Two day guide to the incredible and historic Athens
Athens is one of the world's oldest cities. If you are planning a trip to Greece, we recommend you to make a visit of at least two days to this place with more than 3.400 years of history. The sunsets, the greek food, and the Acropolis at the highest point of the city, are definitely worth the stay.
Greece has so much to offer and visiting Athens was one of the greatest experiences we had in the country. It was amazing to finally get to see all the historic places we've studied for so many years.
How to move
We rented a car at the airport Eleftherios Venizelos (Athens International Airport). It’s located one hour away from downtown. We recommend you to buy the combined tickets to the main attractions in advance here, as a way to save time afterward.
Visit the Acropolis:
Visit the impressive Acropolis If you want to experience everything you have read in history books and have the best view of the city. Here you can find:
1. Parthenon: Built under Pericles’ watch from 448 – 432 B.C., the Parthenon is the latest and greatest temple on the site. It’s incredible when you see the ruins of what is left and how was the Parthenon before. Many of the Parthenon’s artifacts are now on display in the Acropolis Museum.
2. Porch Of The Maidens: also very near the Parthenon. According to many historians, the Porch of the Maidens became Poseidon’s consolation prize on the Acropolis for losing out to the goddess Athena.
3. Temple Of Athena Nike: you’ll find this beauty near the Pantheon. The temple is now on its third iteration because it was quite destroyed by the hands of conquerors, just like many other buildings on the Acropolis.
4. Erechtheion: at the north of the Acropolis, you’ll find the most sacred temple to ancient Athenians.
4. The Propylaea: you’ll see an impressive and very high columned staircase leading to the top of the Acropolis.
5. Odeon Of Herodes Atticus: The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is only open during performances, but you can see it from above.
6. Theater Of Dionysus: this theater was the largest public meeting space in the ancient city.
Sunset at Areopagus Hill
If you visit the Acropolis, we suggest you stay until closing time to see the sunset at Areopagus Hill (a five-minute walk from the entrance of the Acropolis). It’s free and you will not regret it. People gather on the rocks to see the city from a very high spot and the sunsets are absolutely breathtaking. When the sun goes down, the Acropolis lights up and the view from this point is stunning.
You can also visit the city’s lots of historic places, like Ancient Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, Temple of Olympian Zeus and many more.
Where to eat?
We loved Greek food so in most of the places the food is very good. Our favorite restaurant was Dionysos Zonar’s Restaurant. It has the best view of the Acropolis from the bottom and the food and service are amazing. You can also enjoy the view from a higher terrace at the Hytra Restaurant & Bar.
Where to stay
Our favorite thing about the city is the incredible views you’ll have from almost every place. We stayed at this incredible apartment. It’s huge and the experience of seeing the Phanternon from the terrace and from the bed is amazing, especially at night when it lights up.
Athens is a very big and impressive city, but if you are going to visit Greece, we propose you stay for two days, the right amount of time to see the main historic places and then, visit the amazing islands. You can choose from lots of them, depending on your preferences. You can move between islands by ferry (and if you rent a car, you can bring it on the ferry). Here is our one-week itinerary in Greece.
Two day guide to the incredible and historic Athens
Athens is one of the world's oldest cities. If you are planning a trip to Greece, we recommend you to make a visit of at least two days to this place with more than 3.400 years of history. The sunsets, the greek food, and the Acropolis at the highest point of the city, are definitely worth the stay.
Greece has so much to offer and visiting Athens was one of the greatest experiences we had in the country. It was amazing to finally get to see all the historic places we've studied for so many years.
How to move
We rented a car at the airport Eleftherios Venizelos (Athens International Airport). It’s located one hour away from downtown. We recommend you to buy the combined tickets to the main attractions in advance here, as a way to save time afterward.
Visit the Acropolis:
Visit the impressive Acropolis If you want to experience everything you have read in history books and have the best view of the city. Here you can find:
1. Parthenon: Built under Pericles’ watch from 448 – 432 B.C., the Parthenon is the latest and greatest temple on the site. It’s incredible when you see the ruins of what is left and how was the Parthenon before. Many of the Parthenon’s artifacts are now on display in the Acropolis Museum.
2. Porch Of The Maidens: also very near the Parthenon. According to many historians, the Porch of the Maidens became Poseidon’s consolation prize on the Acropolis for losing out to the goddess Athena.
3. Temple Of Athena Nike: you’ll find this beauty near the Pantheon. The temple is now on its third iteration because it was quite destroyed by the hands of conquerors, just like many other buildings on the Acropolis.
4. Erechtheion: at the north of the Acropolis, you’ll find the most sacred temple to ancient Athenians.
4. The Propylaea: you’ll see an impressive and very high columned staircase leading to the top of the Acropolis.
5. Odeon Of Herodes Atticus: The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is only open during performances, but you can see it from above.
6. Theater Of Dionysus: this theater was the largest public meeting space in the ancient city.
Sunset at Areopagus Hill
If you visit the Acropolis, we suggest you stay until closing time to see the sunset at Areopagus Hill (a five-minute walk from the entrance of the Acropolis). It’s free and you will not regret it. People gather on the rocks to see the city from a very high spot and the sunsets are absolutely breathtaking. When the sun goes down, the Acropolis lights up and the view from this point is stunning.
You can also visit the city’s lots of historic places, like Ancient Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, Temple of Olympian Zeus and many more.
Where to eat?
We loved Greek food so in most of the places the food is very good. Our favorite restaurant was Dionysos Zonar’s Restaurant. It has the best view of the Acropolis from the bottom and the food and service are amazing. You can also enjoy the view from a higher terrace at the Hytra Restaurant & Bar.
Where to stay
Our favorite thing about the city is the incredible views you’ll have from almost every place. We stayed at this incredible apartment. It’s huge and the experience of seeing the Phanternon from the terrace and from the bed is amazing, especially at night when it lights up.
Athens is a very big and impressive city, but if you are going to visit Greece, we propose you stay for two days, the right amount of time to see the main historic places and then, visit the amazing islands. You can choose from lots of them, depending on your preferences. You can move between islands by ferry (and if you rent a car, you can bring it on the ferry). Here is our one-week itinerary in Greece.
