One Day in Athens Itinerary (Perfect for First Timers!)

Posted 22/11/2025 | 22nd November, 2025

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When considering European travel, I think Athens gets a bad reputation.

Maybe people arrive with expectations of the rugged beaches of Crete or the photographic backdrops of Santorini. Whilst it might not have these, it more than makes up for it history, culture, and incredible food.

It’s a city that requires you to scratch below the surface a little. For me, Athens feels a little more of an adventure than the likes of Rome or Porto.

With that being said, I really recommend giving more than twenty-four hours to the Greek capital. But I get it! Schedules can be tight, so if that’s all you’ve got, here’s my guide to how to get the most out of just one day in Athens.

Grab Breakfast on the Go

You’ve got a lot to do today, so I recommend starting early with a breakfast on the go. There are tonnes of coffee shops dotted around the city serving excellent coffee and fresh pastries. If you fancy something a little more refreshing, you can pick up some fruit or a delicious smoothie from one of the many vendors in Athens.

Acropolis Museum

As I’ll discuss towards the end of this article, there are an incredible number of fantastic museums in Athens – more than 70 to be precise. If you’ve landed here, I’m assuming that this is your first visit to Athens. A such, you need to begin with the Acropolis Museum.

It’s the antithesis to the graffiti-lined cobblestone streets of Athens. It’s sleek, modern and bright. However, with over 4000 artefacts, it’s a complete mindfield. I didn’t visit with a guide, and to be honest, I regret it. There is plenty of information to read, but with such a vast amount of stuff, it was incredibly difficult to get a thorough understanding of what we were actually looking at.

On my next visit, I will definitely book a group tour to get a better appreciation of what I am witnessing. If you’re budget stretches to it, an individual tour would be incredible, but these are pretty expensive.

Nevertheless, the Acropolis Museum is a must-visit, even with just one day in Athens. Whether you decide to get a guide or go alone, definitely book in advance. We booked for just after opening times, and the queue was already huge. If you’ve pre-booked, you can just walk straight in.

Spend the Afternoon Wandering Around Plaka

Plaka sits right at the foot of the Acropolis. Because of that, it’s often called the “Neighbourhood of the Gods.” Its narrow lanes and neoclassical houses feel like a small village in the middle of the city. Of course, this area is extremely touristy, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Think colourful homes, cute courtyards, and my personal favourite: pedestrian-only streets.

Plaka is also filled with some amazing restaurants and cafes to grab lunch. If the weather is good, I recommend heading up to one of the many rooftop bars and indulging in a meze and crisp glass of white.

Once you’ve polished off lunch, it’s time to explore the many small arts and crafts shops in the area. If you’re in the market for jewellery (particularly yellow gold) or any kind of leather good, you’re going to love it here.

Of course, every afternoon in a new city needs a sweet treat. And, when in Athens, it’s got to be either Baklava (Phyllo pastry with nuts & honey syrup) or Loukoumades – fried dough balls with honey and cinnamon.

Sunset at the Acropolis

If you’ve got one day in Athens, then a visit to the Acropolis is simply non-negotiable. Lots of guides will tell you to head to the Acropolis first thing in the morning. However, in my opinion, sunset cannot be beaten. The views over Athens as the sun melts into the city are absolutely breathtaking.

Some interesting facts about the Acropolis:

🏛️ It’s not just one building — The Acropolis is actually a complex of ancient structures, not just the Parthenon (which is the most famous). It also includes the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea, each with unique architectural and religious significance.

🎨 It was once brightly painted — Although the ruins appear white today, the temples of the Acropolis were originally covered in vivid colours like red, blue, and gold. Over time, weathering and pollution erased the pigments, leaving behind the marble we see now.

⚒️ It has been reused for centuries — Throughout its long history, the Acropolis has served as a pagan temple, Christian church, mosque, and even a gunpowder storehouse under Ottoman rule — the latter causing major damage when it was hit by a Venetian cannon in 1687.

The official closing time of the Acropolis varies depending on the time of the year, so be sure to check ahead. The final entrance time is typically ninety minutes before the Acropolis closes.

From the entrance, it takes about fifteen minutes at a steady pace to walk up to the ancient structures. It’s a relatively steep climb, but nothing most able-bodied people wouldn’t be able to handle.

I visited in October, which is outside of tourist ‘peak season’, and the Acropolis tickets were still sold out for the day. Therefore, I thoroughly recommend booking your ticket beforehand to ensure you get the timeslot you hoped for, especially if you only have one day in Athens.

Whilst there are plenty of guides here to enable you to get the most from your experience, I personally don’t feel that you need one. Especially if you had a guide earlier in the day for the museum. Visiting solo allows you to enjoy completely at your own pace.

I don’t believe there are many more special places on earth to watch the sunset.

Take in the Atmosphere of Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square is right in the heart of Athens (and conveniently on your journey from the Acropolis to Psyri), but for a split second, you can be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported to Marrakesh.

The square is bursting with life, with street performers, fruit vendors, and tourists taking in the incredible view of the Acropolis up above. Some of the architectural highlights around the square are:

⛪Pantanassa Church: A small Byzantine-era church from around the 10th century, which is all that’s left of the monastery that gave Monastiraki its name.

🕌Tzistarakis Mosque: An Ottoman-era mosque, now housing a collection of Greek folk art.

📚Hadrian’s Library: Ruins of the Roman library built by Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD are right next to the square.

However, for me, the main highlight was the incredible flea market! If you’re there on a Sunday, then lucky you, because that’s when it really comes to life. However, even on other days, there are some real gems to be found here. Especially jewellery and old cameras – if you’re into either of these, you’re simply going to love it here!

Dinner and Drinks in Psyri

Psyrri, Psyri or Psirri – I cannot confidently say which one of those is the correct spelling, so I will let you take your pick.

The cobblestoned streets near the Acropolis are unarguably beautiful, lined with many bars and restaurants. However, I recommend spending your evening in Psyri. It might not have the same aesthetic or have the same number of shopping options, but it does have a much more diverse range of bars and restaurants.

Here, you’ll find yourself hanging out with locals as well as tourists, which leads to an epic vibe!

Athens isn’t a city that closes early, so don’t worry about getting to dinner early or making any reservations. I instead recommend having a wander around the streets and seeing what grabs your attention. As I’m sure you’re aware, Greek food is delicious! If it’s your first time in Athens, then some of the ‘must try’ dishes include.

Souvlaki: Skewered grilled meat (usually pork or chicken), often served in a pita with tomatoes, onions, fries, and tzatziki. It’s the go-to street food.

Gyros: Similar to souvlaki but made with meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Served in a pita or on a plate with fries, salad, and tzatziki.

Moussaka: A baked dish of layered eggplant, minced meat, potato, and béchamel sauce. Very traditional and hearty.

Is One Day in Athens Enough?

I think before I even begin, most people already know the answer to this. One day is certainly not long enough to see everything Athens has to offer. This capital city is home to more than three million people, so there is no way you can enjoy all of its sights and diversity in a mere twenty-four hours.

That being said, spending one day in Athens will give you an incredible snapshot of the city, and most certainly will leave you wanting more.

More Than One Day in Athens?

If you’re lucky enough to have more than one day in Athens, here are the activities I would highly recommend:

🎨 Explore the many museums – As mentioned, there are over 70 museums around Athens, enough to keep even the most curious minds busy. Aside from the Acropolis Museum, I would recommend the National Archaeological Museum and the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture. You certainly don’t need a guide for either of these, as the information is plentiful and in both Greek and English.

🌴 Hit the Beach – Yes, that’s right, there are some amazing beaches easily accessible from central Athens. To get to the ‘Athens Riviera’, you can either hop in a taxi (which you can book using your usual Uber app), or use the clean and affordable metro system. Alimos Beach comes highly recommended, and it can be reached in just fifteen minutes by car.

🚤 Take A Boat Trip – If a day trip to the Athens Riviera doesn’t quite scratch the itch, there are plenty of whole-day boat trips you can take directly from Athens. This is a great way to see more of Greece if you are short on time. This epic trip allows you to see Poros, Hydra, and Aegina in just one day, with plenty of free time at each stop.

🥙 Enjoy a Food Tour – If you’re anything like me, and food is a huge part of your adventures, then you’re going to love Athens! One thing I did notice, though, is that it can be a little challenging to scratch beneath the surface and find the more local spots to eat (understandable, when Athens is such a hotspot for cruisers looking for a quick bite). Therefore, a food tour is an excellent option to meet some new friends and sample the authentic cuisine.