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Planning a future trip to Greece? Whether your goal is to soak up the sun on gorgeous beaches or walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, the chances are you’ll have at least a layover in Athens that you should absolutely take advantage of. Even a short two days in Athens, Greece is well worth the visit! The city is super walkable, making it easy to visit all the important sites you read about in the history books. With two days in Athens, Greece you’ll have plenty of time to see architectural sites, consume mouthwatering gryos, and walk the charming streets of Plaka.
Athens is filled with things to do, which can easily make planning stressful! Not sure how to efficiently make the most of your short time in Athens? Here’s the best way to maximize your two days in Athens, Greece to ensure you see everything!
Table of Contents
Where to stay in Athens, Greece
First things first, where should you stay in Athens? There are so many hotels, hostels or airbnbs to choose from throughout the city. However, I highly recommend making sure you stay central to all the major sites. This way you can walk to most attractions, and really get a feel for the city! Plus, you’ll save some money on those hefty taxi fees.
Book a room at the Central Athens Hotel here!
We stayed at the Central Athens Hotel and loved our stay. Located right in Plaka, this hotel is close to small cafes, restaurants and bars and is within walking distance of all major sites. The staff was friendly, rooms were clean, and the continental breakfast was delicious! Plus, the nice thing about staying at a hotel over an airbnb, is that they can usually store your luggage for you after check out if your flight leaves later in the day.
Pre-Book Airport to Hotel Transfers from the Athens International Airport here!
Also, be sure to pre-book your airport transfers. Downtown Athens is about a 45 minute drive from Athens International Airport. By pre-booking, you’ll ensure someone will be waiting for you when you arrive and can take you right to your hotel! We used Viator to pre-book, and the entire process was simple and ran smoothly. They even track your flight to make sure they’re right on time!
Day 1 in Athens, Greece
Day 1 in Athens- Morning
Start your two days in Athens, Greece by waking up early and grabbing some breakfast. Whether that’s sitting down at your hotels continental breakfast or grabbing a quick pastry from a local café, try a café freddo to some caffeine into your system!
Acropolis Complex
If you prefer to explore with fewer crowds, make your way to the Acropolis for opening time at 8 AM. Be sure to book skip the line tickets ahead of time to avoid some crazy long lines! Especially during the high season of June to August, this site will be packed.
Save money and buy Combo Skip-The-Line Ticket to all the major Athens sites here!
Although we learn mostly about the Parthenon, the Parthenon is only one part of the incredible Acropolis complex. Dating back 447 to 432 B.C, this complex was built during the height of the ancient Greek Empire. When visiting, you’ll see other major sites including the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of the Athena Nike.
Exploring around this UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s crazy to think you are walking in the same footsteps as the ancients Greeks. Although the sites were horribly damaged in 1687 during the Morean War, you still can see how massive and intricately designed the entire complex was.
There is little signage around the site, so if you want to know what you are looking at and learn more about it’s history, you can either take a guided tour or download an audio tour. We pre-downloaded an audio tour, and although it was nice to go at our own pace, we definitely would have learned more from a guide.
Day 1 in Athens- Afternoon
New Acropolis Museum
After taking in the sites of the incredible Acropolis, grab a quick cup of coffee and snack before walking to the New Acropolis Museum! It’s best to visit the museum right after the Acropolis so everything is fresh in your mind.
The museum was opened in 2009 and is filled with collections from the ancient Acropolis. This 8000 square foot exhibition space allows you to see the details of sculptures and architectural pieces up front and center. However, if you’ve ever been to the British Museum in London, you may have already seen the most famous Greek sculptures of all time!
Side Note: If you didn’t purchase a combo ticket, be sure to book skip the line tickets for the museum as well!
Ancient Agora
As you make your way to the Ancient Agora, stop for some lunch at a nearby restaurant or café. Right near the Ancient Agora, the cobblestone streets are filled with the cutest restaurants with outdoor tables.
The Ancient Agora of Athens would have been a booming site in ancient Greece. During 429 BCE, people would have come to the Agora for large gatherings, political meetings or to listen to live music or philosophers. It even included a market where fruit, clothes, pottery, wreaths and religious goods would have been sold. The Ancient Agora is a large site, and includes multiple buildings and sites, which unfortunately are mostly foundations today.
One of the most important sites at the Ancient Agora is the Stoa of Attalos, which houses as a museum today. Another, is the Temple of Hephaestus, which is a well preserved temple that stands mostly intact. This temple was dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths, carpenters, craftsmen, artisans and sculptors.
If you are a huge history buff and want to learn all the details of the Ancient Agora, I recommend a guided tour. There are also audio tours available in advance. Although there is more signage at the Ancient Agora than the Acropolis Complex, so much of it has been destroyed it can be difficult to understand exactly what you are looking at without a guide.
Day 1 in Athens- Night
Explore Plaka & Monastriaki Square
After lots of exploring, take a leisurely stroll around the winding streets of Plaka. Plaka is filled with colorful cafes, gelato shops, restaurants, markets, and souvenirs. Once you find Monastiraki Square, grab some authentic Greek street food such as Gyros or Souvlaki from The Greco’s Project. (You are able to dine in or get take away from here!)
Monastiraki Square is a fun place to people watch, and you’ll often see many street performers here. This part of town truly comes alive at night with views of the Parthenon lit up in the distance!
Day 2 in Athens, Greece
Day 2 in Athens- Morning
Get ready for another busy day exploring Athens by starting with breakfast. If you haven’t tried authentic Greek yogurt topped with honey and walnuts, this is a must have breakfast food in Greece!
Syntagma Square & The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Make your way to Syntagma Square and find the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. This tomb was sculpted in the 1930s and was dedicated to all Greek soldiers killed during war. Here, you are able to watch the changing of the guards, which happens every hour.
National Garden of Athens
After seeing the changing of the guards, walk through the National Gardens of Athens. This is a stunning place to walk with beautifully groomed walkways lined with flowers, fountains and even orange trees and turtles! Keep walking through the park on your way to the Panathenaic Stadium.
Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, is the only stadium in the world built entirely from marble. Built in the 4th century BC, it’s famous for being the first site of the modern day Olympic games! Even today, the Panathenaic Stadium is the last site where the Olympic Flame handover ceremony takes place before the host nation receives the torch.
You are able to purchase tickets for roughly 5 euros right at the gate before entering the stadium. Walking around, it’s incredible to see the stonework that had to be done to create marble seats and stairs. When going into the tunnel of the stadium, you’ll reach a small museum which houses many of the Olympic torches. It was interesting to see the different look and feel of each torch depending on when and where the Olympic Games were hosted.
Day 2 in Athens- Afternoon
Temple of Olympian Zeus
If you have a combo ticket to the historical sites, use your QR code to enter into the Temple of the Olympian Zeus.
At this site, you can see the remnants of what was once a colossal temple dedicated to the God Zeus. Although there are lots of excavations being done, you can still get a feel for just how important this site was to the people of ancient Greece. Many of the columns stand incredibly tall with intricate and detailed carvings.
Hadrians Arch
Right next to the Temple of Olypian Zeus is Hadrian’s Arch, which served as triumphal arch connecting the center of ancient Athens to the eastern side of the city. Many propose this gate was built to celebrate the arrival of Roman emperor Hadrian and all the work he had done for the city of Athens.
Hadrians Library
Grab some lunch before heading over to the center of Plaka, where Hadrian’s Library is located. If you purchased the combo ticket for the major sites in Athens, Hadrian’s library should also be included.
Here you can explore the site of Hadrian’s Library, a library built in 132 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in a Roman architectural style. During the Byzantine times, three churches were built on site which are preserved today.
Roman Agora
Located between the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora was once a centralized public square. Built by Roman Emperor Agustus, it housed a market, and public latrines. Many people would have gathered here after it was built around 19 – 11 BC. The most intact part of the Roman Agora is the Tower of the Winds, which would have once been used as a water clock and sundial. It was later transformed into a chapel during the 6th century.
Day 2 in Athens- Night
There’s no better way to end your two days in Athens, than with a good meal, a fun cocktail, and some incredible views! I highly recommend finding a restaurant with a rooftop patio where you can see the Acropolis. Going at sunset is an ideal time to see the Acropolis complex light up as the sky gets darker!
Book reservations in advance if your heart is sold on a specific place!
Best rooftop bars and restaurants in Athens with views of the Acropolis:
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Headed to Mykonos? Check out the Ultimate Non Party Guide to Mykonos!
Now that you know how to maximize your two days in Athens, Greece you can be stress-free going into your trip! Although your two days in Athens will be busy, you’ll be able to see and experience everything Athens has to offer. Get ready to have an incredible two days exploring one of the most well known ancient cities in the world. You truly are stepping back in time when you walk through the streets of Athens. Don’t forget to take it all in!
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What was the city itself like? I’ve mixed things about it. Either way, all these sites are definitely on my history bucket list!
The city was vibrant! I really enjoyed the small streets of Plaka with all the outdoor restaurants and patios. It’s a bustling city, but it was fascinating to walk around and find ancient ruins along these busy areas!