What to do with One Day in Athens, Greece

Athens is an incredible city with history around every corner. If you have time, Athens is worth more than a single day, but you can still see many of the most famous sites with one day. We visited Athens during the summer of 2024 and spent over two days exploring the city – in this article will share our top advice on how to enjoy a day in Athens.

While Athens is a modern and bustling city, most of the activities on this list involve seeing the historic sites. Most people who come to spend one day in Athens are looking to explore these ancient sites.

If you are planning a trip to Greece, you make also like reading:

• Our Complete Guide to Greece

Quick Guide to Athens

Guided Tours to Consider with One Day in Athens

With one day in Athens, you really need to make the most of your time. Doing a guided tour may be the best option in this situation. There are several excellent tours that offer admission to multiple sites and can get you to the front of the line.

One of the best options is to do a full day guided tour of Athens – this covers everything you need to see and can take away the stress of running around on your own. This is one of the best tours that was recommended to us.

You can also do a guided tour of just the Acropolis and Parthenon. This tour is a great value. You can also check out this tour that also includes the Acropolis Museum.

Best Things to do in Athens

Before I get into how to put together a 1 day Athens itinerary, I want to give you a list of the top activities in Athens if you are there for a day. These sites and activities can be put together in many ways to make an full day.

Acropolis

Visit the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Propylaea to marvel at ancient Greek architecture. This is the top activity and one you should absolutely do during your visit. It is also the most popular thing to do in Athens which means it’s best to visit early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the crowds. We went right at the end of the day and it was still crowded.

To get to the Acropolis you will need to walk up the hill. Give youself plenty of time for the walk and plan to stop along the way to see the other sites along the way. If you aren’t visiting on a guided tour, you should purchase tickets in advance or get a multi-site pass.

Acropolis Museum

Explore this modern museum showcasing treasures from the Acropolis. This is a large and expansive museum that has lots to see. The Acropolis Museum is located at the base of the Acropolis and is a modern marvel showcasing artifacts from Athens’ ancient history. Highlights include the Parthenon Gallery with sculptures and friezes, the stunning Caryatids, and the Archaic Gallery featuring pre-classical statues.

Plaka Neighborhood

Wander the charming streets, shop for souvenirs, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. We ate dinner here and it was a truly lovely place to spend the evening. There was music – amazing food and a wonderful atmosphere.

Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora of Athens, once the heart of civic, political, and social life in ancient Greece, is a fascinating site where history comes alive. Located below the Acropolis, this sprawling complex features remnants of temples, marketplaces, and public buildings. Key highlights include the remarkably preserved Temple of Hephaestus, dedicated to the gods of craftsmanship and metalwork, and the Stoa of Attalos, a reconstructed ancient building now housing a museum with artifacts from the Agora’s rich history. We visited the Ancient Agora midday. It definintely doesn’t get as crowded at the Acropolis but can still be a popular site.

Monastiraki Square

This bustling flea market is a fun place to visit and enjoy local street food. We walked through the streets on our way to Acropolis. Be a little cautious and hold onto your wallet when visiting the market! We bought some bracelets and snacks in the market.

Hadrian’s Library

Hadrian’s Library, built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD, is an ancient ruin located in the heart of Athens. Once a grand cultural center, it housed scrolls, books, and statues, serving as a place for scholars and intellectuals. Visitors today can explore the remaining structures, including towering columns, the monumental entrance, and remnants of the library’s outer walls.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, one of the largest temples in ancient Greece, was dedicated to the god Zeus and took over 600 years to complete. Located near the Acropolis, it originally housed a massive statue of Zeus, crafted by the famed sculptor Phidias. Today, visitors can marvel at the colossal ruins, including 15 of the original 104 Corinthian columns, which stand as a testament to the grandeur of ancient Greek architecture. The temple’s impressive scale and historical significance make it a must-see landmark, offering a glimpse into the religious and architectural achievements of ancient Athens.

Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square

Unfortunately we didn’t make it to the changing of the guard but based on other people we spoke with, this is a fun thing to see and showcases the precision and ceremony of the Greek military. Held in front of the Hellenic Parliament, this event takes place every hour, with a grand ceremony occurring on Sundays. The Evzones, elite soldiers dressed in traditional uniforms with pom-pom shoes and kilts, perform a meticulous and synchronized routine.

Lycabettus Hill

Hike or take a funicular to the top for incredible views of Athens. This is a great way to see the city. With just one day, this may be anactivity you don’t get to, but if you are looking to stretch your legs, this is a great option.

Running the Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium is worth a visit and is where the modern olympics began. If you want a fun way to start your day,  from 7:30–9 AM every day you can pay to enter and run the atadium. We started our day here and it was fun to get some exercise and run in the steps of the Olympic atheletes. Make sure to visit the museum while you’re there and see the olympic tourches.

Rooftop Dining

End your day with dinner at a rooftop restaurant, like 360 Degrees or A for Athens, for breathtaking views of the Acropolis lit up at night. We stopped by A for Athens and enjoyed a drink with an incredible view.

What to do with One Day in Athens

There are many ways to put together a one day in Athens itinerary based on what you are interested in and what time of year you are visiting. If you are visiting in the summer, I strongly recommend seeing the Acropolis early in the morning or late in the day. It’s also helpful to find some AC in the middle of the day if the temperatures are hot. This is an ambitious itinerary so you can also take a break at some point or consider switching out some activities from the list above.

Morning:

• Start your morning by running the Panathenaic Stadium. This is a fun start of the day.
• Grab a quick breakfast on the way to the Ancient Agora
• Walk through the Ancient Agora and visit Hadrians Library

Midday:

• If it’s hot we recommend spending midday in the Acropolis Museum
• Grab a light lunch at a local taverna

Afternoon:

• Stop by Monastiraki Square for its vibrant flea market and street performers.
• Grab a drink at A for Athens of one of the other rooftop Bars.

Evening:

• Visit the Acropolis. Enjoy the late day light and slightly lower crowds.
• Head to the Plaka neighborhood to wander and enjoy dinner.

Optional Add-ons:

• Walk through the National Garden if time allows.
• Sample local desserts like loukoumades (Greek honey donuts) at Koulouriou Loukoumades.

Things to Know About Athens

Where to Stay

If you are planning your visit to Athens, your first question is likely where to stay. Since you have a short time, I recommend staying right in the center of things. This saves you time getting to and from your hotel or rental in the morning. You should definintely book in advance. We found the best prices on Booking.com.

When to Visit

Athens in a summer is very hot! It’s also the most popular time to visit and is when we visited. If you have flexibility, I recommend visiting Athens in the shoulder seasons.

Is One Day Enough?

No! While this itinerary will give you a good sense of the city, one day really isn’t enough to see everything. I recommend at least 2 days in Athens.

Visiting Athens with Kids

We did the itinerary above with our 3 older kids (all teens). If you have smaller kids, you should plan additional time as this itinerary has a lot of walking.

How to Get Around Athens

Most of the sites in this itinerary are walkable although it will be faster to get around using the metro. The Athens Metro is the most efficient way to navigate the city, with three lines connecting major attractions like the Acropolis, Syntagma Square, and Monastiraki. We used the metro easily with no problems. The bus and tram networks are also extensive, though they can be slower due to traffic. Lastly, for a more relaxed option, you can rent a bike or scooter, which are available through local rental services and mobile apps.