Athens in 3 Days: The Perfect Itinerary By Two Locals | It’s All Trip To Me (2024)

Last updated on June 14th, 2024 at 11:33 am

If you’re planning to see Athens in 3 days, this itinerary is curated by yours truly, two Athenians born and raised in the Greek capital yet ceaselessly on a quest to uncover our hometown’s best-kept secrets.

Often referred to as the Birthplace of Democracy and the Cradle of Western Civilisation, Athens would be worth a visit for its vast ancient history and fascinating Greek mythology alone. After all, it’s one of the oldest cities in the world.

Yet it’s also a vibrant metropolis, renowned for its nightlife and superb dining scene. If you’re wondering how to spend 3 days in Athens, you’ve come to the right place. Get ready to see Athens in 3 days through our eyes.

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Athens Travel Tips

Before we dive into our detailed Athens 3-day itinerary, we want to share a very brief version of our complete Athens travel guide:

• Where is Athens: Athens is the capital city of Greece in Southeastern Europe. It’s also the capital of the historical region of Attica in Central Greece.
• Best time to visit Athens: Spring and autumn. Avoid the summer months as Athens can get unbearably hot in the peak season.
• How many days in Athens: At least three full days.
• How to get to Athens: You can get to Athens by plane. It takes about 40 minutes to one hour to get from Athens Airport to the city centre.
• Where to stay in Athens:The best neighbourhoods to stay in Athens are Plaka, Thisseio, Koukaki, Syntagma, Psirri and Monastiraki.
• How to get around Athens: You can get anywhere in downtown Athens on foot. However, for areas that are a little bit outside the city centre, the metro is your best shot.
• An alternative yet great way to visit Athens: If you’d rather have someone else plan a tailor-made trip to Athens for you, JayWay Travel should be your go-to boutique tour operator as they boast exceptional travel planners and an ace team to meet and greet you in Athens.

Travel Resources To Help You See Athens in 3 Days

The Only 3-Day Athens Itinerary You’ll Ever Need

Before we proceed, please keep in mind that to see Athens in 3 days our way means setting your alarms early in the morning to fall in the arms of your comfy hotel beds late in the evening.

That said, this Athens 3-day itinerary isn’t set in stone. You can adjust it to your preferences accordingly. Also, you may have to reorder some of the activities in Athens we recommend, depending on the season you’re visiting, as this would affect the opening/closing times of historical sites, sunset times etc.

Without further ado, here’s what to do in Athens in 3 days, an itinerary suited not only to first-time visitors but also travellers who’ve been to Athens before.

Day 1: Introduction To Athens

We recommend taking it (relatively) easy on the first day of this 3-day Athens itinerary, leaving the bulk of your major sightseeing in Athens for the next two days. By that, we don’t mean that Day 1 isn’t full of exciting things to do in Athens. Far from that.

Syntagma Square & The Changing of The Guard

Start your day in Syntagma Square, one of the two central squares in Athens – the other is Omonia Square. Syntagma Square was constructed in the early 19th century. It was originally called Palace Square after the Old Royal Palace that was built there. The latter was the official residence of King Otto, the first king of the modern Greek State.

Following an uprising in 1843, King Otto granted the first Constitution of Greece. To honour this event, Palace Square was renamed Constitution Square. Syntagma is the Greek word for the constitution.

Nowadays, the Old Royal Palace dominates the upper part of the square and houses the Greek Parliament. Therefore, it’s not open to the public. The lower part of Syntagma Square comprises an open space made of marble, decorated with fountains and trees.

Another thing to check out in Syntagma Square is the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, an open-air war memorial dedicated to Greek soldiers who lost their lives during wars.

The Tomb of Τhe Unknown Soldier is where the Changing of The Presidential Guard ceremony takes place every hour daily. The latter is a rather simple procession. If you want to watch the fancy version, it takes place every Sunday at 11 in the morning.

Recommended Guided Tour: Athens in a Day Walking Tour with Early Acropolis Tour, Greek Agora, Presidential Guard Change & Lunch by Walks
Closest Metro Station: Syntagma (Lines 2 & 3)

National Garden

Right next to the Old Royal Palace, you can stroll around the former Royal Garden. Commissioned by Queen Amalia (King Otto’s wife) in 1838, the now-called National Garden offers refuge from the concrete jungle that is Athens.

Complete with a duck pond and a row of palm trees that were planted by the Queen herself, the National Garden feels rather rough around the edges. Yet it’s still a great place to have a break from sightseeing.

Closest Metro Station: Syntagma (Lines 2 & 3)

Zappeion

Situated next to the National Garden, Zappeion was a building commissioned for the first modern Olympic Games which took place in 1896. In particular, Zappeion was the main fencing hall during the 1896 Olympic Games.

Nowadays, Zappeion hosts special ceremonies and exhibitions. If you’re not attending one of those, you can’t see what Zappeion looks like inside as it’s not open for visits otherwise. However, it’s worth seeing Zappeion even from the outside to admire its splendid architecture. Zappeion is a work of Theophil Hansen, a famous architect who designed many of the prettiest buildings in Athens.

Closest Metro Station: Syntagma (Lines 2 & 3)

Hadrian’s Gate & The Temple of Olympian Zeus

For a first taste of Classical Athens sightseeing, Hadrian’s Gate and the Ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus are within easy walking distance from Zappeion. Hadrian’s Gate, also known as the Arch of Hadrian or Hadrian’s Arch, was probably constructed to celebrate the arrival of Roman Emperor Hadrian to the city of Athens.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is also called The Olympieion. As its name suggests, it was a temple dedicated to Zeus, the king of gods. Its construction began in the 6th century BC but it was completed in the 2nd century AD, under the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Back then, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was the largest in Greece. However, it wasn’t meant to last for long.

After suffering a Barbarian invasion in 267 AD, the temple was reduced to ruins. In the following centuries, the temple’s material was taken to be used in other constructions around the city. Out of the temple’s initial 104 columns, only 15 are still standing today. A sixteenth has been lying on the ground since 1852 when a terrible storm that hit Athens caused it to fall.

Admission Tickets: Included in the Acropolis and 6 Archaeological Sites Combined Ticket
Closest Metro Station: Akropoli (Line 2)

Panathenaic Stadium

It’s a pleasant stroll from the Temple of Olympian Zeus to the imposing Panathenaic Stadium. Also called Kallimarmaro (Greek for beautiful marble), the Panathenaic Stadium is the only stadium in the world that’s entirely built of marble. Nestled in the green embrace of Ardettos Hill, the stadium is built in a former natural ravine.

Throughout its history, the Panathenaic Stadium was abandoned, destroyed and reconstructed many times. It was in 1896, before the first modern Olympic Games, that the Panathenaic Stadium was rebuilt for the last time, taking the form it has to this day.

Admission Tickets: For more information about admission fees and opening hours, click here.
Recommended Guided Tour: Olympic Games Workout at the Panathenaic Stadium
Closest Metro Station: Akropoli (Line 2)
Recommended nearby neighbourhood for a lunch break: Pagrati

Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation or The National Gallery

After a light lunch, it’s time for a short walk to either the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation or the National Gallery to fill your eyes with glorious art.

Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation

Greek shipowner Basil Goulandris and his wife Elise were passionate about art. They were avid collectors and they did everything in their power to promote art. Suffice it to say that they often supported young Greek artists at the start of their careers.

In 1979, the couple established the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation. That’s also when they opened the first Museum of Contemporary Art in Greece on Andros Island. Their dream was to do something similar in Athens.

Many years after the couple died, specifically in 2019, the Athens-based Foundation opened its doors to the public, showcasing Elise and Basil’s massive private collection of paintings that includes masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, El Greco and many others. The Foundation’s official website is an endless source of knowledge about the works of art that are on display there.

As you walk around the halls of the Foundation, Elise and Basil’s love for art is almost tangible. It feels as though the paintings and sculptures were their cherished children and the painters themselves their best friends, family even. We’d highly recommend a visit to the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation on a guided tour that’s very informative and incredibly eye-opening.

Admission Tickets: Buy your tickets here.
Closest Metro Station: Evagelismos (Line 3)

The National Gallery

The recently re-opened National Gallery is one of the top sites in Athens. The permanent exhibition at the National Gallery showcases the works of mostly Greek but also foreign painters and sculptors. At the National Gallery, you can admire paintings by famous Greek artists, such as El Greco and Yannis Moralis. The National Gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions.

Admission Tickets: For more information about admission fees and opening hours, clickhere.
Closest Metro Station: Evagelismos (Line 3)

Lycabettus Hill

To wrap up the first of your three days in Athens, how about some of the most breathtaking views of the Greek capital and beyond? One of the best viewpoints in Athens is Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in the city.

To get to Lycabettus Hill, you can either walk the winding uphill path or take a taxi. In the latter case, keep in mind that the taxi can get you as far as the large parking lot outside the Theatre of Lycabettus. You’ll still have to climb a considerable amount of steps to get to the top.

One of the best things to do in Athens and the best way to get to Lycabettus Hill, though, is to ride the Lycabettus Funicular. It starts from Aristippou Street in Kolonaki and ends near the top of the hill. The funicular runs every day from early in the morning until after midnight. Don’t expect to enjoy the view along the way as the entire ride is in a tunnel.

Once on Lycabettus Hill, head to the whitewashed Church of Saint George at the top of the hill for the best panoramic views of Athens. Whether you’re up there around sunset or after it’s already dark, you’re in for a unique experience.

You can hang out for a drink either at the posh bar at the top of the hill or at Prasini Tenta on the hill’s southwestern slope. Yet, if you want to experience Lycabettus Hill like a local, the canteen at the parking lot is the place to be.

Admission Tickets: For more information about admission fees and opening hours for the funicular, clickhere.
Closest Metro Station: Evagelismos (Line 3)
Recommended nearby neighbourhoods for dinner: Kolonaki or Exarchia

Day 2: Essential Athens

After a refreshing good night’s sleep, it’s time to enjoy the very best of Athens. All the places we recommend for the second day of this 3-day Athens itinerary are very close to one another and often connect via pedestrianised streets. Therefore, feel free to reorder them to suit your schedule and preferences best. Yet, make sure you plan an early start.

The Acropolis of Athens & The South Slope of The Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the Acropolis of Athens is the ultimate icon of the Ancient Greek civilisation, but also the most powerful symbol of modern Greek identity. It represents panhuman ideals that transcend natural borders, as it has laid the foundations for democracy, philosophy, politics and the entire Western Civilisation.

The Acropolis is built on a rock in the heart of Athens. Even though the area was inhabited since prehistoric times, the grand buildings that survived to this day were constructed during the 5th century BC, the so-called Golden Age of Athens.

The most impressive of all the buildings in the Acropolis of Athens is the Parthenon, the ultimate symbol of Classical Greece and one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments. Built between 447 BC and 432 BC, the Parthenon was a temple dedicated to Goddess Athena, the Ancient Greek Goddess of wisdom and patroness of the city-state of Athens.

The elegant Erechtheion is yet another building not to miss in the Acropolis of Athens. This temple’s most striking feature is its southern facade which is adorned by the statues of six women, known as Karyatides, instead of columns. Keep in mind that these statues are replicas. Five of the original Karyatides are in the Acropolis Museum, while the sixth is in the British Museum in London.

Other ancient relics you should check out in the Acropolis of Athens are the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and the remnants of the Acropolis fortification wall. The Acropolis of Athens is accessible to people with mobility issues.

The South Slope of The Acropolis

When visiting the Acropolis of Athens, you must also make time to wander around the South Slope of the Acropolis. It is there that you can see the Asclepeion (also spelt Asklepieion) that dates back to 420 BC. The Asclepeion was a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the Ancient God of medicine. It also functioned as a healing centre.

Another site not to miss in the South Slope of the Acropolis is the Sanctuary and Theatre of Dionysus, the Ancient God of festivity, wine and grape harvest. The Theatre of Dionysus was the oldest in Attica and had a capacity of 16,000 spectators in its heyday.

Admission Tickets: Included in the Acropolis and 6 Archaeological Sites Combination Ticket
Recommended Guided Tour: Pristine Parthenon with No-Crowds Acropolis Tour & Skip-the-Line Acropolis Museum Tour by Walks
Closest Metro Station: Akropoli (Line 2)

Odeon of Herodes Atticus & Dionysiou Areopagitou Street

Speaking of ancient theatres, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is one of the best sights to see in Athens. This monumental structure was commissioned by Herodes Atticus, a prominent Athenian politician and benefactor. It was originally intended to host musical events. Therefore, it’s an odeon rather than a theatre. In modern Greek, we simply call it Herodeum.

Nowadays, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus hosts concerts and plays mainly during the annual Athens & Epidaurus Festival. If you happen to be in Athens during the latter, don’t miss the chance to enjoy a performance at one of the world’s most beautiful open-air venues.

When there’s no event taking place at the Herodeum, you can only admire it from the outside. The best vantage point is either the South Slope of The Acropolis or Herodeum’s main entrance on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street.

Strolling along the pedestrianised Dionysiou Areopagitou Street is one of the best things to do in Athens in its own right. Named after Dionysius the Areopagite, the first Athenian to convert to Christianity, Dionysiou Areopagitou with its superb neoclassical mansions and unobstructed views of the Acropolis is without a doubt the prettiest street in Athens.

Closest Metro Station: Akropoli (Line 2)

The Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum opened its gates to the public in 2009. Yet for us Greeks, it will always be the New Acropolis Museum. The old one was up there on the sacred rock, next to the Parthenon. The Acropolis Museum houses findings from the Acropolis of Athens. In a total area of 14,000 square metres, more than 4,250 objects from various historical periods are on display.

The museum enjoys a prime location on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street with jaw-dropping views of the Acropolis. The building itself is of great interest as it makes reference to the ancient site in various ways. For instance, the building’s top level has the same orientation as the Parthenon. Moreover, there are many glass floors at the Acropolis Museum, allowing visitors to marvel at the excavations below.

Admission Tickets: Buy your entry tickets in advance here
Recommended Guided Tour: Pristine Parthenon with No-Crowds Acropolis Tour & Skip-the-Line Acropolis Museum Tour by Walks
Closest Metro Station: Akropoli (Line 2)
Recommended nearby neighbourhood for a lunch break: Koukaki

Filopappou Hill

After a well-deserved lunch break, it’s time to stroll around the loveliest green space in Athens. Filopappou Hill (also spelt Philopappos or Philopappou) got its name from the Monument of Filopappou, a marble burial monument that stands at the top of the hill since 116 AD.

However, its official name is Hill of the Muses. Alongside the adjacent Hill of the Nymphs and Pnyx (Pnyka) Hill, this green area in the heart of Athens is collectively known as Filopappou Hill.

One of the best things to see at the foot of Filopappou Hill is Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, a 16th-century church with amazing frescoes.

Moreover, Pnyx Hill deserves a visit in its own right. This small rocky hill is where Ancient Athenians met for their public assemblies. This is why Pnyx Hill is often regarded as the actual birthplace of democracy. Nowadays, Pnyx Hill is probably the best viewpoint of the Acropolis of Athens.

The top of the Hill of the Nymphs is adorned by the impressive Sinas Building. The latter houses the National Observatory of Athens. Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening, there are guided tours of the Observatory followed by night sky observation using the historic Doridis Telescope.

Admission Tickets: For more information about the National Observatory clickhere.
Closest Metro Station: Akropoli (Line 2) or Thissio (Line 1)

Apostolou Pavlou Street in Thisseio

Thisseio (also spelt Thissio, Thisio or Thiseio) is one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in Athens. Its main thoroughfare is the pedestrianised Apostolou Pavlou Street which is lined with grand neoclassical mansions. Most of them are now turned into high-end restaurants and cafés. They are among the best places to visit in Athens for splendid views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill.

Apostolou Pavlou is one of the liveliest streets in Athens with street vendors selling everything from souvenirs to jewellery at their colourful stalls and street performers filling the Athenian sky with their voices.

Along Apostolou Pavlou Street, you can check out the world’s most enjoyable movie theatre according to CNN Travel. Built in 1935, Cine Thisio is one of the oldest, prettiest and most nostalgic open-air cinemas in Athens. It’s usually open between April and October (depending on weather conditions).

If you happen to be in Athens city during this time, it’s worth watching a film under the shade of the Acropolis on a starry night with a glass of homemade sour cherry drink in one hand and a homemade cheese pie in the other.

Closest Metro Station: Thissio (Line 1)

Ancient Agora of Athens

Time to visit yet another of the best archaeological sites in Athens. The Agora was the heart of the ancient city of Athens. It was a major commercial, social, political, religious and cultural hub.

One of the most impressive buildings in the Ancient Agora of Athens is the Temple of Hephaestus. Built between 449 BC and 415 BC, the temple was dedicated to Hephaestus, the Ancient Greek God of fire. Nowadays, it’s the best-preserved temple of Ancient Greece.

What dominates the Ancient Agora of Athens though, is the imposing Stoa of Attalos, a portico that’s 115 metres long. It was reconstructed between 1952 and 1956. Nowadays, it houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora of Athens. There are many other ancient monuments scattered across the Agora of Athens. Therefore, make sure you have enough time to check them out at a leisurely pace.

Admission Tickets: Included in the Acropolis and 6 Archaeological Sites Combined Ticket
Recommended Guided Tour: First Entry Acropolis Tour, Ancient Agoras & Plaka Walk by Walks
Closest Metro Station: Monastiraki (Lines 1 & 3) or Thissio (Line 1)

Areopagus Hill

Affectionally called Vrahakia (little rocks) by locals, Areopagus is a rocky hill with breathtaking views of the Acropolis of Athens. It’s extremely popular with locals and visitors alike as it’s considered the perfect spot to watch the sunset in Athens.

Areopagus Hill was where trials for serious offences took place in Ancient Athens. It’s also where Saint Paul delivered his famous Areopagus Sermon in 51 AD, which resulted in the conversion of several Athenians to Christianity.

Closest Metro Station: Monastiraki (Lines 1 & 3)

Plaka

There’s no better way to wrap up this fascinating day in Athens than taking in the charms of the city’s indisputable jewel: Plaka, the so-called Neighbourhood of The Gods.

Leaving Areopagus Hill behind, walk along Theorias Street, one of the most scenic streets in Athens. Turn right on the first alley that you come across after the Church of Metamorphosis and get ready to pinch yourselves to make sure you’re not dreaming. You’ve arrived in Anafiotika, a proper Greek Island in the heart of Athens.

When it was time for King Otto’s official residence in Athens to be built, he asked for the country’s best builders and craftsmen. At the time, builders from the Greek Islands, and especially Anafi, were famous for their skills. Therefore, they came to Athens to take part in the construction of a shiny new European capital.

However, the workers felt homesick before too long. But the king needed them in Athens. That’s when he suggested the builders brought their families to live with them in the Greek capital. The craftsmen from Anafi did so. Yet they never stopped missing their gorgeous little island. Therefore, they chose to build their new homes under the shadow of the Acropolis in the architectural style of their homeland.

As a result, this small neighbourhood in Athens was transformed into a slice of heaven dotted with whitewashed cubic buildings and narrow streets.

Other things to see in Plaka include the Roman Agora of Athens and the Athens University History Museum. The latter is housed in the building that was used as the first university in the modern Greek state.

One of the best places to have a drink in Plaka is Brettos, a distillery that dates back to 1909. You can try 40 different flavours of liqueurs there.

Two other of our favourite places in Plaka are Dioskouroi, an all-day café and bar, right below the sacred rock of the Acropolis and Vryssaki, a gorgeous café and art space that seems to have sprung out of the pages of a fairy tale. For delicious Greek cuisine in Plaka, head to To Kafeneio, one of the best restaurants in the area, where you can also find some of the best meat-free Greek specialities.

However, if there’s one place not to miss in Plaka, it’s Yiasemi (Greek for jasmine), probably the prettiest café – bistro in Athens. In a fairytale-like setting at the famous Plaka Stairs on Mnisikleous Street, Yiasemi is open from early in the morning with a breakfast buffet of delicious vegetarian treats until late in the evening for a drink at one of the most romantic spots in Greece.

Admission Tickets: The Roman Agora is included in the Acropolis and 6 Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket
Recommended Guided Tour: First Entry Acropolis Tour, Ancient Agoras & Plaka Walk by Walks
Closest Metro Station: Akropoli (Line 2)

Day 3: Farewell To Athens (It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later)

Time flies when you’re having fun and now you’re about to enjoy your last of 3 days in Athens. Don’t sulk, you can always come back for more. Day 3 is full of incredible things to do in Athens that highlight the Greek capital’s diversity.

National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens houses the largest collection of Ancient Greek artefacts in the world. It’s the largest museum in Greece with more than 20,000 exhibits.

There are many invaluable items to see in the National Archaeological Museum, such as the Mask of Agamemnon and the Marathon Boy. Yet the ultimate thing to admire in the museum is the Antikythera Mechanism, an engineering wonder that dates back to ancient times.

Granted the ultimate honour of being named the world’s first computer, the Antikythera Mechanism was retrieved from a shipwreck off the coast of Antikythera Island in 1901 – hence its name.

Once the Antikythera Mechanism left the bosom of the Aegean Sea to re-enter the world of the living, scientists realised that the technical knowledge and scientific expertise of ancient civilisations were far more advanced than anyone could imagine.

Designed and constructed by Ancient Greek scientists, it was used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses. The elaborate Antikythera Mechanism was useful in navigation and mapping, too.

Admission Tickets: For more information about admission fees and opening hours, clickhere
Recommended Guided Tour: Visiting the museum on your own can be overwhelming, so it would be wise to book this insightful 2-hour private guided tour.
Closest Metro Station: Victoria (Line 1)

National Technical University of Athens

After this fascinating look into Ancient Greece, it’s time to get a glimpse at one of the most significant instances in the country’s recent history. The National Archaeological Museum is right next door to the grand neoclassical mansion that houses the National Technical University of Athens, also known as the Athens Polytechnic.

This is where the Athens Polytechnic Uprising took place in November 1973 when students protested massively against the military regime that had been imposed on Greece since 1967. That was the beginning of the end for the Greek military junta. This is why November 17th is observed as a national holiday for all educational institutions in Greece.

Closest Metro Station: Omonia (Lines 1 & 2)

The Athenian Trilogy

A 15-minute walk or a short ride on a trolley bus will take you from the Athens Polytechnic to the glorious buildings of the Athenian Trilogy on Panepistimiou Street. The Athenian Trilogy comprises the buildings of the National Library, the University of Athens and the Academy. This complex of superb buildings is often referred to as the epitome of neoclassical architecture in Greece.

Commissioned by King Otto as part of his scheme to turn modest Athens into a lush European capital by highlighting the city’s connection to its grand classical past, these three buildings were designed by the elite of architecture of their time: Christian Hansen, his brother Theophil Hansen and the latter’s student Ernst Ziller.

Theophil Hansen was also the architect of the Greek-style Austrian Parliament in Vienna.

All three buildings are made of fine marble from Mount Penteli near Athens (Pentelic marble). They feature superb interiors with wood-carved details and beautiful frescoes. The Academy in particular is inspired by the Propylaea of the Acropolis and it’s often considered the finest example of neoclassical architecture in the world.

The only of the three buildings that was open to the public until recently was the National Library. However, ever since its precious archive was moved to new premises at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, the National Library is no longer open for visits.

The University of Athens houses some administrative services and it’s also where graduation and other ceremonies take place. Therefore, you can only admire the Athenian Trilogy from the outside.

Closest Metro Station: Panepistimio (Line 2)
Recommended neighbourhood for a lunch break: Commercial Triangle of Athens

Monastiraki Square & Monastiraki Market

No Athens itinerary is complete without a stop at the vibrant Monastiraki Square. A favourite meeting point for locals and visitors alike, Monastiraki Square is buzzing with life all day and night long.

One of the best things to do in Monastiraki is to pick your spot at one of the rooftop bars located on or near the square and try to take your eyes off of the beauty of the Acropolis. Some of our favourite rooftop bars for their Acropolis view are Couleur Locale, Buena Vista Social Bar and Anglais.

As far as sightseeing in Monastiraki goes, you can visit Hadrian’s Library while there. Moreover, don’t miss a walk along Ifaistou Street, the main thoroughfare of the Monastiraki Flea Market, where you can find some of the best Greek souvenirs. If you happen to be in Athens on a Sunday, make sure you check out the movie-like Avissinias Square where the Athens Antique Market takes place.

Admission Tickets: Hadrian’s Library is included in the Acropolis and 6 Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket.
Closest Metro Station: Monastiraki (Lines 1 & 3)

Psirri Neighbourhood

Speaking of antiques, the neighbourhood of Psirri is another vintage heaven but with a modern-day, alternative ambience. Small shops selling old gems and quaint cafés that remind of times past co-exist with art galleries, impressive street art and the inevitably tacky shisha bars.

Equally tacky but worth a photo stop is the famous Little Kook café. Last but not least Psirri is one of the city’s nightlife hubs. This seemingly impossible blend makes Psirri a worth visiting neighbourhood during your Athens in 3 days trip.

Closest Metro Station: Monastiraki (Lines 1 & 3)

Archaeological Site of Kerameikos

Leaving Psirri behind, walk along the pedestrianised part of Ermou Street until you reach the gate to the Archaeological Site of Kerameikos. If you’re running out of time, you can admire the massive archaeological site from outside. That said, Ancient Kerameikos is one of the best places to visit in Athens in 3 days and it’s worth a proper visit if you can fit it into your schedule.

Kerameikos was initially the district in Ancient Athens where potters lived. Later on, it became the site of one of antiquity’s most important cemeteries.

There are many impressive things to see in Kerameikos, such as the remnants of the Themistoclean Wall. The latter enclosed the entire city of Athens and divided Kerameikos into two parts. Inner Kerameikos was the residential area whereas Outer Kerameikos was where the cemetery was located.

Other things not to miss in Kerameikos are Dipylon and the Sacred Gate, two of the most important gates in Ancient Athens. Both of these gates are related to grand events in the life of Ancient Greeks in Athens, namely the Panathenaic Procession and the Eleusinian Mysteries respectively. Last but not least, the ancient road of Iera Odos – the Sacred Way – is yet another thing to admire in Kerameikos.

Admission Tickets: The Archaeological Site & Museum of Kerameikos are included in the Acropolis and 6 Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket
Closest Metro Station: Thissio (Line 1) or Kerameikos (Line 3)

Gazi Neighbourhood

Just a stone’s throw from Ancient Kerameikos, you can visit a site that’s related to the modern history of Athens. Gazi took its name from the old gas power plant that dominates the neighbourhood (gazi is the Greek word for gas). The former gas power plant is now known as the Technopolis of Athens. The latter is a major cultural venue where concerts, festivals and other events take place.

Gazi is an essential stop for anyone wishing to have a taste of the Greek capital’s wild nightlife scene. Before the night falls though, you can visit the Gas Museum or enjoy having dinner 50 metres into the air of Gazi. Click here to reserve your spot at a dinner party in the sky you’ll never forget.

Admission Tickets: For more information about admission fees and opening hours for the Gas Museum, clickhere
Closest Metro Station: Kerameikos (Line 3)
Recommended nearby neighbourhood for dinner: Metaxourgeio

If You Have More Than 3 Days in Athens

If you plan to spend more than 3 days in Athens, that’s great news. The Greek capital offers countless day trip opportunities to further explore the region of Attica, the rest of mainland Greece or the nearby islands.

One of the best day trips from Athens without leaving Attica is Cape Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon. Read our guide on how to plan the perfect day trip to Cape Sounio from Athens.

If you feel like venturing to nearby regions instead, you can never go wrong with a day trip to the UNESCO-listed Delphi, the once mighty Navel of The Earth. Alternatively, you can plan a day trip to Nafplio, the first capital of Greece. Yet, with so many great things to do in Nafplio, we’d recommend spending a couple of days there instead of visiting on a day trip from Athens.

Last but certainly not least, you can get a taste of the Greek Islands by planning a day trip from Athens to one of the nearby Saronic Gulf Islands. Our recommendation would be laid-back Agistri, one of the top Greek Islands where you don’t need a car. Alternatively, you can join a cruise to three of the best Saronic Islands from Athens.

Thank you for making it to the end of our 3-Day Athens Itinerary. It means a lot. It’s an article we compiled with a lot of love for the city we know better than any other place in the world.

Now you know what to see in Athens in 3 days but it’s OK if you skip a couple or more of the best things to do in Athens we recommend just to sit back, sip a beer and take in the essence of the Greek capital instead. That’s an equally – if not more – amazing way to get to know our home city.

After all, even if you don’t manage to see everything on our Athens in 3 days itinerary the first time over, you can always come back for more!

Before you go, have a look at our Greek Island guides:

Agistri Travel Guide
Amorgos Travel Guide
Andros Travel Guide
Antiparos Travel Guide
Astypalaia Travel Guide
Donoussa Travel GuideElafonisos Travel Guide
Mykonos 3-Day Itinerary
Naxos Travel Guide
Paros Travel Guide
Santorini 4-Day Itinerary
Serifos Travel Guide
Sifnos Travel Guide

WORDS & EDITING: Maria
IMAGES: Katerina