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    Athens

    Greece

    Athens

    CityCulture

    Athens is a city that doesn't keep its 3,400 years in a museum, but lives them daily: Beneath the Acropolis lie districts full of tavernas, record shops, and rooftop bars. If you only seek antiquity, stay two days.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Greece
    7. Attica
    9. Athens
    Athens is a city that doesn't keep its 3,400 years in a museum, but lives them daily: Beneath the Acropolis lie districts full of tavernas, record shops, and rooftop bars. If you only seek antiquity, stay two days. If you want to get to know the city, you need four.
    Plaka

    District 1 of 3

    Plaka

    Plaka is the Old Town of Athens, situated on the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. Narrow alleys, neoclassical townhouses, and small Byzantine churches characterize the district, which stretches between Syntagma and Monastiraki.

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    Monastiraki and Psyrri

    District 2 of 3

    Monastiraki and Psyrri

    Monastiraki is the market and flea market district of Athens' Old Town, named after the small monastic church of Pantanassa on the square of the same name.

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    Kolonaki

    District 3 of 3

    Kolonaki

    Kolonaki is an upscale residential and commercial district on the southern slopes of Lykavittos. Around Kolonaki Square are boutiques, galleries, cafes, and embassies, while several major museums line Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.

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    Sights in Athens

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Akropolis

    1Akropolis

    The Acropolis above the city boasts the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea, and Temple of Nike – antiquity's most famous architectural ensemble. The current complex was built in the 5th century BC under Pericles, after the Persians had destroyed the previous structure. Admission is for a fixed time slot, which is best booked online beforehand. Go early in the morning or in the last hour before closing; at midday, the rock is shadeless and overcrowded in summer.
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    Ancient Agora with Temple of Hephaestus

    2Ancient Agora with Temple of Hephaestus

    The Agora of ancient Athens was a stage for politics, trade, and philosophy. The Hephaestus Temple on the western edge is Greece's best-preserved Doric temple, because it was used as a church for centuries. The reconstructed Stoa of Attalos houses the excavation museum. The site is green and shady, a good complement after the Acropolis.
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    Areopagus (Ares' Hill)

    3Areopagus (Ares' Hill)

    The rock below the Acropolis path was in antiquity the seat of the supreme court. Today, it is primarily a freely accessible viewpoint offering views of the Agora, Old Town, and the sea. The marble has been polished mirror-smooth by millions of shoe soles; sturdy soles help. At sunset, half of Athens gathers here.
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    Acropolis Museum

    4Acropolis Museum

    The glass building by Bernard Tschumi at the foot of the rock displays the original finds from the Acropolis, including the preserved Caryatids of the Erechtheion. The top floor recreates the ground plan of the Parthenon at its original scale and is glazed towards the Acropolis hill, creating a visual relationship between the frieze and the structure. Beneath the building lies an excavated ancient residential street, which remains visible through glass floors. Plan at least two hours.
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    National Archaeological Museum

    5National Archaeological Museum

    The country's foremost collection of antiquities lies north of the center, in the Exarchia district. Highlights include the Gold Mask of Mycenae, the bronze Poseidon from Cape Artemision, and the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient device for calculating celestial movements. The museum is vast, so a prior selection is advisable.
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    Panathinaiko Stadium

    6Panathinaiko Stadium

    The stadium, built entirely of white marble, stands on the site of an ancient complex and was rebuilt for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. You can climb the stands, step onto the track, and visit the small museum with torches from past Games. The audio guide is included in the admission fee.
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    City walks in Athens

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Athens for Connoisseurs: A 2-Hour Walk Through History and Flair

    Discover the soul of Athens on this relaxed 2-hour walk. From splendid squares to the picturesque lanes of the old town, immerse yourself in the rich history and lively flair of this fascinating metropolis. A perfect introduction to the main sights and most charming districts.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (7)

    Dining & Drinks

    1

    Maiandros Restaurant

    Traditional Greek restaurant on Adrianou Street, just steps from Monastiraki Metro Station. The menu features Mezedes, grilled meat and fish, as well as oven-baked dishes like Moussaka and Pastitsio. Many tables are located on the pedestrian street in the historic center.
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    2

    Rozalia

    Tavern on Valtetsiou Street in the Exarchia district, whose clientele is largely local. Serving Mezedes, salads, and grilled dishes like Souvlaki and lamb chops, plus many vegetarian appetizers for sharing. A few minutes' walk from Omonia Metro Station.
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    3

    Diporto (Market Quarter)

    A basement spot, no sign, no menu, since 1887 on Sokratous Street near Varvakios Market. The host announces the fare: typically chickpea soup, small fried fish, grilled octopus, and house wine by the pitcher. Shared tables for dining, no card payments.
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    4

    Klimataria (at Varvakios Market)

    1927 tavern on Platia Theatrou, near the central market, known for stews cooked in clay pots. The menu features classics like Stifado, giant beans in tomato sauce, and snails, plus house wine. Live music plays regularly in the evenings.
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    Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani

    A deli and restaurant in one, located on Evripidou Street in the heart of the spice district. They serve sausage and cheese platters from small Greek producers, Pastourma, and pickled vegetables; many products hark back to the Asia Minor cuisine of the Karamanlides. Guests sit among display cases and shelves, and meals are enjoyed in stages.
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    5

    Athinaikon

    A staple for mezedes in the city center since 1932, today found, among other places, on Mitropoleos Street between Syntagma and Monastiraki. Many small plates are ordered for the table; well-known are the oven-baked Gigantes, the meatballs, and the seafood. The clientele is predominantly Athenian.
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    Food and Drink

    Athens' culinary scene thrives on the juxtaposition of tavernas that have cooked the same dishes for decades and a vibrant young scene reinterpreting Greek products. Dining is a late affair; venues fill up from 9 PM.

    Mezedes over main course

    The Athenian way of eating: several small plates for the table, accompanied by Ouzo, Tsipouro, or wine. Typical dishes include Taramosalata, stuffed vine leaves, grilled octopus, and Saganaki. A Mezedopolio or Ouzeri is the ideal spot for this.
    Souvlaki and Gyros

    Souvlaki and Gyros

    The city’s fast food, most concentrated around Monastiraki. Well-made means: freshly cut meat, warm pita, Tzatziki and a few fries. You recognize the best places by the queue of locals at lunchtime.
    The Varvakios Market Hall

    The Varvakios Market Hall

    The central meat and fish market on Athinas Street is not a museum market, but a workplace. In the basement eateries all around, Patsas, a tripe soup traditionally eaten after nights of revelry, has been cooked for generations.

    Coffee: Daily structure

    Freddo Espresso and Freddo Cappuccino aren't just for summer in Athens, they're standard. A coffee lasts an hour; lingering is part of the experience. Especially pleasant in Koukaki, Pangrati, and around Exarchia Square.
    Acropolis-view rooftop terraces

    Acropolis-view rooftop terraces

    Viele Hotels und Bars in Monastiraki, Plaka und Koukaki öffnen ihre Dachterrassen für alle Gäste. Die Preise liegen über dem Stadtschnitt, der Blick auf den beleuchteten Felsen rechtfertigt ihn meist. Reservierung zum Sonnenuntergang ist ratsam.

    Culture and History

    Athens has been inhabited for over 3,000 years. In the 5th century BC, under Pericles, it gave rise to Attic democracy, tragedy as a theatrical form, and the buildings of the Acropolis. Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle taught in the city.Antiquity and ByzantiumThe Acropolis, with the Parthenon, Propylaea, and Erechtheion, combines Doric and Ionic architectural styles. From the Byzantine era come small domed cruciform churches like Kapnikarea and Panagia Gorgoepikoos, which today stand amidst commercial buildings.Capital since 1834When Athens became the capital of the new state in 1834, it was a small town. Under King Otto, Neoclassical buildings such as the University, Academy, and National Library emerged, designed among others by the Hansen brothers. Today, the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum display the ancient finds.

    Nightlife

    Athens offers a diverse nightlife scene, ranging from lively bars in Psyrri to relaxed wine bars. Here you'll find the NO*JAZZ CLUB for live music or cozy wine bars to taste Greek wines.
    1

    Brettos (Plaka)

    A distillery and bar on Kydathineon Street in Plaka, founded in 1909 and family-owned to this day. Behind the counter, backlit bottles of house-made Ouzo, Brandy, and colourful liqueurs stack up to the ceiling. Patrons drink standing or at a few tables, mostly in the early evening.
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    2

    Baba Au Rum (Monastiraki)

    A cocktail bar on Kleitiou Street between Monastiraki and Syntagma, with shelves focusing on rum. Its menu incorporates Greek herbs and tropical ingredients. The space is small; in summer, guests spill out onto the alleyway outside.
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    six d.o.g.s (Monastiraki)

    A bar, club, concert venue, and green courtyard all in one, hidden down a side street behind Monastiraki. The programme ranges from DJ nights and concerts to exhibitions; in summer, the garden is the real draw. A great spot to see what's currently happening musically in the city.
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    3

    The Clumsies

    Two-story cocktail bar in a converted townhouse on Praxitelous Street, operating as a café by day and a bar by night. The menu is regularly updated and incorporates culinary techniques. The Clumsies has featured for years on international bar rankings.
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    4

    Heteroclito (Syntagma)

    Wine bar on Fokionos Street near Syntagma, focusing on Greek wines, from Assyrtiko from Santorini to Xinomavro from Northern Greece. Many are available by the glass, along with cheese and cold cuts. Quieter than the surrounding cocktail bars.
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    5

    Intriga (Exarchia)

    This café-bar on Derveniou Street in the Exarchia district attracts a predominantly local clientele. By day, guests relax with coffee; in the evenings, beer is served alongside rock and alternative music. The district itself is politically significant and lively at night.
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    6

    360 Cocktail Bar (Monastiraki)

    Rooftop bar right on Monastiraki Square, overlooking the illuminated Acropolis. The menu features cocktails and Greek wines, complemented by small dishes. The terrace quickly fills up at sunset.
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    Traveling locally

    Metro, Bus and TramThe backbone of public transport comprises Metro Lines 1 to 3. They connect the airport, city center, and the Port of Piraeus, taking you to almost all major attractions. Buses and trams complement the network, especially towards the coast. You can buy tickets at machines in stations or at kiosks; the 90-minute ticket and multi-day passes are common. A separate, more expensive fare applies for journeys to the airport. Validate your ticket before starting your journey; inspections are frequent, and fines are high.On Foot and By TaxiThe historic core around the Acropolis is accessible via a continuous pedestrian axis and is easy to explore on foot. Be prepared for inclines and, in summer, intense heat. Taxis are relatively inexpensive; insist on the meter or use an app like FreeNow. E-scooters are plentiful, but heavy traffic and the poor condition of many sidewalks make them an option primarily for experienced riders.

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    Nearby

    Attica

    Attica

    Attica is the peninsula surrounding Athens and, with almost four million inhabitants, by far the most populous region of Greece. Here you'll find the Acropolis and the capital's major museums, but also sanctuaries like Eleusis, Brauron, and Rhamnous, which only a few visitors see.For those planning a few days beyond Athens, you'll find swimming coves and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion along the coast; to the north, the battlefield of Marathon; and Parnitha, a forested mountain range that is reachable from the city in less than an hour.
    Monastiraki and Psyrri

    Monastiraki and Psyrri

    Monastiraki is the market and flea market district of Athens' Old Town, named after the small monastic church of Pantanassa on the square of the same name. To its north lies Psyrri, a former artisan quarter, where today tavernas, bars, and workshops are densely packed. Both districts are lively until late into the night.
    Plaka

    Plaka

    Plaka is the Old Town of Athens, situated on the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. Narrow alleys, neoclassical townhouses, and small Byzantine churches characterize the district, which stretches between Syntagma and Monastiraki. Adrianou Street divides it into Upper Plaka, directly below the Acropolis Rock, and Lower Plaka.
    Kolonaki

    Kolonaki

    Kolonaki is an upscale residential and commercial district on the southern slopes of Lykavittos. Around Kolonaki Square are boutiques, galleries, cafes, and embassies, while several major museums line Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. The district is named for a small column in the square.
    Marathon

    Marathon

    Marathon is the site of the 490 BC battle where Athenians and Plataeans routed the Persian landing force on the coast. The Tymvos, burial mound of the fallen Athenians, still lies in the plain. From here, the first Olympic marathon to Athens began in 1896.Beyond the battle's traces, highlights include the Archaeological Museum with finds from the plain, the reservoir with its marble-clad dam, and Schinias' long beach bordering a pine forest. A few kilometers north lies Rhamnous, one of Attica's most impressive archaeological sites.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI