athina
Mid-range price, right in Monastiraki, which puts Day 1 entirely on foot and keeps you close to the Acropolis end of the plan.
The Zillers, Athens
The Zillers sits at the same price point with a rooftop of its own, a short walk from the Agora and Baba au Rum, and better value than anything around it at triple the rate.
Make Athens your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Acropolis of Athens: weeks ahead
- Acropolis Museum: weeks ahead
- Acropolis and Acropolis Museum private guided tour: weeks ahead
- Temple of Poseidon: a few days ahead
- Archaeological Site of Delphi: a few days ahead
- Hydra: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Plaka and Adrianou view restaurants with a tout and photo menu: you pay for the view in food quality. Eat in Koukaki, Psyrri or Pangrati.
- Three island in a day mega cruises to Hydra, Poros and Aegina: hours in transit for an hour ashore per island.
- Temple of Olympian Zeus as a standalone paid visit: the columns are visible from the fence and Hadrian's Arch.
- Lycabettus funicular queues at sunset: walking up or a taxi is faster, and Philopappos gives the better Acropolis view free.
The full Athens travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around