10+1 Unmissable Things to Do in Athens, Greece
Few cities let you go from a 2,500-year-old hilltop to a seaside sunset in a single day—but Athens does. The Acropolis still crowns the city as one of the world’s great ancient complexes, a UNESCO-listed icon that sets the tone the moment you arrive.
Beyond the classics, modern Athens is a city of distinct neighborhoods, lively, creative, and easy to explore on foot, plus a coastline of beaches and marinas that locals call the Athens Riviera. Pair a morning of history with an afternoon swim or waterfront stroll, then cap it off with a concert or open-air event at the striking Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and park.
If you’re browsing for inspiration on unmissable things to do in Athens, Greece, this blog post keeps it simple: a curated list of 10+1 essentials that blend ancient must-sees with today’s city life, plus smart places to stay so you can experience a different side of Athens from each base.
1) Acropolis & Parthenon
Undoubtedly one of the unmissable things to do in Athens, Greece, the Acropolis is still a goosebump moment with its marble temples perched on a rocky hill with the city spilling to the sea. Practical must: entry is timed. On the official ticketing site, your ticket is valid from 15 minutes before to 15 minutes after your selected time, so aim to be at the gate 30 minutes early. In summer heatwaves, authorities may pause midday entry for visitor safety, so morning or late-day slots are your best bet.
How to do it: Book directly via the official website (avoid third-party markups), bring water/hat, and follow the south entrance signs if you’re coming from the Acropolis Museum.
2) Acropolis Museum (Parthenon Gallery + the “museum under the museum”)
Right at the foot of the hill, this award-winning space is purpose-built to showcase Acropolis finds. Don’t miss the third-floor Parthenon Gallery, oriented to the temple’s exact layout and wrapped in glass with views to the real thing. Beneath the museum, walk over the remains of an ancient neighborhood on glass walkways. A new Excavation Museum now displays 1,100+ artifacts from daily Athenian life. Check the official hours (late Fridays are great) and buy tickets on the museum’s site.
3) Philopappos Hill at sunset (Acropolis views without the crowds)
A leafy walk leads to one of Athens’ best natural lookouts, crowned by the Roman-era Philopappos Monument. From the top you’ll frame the Acropolis, the city, and—on clear days—the Saronic Gulf. It’s a gentler climb than Lycabettus and ideal for golden hour.
Getting there: Follow the pedestrian route from Dionysiou Areopagitou toward the Philopappou Monument trailheads. Bring good shoes, as paths are uneven.
4) Anafiotika (the “island” lanes under the Acropolis)
Tucked above Plaka on the northeast slope of the Acropolis, this pocket-sized quarter was built in the 19th century by craftsmen from the island of Anafi, who recreated Cycladic-style whitewashed homes and narrow alleys. Although tiny, visiting this photogenic area is one of the most atmospheric things to do in Athens, Greece. It's residential, so go quietly, avoid doorways, and respect signage. Enter from upper Plaka and wander the stepped lanes between the little churches that mark its edges.
5) Lycabettus Hill (ride the funicular for 360° views)
Athens’ highest hill (277 m) serves up a full city-and-sea panorama—Acropolis to Piraeus—and it’s the easiest big view if you take the Lycabettus funicular from Kolonaki (Evangelismos is the nearest metro). It runs daily with frequent departures, typically from morning until after midnight, so check times before you go. At the top you’ll find the chapel of St. George and a couple of spots for a drink.
How to do it: Start at 1 Aristippou St. (funicular lower station). If you prefer to walk, paths zigzag up through pines, but wear good shoes, as it’s steep and polished in places.
6) National Archaeological Museum
If you're looking for more cultural things you must do in Athens, Greece, then the country’s largest archaeology museum is a must. It packs icons you’ve seen in textbooks such as the Antikythera Mechanism, Cycladic figurines, Mycenaean treasures, monumental sculpture, and more, organized across five major collections. It’s an easy half-day (2–3 hours) and open long hours most days.
Good to know: A major expansion/renovation has been commissioned (David Chipperfield Architects with Tombazis), adding new exhibition space and a reimagined entrance/plaza, so expect upgrades in the coming years. Check the museum’s site for the latest on visiting.
7) EMST — National Museum of Contemporary Art
Athens’ contemporary-art flagship lives inside the landmark FIX brewery building, with industrial bones, big light, and a changing roster of Greek and international shows. It’s an easy add after the Acropolis Museum for a now-and-next contrast. Plan it for Thursday if you like late hours; otherwise it’s open 11:00–19:00 (closed Monday).
How to do it: Check the museum’s page for current exhibitions and ticket info before you go.
8) Varvakios (Athens Central Market), the city’s pantry
Under the iron roofs of 42 Athinas Street, stalls brim with olives, cheeses, herbs, spices, and the famous meat and fish halls, offering a sensory blast best experienced in the morning when it’s buzzing. It’s authentic, lively, and photogenic. You can pick up picnic supplies or grab a stool at a simple counter for lunch.
How to do it: Wear closed shoes (floors can be wet around the fish hall) and keep small cash handy for tastings and little buys.
P.S. — After-hours twist: A few nights a year, Varvakeios flips from market to mega street-party: the free Varvakios Party during the This is Athens – City Festival (usually in May) draws thousands into the aisles for DJ sets and dancing. There are also occasional New Year’s Eve takeovers that turn the market into an open-air club (again with free entry) so it’s worth checking before you go.
9) SNFCC — Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
A striking modern complex that locals use like their backyard: an opera house, the National Library, and a 210,000 m² park with a sea-breeze canal. It’s open long hours (typically 06:00–00:00), with an ever-changing lineup of free and ticketed events, great for families, runners, and golden-hour walkers.
How to do it: Check their website for the day’s hours and the Events calendar before you go.
10) Lake Vouliagmeni (thermal dip on the Athens Riviera)
Cradled by limestone cliffs, this brackish thermal lake makes for an easy half-day escape. The water stays warm year-round (about 21–29 °C), with sun decks, lifeguards, lockers, and café service—simple, relaxing, very Athenian.
How to do it: Hours and admission vary by season, so confirm on the official site’s info/regulations before setting out.
+1) Cape Sounion & the Temple of Poseidon (a day trip outside Athens)
Although technically not inside Athens, this clifftop temple sits at the southern tip of the Attica peninsula, roughly 70–77 km (45–48 mi) from the center, close enough for an easy half-day escape. Drive the scenic coastal road or take a KTEL Attikis bus, then time your visit for sunset when the Doric columns turn honey-gold. The Archaeological Site of Sounion is generally open from 09:30 until sunset, with last entry about 20 minutes before closing. Always check the day’s schedule before you go.
Where to Stay in Athens, Greece
Syntagma/Plaka — Ergon House Athens
A foodie-minded “hotel + modern agora” just off Syntagma Square, this family-friendly hotel places stylish rooms above a working marketplace (bakery, deli, roastery) and a rooftop looks straight to the Acropolis. Perfect if you like to walk everywhere and graze on Greek flavors from breakfast through late night.
Best for: First-timers, food lovers, walkers.
Koukaki/Makrigianni — AthensWas Design Hotel
An intimate, design-forward stay right on the pedestrian Dionysiou Areopagitou, steps from the Acropolis entrance and museum. Rooms have generous balconies, while the Sense Rooftop Restaurant brings knockout Acropolis views for dinner/cocktails. Ideal if you want a boutique-style hotel in Athens and the city’s most iconic stroll at your doorstep.
Best for: Design lovers, culture-first itineraries, walkers.
Monastiraki/Psirri — Perianth Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels
Neo-modernist stay on lively Agia Eirini Square, very close to Monastiraki’s bars, cafés, and street food. This 5-star hotel offers rooms that frame the Acropolis, and it shares space with Zen Center Athens for yoga and meditation. Ideal if you want nightlife and central energy at your doorstep.
Best for: Night-owls, design lovers, city-breakers.
Athens Riviera (Vouliagmeni) — Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
A luxury beachfront resort set on a pine-clad peninsula with beaches and multiple pools, about a short drive from central Athens, so you can split time between city sights and seaside downtime. Rooms are contemporary and light-filled, many with sea views, and balance easy resort living with polished, city-break comfort.
Best for: Resort-style relaxation, families, shoulder-season sun.
Conclusion
Athens lets you stitch together a morning on ancient hilltops, an afternoon of neighborhood browsing, and a coastal sunset without overplanning. So if our list of unmissable things to do in Athens, Greece, helped you shape the day, the next smart step is picking a base that matches how you actually travel: café-hopping and easy strolling, late-night energy, or quick access to the sea.
To dial that in, use Travelmyth’s hotel search: it classifies over 7 million stays into 60 distinct categories and lets you mix & match filters to find places that fit your style, then compare prices in one view. For example, “boutique-style + near the beach” or “family-friendly + rooftop pool,” all in seconds. Explore the categories and start narrowing down your stay.
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