A weekend in Athens: The ultimate itinerary

Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is some 34km away from the city centre, and you can access it by Metro's Line 3 (Blue Line): Municipal Theater (Piraeus) – Airport. A one-way ticket to Syntagma Square is €10, trains depart every 30 minutes and the metro runs from 6.30am to 11.30pm every day. 

Four bus routes also directly connect Athens and Piraeus with the airport, taking passengers at the Departures Level and departing from the Arrivals Level between Exits 4 and 5. Bus route X95 which connects central Syntagma square to the airport is available 24-7 and it takes approximately 40 minutes.

If you’d rather take a taxi, the price to and from the airport is fixed at €40 during the day and €55 after hours. 

No matter where you choose to stay in the historic center, which encompasses the wider area around the Acropolis hill and the nearby neighborhoods, you’ll only ever be a few steps away from all the action. Chances are you’ll barely need to use public transport. 

The Artist hotel at Psyrri neighborhood is in the heart of Athens, home to an indoor yard and a roof garden bar with serious views of the Acropolis. In the same area there’s the bohemian-style Ederlezi Boutique Hotel, which has some pretty good views of its own, but if you’re on a budget, check out the very stylish Mosaikon Hostel. To be honest, most spots around here have great views. There’s also a ton of options on Airbnb, like this renovated apartment in a neoclassical building built in 1910 through Airbnb. 

🏘️ Read more on where to stay in Athens

Climb your first mountain

Athens is built around the Acropolis hill, which will be your central point on this trip. Arrive early on Friday afternoon to get a sense of how the city is structured. The best way to do that? Seeing the city from above. So head towards the 277 metre-high Mount Lycabettus, accessible by cable car from the intersection of Plutarch and Aristippou Streets in the Kolonaki neighbourhood or via the footpath. I’d recommend staying for sunset. 

Kolonaki is one of Athens’s fanciest neighbourhoods, so make sure to stop there for a snack. Try The Wrap, which is exactly what its name implies, or a traditional Greek souvlaki at Kalamaki Kolonaki. Finish at Portatif for something sweet and a coffee before heading up the hill. 

Hit your first night out

When the night falls, head to the Exarchia neighbourhood. Eat at Pharaoh for some elevated Greek cuisine (I’d recommend pre-booking), at Lacantina for ethnic street food, at Rakoumel, a traditional Cretan tavern (be sure to accompany your food with Cretan raki), or the newly opened To Rini Dipla Sto Mouseio. All of these also serve drinks, but if you want a more eccentric cocktail, try Mavros Gatos, Kokkinos Lotos or the historic Ippopotamos bar.

Pack it all in

If you fancy it, rent an electric scooter (you’ll find them pretty much everywhere in Athens), and start by Panepistimiou street (there’s also a metro stop with the same name). Here you can admire the beautiful neoclassical buildings of Vallianeio Megaron (part of the National Library), the National University and the Academy of Athens.

Have brunch on the Museum of Cycladic Art’s sun-drenched patio and continue towards the Greek Parliament to see the Greek national guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then see animals and greenery at the National Garden, created in 1839 by Queen Amalia. Next to it is Zappeion Megaron, and a short walk from there you’ll find the Panathenaic Stadium (aka Kallimarmaro), where the first modern Olympics began. On your way back, stop for a snap at the Columns of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian. 

Back at Syntagma square, grab lunch at Okio restaurant, based on seasonal Mediterranean cuisine, or try southeast Asian spot Pink Flamingo. Walk to the very commercial Ermou street, pass the street musicians and come to Kapnikarea church. Turn left here and try your first Lukumades, a traditional (delicious) Greek donut with honey, or sample Levantine desserts at Feyrouz. 

Discover old-school Athens

Head to the historic neighbourhood of Plaka below the Acropolis, the longest inhabited known neighbourhood in the world, for blooming flowers crawling from balconies and lots of colour. Stroll through Anafiotika’s ancient streets and grab coffee at Yiasemi café bistrot; the steps outside are the spot for people watching.

As the night comes, pass by the Tower of Winds towards Psyrri where you can eat dinner at Avli, a beautiful small yard at an old Athenian building, then grab a little something sweet at Nancy’s Sweet Home. Stay in the area for a drink or go to Six Dogs, which has an open yard and a club with live music, or try one of the all-day café-bars around Monastiraki square; A for Athens is an all-time favourite rooftop bar and Couleur Locale has a cosy interior and a terrace. For a big night out, take the metro to Keramikos and hit one of the clubs there.

Get your culture fix

Right, you’ve had your fun. Your last day is solely dedicated to museums. Start your day by the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, which contains some of the greatest antiquities from Ancient Greece ever, before climbing the Parthenon, followed by the infamous Acropolis. Find its temple dedicated to goddess Athena and its surrounding monuments, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus at the bottom of the hill and the very nice Acropolis museum. 

On the opposite hill from Acropolis sits Filopappou hill which offers a panoramic view of the Acropolis and the south suburbs of the city. On your way up to the hill you’ll pass what is believed to be the Prison of Socrates. Then take the pedestrian path of Apostolos Pavlos and head to the Ancient Agora of Athens, which also includes the beautiful Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos. Before you leave for the airport, grab a quick souvlaki at Hoocut (just be prepared to miss them greatly). 

Top tip: On national holidays and every first Sunday from November 1 to March 31, all public archaeological sites and museums are free. 

If you’re staying one more night…

Do the quintessential Athens activity: grab a beer (and possibly another souvlaki) from a kiosk and head up Areopagus hill next to the Acropolis. If you’re feeling fancy, have dinner at the restaurant on the second floor of the Acropolis museum.