Unmissable things to do in Athens, according to a local (updated 2025)

What is it? This 2,500-year-old rocky outcrop perched in Athens’ modern metropolis is the sight you’ve only dreamed about. The Acropolis finds itself at the very top of our list because if you do one thing in Athens, it has to be this. 

Why go? The monuments here are considered the greatest architectural feats of Greek antiquity. The Parthenon temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena, is perfectly proportioned and considered the world’s finest Doric masterpiece. Round the corner is the Acropolis Museum, which is well worth checking out – since 2009 it has accommodated all the artifacts found in the area that were previously exhibited on top of the ancient hill.

What is it? Athens isn’t short on treats for fans of Greek mythology. This temple at Sounion, which is dedicated to the mighty Poseidon, should be one of the first temples on your checklist.

Why go? He may be the god of oceans, but Poseidon's palace stands 60 metres above sea level on Cape Sounio. This marble temple was first built by ancient Athenians to honour Poseidon and guide sailors safely home. All that remains now is a series of towering columns that don’t half look beautiful against a glorious Greek sunset. Bear in mind the temple is a bit of a way from the city center, so if you don’t drive, you might need to take a bus or two to reach it (but it's definitely worth it).

What is it? On the foot of the Acropolis hill sits the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a stone Roman conservatory that was built in the 2nd century AD. The conservatory was destroyed in 267 AD and restored in the early 50s. Today, it is considered one of the best-preserved sites in the country, and it still operates as a venue for concerts and other performances.

Why go? Since 1957 it has held various cultural and artistic events as part of the Athens Epidaurous Festival. If you’re planning a trip to Athens, be sure not to miss the opportunity to attend a performance at this historic venue, especially during the summer months when the weather is ideal for an outdoor show. It has a total capacity of 5,000 people and is the best place in the city to enjoy a night of ancient Greek drama theater.

What is it? Tucked away in the heart of Athens, the National Gardens offer a beautiful retreat from the bustle of the concrete capital.

Why go? This grandiose park was commissioned by Queen Amalia, the first queen of Greece, in 1838 and completed two years later. The Gardens cover 16 hectares of narrow gravel paths and ponds and a small zoo with wild goats, peacocks and chickens. 

What is it? One of the latest additions to Athens’s culture scene, the Maria Callas Museum (Nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award 2025), was inaugurated in 2023 by the Municipality of Athens, and is dedicated to showcasing the life and work of the great Greek opera singer La Divina (the divine), as she was known by critics and the public. 

Why go? Whether you like opera or not, Maria Callas is undoubtedly one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century, having performed in venues like Milan’s La Scala, London’s Covent Garden, New York’s Metropolitan Opera and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus in Greece. Combined with her turbulent personal life and intense love affair with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, and you get a museum with captivating stories. Through texts, objects, videos and sound clips the visitor takes a journey into her 53-year-old life, with the permanent collection exhibiting items such as costumes, wigs, music scores and personal items that shed light on unknown aspects of the legendary artist.

Time Out tip: Be sure to check the museum’s calendar, as they often organize interesting events like music concerts, workshops, master classes and parties. Plus, the event space offers a stunning view of the Acropolis!

What is it? One of the most important sites in the Greek capital, the monument of the Unknown Soldier, is basically a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers who died in war. Located near the main Syntagma Square and attached to the external wall of the Greek parliament, the tomb is accompanied by a wall relief depicting a fallen soldier, surrounded by quotations in Greek from the famous Pericles' Funeral Oration.

Why go? The monument is guarded 24/7 by two Evzones, who are members of the Presidential Guard in full traditional costume, considered as the elite of the Greek military. The guards stand still –without even blinking!– and they change every hour in a beautiful coordinated ceremony. Do not miss the “longer version” of this ceremony on Sundays at 11’ o’clock in the morning, which usually attracts lots of tourists.

What is it? The EMST is Athens’s answer to the Tate Modern, Centre Pompidou or the Museum of Modern Art. 

Why go? This space is filled with art that gets people talking. Expect exhibitions of Greek and international artists across all media, from painting to video to experimental architecture. The museum’s vast home has its own fascinating story; it’s actually a former brewery – Greek beer Fix was once made here. 

What is it? Monastiraki is one of the oldest and busiest areas of the capital, packed with rooftop bars, ancient sights and huge markets. 

Why go? The Monastiraki metro station is right off the picturesque main square (which also has brilliant views of the Acropolis). Go shopping at the Monastiraki flea market, squeeze through thronging pedestrian alleys, and peruse shops filled with antiques, handmade jewellery and Greek handicrafts.  

What is it? The Monastiraki area’s indoor and outdoor food market delights the senses. Starting in the wee hours, Greek vendors bellow out their best deals in an attempt to sell fresh meat, fish, fruit, spices and products from around the country.

Why go? The atmosphere is unlike any other as travellers and locals traverse the narrow aisles lined with hanging meat carcasses, stalls of Greek deli delights and fresh seafood iced down in vibrant displays.    

What is it? Stretching out under the shadow of the Acropolis, Plaka is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited neighbourhoods. 

Why go? Duck into the side streets here and explore the charmingly narrow old lanes. They’re lined with a hotchpotch of crumbling buildings from various eras and beautiful restored buildings-turned-stately homes. Plaka boasts a wealth of ancient sites, small museums, historic churches and picturesque small squares buzzing with restaurants and cafés. Don't miss the Anafiotika area, where blooming bougainvilleas spill out of colourful balconies. It's quite the picture.

What is it? An oasis of Mediterranean greenery, plus opera, books and an architecturally-acclaimed main building, the SNFCC is a must visit. 

Why go? For 170,000 square metres of parkland, complete with playgrounds, gardens, cafés, a striking eco-friendly glass complex (also home to the Greek National Opera), a manmade river, and the National Library of Greece. Plus, there’s a great view of the Acropolis.

What is it? A lavish museum home to more than 3,000 artefacts of Cycladic, Ancient Greek and Cypriot origin.

Why go? Enjoy the distinctly shaped slender marble figurines and statues that date back to the Bronze Age. If the Bronze Age isn't your bag, check out one of the 150 objects from the ancient Greek art collections, including vases, figurines and weapons grouped by various themes, including Gods and Heroes, Eros, The World of Women and The Underworld.

What is it? Lycabettus Hill is one of the highest peaks in Athens. You can get to it by hiking up a forested slope – only briefly, mind – or, if you’re feeling lazy, there’s a cable car to the top.

Why go? At the peak, you’ll find one of the most sweeping views of the city. There’s also a pretty whitewashed church called St George, a café and Orizontes, a gourmet Greek restaurant with surely the capital’s most scenic terrace. Concerts are held at the Lycabettus open-air theatre, built on another part of the hill, in the summertime. The theatre has been shut since 2008 but is set to finally reopen in late summer 2023.

What is it? Onassis Stegi is said to be the place where contemporary culture meets aesthetics and science, but it’s way more than a typical cultural center in the heart of Athens.

Why go? Stegi, which literally means ‘roof’ in Greek, is a vibrant space which is home to a wide range of cultural events, including theatre and dance performances, concerts, film screenings, art and digital shows. It's a hub for young, restless Greek artists to showcase their talents, while also attracting international performers like Marina Abramovic and John Malkovich. Its restaurant on the top floor of the building offers a breathtaking view of the Acropolis, the Philopappos monument, Lycabettus, and the Saronic Gulf. 

What is it? The area that formerly hosted the (for decades abandoned) Ellinikon International Airport in the southern suburbs of Athens is currently transforming into one of the biggest coastal parks in Europe.

Why go? Relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city in a place by the sea, filled with more than 600 trees and 80,000 plants of Mediterranean varieties. Ellinikon offers a variety of activities for visitors, including a water maze, a forest playground for the children, a serene zen garden and outdoor exercise facilities. It also hosts festivals and a variety of activities all year long, and it looks pretty spectacular when it's all lit up.