Athens 3-day itinerary
Greece
Where to go and what to see in Athens to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer John Malathronas.
Bucket list experience:
Though recently overshadowed by the newer, flashier Acropolis Museum, this treasure trove of antiquities is equally impressive. The display may be a bit dowdy, but the collection itself is world-class. From intricate, terracotta urns to delicate gold funeral masks, the craftsmanship of the ancient Greeks is astonishing.
Look out for the Antikythera mechanism, the earliest known analogue computer gadget.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Greece
Where to go and what to see in Athens to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer John Malathronas.
Greece
Where to go and what to see in Athens to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer John Malathronas.
The best way to get there is by Metro. Omonia (10 minutes walk) or Biktoria (7 minutes walk) are the closest stops. There is no parking on-site, though there are private car parks on Mpoumpoulinas Street, Zaimi Street and on Alexandras Avenue.
You can download a map from the website showing the different galleries, and a nice little brochure with a summary of the highlights – worth a read before you go. There are so many treasures here, though it’s best to go on a guided tour with an expert guide.
The museum is open all year round, seven days a week. Opening times vary from winter to summer, with longer opening hours in the summer.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.9 miles]
A chic boutique hotel that scores sky-high on atmosphere and its central location under the shadow of Mount Lycabettus.
Official star rating:
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.2 miles]
A modest, excellent-value hotel, superbly sited for the Monastiraki nightlife and with comfortable, family-friendly suites.
Official star rating:
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.5 miles]
A heritage hotel with an immaculate pedigree that doesn’t skimp on contemporary luxuries, bang in the heart of Athens. The choice for visiting VIPs.
Official star rating:
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.6 miles]
A new art-focused hotel with a lovely rooftop pool and terrace, bringing a New York city buzz to one of Athens’ oldest neighbourhoods.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Central Greece, Greece
Antiquities galore, contemporary culture, scintillating nightlife and fantastic food: there’s something for everyone in Greece’s cosmopolitan capital that’s continuously reinventing itself.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.9 miles]
The heart of old Athens, Plaka has an authentic charm with winding lanes, shady squares and atmospheric Byzantine churches.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[2 miles]
This dazzling ancient citadel, perched on a hilltop rising above the city, houses some of the most impressive ancient buildings in the world. The jewel in the crown is the Pantheon, a 2,500-year-old temple dating back to 438 BC.
Best for ages: 7+ | £9
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[2.3 miles]
A unique and extraordinary 3km pedestrian promenade peppered with world-class antiquities – triumphant arches, ancient amphitheatres, Greek temples, and ‘Socrates’ Prison’.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 kilometres
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[2.3 miles]
A jaw-dropping array of antiquities – all the Acropolis’ treasures – in one very modern museum designed by starchitect Bernard Tschumi.
Best for ages: 15+ | £4
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.2 miles]
The tallest of the capital’s seven hills, Mt Lycabettus towers over Athens. Take the funicular to the summit for panoramic city views, and lunch or dinner at an excellent fine dining restaurant.
Best for ages: 13+ | £6
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.5 miles]
Greece’s busiest square and scene of political demos, made famous by the world’s media during the Euro crisis. This is the frenetic, traffic-filled epicentre of Athens.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.5 miles]
The best collection of Islamic Art outside the Muslim world, exhibiting a vast range of artefacts from intricately decorated prayer books to the reconstruction of a Cairo mansion reception room.
Best for ages: 13+ | £8
Athens, Central Greece, Greece[1.6 miles]
The closest Athens has to an oriental bazaar; from 10am each day the streets heave with every kind of stall – from antiques to clothes and bric-a-brac – then from 10pm the bars take over, making this the epicentre of Monastiraki’s nightlife.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free