How to Spend 1 Day in Athens, Greece

Have 1 day in Athens, Greece? You’d be surprised how much ground you can cover in a short time! In this post, I’ll take you through how you can maximize your time in Athens, Greece. Athens is a city full of history, great food, and beautiful views! Now let’s get into how to spend 1 day in Athens, Greece, the perfect start to your Greece itinerary.

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drone view of athens greece with acropolis in the far back. how to spend 1 day in athens greece

Quick Facts before visiting Greece:
💱Currency: Euros €
💶 Budget for a trip to Athens: The average daily cost for a trip to Greece is €127 a night for both food and accommodation.
💜 Is tipping required in Greece? Tipping in customary in Greece and you should plan to tip between 10-15%.
☀️ Best time to Visit: The season for Islands in Greece typically starts after Easter at the end of April and closes in October. The most ideal time to visit is right before or after the peak season of summer. June or September would be great!
🏥 Travel Insurance in Greece: I recommend SafetyWing which will cover you in case of trip cancellations or any accidents during your travels.

In this Article show

Summary of 1 day in Athens

Morning: Visit the Acropolis, stroll the neighborhoods of Anafiotika and Psyri
Afternoon: Lunch at Efcharis restaurant, People watch at Monastiraki, Visit the historical sites like the Roman Agora and Hadrian’s Library
Evening: Watch the sunset at one of the many rooftop bars like A for Athens, Stroll through Plaka, Have dinner in Plaka at LIONDI

Is 1 Day Enough in Athens, Greece?

the historical sites of athens, greece in 24 hours

Athens is not a small city, but many of its main tourist attractions are relatively close to each other in the central area, making it possible to visit many of them in just one day. The Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus are all within walking distance of each other in the historic center. The Plaka neighborhood, Monastiraki Square, and Syntagma Square are also moments away.

As you can see, one day in Athens will give you the opportunity to see the main attractions, but ideally, you would want more time to truly explore the city. If you have a day or two extra, you can uncover Athen’s hidden gems, and appreciate its history, culture, and cuisine.

Regardless, if you only have 24 hours in Athens, this guide will help you prioritize the must-see sights and places to visit during a short time.

How to Get There

To get to Athens, you can fly into the Athens Airport. Then, you can take the metro system to easily get into the heart of Athens, Monastiraki. Athens is also serviced by ferry and you can easily get here from neighboring Greek Islands.

How to Get Around

Once in Athens, you can pretty much walk to most of the tourist attractions on foot which is really great. They are all pretty much clustered together. Aside from spots like National Archaeological Museum and the Panathenaic Stadium. To get to these, you can also take the metro or the bus. The public transportation is great and easy to use.

What to do when visiting Athens in 1 Day

These are the best things to do in one day while visiting Athens from a cruise ship or island hopping adventure!

8:00 am – Start your morning at the Acropolis of Athens

acropolis of athens with female in yellow dress in front

At the top of everyone’s list when visiting Athens is the Acropolis and for a good reason. The Acropolis of Athens is recognized as one of the best landmarks in Europe and even the world. Afterall, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Perched atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the city, these ruins date back to the 5th century BC. Because it’s such a popular attraction, expect TONS of crowds. The best time to visit would be right at opening at 8 am or one hour before closing time when the tourists start to dwindle.

At its center, the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, commands attention with its Doric columns and intricate sculptures, showcasing the pinnacle of Classical Greek architecture.

Surrounding structures include the Erechtheion, with its famous Caryatids, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

As you walk up to the Acropolis, there’s a hill across the way for even more views of Athens. It’s called Philopappos Hill and you can find the exact location here. It’s a popular spot to watch the sunset too.

10 am Visit the hidden neighborhood of Anafiotika

church overlooking view of greece in anafiotika neighborhood

jackie sitting on steps in athens anafiotika neighborhood in front of a yellow building with red shutters

I first visited Anafiotika in 2017 when a local took me. It was seriously off-the-radar and a hidden gem. Still, many people don’t know this neighborhood. However, when I went again in May 2024, many more people were strolling through here in the morning. In this neighborhood, you’ll find picturesque winding streets and colorful buildings. Just be mindful when taking photos that people live here and be really respectful. If you go up to the top near the church, you’ll find breathtaking views of Athens too.

11:30 Have a wander through the Psyri neighborhood

graffiti Psyri neighborhood of athens greece

flowers at a restaurant in Psyri neighborhood of athens greece

Psyri is a lively neighborhood located in the heart of Athens, known for its eclectic atmosphere, artistic nature, and bustling nightlife. Once an industrial area, Psiri has undergone a transformation in recent years, and now is one of the trendiest and most popular neighborhoods in the city.

You’ll find narrow cobblestone streets, colorful street art, and charming neoclassical buildings adorned with graffiti and murals. The area is a hub for creativity and culture, with numerous art galleries, theaters, and cultural centers showcasing the work of local artists and performers. Plus there are many hidden gems to be discovered here such as vintage boutiques, artisan workshops, and traditional tavernas serving authentic Greek cuisine.

In the evening, Psyri comes alive with lively cafes, hip bars, and live music venues.

12 am Try Souvlaki for lunch

For lunch, make a quick stop for Souvlaki. You’ll find it all over Athens so it shouldn’t be a tough mission. This will save you time so you can continue exploring Athens in one day. I stopped by Efcharis restaurant and it was really good. Klepsydra is also a nice choice and located very near to Anafiotika in case you want to go there after your visit.

1 pm People watch at Monastiraki

many people in the bustling square of monastiraki athens greece top things to do

Monastiraki is possibly the busiest square in Athens and is located in the very heart of the city. Here you are moments away from all the historical landmarks. There is also a bustling flea market you can shop for antiques, souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and more. The area gets its name from the Monastiraki Square, which is dominated by the Pantanassa Church and surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. Monastiraki is also known for its nightlife, with many bars, cafes, and tavernas.

1:30 pm – See the Historical Sites

Start your walk through the historical sites in Athens at the Roman Agora. You can admire most of it from outside even.

Next stop is Hadrian’s Library and then off to the Tower of the Winds, a cool octagonal tower that used to be all about telling time and weather back in the day. Another attraction is the Gate of Athena Archegetis, which is an arch dedicated to the goddess of wisdom.

The best thing to do is buy a combo ticket so you can visit all the sites for an inclusive fee of $39. You can buy the combo tickets ahead online. it will grant you access to the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Zeus, Aristotle’s School, Hadrian’s Library, and Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery. Buying the combo ticket, gives you a savings of up to 50%.

combo tickets to historical sites

4 pm Relax at a Cafe

artfix cafe freddo cappachino athens greece

a charming table in front of a window at one of the best cafes in athens greece called artfix cafe

You might be tired from all the exploring! Time to find a quaint cafe to relax at. I stumbled upon Artfix Athens which is hidden around a corner in the heart of Athens. I wanted to go in and saved it and then the weather turned from perfect to raining suddenly so I made my way into this cafe and was happy I did. I got a freddo cappuccino!

They have many different rooms to choose from and an outdoor space upstairs looking out to the streets.

7:30 pm – Watch the Sunset at a Rooftop Bar

A for athens rooftop bar view of athens greece

There are many rooftop bars in Athens with views of the stunning city. A few of them are all clustered together too. I visited A for Athens. Here you need a reservation if you want the prime outdoor spot with the view. So be sure to reserve ahead to avoid disappointment. Other rooftop bars include Niche Hotel Athens, 360 Cocktail Bar, or MS Roof Garden.

9 pm – Have Dinner in Plaka

On your way to Plaka for dinner check out some of the shops and cute streets. I bought a coin pouch with the evil eye on it for only €1 and love it! You’ll likely hit the famous street Ermou Street in Plaka during your stroll.

I decided to try LIONDI Traditional Greek Restaurant for dinner and it was delicious. I tried the Moussaka which is a Greek specialty made of eggplant and ground beef in a casserole. I saw people ordering souvlaki dishes which looked absolutely amazing too. LIONDI is located on Makrigianni Street and there are many other restaurant choices lined on this street.

Where to Stay in Athens if you only have 1 day

If you only have 24 hours in Athens, it’s best to stay in an area that is centrally located so you can easily reach the city’s main attractions.

The Plaka neighborhood and the area around Syntagma Square are great choices for a short stay. Plaka is super close to the Acropolis and has many restaurants and shops.

Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens and serves as a transportation hub with its metro station and bus stops. Staying in this area provides easy access to public transportation, allowing you to quickly reach attractions like the National Archaeological Museum, the Benaki Museum, and the upscale shopping district of Kolonaki. Plus, Syntagma Square is within walking distance of Plaka and the Acropolis, making it a convenient location for a short visit to Athens.

I personally stayed in the Thiseos area at La Divina Hotel. It was also walkable to pretty much everything I wanted to see in a short stay. The hotel was a 5 minutes walk from Monastiraki and a 15 minute walk to the Acropolis and other main attractions.

book la divina hotel

jackie standing at the window in the hotel room in athens, greece called la divina hotel

Hopefully, this post helps you better plan your 24 hours in Athens!