3 Days in Athens Itinerary: All You Need to Know About Visiting Athens, Greece

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Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by sydabroad

If you are visiting Athens, Greece, and looking for the best things to do in the city, then this 3 days in Athens itinerary is for you!

If you are thinking about visiting Athens, Greece, then keep reading. Whether you are spending 2 days in Athens or a week in Athens, this 3 days in Athens itinerary will give you all you need to know for your first trip.

I spent a little less than 2 months backpacking Europe, and Athens was my first stop. Although many people will choose to skip over the city of Athens and head straight to the Greek islands, I think the city is worth a visit.

In this guide, I’ll share what to do in Athens for 3 days including where to eat, how to get around the city, the best sites to see, and more. Alright, let’s get into the guide!

Looking for more Greece guides?

• Santorini Travel Guide
• 15 Foods to Try in Greece
• The Best Things to Do in Mykonos
• The Top 10 Best Santorini Photo Spots
• The Ultimate 7 Day Greece Itinerary

This post is all about how to plan a perfect 3 days in Athens itinerary

3 Days in Athens Itinerary – The Basics

CURRENCY = Euro

1 USD = .85 EURO

LANGUAGE = Greek

Although Greek is the official language, you’ll find that many people speak English here.

PHONE & INTERNET

From my experience, the phone service was pretty good throughout Athens. You can also find wifi at almost every cafe and restaurant.

DAILY BUDGET

I found Athens to be pretty affordable. The average daily budget for Athens, Greece is about 45 to 70 euros. With this budget, you can get a nice dorm bed in a hostel, delicious street food, and Greek wine, and you’ll have a bit extra for activities. Athens is not the most affordable city in Eastern Europe, however, compared to Western Europe your money will go pretty far.

TIPPING IN ATHENS

Tipping in Athens, similar to the rest of Greece, is optional. However, if you had nice service it’s common to leave a gratuity between 5% and 10%. When on excursions or guided tours, it’s always typical to tip your guides.

IS THE TAP WATER DRINKABLE?

Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Athens. When dining at restaurants always ask for tap water to save a bit of money. I also really enjoyed my Stojo collapsable water bottle during the trip. It was a necessity in the heat and easy to store when I didn’t need to use it.

When is The Best Time to Visit Athens?

Between March and May and from September to November. There will be fewer crowds, the weather is nice, and you might find Athens to be more affordable considering it is not peak tourist season.

I visited at a strange time, in June of 2021 right when Greece was opening again to tourists. It was pretty hot at this time but the crowds were not bad which made my experience so much better. I think pre-covid times in June might have been a lot with all the crowds.

Why You Should Include Athens in your Greece Itinerary

So, many people will suggest skipping over Athens completely and heading straight to the islands. I understand, but I do think you should include 2 to 3 days in Athens on your Greece itinerary.

Athens honestly surprised me, I enjoyed this city. I loved how walkable it was, we didn’t take a taxi once. There are really pretty neighborhoods to explore, incredible street food, and fascinating history.

Visiting the Acropolis in person was surreal! I highly recommend squeezing Athens into your trip. Also, did you know that Athens has beaches? There is a lot more to do here than you may think!

Athens Greece Bucket List

If you only choose 5 things off of your 3 days in Athens itinerary, I think these activities should be at the top of your list:

1. The Acropolis
2. Acropolis Museum
3. Explore the Plaka Neighborhood
4. Enjoy traditional Greek food
5. Walk through the National Garden

Search for all of the best tours and activities here on GetYourGuide

The Perfect 3 Days in Athens Itinerary

Now, let’s get into how to spend 3 days in Athens, Greece!

DAY 1 Itinerary for Athens, Greece

FREE WALKING TOUR OF ATHENS

Taking a walking tour of Athens is a great way to get a good feel of the city and learn about its history. I also love doing walking tours at the beginning of a trip because I always end up with the best recommendations and tips for the city.

Google “free walking tours in Athens” and you will find many options. If you are staying at a hostel, they will likely have recommendations as well. Don’t forget to tip your guide!

If the walking isn’t for you, you can book a hop on hop off bus tour here.

THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM

The Acropolis Museum was such a fascinating museum to visit. The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens, and it’s a great activity to do to get a break from the sun. Take your student ID if you have one, it costs 5 euros for students and the regular price is 10 euros.

TEMPLE OF OLYMPIAN ZEUS

The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, Greece is a temple that was built in honor of the God, Zeus. It was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You can see what’s left of the temple in the center of Athens – tall columns and a few statues.

If you purchase a ticket that includes numerous sights around Athens, The Temple of Olympian Zeus is included.

ANAFIOTIKA NEIGHBORHOOD

The cutest, quaint, little neighborhood! The island-style buildings reminded me of Santorini. I was obsessed with this place. Anafiotika lies on the northeast side of the Acropolis Hill in the historic Plaka neighborhood.

Search for “Anafiotika” in your Google Maps and head that way. If you are into photography, you can’t miss this neighborhood on your 3 days in Athens itinerary.

DAY 2 Itinerary for Athens, Greece

THE ACROPOLIS

The Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an ancient city located above Athens and home to many remains of ancient buildings. Although you can see the Acropolis from afar from many different parts of the city, it’s well worth taking a trip to the top.

The Parthenon is the centerpiece of the Acropolis and the most famous. It was a temple dedicated to goddess Athena completed in 438 BC. This is the largest Doric temple ever built in Greece and well worth it to see up close. Along with the Parthenon, you can also see the Temple of Athena Polias, located on the north side of the Acropolis.

Make sure the Acropolis is the first thing on your to-do list for the day. You will beat the crowds and the heat, so be prepared to visit right when it opens. In the summers if it gets too hot they will actually close the Acropolis at times, so it’s best to go first thing in the morning.

ROMAN AGORA (Roman Forum of Athens) + OTHER HISTORIC SIGHTS

The Roman Agora was used as an open-air market and the Ancient Agora was a place of political gatherings for locals.

I’ll be honest, the Acropolis is the coolest of the sites, but the others are also great to see. I recommend checking out the Roman Agora and the Ancient Agora, many of the ruins included in your ticket are a close distance too.

WANDER AROUND PLAKA

Plaka is a beautiful historic neighborhood in Athens, and a must to include in your Athens travel guide. Here, you will find souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and more. The atmosphere is unbeatable.

DAY 3 Itinerary for Athens, Greece

NATIONAL GARDEN

The National Garden is a public park in the center of Athens. It’s a nice place to walk around and take a break from the city. You’ll find it directly behind the Greek Parliament building.

SHOP DOWN ERMOU STREET

This is the place for shopping! Ermou Street is a great place to shop around and people-watch. You’ll find all the common brands like Zara, Bershka, and more.

ATHENS FLEA MARKET

Athens Flea Market, also known as Monastiraki Flea Market is a must during your 3 days in Greece. There are all sorts of unique things to find as souvenirs or gifts! Currently, it’s open every day of the week. However, if you’re planning on going soon I would double-check with the staff at your hotel or hostel.

You can find some great gifts and souvenirs at good prices, I picked up a beautiful ring here for only 8 euros.

Best Places to Stay in Athens, Greece

I stayed at Athens Hub Hostel and cannot say enough great things! This hostel cost us about 17 euros per night for a dorm bed, the hostel was in a great location (walking distance from literally everything), and the staff was great. Athens Hub Hostel also had a nice workspace downstairs with a bar and cafe.

For additional places to stay in Athens check out Hostelworld or Airbnb. My top tip for finding accommodation in Athens is to stay in the city center. This way you won’t spend any money on transportation unless you visit a beach or head to the airport.

FIND A PLACE TO STAY IN ATHENS

Eat + Drink in Athens, Greece

• Just Made Unique Sandwiches and Coffee: Some great sandwiches and coffee.
• Fresko: Gelato and ice cream.
• Vegan Beat: The BEST vegan gyros, yes vegan. (I’m not even vegan and I loved these.)
• Geros Top Moria: Incredible authentic Greek food. Head here to try some new dishes.
• Zaf: A nice cafe/restaurant. We had a great charcuterie board here.
• School Pizza Bar: Delicious Italian food.
• A for Athens: Rooftop bar with tasty drinks.
• Coffee Berry: Delicious coffee, pick up a freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino.
• Six Dogs: Go for food and drinks during the day or go at night for more of a club scene. This place has a cool vibe.
• Monouka: Visit for the views. They are incredible! It’s a rooftop bar and restaurant. We went for an afternoon espresso.

3 Days in Athens Itinerary – Top Travel Tips

• Buy the 30 euro pass that gets you into multiple sights and gives you 3 days to see the sights, you can purchase at any entrance. With your ticket, you can visit the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrin’s Library, Olympion, Kerameikos, and Aristotles Lykeion.
• Take your student ID if you have one! You can save money at the Acropolis Museum and more.
• Get to the Acropolis early, it gets hot and crowded.
• Stay in the city center to avoid having to use transportation.
• Hit up the happy hours for the best deals.
• Order tap water at restaurants to avoid paying for water.

How to Get Around Athens

HOW TO GET TO ATHENS

You will most likely fly into Athens International Airport (AIA) unless you are arriving via ferry. If you are arriving by ferry you will probably port at Piraeus.

GETTING AROUND ATHENS + ATHENS AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER

Taking the Athens metro from the airport is very efficient. Stay in the city center and you can walk just about everywhere. We stayed at Athens Hub Hostel and it was perfect! You can also use Uber to get around the city.

To get from Athens airport to the city center take line 3 towards Monastiraki station. The ticket will cost you about 9 euros. Check Google Maps too, there might be a better route to get to your accommodation.

The trip from the airport to the center of town will take about 45 minutes to an hour.

Safety in Athens, Greece

I found Athens to be a very safe place. Don’t do anything stupid like walking down sketchy streets at night. If you use common sense, Athens is a safe city. I would say the main worry is pickpockets and petty theft. Make sure you are aware of your belongings at all times.

Overall, I think Athens is a great start to your Greece trip. Although it’s not comparable to places like Santorini or Mykonos, 3 days in Athens is a good amount of time to see all that this city has to offer! I do think Athens was really enjoyable because of the fewer crowds, I can see how the crowds would get a bit annoying. But I highly recommend making a stop, especially if you are flying into Athens airport anyway.

Spending a week in Greece? Check out my 7 day Greece itinerary here!

I hope you enjoyed reading this 3 days in Athens itinerary! As always, if you have any questions about my time in Athens, feel free to comment below, DM me on Instagram, or email me at sydabroad@gmail.com.

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