When relaxing at a Greek seaside resort, don’t miss the chance to visit the capital of Greece, Athens, named after the legendary goddess who, according to legend, founded the city. One day is not enough even for a brief overview of all the attractions of the ancient Greek capital.
As travelers who have been impressed by the history of the city that flourished more than 2,000 years ago, we recommend what to see in Athens in 3 days independently and how to plan your route through significant historical sites.
Day One
Upon arrival, it’s best to stay in the center near Syntagma Square or close to the Agora in hotels like Thissio View, Phidias Hotel Athens, or Art Hotel Athens. From here, it’s convenient to explore all the attractions as most are within walking distance of each other.
To save time in queues and money, we recommend purchasing a single ticket to visit 11 main historical sites: the Roman and Athenian Agoras, Aristotle’s Lyceum, Hadrian’s Library, the Agora Museum and the archaeological museum of Kerameikos, the Acropolis of Athens, the North and South Slopes of the Acropolis, Kerameikos, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Such a ticket is valid for 5 days. Just make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and set off.
Syntagma Square
Start your acquaintance with the main square of Greece – Syntagma or Constitution Square, located in front of the Parliament Palace. It is adorned with a large marble fountain from the 19th century. From the square, a luxurious white marble staircase leads to the elegant classical building of the parliament palace.
Climbing the steps, you can admire the palace up close and exit onto Amalias Avenue to the monument of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by an honor guard of Evzones in national costumes.
If you are there on a Sunday, crowds of tourists gather here from 10 am to see the spectacular sight – the ceremonial changing of the guard. To the sounds of the orchestra at 11.00, a company of 150 Evzones marches to the monument and the guard-changing ceremony takes place.
Afterward, you can take the Metro from Sintagma to Station or walk just over 1 km towards the Acropolis. Near the Metro exit is the first historical monument included in the Acropolis complex.
Hadrian’s Library
The name of Emperor Hadrian is immortalized in one of the most massive structures of the Acropolis – the library, built during his reign in 132 AD. The ruler of Greece embodied his dream of a secluded place for spiritual development near the noisy bazaar in this building. According to contemporaries, the library building with a book repository, lecture, and reading halls was constructed similarly to the Acropolis plan.
The enormous rectangular structure, whose dimensions you can imagine today by the remaining western marble wall, was adorned with 100 Corinthian columns made of Phrygian stone. The interior amazed with high gilded ceilings, white marble walls with paintings, and statues in niches. After viewing Hadrian’s Library, head to the Roman Agora.
Roman Agora
The Roman Agora, located a 3-minute walk from the library, cannot be called an ordinary trade square. It was a trade and cultural complex of several buildings. Today you will see remnants of ancient tiles that covered the entire square, ancient columns, the Church of the Virgin Grigorusa, the old Conqueror’s Mosque, and the octagonal marble Tower of the Winds.
It’s interesting to see remnants of pre-BC sewers and Vespasian public toilets designed for 70 places. Laid in the 1st century BC, the Agora got its name thanks to the donations of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, as stated on the entrance inscription.
Today, you will enter the Agora through the western entrance, noticeable by four marble columns 8 meters high. Plan your route considering that the Roman Agora is open for visits from Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 15.00.
Tower of the Winds
The Tower of the Winds is the oldest meteorological structure in the world. The idea to build a tower on the windy Roman Agora belonged to the astrologer from Cyrene, Andronicus. He also designed the tower – an octagonal white marble structure, 13.5 meters high, topped with a weather vane indicating the wind direction. The upper part of the tower had sundials showing time in sunny weather. The main name of the structure – “Arida” or the Tower of the Winds, its 8 facets, each 3.2 meters wide, symbolizing 8 divine winds.
The second name of the tower – “Clepsydra” translates as “Water Clock”. They were installed inside the tower and worked from water supplied from the Acropolis. The building stands out on the south side with a round extension, and on the northeast and northwest sides with an entrance with Corinthian order columns. The tower is crowned with a canonical ceramic roof. You can view “Arida” and the restored water clocks from 8.00 to 18.30 any day.
Ancient Agora
The ancient Athenian Agora, located on the Acropolis slope on an area of 5 hectares, is much larger than the Roman one. It’s best to visit the Ancient Agora closer to noon. There is a vast park with trees and shrubs providing shade for breaks between viewing the open-air museum’s attractions. Here you will see the ruins of two Bouleuterions where Council meetings were held, a well-preserved Doric temple of Hephaestus.
Then proceed to the Odeon with columns adorned with 4 athletes. You may be interested in the two-story Stoa of Attalos and the architecture of the first church in the Athenian style of the Holy Apostles of Solakis. If you are interested in ancient Greek history, visit the Archaeological Museum, where many invaluable artifacts found during Agora excavations are displayed.
Temple of Hephaestus
While walking through the Athenian Agora, be sure to pay attention to the well-preserved ancient masterpiece – the Temple of Hephaestus, towering on the Agora Hill. The first creation of Attic architects, made of marble, dedicated to the god of fire and blacksmithing. The temple was preserved thanks to the efforts of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, which occupied the building from the 7th century until the early 19th century.
The surviving 34 Doric columns and decorative friezes framing the building with sculptures depicting the feats of Heracles and Theseus are impressive. Entering the sanctuary, you will see an open extension preceding the main entrance. The interior of the extension and the main temple room preserved friezes with reliefs of mythological subjects. There arises an indescribable feeling of being in a distant ancient era. The temple is open for visits from morning until 18.00.
If you follow our suggested route, it’s time for lunch. Just a 2-minute walk away is the cozy restaurant “All that jazz”. Here you can eat deliciously and affordably with excellent wine or beer, offered for free by the restaurant owner. You will enjoy the excellent taste of freshly prepared national dishes at an average cost of 9€.
Theater of Dionysus
After a short rest, proceed to the Theater of Dionysus, located on the eastern slope of the Acropolis. It was built in the 4th century BC on the site of former temples dedicated to the god of winemaking, Dionysus. In ancient times, it was a marble structure with 67 rows of seats for 17,000 spectators. Theatrical performances by Aeschylus and Sophocles were staged here.
The amphitheater had excellent acoustics. Everything happening on stage was perfectly audible even in the last rows, as you can see for yourself by standing on stage and shouting something. Several first rows, made of expensive marble, were reserved for the elite. On some seats, you can see engraved names.
During Roman rule, barriers with friezes depicting satyrs were installed on the first rows for gladiatorial fights. Today, from mid-June to mid-September, the Athens Festival is held in the amphitheater. You can view the amphitheater from 8.30 to 18.00 every day for 12€.
Acropolis
Climbing from the Theater of Dionysus to the top of the hill, we continue our tour of the Acropolis – the birthplace of Athens. In Greek, the word Acropolis means – fortress. Built in the 4th century, it served not only as a fortification. Behind its walls was an ancient city whose grandeur and beauty you can imagine from the remaining fragments of temples and sanctuaries dedicated to the goddess Athena and other buildings.
We enter the Acropolis through the main gates – the Propylaea, ascending to the upper platform, passing the Temple of Athena Nike and the Temple of Erechtheion, enchanting with its elegant architecture with columns in the form of statues. Inside this temple, where services were held for several gods, you will see Poseidon’s well with saltwater, which, according to legend, appeared from the sea god’s trident strike on the Acropolis rock.
On the rocky summit, the white marble Parthenon – the temple of the goddess Athena, stands in all its glory with its columns reaching up to the sky. It exudes an extraordinary energy, transporting the imagination to the world of Greek gods. It’s best to wander through the ancient ruins of the Acropolis closer to the evening when there are fewer tourist groups. It is open from morning until 20.00.
Mount Lycabettus
Don’t miss the chance to capture in memory and on photos the picturesque view of the ancient city in the magical light of the sunset from Mount Lycabettus, which is 300 meters high. You can walk to the observation deck or take the funicular.
The funicular runs every 30 minutes. Despite the small size of the observation deck, it covers the entire panorama of the city bathed in sunset light. On the hill, there is a café where you can have dinner and relax while admiring the view of the Acropolis. But, if you miss the sunset on Mount Lycabettus, you can enjoy its beauty the next day from any hill.
Day Two
The second day will be no less eventful and interesting. The land of the city and its surroundings is so rich in ancient history that every stone holds legends, traditions, and myths of ancient Greece, and the remaining buildings amaze with the skill of ancient architects. Let’s plan the further route of acquaintance with the attractions.
Arch of Hadrian
In the morning, head through the national park to see Hadrian’s Arch, enjoying the view of the pond occupied by turtles along the way. The two-tiered marble arch, opening before your eyes, impresses with its monumentality and grandeur. Erected by the Athenians in 131 AD, it stands out for its unique superstructure with three Ionic columns.
The entire structure is 18 meters high, 13.5 meters wide, and the wall thickness is 2 meters. The construction of the arch gates, named after Emperor Hadrian, was then carried out on the road leading from the old city to the new city of Adrianopolis created by the monarch. Today, the arch opens onto Amalias Avenue, harmoniously fitting into the urban landscape. You can also approach it from Constitution Square or the Acropoli Metro station. The road will take no more than 4 minutes. In the evening, the ancient structure looks amazing in the lighting.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Not far from Hadrian’s Arch rises the remaining fragment of the Temple of Olympian Zeus with 16 columns topped with Corinthian capitals. Of them, 14 form a corner and give us an idea of the former scale of the structure. Here you will also see two columns standing separately and one lying down. The consecration of the cult structure took place in 132 AD, and it was named in honor of the god Zeus by Emperor Hadrian. The temple served for only 300 years and was then destroyed during the Heruli invasion.
From historical documents telling about the dimensions of the cult structure, 17 meters high, 96 meters long, and 40 meters wide, it is easy to imagine how grandiose it appeared to contemporaries. Reverence before the deity was inspired by its statue, made of ivory and gold, which is irretrievably lost.
Aristotle’s Lyceum
From the Temple of Olympian Zeus, walk to Syntagma Square. Then from the Parliament Palace head east to Aristotle’s Lyceum. This historical site, which served as a philosophical gymnasium, was founded by Aristotle in 335 BC. It was a magnificent complex of educational buildings, a gallery, and a library.
Here the philosopher taught Athenians rhetoric and other sciences. Trained students studied in the morning, beginners were taught science in the afternoon, and in the evening Aristotle gave lectures for all citizens wishing to gain knowledge.
Unfortunately, only the foundations of the buildings of Aristotle’s Lyceum remain, which were recently excavated, opening a museum in June 2014. This will be the last attraction you visit with the unified ticket. From here, either reach Evangelismos Metro station or return to Syntagma Square, and descend into the subway to travel to Thissio station, from where you can walk to the historical cemetery of Kerameikos.
Kerameikos
Kerameikos is the name of a historic quarter. It got its name from the potters who lived here in ancient times and made ceramic products. The entire quarter consisted of a residential urban area and the Kerameikos cemetery, separated by the Themistoclean wall, partially preserved to this day. You will see the Dipylon and Sacred Gates serving as entrances to the Kerameikos cemetery.
Walking through the ancient cemetery, you can find burials dating back to the Bronze Age and many graves of honorable people. Tombstone columns, set as monuments, have been preserved on the graves, as well as the tombstone relief of two Athenian sisters and a marble bull from the grave of Dionysius in 345 BC.
In the cemetery, you will also see the stele of the envoy from Corfu, the monument to Deklisios with a bas-relief, and several family tombs of celebrities. The Kerameikos Museum exhibits items made by ancient potters and sculptures from the antique period. You can view the museum exhibits from early morning until three in the afternoon.
Piraeus
From Kerameikos, descend into the metro and head to the final stop of the green line to the largest European port – Piraeus. Near the metro is the harbor where ferries, liners, and other sea vessels are moored. In the city, we recommend visiting several interesting attractions. Visiting the Archaeological and Maritime Museums will provide an opportunity to learn the history of Piraeus through rare exhibits.
Then go to the baroque Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, built with two bell towers in the early 18th century. The church facade amazes with its elegance, beautiful arched windows, decorative stucco, and two columns at the entrance. After viewing the church, head to the archaeological park of Dion, considered a sacred place by the ancient Greeks.
At this place, victories of Macedonian kings were celebrated, Olympics were held, and sacrifices to the main God, Zeus, were made on the sacrificial altar. Unfortunately, you will only see the foundation of his temple. You can walk through the greenery of the park between fragments of ancient buildings until 19.00 in the summer.
Day Three
On the third day, it’s worth going outside the city to the south, where unique natural and historical places are located: the thermal lake Vouliagmeni and the southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion. It is most convenient to go there with an individual excursion designed for up to 3 tourists. A five-hour tour conducted by a Russian-speaking guide for 170 €, will allow you to learn a lot of interesting things about the attractions and feel the enchanting atmosphere of these places.
Lake Vouliagmeni
After traveling a little over 20 kilometers, stop at the unique thermal salt lake Vouliagmeni, located in the picturesque surroundings of a mountain. The water temperature from + 22ºC to +27ºC in this natural reservoir is maintained by sources beating from the bottom at a depth of seventeen meters. Thanks to the content of various minerals, metals, sulfur, and radon, the lake water has a healing effect.
The smell of densely planted eucalyptus and pine creates an indescribable atmosphere of the area. Sandy beaches and warm water beckon to swim, which you can do by stopping here to experience the miraculous power of the springs. In addition, unique Garra Rufa fish swim in the warm pond, naturally cleansing the skin of dead cells and rejuvenating it.
Not far from Vouliagmeni, archaeologists found fragments of marble pedestals, colonnades, and slabs mentioning Apollo Zoster, indicating that people lived here before our era.
Cape Sounion
The continuation of the excursion will be remembered for the picturesque road along the coast of the Saronic Gulf. On the way, you will come across several cafes and restaurants known for their delicious national cuisine. You can stop for lunch there. After traveling almost 50 kilometers from Vouliagmeni, you will see the stunning landscape of the southern point of Attica – Cape Sounion. The view of the rocky cliff washed by the waves of the Aegean Sea and the ruins of the temple of the sea god Poseidon rising on the rock is breathtaking.
Even the remaining colonnade of 12 grandiose Doric columns, fragments of the architrave depicting Theseus fighting a bull and centaurs fighting Lapiths, impress. Enjoying the amazing sunset over the sea on the ruins of Poseidon’s sanctuary, you will hear from the guide the legends associated with its construction and a story about how luxurious it was in those distant times. You can walk through the ancient ruins of Poseidon until 8 pm, paying 4€ for entry. Enjoying the magical atmosphere of Cape Sounion, you will return back.