How many days do you need in Athens?

Chances are, if you’re thinking of taking a vacation in Greece, the best islands in Greece — and best beaches in Greece — are already on your radar. But hold that thought — there are plenty of reasons to spend some time in Athens. Packed with ancient wonders and districts that evoke the village-y charm of the Greek Islands, read on to find out how many days in Athens might be enough to give you a satisfying flavor of the city.

How many days do you need to see Athens?

In our view, depending on how long you’re planning to spend in Greece overall, we suggest you consider devoting 2-4 days of your trip itinerary to Athens.

While you’re unlikely to be able to pack in all the best things to do in Athens in that time, you stand an excellent chance of enjoying many of them if you follow our suggested ways to spend 2, 3 and 4 days in this culture-packed city.

Editor’s tip: while deciding how many days in Athens is enough for you, read up on how to plan a trip to Greece. 

Alternatively, contact our local Greece travel experts to have them curate your ideal Greece itinerary for any duration and Greek location.

2 days in Athens

If you’re short on time, here’s how to max out two days in Athens. 

Suggested itinerary

Covering ancient wonders and opportunities to discover Athens’ modern verve and excellent eateries, this 2-day Athens itinerary will have you soaking up essential sights and experiences in immersive style.

Day 1

Start off with devoting day one to Athens’ historic highlights. Crowned by the iconic Parthenon, we suggest heading to the Acropolis by 8am to avoid the biggest crowds, leaving time to visit the Acropolis Museum once you’ve had chance to explore the site.

Next, visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Just a 5-minute walk from the Acropolis, this colossal structure was once one of the biggest temples of the ancient world, which is really saying something. 

After enjoying lunch in a local restaurant near Syntagma Square — time your visit to coincide with the changing of the guard that happens every hour, on the hour — spend the afternoon exploring the historic picturesque districts of Plaka and Anafiotika.

In Plaka, be sure to visit the ancient Roman Agora with its Tower of the Winds before strolling Monastiraki Square for its fabulous flea market and street food. Our tip is to try souvlaki at Thanasis. This dish has to be among the best food in Greece.  

On the subject of food, round off your first night in Athens in a scenic restaurant. For example, Dionysos Zonar’s offers upscale dining with an Acropolis view, while the 360 Cocktail Bar is a top spot for soaking up night views of the Parthenon.

Day 2

On day 2, it’s time to discover more history and Athens’ contemporary culture, starting out at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held back in 1896.

Next, head to the National Archaeological Museum to learn more about Greece’s long, rich history before switching up the vibe on a walk through the bohemian Psiri district to see stacks of cool graffiti. 

Packed with bars, cafes, boutiques and art galleries, Psiri is also a great place to stop for lunch. 

Come the afternoon, take the funicular or walk up Lycabettus Hill for spectacular panoramic views of the city.

3 days in Athens

With three days in Athens, we suggest venturing further afield to Cape Sounion, where ancient attractions, beautiful beaches, wonderful seafood eateries and sublime sunsets await.

Suggested itinerary

After following the previously detailed itinerary for day one and two in Athens, here’s how to enjoy your third day on a trip to Cape Sounion.

Day 3

Located at the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula, around 70km from Athens, Cape Sounion is likely to be a memorable highlight of your trip to Athens.

To get there, either a hire a car (it’s a 1.5-hour drive), or — better still — book a tour. While accessible by bus, you’d have to return to Athens before sunset, which would be a crying shame.

On arrival, spend time exploring the magnificent Temple of Poseidon. Perched on a clifftop above the Aegean Sea, it was built in 444 BC and dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea, and offers extraordinary coastal views.

Come the afternoon, spend time relaxing or swimming on Legrena or Sounion Beach, or head to Lavrio Port — a nearby fishing town that boasts some great seafood restaurants.

As the day shifts to dusk, stay to witness the temple bathed in golden light as the sun sets into the Aegean before returning to Athens. Pure magic.

4 days in Athens

With four days in Athens, we recommend either booking a day trip tour to Delphi, or enjoying a boat trip to an island.

Suggested itinerary

Depending on your interests, here’s how to spend your fourth day in the Athens area.

Day 4

Into history? You’ll most likely want to devote day four to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delphi. It takes around 2-5 hours to get there from Athens, and booking an expert-guided tour is recommended. 

As a bonus, most tours include lunch in a traditional mountain village, and many also include visiting the charming town of Arachova.

But back to Delphi itself. One of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, this was the center of the ancient world.

Today you can explore the ruins of the Temple of Apollo and see where the Oracle of Delphi, a priestess called Pythia, delivered her prophecies against a backdrop of breath-taking mountain scenery.

After taking time to explore the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, and the Ancient Theatre that once showcased music and poetry contests, head to the Stadium of Delphi to see where the Pythian Games were staged.

You'll also want to allow time to visit the Delphi Archaeological Museum to see artefacts from the site, among them the Charioteer of Delphi and the Sphinx of Naxos.

Alternatively, spend day four on a day trip to the island of Hydra, one of the Argo-Saronic islands.

After a 1.5-hour ferry ride, you could be exploring Hydra Town’s stone mansions and waterfront cafes, swimming off Avlaki Beach, or strolling scenic clifftop paths.

Keen to cover the Greek islands? Read our tips on how to plan a Greek island holiday. 

Best area to stay in Athens

When it comes to deciding where to stay in Athens, you’ll want to choose a location that aligns with your budget and travel style.

With that in mind, read on for an overview of a few key areas to consider.

Plaka: best for first-time visitors

Known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods", Plaka holds the distinction of being Athens’ oldest and most picturesque district — think neoclassical architecture, buildings adorned with bright bougainvillea, and very pretty cafés.

Nestled at the foot of the Acropolis, staying in Plaka means you’ll be close to stacks of top attractions, making it ideal for first-time visitors.

Psyri: best for nightlife

Located just north of Monastiraki, Psyri’s charming narrow streets transform into Athens' hippest nightlife hub after dark.

As a result, accommodation in Psiri comes recommended for travelers who are looking to enjoy Athens’ bars and clubs during their time in the city, with options ranging from affordable boutique joints, to hostels beloved by budget-conscious travelers.

Kolonaki: best for upscale stays

Things to know before going to Athens

• Accommodation: expect to pay €90-€150 per night to stay in 3-4 star boutique hotels.
• Food and drink: budget €40-€70 a day to dine out in casual restaurants and a few fancier tavernas.
• Transport: put aside €7-€15 a day to cover public transport, and a few taxi rides.
• Attractions: budget €15-€30 a day to cover tickets for the likes of the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, National Archaeological Museum and riding the Lycabettus Hill funicular.
• Day trips: allow €50-€80 to cover some key trips, such as a Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon tour (around €50) and a Delphi day trip (€60-€80).
• Miscellaneous costs: consider budgeting €10-€20 a day for souvenirs and tips.

Total estimated cost for a 3-night mid-range stay in Athens: $600-$800; up to $1000 with a few day trips.

How to get around Athens

With a well-connected, affordable public transport system, and lots of walkable areas, Athens is a breeze to get around. Here’s an overview of your options.

By foot

Athens’ historic heart, including Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma, Acropolis and Psiri, are best explored on foot, with most attractions within easy reach of each other.

For example, it takes just 10 minutes to walk from the Acropolis to Monastiraki Square, ten minutes to get from Plaka to Syntagma Square, and a mere five minutes to walk from the Acropolis to the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Our top tip is to wear comfortable shoes — Athens has lots of hills and cobbled streets.

By Metro 

The fastest form of public transport, Athens’ metro system costs €1.20 per ride.

Tickets are valid for 90 minutes across metro, buses and trams, and trains run from 5.30am– 12.30 am, with hours extended to 2am on Friday and Saturday.

By bus

Best for getting to areas not covered by the metro, key bus routes include the X95 Airport Bus that’ll get you to Syntagma Square, and the X80 Express Bus that runs between Piraeus Port, the Acropolis and Syntagma Square. 

Bus 040 is also useful for catching ferries from Piraeus.

By tram 

To reach beaches and seaside areas, the Athens tram is your best friend. Tickets cost the same as the metro and bus

Traveling beyond Athens? Read up on getting around Greece.

How to get to Athens

A well-connected city with direct flights from major cities in the US and UK — alongside many convenient one-stop options via European hubs — Athens is easily accessed via its international airport, which is located 35km from the city center.

Travelers from the United States can fly directly to Athens from several major airports in cities like New York, Newark, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Washington D.C.

If you're flying from other cities like Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, or San Francisco, you’ll most likely need to take a one-stop flight via a European hub such as London, Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam.

Traveling from the UK? Frequent nonstop flights to Athens operate from London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol, with a flight time of 3.5-4 hours.

Plan your trip with Rough Guides

While putting your trip together, read our guide to how to plan a trip to Greece. In addition, The Rough Gide to Greece and the Mini Rough Guide to Athens will also help you plan your perfect itinerary. 

Not keen on the hassle of planning? Contact our local Greece travel experts to have them curate your perfect Greece itinerary for any duration.