Athens is one of those cities that totally took me by surprise. Before visiting for the first time, I found myself deep in the Reddit forums, with many people saying that the city is old, dirty, and boring. I’m very glad I didn’t listen to these opinions because Athens quickly became one of my favorite cities I’ve visited in Europe. Much like Naples, Italy, you’ve got to appreciate Athens for what it is (instead of trying to make it into a modern city like Dubai).
Now, if you only have one day in Athens, you’re going to want to maximize it. As a popular airport and cruise hub, you might find yourself with an extra day or two to explore Athens before leaving on a cruise or connecting to another Greek destination.
Many travelers consider Athens as a “gateway” to the Greek islands. But with just one day in Athens, you can see world-famous landmarks, soak up some history, and enjoy some great food. Who wouldn’t love that? Below, discover two carefully-crafted itineraries for first time visitors who only have one day in Athens.
Why spend one day in Athens?
As the oldest capital in Europe, Athens has over 3,000 years of history to explore. Even if you’re not a huge history buff (I’m not), a visit to iconic landmarks like the Acropolis or the Parthenon are quite fascinating. On a basic level and understanding alone, visiting these popular attractions can help you understand history in a new way. It’s a myth that you have to be super into mythology or history to appreciate a visit here. The views from the top of the Acropolis are enough of a reason to visit alone.
One day in Athens, Greece may not seem like enough time, but you’d be surprised just how much you can fit in. Athens is very easy to get around by walking. Many of the top attractions are near each other which makes it pretty easy to get a lot done in a short time period.
Part of making your travel perfect means selecting a 1-day itinerary in Athens that excites you. After all, everyone has a different version of what “great” travel looks like. For this reason, I’ve created three different one day Athens itinerary plans that may appeal to different types of travelers. Remember that these Athens itineraries are for the first-time visitor who is trying to maximize their time in Athens with limited time available.
One day in Athens Itineraries
Option 1: (Great for foodies like me who want a balanced day)
This option gives you a good mix of traditional Athens sight-seeing and an Athens foodie adventure:
- 7 am: Wake up early in Athens and start your morning a Freddo Espresso (a must to kick off your Greece trip). Eat light so you can save room for a food walking tour around lunchtime.
- 8 am: Get to the Acropolis early. You can’t go to Athens and not make a visit to the famous Acropolis a key part of your day. The Acropolis gets busier and hotter as the day goes on. Knowing this, your best bet is to cross it off your list early in the day (They open at 8 am). Tip: You must buy tickets online in advance to save time. Tickets sell out quickly and lines get really long at the ticket booth. This will help you maximize your one day in Athens.
- Sign up for a food walking tour in Athens for mid-day, such as this Eating Europe food walking tour (starts at 11:30). A food tour is a great way to see different areas of the city, connect with a local, and try local favorites while avoiding the tourist hot spots. From gyros to feta to loukoumades, you can’t go wrong with trying Greek food. I love walking tours because there’s lots of time to explore and learn in between stops (you’re not just eating non-stop).
- Evening: Stroll Monastiraki, a famous square area/neighborhood and walk towards Plaka where there are tons of shops to browse. You might be super full after the food walking tour, but if you’re not, I recommend checking out a local taverna for dinner for an authentic Greek dinner experience.
Option 2: (History-focused day)
This option works best for those who have one day in Athens, Greece and want to soak up as much history as you can in a short visit to Athens:
- 8 am: Get to the Acropolis early (see option 1 for directions on booking tickets in advance and starting at 8 am). For such an early start, try grabbing a light breakfast at your hotel (check out Adia Aluma Athens, great breakfast and located in walking distance of all the main attractions).
- Late morning: After the Acropolis, explore the Acropolis Museum, a modern museum, that’s built over ancient ruins. You can walk here directly after leaving the Acropolis.
- Lunch: Save time by grabbing Greek street food instead of a sit-down meal. Try grabbing a street gyro or a souvlaki. For a sweet tooth, see if you can find a Greek bakery
- Afternoon: Visit Panathenaic Stadium, the space that hosted the first modern Olympic games (also walkable).
- Sunset: Go to a rooftop bar with views of the Acropolis and watch the sun go down, such as Point A.
- Dinner: Visit the TikTok viral O Thanasis for a delicious baked feta and kebab dinner.