How to Spend One Day in Athens: Your 24 Hour Athens Itinerary
Athens is a city with a history like no other, and an exciting, vibrant present. If you’ve only got one day in Athens, Greece, using this Athens itinerary travel guide will help you make the most of your trip here!
Athens is a city that I always knew I needed to visit. As a history and literature buff, I was very familiar with ancient Greece, and yet I hadn’t ever stepped foot in the country’s ancient capital, which historical records suggest spans a cool 3500 years.
Of course, the city hasn’t stayed in its “ancient form,” but I feel with its impressive museums, remarkable restaurants, and just general vibe, it’s still a centre of culture. It’s an excellent place to stay for longer, but if you only have one day in Athens, then that’s better than nothing.
I put visiting Athens up there with visiting some other heavy-hitting destinations in terms of ancient history and culture. Visiting places like Istanbul, Turkey, Kyoto, Japan and Bali, Indonesia leaves visitors to these destinations with a similar sense of awestruck wonder.
I’d spent so much time imagining visiting Athens that when I arrived, and it wasn’t exactly the city I expected. That being said, I quickly grew to love the energy of the city, and the very evident interplay between the city’s towering history and its present.
It’s the sort of city that I’d love to visit again with more travel under my belt and thus, more context. I’d also, quite frankly, like to spend a day sitting out front of a nondescript restaurant, sipping on local wine, or strong coffee.
However, this article isn’t about what I’m hoping to do, it’s about helping you spend one day in Athens that you’ll never forget, so let’s get to it.
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About Athens, Greece
I’m not sure I can say much more about Athens than has already been said, but I do think it’s worth mentioning that Athens is noted in history as a remarkably powerful city state, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s the birthplace of democracy.
Today, it’s a major economic centre in Southeastern Europe, and Piraeus, a port I’ve visited a few times, is the largest passenger port in Europe, and the third largest in the world.
Greater Athens’ population comes in at around 3 million people, so it’s a bustling city. As a Canadian, I’m jealous to note that its residents can also appreciate the title of the warmest major city in Europe.
The last fun fact about Athens that I’d love to share is it’s the southernmost capital on the European mainland.
Not unlike exploring a city like Istanbul, you should walk around Athens with open eyes. Notice the ancient monuments that represent the Classical Era, and the Roman, Byzantine and even Ottoman monuments strewn across the city. So much happened in Athens that you can find history everywhere.
Where to Stay in Athens
If you only have time for a one day in Athens itinerary, you’ll likely want to find yourself a hotel or guest house to give yourself a chance to rest during your brief stay.
If you have such a short time to come to Athens, you’ll want to situate yourself somewhere central to enjoy the city from. The neighbourhood of Plaka is likely your best bet, since it’s walking distance to several famous sites in Athens, like the Acropolis, Syntagma Square and Monastiraki Square. It’s also an excellent area for delicious restaurants, and there’s convenient access to the metro, the port of the city at the water, and transportation to the airport.
My preferred places to stay in the Plaka neighbourhood is Electra Metropolis Athens. It’s a comfortable, luxurious hotel with beautiful views of the Acropolis in a central part of the city.
If you’re looking for another excellent hotel that is a little more budget-friendly, Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel is another great option in this part of town.
Of course, you can also feel free to use this map to figure out the best place for you to stay at during your quick trip to Athens.
Guided Tours to Consider for Your Day in Athens
Even though you’re visiting Athens for such a short period of time, there are a few things that are essential for you to see on your visit.
Often times, it’s best to take a guided tour to help you avoid lines and crowds when you’re trying to maximize the sightseeing you’re planning to do while you’re in town.
This is the case for taking a guided tour of The Acropolis. The Acropolis can sometimes have long lines and crowds, but often times buying a ticket to a guided tour in advance allows you to skip the line, like this tour. You can even book a ticket for an early morning Acropolis tour, so you can see this famous site early in your day in Athens, to leave room for other activities throughout the day.
Another tour that might be worth considering is a hop-on, hop-off tour. While these aren’t necessarily my favourite of travel tips for ways to get around a city to see the sights, they can be a good option when you’re trying to see a lot in a short period of time. If you’d like to book tickets for a highly rated one in Athens, you can book your tickets here.
How to Spend 1 Day in Athens
Obviously, seeing Athens in 24 hours is a tall order, and I’d recommend that you spend more time here if you have it. However, I also know that many travellers only have a day in Athens or so before heading out to explore the Greek Islands, so I thought an article like this could come in handy.
Here’s how I would approach spending one day in Athens, and I hope it’s helpful.
Explore the Age-old Acropolis & Museum
Known as the city’s highest point, the Acropolis is a thriving ancient citadel that the Mycenaean kings occupied in the 5th century. Come here to stand mouth agape as you look upon the two famous temples nearby—the Temple of Athena Nike and the Parthenon.
If I was going to make sure that I didn’t miss one thing in Athens, it would be this, without question.
The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC, and is the earliest ionic temple on the Acropolis. The Parthenon is the temple that dominates the hill of the Acropolis. It is absolutely sensational, and a must see for any traveller as far as I’m concerned.
You can also make the most of your time here by visiting the Southern Slope of the Acropolis, which was a sanctuary and theatre for Dionysus.
If you can, try to get here early so you can avoid the crowds.
The Acropolis Museum is one of the museums that Bri and I visited together and felt as if we could have spent a week exploring what they had in there. For reference, it’s where they’ve housed all the findings they made from the Acropolis of Athens. You’ve got stuff here all the way back from the Greek Bronze Age, and as recently as Byzantine Greece.
It’s worth visiting if you’ve got the time and don’t mind spending a moment indoors during your day in Athens.
Awe at the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Once you’ve spent some time at the Acropolis Museum, you can head back into the light, and onto the ever busy Andrea Syngrou Avenue (Leoforos Andrea Siggrou). For reference, it’s the major street that links the city centre with the coastal road, Poseidonos Avenue.
Only about a five minute walk up the street, you'll find the enchanting Temple of Olympian Zeus. It’s basically the remains of what was a colossal temple in the heart of ancient Athens. The temple was under construction for over 600 years, if you can believe it!
It was the largest temple in Greece for a period, but eventually fell into disuse and it was never properly repaired. Still, a fair portion of the temple still remains, and it’s a very notable tourist site in Athens that you should try to add to your Athens itinerary.
Once you’ve visited the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and if you’ve got the time, I’d recommend exploring Plaka, a quaint little neighbourhood in Athens. It’s actually said to be one of the best areas to walk around and “absorb” the spirit of old Athens.
Make Your Way Through Syntagma Square
Head north along the main road until you reach Syntagma Square, an iconic town square named after its respective district. Make no mistake - this is the central square of modern Athens, both historically and socially.
If you’re coming from the Temple I just mentioned, you’ll walk past the Statue of Lord Byron and Hadrians' Arch on your right side. Both are worth a moment and a photo!
At the eastern corner of the square, you'll find the Hellenic Parliament, or the Greek Parliament Buildings. They used to offer tours when I visited. If you’ve just got a day in Athens, you likely won’t have time, but if you find more time, that could be something to look into.
The yard is famous for the protests, marches and public gatherings. It’s the meeting place in many respects.
Take note of the tomb guarded by “The Evzones”— an elite group of the Hellenic Army —right outside the Parliament Building.
Grab a Bite to Eat on Ermou Pedestrian Street
The Ermou Pedestrian Street is known as one of the modern roads in the ancient city of Athens. It's the central pedestrian-only street in the town and it runs for 1.5 km.
There are plenty of spots to sit down and grab a bite, or you can get a gyro and focus on shopping. It’s known first as a shopping street, I would say, but I like it for lunch because it’s away from traffic and pedestrian only.
It's often said that Ermou Pedestrian Street is modern commerce meeting an old town atmosphere.
One last thing - don’t miss the Byzantine Church, one of the oldest in Greece, right in the middle of the street.
Stroll on Over to the Cathedral of Athens
If you walk parallel to Ermou Street; you'll find a 19th-century cathedral featuring absolutely monumental Greco-Byzantine & neoclassical architecture.
it was actually made from the marble of demolished churches around Greece, which is a fact that changed the way that I appreciated the Cathedral of Athens, and one of the reasons I’ve included it here on my list of things to do if you’ve only got one day in Athens.
Technically, it’s called the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary or the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. A lot of locals just call it the “Mētrópolis".”
It’s worth noting that the cathedral has a 3-dome Basilica and the holy tombs of Saint Gregory and Philothei are inside.
Marvel at the Ancient Agora of Athens
If you’re feeling a little exhausted from the hectic schedule, perhaps consider taking some time off from exploring and relaxing at the National Garden. You may want to visit the nearby Zappeion Hall as well, which was built in the 1880s for the Olympic Games.
After a moment reprieve, you can make your way to the iconic Greek ruins of the Ancient Agora. It should only be about a 200-meter short walk away, and it’s often considered a must visit when you're in Athens, whether you’ve only got 24 hours in Athens or not.
Consider visiting the museum that features artifacts from the Ancient Agora. It’s a quick visit, but they’ve got some great stuff in there!
If you’re a true history buff and you’ve got the time, explore the nearby Roman Forum of Athens, an octagonal tower with the remains of this Agora built by the Romans in 19 BC.
Walk to the Monastiraki Square Flea Market
You haven’t been to Athens if you haven’t perused this flea market. A warren of eclectic shopping outlets, the Monastiraki Flea Market, has outlets selling everything from souvenirs to furniture (and, of course, some good food)
It’s been around since 1886, and the market has adjacent streets and alleyways that sell several Greek products. They also have a wide range of plants, herbs, spices, delicate teas and wines.
You really don’t need to spend much time here, but it’d be a shame if you didn’t at least walk through it during your day in Athens.
Catch the Sunset at Filopappou Hill
Known for its lush greenery, the Filopappou Hill is a vast, hilly area in Athens. My best advice? Catch stunning views of the city from here while there's still light! (or, at the very least, while the last vestiges of sun are upon the day).
You can also visit the ancient monument of Filopappou that are shrouded in myths and legends aplenty. In fact, It's believed that the Romans, which helped destroy the National Observatory Parthenon and the Prison of Socrates, left a cannon somewhere around here.
You’d think a cannon would be easy to find, but apparently it’s not, so it has entered the world of myth and legend, much like anything else that can’t quite be explained!
Park Yourself at one of the Fancy Cafés in Psyri
Head west towards Psyri (or Pssri), home to many bars, restaurants, cafés and tavernas. The street really comes alive at night with live music and dance, surrounded by graffiti walls and street art. In recent memory, we’ve all spent a little too much time on our own in our respective places, so tapping into the energy of a neighbourhood like this is a welcome change!
I’d recommend dining at one restaurant or cafés facing the street, so you can watch the street come alive as the sun goes down.
Psyri is also home to several artisans and craftworkers, so you can find many leather goods, kitchen goods, as well as design pieces.
Spend the Night at Odeon of Herodes Atticus
If you’ve got any energy left after what can only be described as a very ambitious day exploring Athens, then catch a late-night performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an ancient restored stone theater built in 161 CE.
It’s actually considered one of the great open air theatres on earth, so it’s not to be missed if you’re a theatre fan. Performances can be a bit sporadic, so check when performances will be playing here and see if a performance lines up with your day in Athens.
Come back into the city and sample some Greek wine at the downtown bars, or catch beautiful views of the city and the glowing Acropolis from the restaurant.
So, Can You Explore Athens in One Day?
I think you probably know my answer here. Of course you can explore Athens in one day and get a feel for the city. But, let’s be real, you’re not going to fit everything into one day for a city like Athens.
However, I tried to put together a one day itinerary that would show you as much of Athens as can fit in a 24 hour period. I’d like to think I accomplished that with the above but, of course, you can feel free to comment below and let me know if I’m correct about that.
Most importantly, make time for good food, good conversation, and good coffee and, in Greece, the rest tends to take care of itself.
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