Athens, the capital of Greece, is a city rich in history, culture, and vibrant modern life. Known as the cradle of Western civilization, Athens is home to iconic ancient landmarks and a lively urban atmosphere. The Acropolis, crowned by the Parthenon, dominates the city's skyline and is a must-visit for its historical significance and breathtaking views. The Acropolis Museum, located nearby, houses an extensive collection of artifacts from ancient Greece, providing deep insights into the city’s glorious past.
Strolling through the charming neighborhood of Plaka, with its narrow streets and neoclassical architecture, offers a glimpse into the old-world charm of Athens. Here, visitors can enjoy traditional Greek cuisine at cozy tavernas and shop for unique souvenirs. Monastiraki, famous for its flea market, is another area worth exploring, where one can find everything from antiques to trendy fashion.
For art enthusiasts, the National Archaeological Museum and the Benaki Museum boast impressive collections spanning millennia. The vibrant district of Psiri is perfect for nightlife, with its array of bars, live music venues, and trendy eateries.
The Panathenaic Stadium, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, is an impressive site for sports history buffs. For a more relaxed experience, a visit to the National Garden provides a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Athens seamlessly blends its ancient heritage with contemporary culture, offering a diverse range of activities that cater to history enthusiasts, food lovers, and modern urban explorers alike. Whether you’re marveling at ancient ruins, indulging in local delicacies, or enjoying the vibrant nightlife, Athens is a city that promises an unforgettable experience.
1. See Hadrian's Library: The tour of Hadrian's Library is one of the best things to do in Athens as it is not a usual library where you can read books, but regular concerts and lecture sessions are also organized here. Earlier it functioned as a church, but now it has been transformed into a library where you can also find a small museum that houses year age-old books and manuscripts.
Location: Areos 3, 105 55, Attica, Athens.
Timings: 9 am-7 pm.
2. See The Beautiful Decorations at Little KooK: If you wish to relish the best cuisines at an Instagrammable place, then Little KooK should be your ideal choice. More than its food, people appreciate the wonderful decoration that makes it look like a glittering haven.
Whether it's Halloween or Christmas, the theme of decoration keeps on changing, and people get to see a new makeover of this café.
Location: 17 Karaiskaki Georgiou Psirri, Athens 105 54 Greece.
Price: 1497.600 for two people.
Timings: 10 am-12 pm.
3. Take a Street Art Tour: If you're an art enthusiast, then you should definitely take a street art tour in the Plaka area where you will witness dense graffiti colors over the grey walls.
This area is home to some of the best local and international local artists that play with messages, fresh ideas, and styles. You can also witness here underground pieces and classic artworks that will leave you totally awestruck.
Location: Athens 10556 Greece.
Price: 1497.600 for two people.
Timings: €40(3536) for adults & €30(2652) for kids.
4. Enjoy a Greek Coffee: This is one of the best activities in Athens that you must try if you wish to experience the coffee culture of Greece. Freddo cappuccino is one of the best coffee variants here that is not a regular coffee, but it is made with instant coffee, sugar, and water. Café Taf is one of the best places to sample the Greek coffee, and you can also enjoy here tons of other varieties of coffee.
Location: Emmanouil Benaki 7, Athens 10678 Greece.
Timings: 7 am to 9 pm.
5. Watch the Changing of the Guard: Considered to be one of the best activities in Athens, you should definitely watch the changing of the guards to know more about the rich culture and tradition of this city.
Every Sunday, this event takes place at the Parliament Building at Syntagma. The highly trained soldiers, also known as Evezone change their position in the presence of the monarch with the Royal Guards music band.
Location: Parliament House, (Megaro Voulis) 100 21 Athens, Greece.
Timings: 11 am.
6. Explore the Central Market: If you wish to stock up souvenirs for your friends and family members, then you should definitely explore the central market that is an outdoor market where you'll find vendors selling meat, fish, jewelry, and clothes. You can also buy handicrafts, footwear, and paintings over here at an affordable rate.
Location: Athinas 42, 999-20, Attica.
7. Climb to the Acropolis: Your tour to Athens can't be complete unless you see the alluring beauty of Acropolis that is an architectural masterpiece in Athens that sits on a hill.
From the top of the Acropolis, you can have an alluring view of the entire city. As you climb higher, you will witness Parthenon, which was built in ninety years and is known to be the birthplace of Western Civilization.
Location: Via Dionysiou Areopagitou str, Athens 105 58 Greece.
Price: 1744.
Timings: 8 am to 8 pm.
8. Enjoy the Vistas of Nature at The National Gardens: Appreciate the lush flora and fauna at The National Gardens that offer a scenic retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city-based life.
This beautiful garden is spread across sixteen acres of narrow gravel paths and has a small zoo, also where you can witness some of the best varieties of animals. It also has a pond where you can see peacocks and greek goats.
Location: Leoforos Amalias 1,10557, Attica.
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm.
1. Crawl through the Pubs in Athens: This is one of the best activities in Athens that you must enjoy if you're a night owl. From bottomless sangria to the best wines, you can enjoy the best drinks as well as lip-smacking food during the pub crawl. Monastiraki and Koukaki are the best places to enjoy bar hopping in Athens.
2. Walking Tour: This is another interesting activity that you must enjoy to discover the hidden gems of Athens. During this tour, you will also get a chance to sample the local delicacies and enjoy the panoramic view of the city.
3. Attend a Concert at Athens Concert Hall: To have the best nightlife experience in Athens, you should definitely watch a show at the Athens Concert Hall that is a stunning venue known for its excellent acoustics. You can also enjoy classical music, ballet, opera, and theatre performances.
4. Wine Tasting Tour: If you're a wine lover, then you should definitely be a part of the wine tasting tour to taste the Greek wine. The Acropolis of Athens is the best place to enjoy this tour while hearing the tales of Dionysus.
1. Enjoy a Romantic Stroll at the Cultural Park: Enjoy a leisurely stroll with your partner in this beautiful park that is known for its lush flora and fauna and blooming flowers. You can also witness here art exhibits and take a ride in the park on ponies or donkeys.
2. Watch the Sunset from Aeropagita Hill: Watching the sunset from Aeropagita Hill with your better half is considered to be one of the most romantic activities in Athens. Grab a drink or snack in your hand and see the sky changing hues from blue to orange and gold to red during the evening.
3. Enjoy Drinks at the Rooftop Bar: This is one of the best things to do in Athens for honeymoon seekers who are wishing to turn their vacation into the memory of a lifetime. You can enjoy some local mezze or a fancy gourmet meal at the rooftop restaurants that offer an incredible view of the Acropolis.
4. Enjoy a Treatment at the Traditional Hammam: Enjoy some sweet treats and a glass of green tea while enjoying a serene steam bath at the traditional hammam that have many private rooms and spacious baths.
1. Explore the Traditional Neighborhoods: This is one of the best things to do in Athens with kids to discover the hidden gems of this city and socialize with the local merchants. Plaka is one such bustling neighborhood where you can witness the neoclassical buildings and have a cup of Greek coffee.
2. Witness the Exotic Animals at Animal World: One of the best things to do in Athens with kids is witnessing more than three-fifty species of animals at the Animal World. You can also witness here exotic fauna, and the kids can play in the playground that has a climbing castle and swings.
3. Enjoy a Food Tour: Give your child a luscious treat by being a part of the food tour where you'll get to sample some of the best local cuisines in Athens. From ice creams to sweet treats and mocktails to cakes and pizza, your kids will get to have all their favorite delicacies here, making it one of the best things to do in Athens with kids.
4. Sail Along the Coast of Athens: Put on your swimwear and take a splash into the stunning beaches of Athens that are known for their crystal clear water and low current.
1. Temple of Hephaestus: Designed by Ictinus in the fifth century, this is one of the most well-preserved Greek temples in the entire world. It is dedicated to Hephaestus, who is the God of fire and metalworking.
2. The Erechtheion: Named after a shrine dedicated to Erechtheion, who was an Athenian hero, this temple is one of the most renowned architectural sites in Athens. It has six caryatids that have female figures on it and serves as columns.
3. Agios Georgios Church: Located on Lycabettus Hill, this whitewashed Greek orthodox chapel was built in the eighteenth century and is dedicated to Zeus. You can access the chapel either by a funicular or by foot.
4. Roman Agora: This is a Roman landmark that was built in the first century and served as a spot for political gatherings. Currently, cultural exhibitions and scientific workshops are held here.
Athens’ calm and coastal life is also quite famous. You get to witness a lot of beaches and popular beach activities in Athens throughout the year. Some of the famous beaches include –
- Vouliagmeni
- Varkiza
- Cape Sounion
- Schinias
- Porto Rafti
- Legrena
- Lagonisi
- Loutsa
- Kalivia
- All these beaches offer many beach activities which keep you engaged and active. Some of the famous beach activities include –
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkelling
- Coastal Bike tour
- Swimming
- Apart from these, some of the best things to do in Athens’ beaches could be some outdoor sports too.
Athens is a great place for sightseeing. Even so, most people tend to visit Athens for the amazing places and scenic beauty it offers while sightseeing. The best things to do in Athens should definitely cover sightseeing. Some of the most popular places include –
- Acropolis Museum
- Acropolis
- Plaka
- Parthenon
- Ancient Agora
- Erechtheion
- Benaki Museum
- Temple of Hephaestus
- Museum of Cycladic Art
- Herod Atticus Odeon
There are many island hopping tours in and around Athens which offer complete enjoyment and relaxation to you and your family. Some of the best island hopping tours in Athens include –
Athens – Paros Island tour
Athens – Mykonos Island tour
Athens – Santorini Island tour
Athens – Naxos Island tour
Athens – Corfu Island tour
Athens – Rhodes Island tour
Athens – Crete Island tour
Athens – Ios Island tour
You can also take trips to two or three of these islands at one go. Plan your trip according to your convenience.
Here are some day and night tour packages you can book with Thrillophilia





