Things to do in Athens
Athens, planned before you land.
The Acropolis is one morning. The rest of a Greek trip is islands and coast, and Athens is where it starts.
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What to do in Athens
Athens is the gateway to Greece and a destination on its own for two or three days. The Acropolis and its museum are the first morning, the old quarters of Plaka and Monastiraki are the evenings, and the day trips run in every direction: Delphi and Meteora inland, Cape Sounion along the coast, and the Saronic islands by boat. Ferries and short flights go on to Santorini, Mykonos and Crete.
01
Acropolis and museum with a guide, early
The Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the theaters below, with the first timed slot of the day before the heat and the cruise groups, then the museum that holds what came off the hill.
02
Plaka, Monastiraki and the food
The old quarters under the Acropolis, the flea market, the Central Market and a street food walk through souvlaki, loukoumades and the coffee. Evenings for the atmosphere.
03
Cape Sounion at sunset
The Temple of Poseidon on the cliff at the tip of Attica, an hour down the coast, with the sun going down behind it. The classic half day out.
04
Delphi day trip
The sanctuary of the oracle on the slopes of Parnassus, about two and a half hours away, with the museum and the mountain village of Arachova.
05
Meteora monasteries
Monasteries on top of rock pillars, four hours away by road or train. A long day from Athens; an overnight in Kalambaka is the better version.
06
Three islands in a day: Hydra, Poros and Aegina
A boat day across the Saronic Gulf to the car-free island of Hydra, Poros and Aegina, with time ashore at each. The island taste without changing hotels.
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Why book through Viator
Book the Athens tours before you fly, without locking yourself in.
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Good to know
- The Acropolis has a daily cap
- Timed entry and a visitor limit mean the morning slots go days ahead in summer. Book the ticket or a tour before you fly, and go at opening or after 5pm.
- Heat closes sites
- In July and August the Acropolis closes in the early afternoon on extreme heat days. Plan outdoor sights for the morning and the museums for the afternoon.
Before you go
The hill, the quarters and the day trips, in order.
Questions before you book
How many days in Athens before the islands?
Two full days covers the Acropolis, the museums and the old quarters; a third adds Delphi or Sounion. Then the ferry or the flight.
Can I do Santorini as a day trip from Athens?
Only by air, with an early flight and a late return, and it is a long day. One or two nights is the normal plan.
How do I book these tours?
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