Itineraries for Your Trip to Athens
2 Days in Athens for First Timers
Like many European capitals, Athens can overwhelm on a first visit with its wealth of cultural treasures and colorful neighborhoods to explore. Add the tourist crowds, inescapable heat, and relentless urban pace into the mix, and you have a recipe for frustration. My first time in Athens—a spur-of-the-moment stop while en route to Mykonos—was a comedy of errors as I wasted hours dealing with long lines, overtaxed public transit, and closed restaurants. The next time around, I stayed a bit longer and planned my days carefully to bypass the crowds, navigate the city with ease, and savor the best culture and cuisine. Learn from my mistakes with this insider’s guide to two days in Athens for first timers.
If you only have time for one thing, make it dinner or drinks in Plaka.
Sun-soaked Athens requires proper protection all year round, including a hat and sunblock.
Get your bearings in the sprawling city and cover the top sights hassle-free with an Athens sightseeing tour that includes transportation. Most itineraries cover the Acropolis headliners such as the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Odeon, and Acropolis Museum, as well as A-listers spread across the city from the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus and Ancient Agora to the Parliament Building in Syntagma Square.
After checking off the top cultural attractions, relax with a leisurely exploration of the historic Plaka, Thiseio, or Monastiraki neighborhoods. These central districts are known for their shop-lined streets, markets, and dining and drinking scenes. Soak in the atmosphere with a walking or bike tour led by an insider guide, then settle in at a local taverna to snack on Greek specialties.
Athens’ ancient ruins are impressive by day, but dazzle when they are dramatically lit after sunset. Admire the Acropolis and other archaeological treasures in their best light with an evening tour that takes you past the main sights and up to panoramic vantage points such as Mount Lycabettus and Philopappos Hill, with stops for photos along the way.
Your first day was dedicated almost exclusively to the must-see attractions in Athens, so kick off your second day with a deep dive into its cuisine. Join a morning cooking class where you can learn the secrets to turning out classic Greek dishes like a pro, or set off with a food tour to discover where to sample the city’s specialties.
Most visitors don’t think of Athens as a seaside destination, but the Athens Riviera sits just 30 minutes from the city center. Set off this afternoon with a boat tour that takes you along the waterfront past Voula Beach, Glyfada Beach, or Lagonisi. Culture buffs can head straight to Cape Sounion to marvel at the Temple of Poseidon at sunset.
Cap off your two days in Athens by experiencing the city’s nightlife in the cooler evening hours when the crowds of cruise passengers have dispersed. Join a bar crawl to visit the trendiest local bars and clubs for drinks, or head to a classic taverna to feast on a traditional Greek dinner accompanied by folk musicians and dancers.
