5 days in Athens

Day by day

1. Day 1: Acropolis and Parthenon and Areopagus Hill

   Acropolis and Parthenon, Areopagus Hill and Acropolis Museum, then Psyrri in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Acropolis and Parthenon

      Enter at opening or in the last two hours of the day; in summer the midday heat on the exposed rock is intense and there is almost no shade. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Areopagus Hill

      Use the metal staircase rather than the ancient rock-cut steps; the marble is polished and slippery, especially after rain. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Souvlaki and gyros

      Souvlaki counters on Mitropoleos Street at Monastiraki and neighbourhood grills (souvlatzidika) across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Acropolis Museum

      Visit after the Acropolis, when you can match the sculptures to the places you have just seen, and have a drink on the café terrace facing the Parthenon. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Psyrri

      Dense streets of bars, mezze places and live-music tavernas just north of Monastiraki, busy every night of the week.

2. Day 2: Panathenaic Stadium and National Archaeological Museum

   Panathenaic Stadium, National Archaeological Museum and Changing of the Guard at Syntagma, then Gazi in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Panathenaic Stadium

      The audio guide comes with the ticket; children love sprinting down the track, and the top rows give a view to the Acropolis. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      National Archaeological Museum

      Allow half a day, or focus on the Mycenaean hall, the bronzes and the Antikythera gallery if time is short. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Greek salad

      Every taverna; it is at its best in summer when tomatoes are in season.

   4. Afternoon

      Changing of the Guard at Syntagma

      Stand at the top of the steps on the square opposite for the clearest view, and arrive a few minutes before the hour. (20 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Gazi

      Clubs and bars around the old gasworks, now the Technopolis cultural centre, with a younger crowd and late hours.

3. Day 3: Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus and Plaka and Anafiotika

   Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus, Plaka and Anafiotika and Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, then Kolonaki in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus

      Enter from Adrianou Street in Monastiraki and climb to the Temple of Hephaestus for a view of the Acropolis across the Agora. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Plaka and Anafiotika

      Go early in the morning or around sunset, and keep voices down: Anafiotika's houses are still lived in. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Moussaka

      Traditional tavernas and mageiria, the cook-shops that display the day's trays at the counter.

   4. Afternoon

      Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch

      Much of it is visible through the fence for free; use the combined ticket if you want to walk among the columns. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Kolonaki

      Smart cocktail bars and wine bars with a well-dressed local crowd around Haritos and Skoufa streets.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Cape Sounion

   About 1.5–2 hours by coastal bus each way. Getting there: KTEL bus from central Athens, tour or hire car.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Cape Sounion

      About 1.5–2 hours by coastal bus (KTEL bus from central Athens, tour or hire car); about 70 km.

   2. Day

      Cape Sounion

      The marble Temple of Poseidon stands on a cliff at the southern tip of Attica, where Lord Byron carved his name into a column. Best for couples, first-timers and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Athens

      Dinner: try Koulouri.

5. Day 5: Mount Lycabettus and Benaki Museum

   Mount Lycabettus, Benaki Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art, then Monastiraki rooftops in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mount Lycabettus

      Walk up in the late afternoon and stay for sunset, when the Acropolis lights up; bring water, as the path is steep and exposed. (1.5 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Benaki Museum

      Combine it with the Museum of Cycladic Art, a few minutes' walk away along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Koulouri

      Street vendors and bakeries everywhere, especially near metro stations.

   4. Afternoon

      Museum of Cycladic Art

      It is compact enough for an hour; start with the Cycladic gallery on the first floor. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Monastiraki rooftops

      Hotel and bar terraces facing the floodlit Acropolis, at their busiest around sunset.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Acropolis and Parthenon before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Plaka keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Monastiraki and Psyrri ($$) suits nightlife, budget, food lovers and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 16–20 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Athens
• 2 days in Athens
• 3 days in Athens
• 4 days in Athens

Questions travellers ask