Demetrios Ioannou

Athens has it all. And we’ve always known it, but it seems more and more people are clocking onto just how brilliant the Greek capital is, whether you’re here for a full week or just a weekend.  Bursting with history, full of mind-boggling ancient ruins and packed full of fantastic restaurants, food markets and bars, Athens is a dream no matter what you’re into. Ready to spend your days hiking, eating and visiting one of the city’s many open-air cinemas? Step this way. Here are the best things to do in Athens right now. RECOMMENDED:🧿 How to spend a weekend in Athens🥙 The best restaurants in Athens🏛️ What to do in the Kypseli neighbourhood🏠 The best hotels in Athens Words and original photos by Athens-based Demetrios Ioannou. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

You need at least a week to explore the Greek islands, but a weekend in Athens can feel just right. There’s nowhere better for a few days than this vibrant and colourful city, and be you a history buff, foodie or party goer, the Greek capital has something for you. Guaranteed.  Remember to pack your most comfortable shoes, as you’ll want to be ready for a weekend filled with exploration on foot – and trust us, there’s no better way to see it all up close. You’ll find yourself strolling through ancient monuments, historic buildings, trendy cafes and stylish restaurants all in the same breath. A new surprise awaits on every corner. Here is how to smash a perfect 48 hours in Athens.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Athens🥙 The best restaurants in Athens🏨 The best hotels in Athens😎 How to explore Kypseli, Athens’s coolest neighbourhood Demetrios Ioannou is a writer and photographer from Athens. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

There are many beautiful countries in Europe, but there is nowhere like Greece. The white and blue houses. The mountain views. The glistening blue waters and the secret hidden coves. It’s sometimes barely believable that Greece exists, but it does! And the best part? It’s absolutely massive, and there’s so much to explore.  Different Greek islands do different things, so if you’re making the trip, you should first figure out what kind of holiday you’re after. Are you looking for something beachy, nature-y or a bit more cosmopolitan? Lemon trees, sunset cocktails or pure, unadulterated clubbing? Whatever you're looking for, our local writer has picked the best islands, cities and towns to visit.  RECOMMENDED:🏝️ The most beautiful Greek islands🏨 The best hotels in Greece🏛 The best things to do in Athens🧿 The best things to do in Mykonos Demetrios Ioannou is a writer and photographer from Athens. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

For good food, great views and tons of fascinating history, there’s nowhere quite like Athens. But knowing where to eat is about as important as booking the right flight. Some spots are just fine, some are rock-your-world incredible.  But hey, that’s where we come in. Our local writers have scoured the city for the best restaurants going, including everything from traditional Greek grub to Michelin-starred seafood and steaming bowls of ramen (it cools you down, didn’t you know?). Here are the best restaurants in Athens.  RECOMMENDED:🏛️ The best things to do in Athens🐚 Where to stay in Athens🏠 The best hotels in Athens🧿 The best places to visit in Greece This guide was recently updated by Demetrios Ioannou, a writer and photographer based in Athens. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

In Athens, it’s easy to tell when summer is on its way. The weather gets nicer, the nights are warmer and the outdoor cinemas open for the season. Every evening, the fragrant aromas of blooming jasmine and buttered popcorn welcome movie-lovers from all over the city to watch their favourite films and enjoy the cool summer breeze under the stars. It’s a much-loved tradition that runs every year from early May to late October, mostly depending on the weather. Is this the best place in the world to watch a movie under the stars? Often located on rooftops or in gardens, often with spectacular views, Athens’s outdoor cinemas are a unique experience for moviegoers. Today, at least 60 and possibly as many as 100 operate in the city, putting Athens somewhere near the top of the list of cities with the most alfresco movie theatres per capita in the world. And although there are open-air cinemas throughout Greece, it’s Athens which has the strongest connection with them: a love affair with a long history.RECOMMENDED: The 40 most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world How Athens got hooked on open-air cinema It is believed that the first open-air movie screenings in the Greek capital began in the early 1900s at the cafés around central Syntagma Square. At the time, an open-air cinema was just a projector screening black-and-white silent movies onto a white sheet. It wasn’t long afterwards, in 1904, that Cine Aegli opened its doors. Located in the garden of Zappeion Hall, next to the Pa

What is the Acropolis and why is it famous? Acropolis (‘the edge of the city’), the greatest masterpiece of ancient Greek Classical art is a citadel situated on a small hill in the center of Athens with several temples including the Parthenon, the temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion. It was built in the 5th century BC during the golden age of Pericles, reflecting the power and wealth of the city, and it is dedicated to the city’s patron goddess, Athena. Is it worth visiting? Considered as the cradle of modern democracy, this is a must-see site for anyone visiting Athens. Apart from the awesome 360° view, it offers a perfect glimpse to the past of ancient Greece. The architectural style of this unique monument, created by two well-known architects at the time, Ictinus and Callicrates, and sculptor Phidias, has played a significant role in the influence of intellectual and artistic creation for many centuries later.  Do you have to pay to see it? You can grab a ticket to Acropolis hill including all the temples for €20, with reduced tickets (€10) every year from November 1 to March 31. There’s also a special ticket package at €30 that allows you to visit most of Athens’ outdoor sites. You can either buy the ticket on the spot, or buy it online here. Guides tours and queue-jump tickets are available on GetYourGuide.   Where should I eat nearby?  The entire area around the Acropolis hill is full with great restaurants and bars. The Acropolis museum restaurant offers a super

What is it and why is it important?  This stone Roman conservatory, also known as the ‘Herodeon’, was built in the 2nd century AD on the southern slopes of Acropolis and served mainly for musical festivals. Destroyed in 267 AD and restored in the early 50s, it’s the only one of its kind in Athens. Tourists love it, but locals do too – it still operates as a venue for concerts and other performances. Is it worth visiting?  With a total capacity of 5,000 people, it’s well worth enjoying a performance here if you can. It’s a real sight to behold, and one of the oldest (still operating) theatres in the world. The Athens Epidaurous Festival is hosted here, as well as music festivals, theatre and more. You’ll have to go see it for yourself, but trust us, the acoustics are next level.  How much are tickets?  The tickets for a show in this beautiful ancient theatre range between 25-100 euros, depending on the show and the siting. Oh and don’t worry, you don’t have to speak Greek; Greek ancient theatre plays normally have supertitles (but obviously, I’d recommend checking beforehand).  Where should I eat nearby? There are several good food spots nearby, which includes the neighbourhoods of Plaka, Thiseio and Koukaki. Try the Bel Ray (Μπελ Ρεϋ) at Koukaki, an all day snack bar, or Tiki Bar with a 50s-60s vibe, live gigs and exotic cocktails. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Athens

What is it and why is it famous? Dedicated to Zeus’s rival brother, Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of sea, the temple could not have been built in a better spot than Cape Sounion, overlooking  the Aegean Sea and guarding the city of Athens from anyone heading to the main Piraeus port. It is the southernmost point of Attica, just a couple of hours from the city centre, and the temple is made entirely of white marble. It’s pretty much as spectacular as it sounds.  Is it worth seeing? The perfect spot to view the sunset (and the full moon), and with tickets coming in much much cheaper than buying expensive cocktails at rooftop bars (€10 for a standard ticket), the Temple of Poseidon is absolutely worth it. You can also swim on a nearby beach during the summer months, which is really something.  How do I get from Athens to the Temple of Poseidon? It’s easiest to go by car, so I’d suggest renting one for a day, but if that’s not an option you can get the bus, which takes longer but does give you a very cheap tour through Athens. The starting point for KTEL Attikis Public Buses is at Pedion tou Areos on Alexandras Avenue and passes through central spots in Athens, such as Klafthmonos Square, Syntagma, Metro Station Syngrou – FIX. The ticket costs €12.50 and the route by the sea is truly beautiful. Where should I eat nearby?  You’re by the sea, so obviously it’s time for seafood. For serious views of the temple, go for Yali restaurant of Cape Sounio Grecotel Boutique Resort. Naos c