Athens Attica Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Athens and Attica reveals the most extraordinary concentration of ancient heritage in the world, from the Parthenon on the Acropolis, the most important building in Western civilisation, to the extraordinary National Archaeological Museum with the finest collection of ancient Greek art in existence, the remarkable Agora where democracy was born and the magnificent Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. This route covers the essential Athens experience. The extraordinary Acropolis and its remarkable new museum, the ancient Agora and Kerameikos cemetery, the vibrant Monastiraki flea market and Plaka neighbourhood, the extraordinary National Archaeological Museum and the remarkable drive along the Attica coast to the Temple of Poseidon at sunset.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Athens International Airport (ATH)
Getting Around
Metro, walking and taxi in Athens. Car for Cape Sounion.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 140 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking
DAY 1
THE ACROPOLIS AND PLAKA
MORNING
THE ACROPOLIS AND THE PARTHENON
The Acropolis is the most extraordinary ancient site in the world, its remarkable hilltop containing the Parthenon, the Erechtheion with the extraordinary Porch of the Caryatids, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylaea gateway. The Parthenon, built between 447 and 432 BC under Pericles, remains the most important and most perfectly proportioned building in Western civilisation. The extraordinary views over Athens from the summit are the finest in the city. Combined ticket approx 30 euros. Drive: 10 min walk to museum
MIDDAY
THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
The Acropolis Museum is the most extraordinary archaeological museum in Greece, its remarkable collection of sculptures, friezes and architectural elements from the Acropolis displayed in a building designed to align with the Parthenon above. The extraordinary top-floor Parthenon Gallery, where original friezes are displayed alongside cast replacements of the Elgin Marbles in their original positions, is the most moving museum experience in Greece. The cafe terrace gives the finest Acropolis view in Athens. Entry approx 10 euros. Drive: 15 min walk to Plaka
AFTERNOON
PLAKA AND MONASTIRAKI
Plaka is the most extraordinary historic neighbourhood in Athens, its remarkable neoclassical houses and Byzantine churches preserved below the Acropolis giving the finest 19th-century streetscape in the city. The extraordinary Tower of the Winds in the Roman Agora is the finest surviving ancient timepiece in the world. Monastiraki Square and its remarkable flea market give the finest shopping experience in Athens. The extraordinary Hadrian's Library ruins are unmissable. Entry to Roman Agora approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Philopappos Hill opposite the Acropolis is the finest hidden viewpoint in Athens, its remarkable summit giving the most extraordinary view of the Parthenon from the west, the angle from which the ancient procession approached. Almost no tourists visit Philopappos Hill despite being 5 minutes from the Acropolis. Free. The finest hidden gem in central Athens.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Avissinia Cafe, Monastiraki The finest breakfast terrace in Athens with extraordinary Acropolis views. Greek coffee and tiropita. | Lunch: Cafe in the Acropolis Museum Outstanding lunch with the finest museum view in Europe. The Acropolis directly above. | Dinner: Tzitzikas and Mermigas, Syntagma The most extraordinary modern Greek mezedes in Athens. Outstanding local ingredients and natural wines.
DAY 2
ANCIENT ATHENS
MORNING
THE ANCIENT AGORA OF ATHENS
The Ancient Agora is the most extraordinary archaeological park in Athens, its remarkable hillside site containing the Stoa of Attalos, the most perfectly preserved ancient stoa in Greece, the extraordinary Temple of Hephaestus, the finest surviving Doric temple in the world, and the remarkable site where Socrates, Pericles and Demosthenes walked and debated. Democracy was invented here in the 5th century BC. The Agora Museum in the Stoa gives the finest collection of everyday ancient Athenian objects. Entry included in combined ticket. Drive: 15 min walk to Kerameikos
MIDDAY
KERAMEIKOS CEMETERY AND THE DIPYLON GATE
Kerameikos is the most extraordinary ancient cemetery in Greece, the remarkable burial ground of Athens from the 12th century BC to the Roman period containing the finest ancient grave monuments in the world. The extraordinary Dipylon Gate was the main entrance to ancient Athens and the starting point of the Panathenaic procession to the Acropolis. The remarkable Kerameikos Museum contains the finest collection of ancient Athenian funerary art. Entry included in combined ticket. Drive: 20 min metro to museum
AFTERNOON
NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The National Archaeological Museum is the most extraordinary museum in Greece and one of the greatest museums in the world, its remarkable collection of over 11,000 objects spanning 7,000 years of Greek civilisation including the extraordinary gold Mask of Agamemnon, the remarkable Antikythera Mechanism, the finest ancient bronzes in existence and the extraordinary Cycladic figurines. The Mycenaean collection gives the finest insight into the Bronze Age world of Homer. Entry approx 12 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary First Cemetery of Athens near the Panathenaic Stadium is the finest hidden neoclassical sculpture park in Greece, its remarkable marble monuments and mausoleums by 19th-century Greek sculptors giving the most extraordinary collection of funerary art in the country. Schliemann's tomb and Melina Mercouri are buried here. Free entry. ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kuzina, Thissio Outstanding Greek breakfast near the Agora. Extraordinary views of the Acropolis from the rooftop terrace. | Lunch: To Kouti, Plaka Outstanding traditional Greek taverna in a beautiful Plaka setting. Extraordinary moussaka and local wine. | Dinner: Spondi, Pangrati Two Michelin stars and the finest French-Greek cuisine in Athens. Outstanding tasting menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 3
CAPE SOUNION AND THE ATTICA RIVIERA
MORNING
PANATHENAIC STADIUM AND THE ATHENS COAST
The Panathenaic Stadium is the most extraordinary modern Olympic heritage site in the world, the remarkable all-marble stadium rebuilt in 1896 for the first modern Olympics on the site of the ancient Panathenaic Games stadium. The extraordinary running track, starting blocks and royal box are all preserved. The remarkable Zappeion Hall in the National Garden nearby gives the finest neoclassical building in Athens. Entry approx 10 euros. Drive: 30 min drive along the coast
MIDDAY
THE ATTICA RIVIERA AND GLYFADA
The Attica Riviera south of Athens is the most extraordinary urban coastline in Greece, its remarkable series of organised beaches, seafront tavernas and crystal-clear Saronic Gulf waters giving the finest seaside experience within 30 minutes of a European capital. Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni give the finest beaches. Lake Vouliagmeni, a remarkable thermal lake connected to the sea by an underground passage, gives the most extraordinary swimming experience in Attica. Lake entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 45 min drive to Sounion
AFTERNOON
TEMPLE OF POSEIDON AT CAPE SOUNION
The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is the most extraordinary ancient temple setting in Greece, its remarkable 5th-century BC Doric columns standing on a headland 60 metres above the Aegean Sea giving the finest sunset view in the Attica region. Lord Byron carved his name on one of the columns in 1810. The extraordinary view of the islands of the Saronic Gulf from the temple terrace at sunset is among the finest in all Greece. Entry approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lavrio Archaeological Museum in the old silver mining town of Lavrio, near Cape Sounion, is the finest hidden museum in Attica, its remarkable collection documenting the ancient silver mines that funded the Athenian navy that defeated the Persians at Salamis. The extraordinary ancient mine shafts are still visible in the hillside. Entry approx 4 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lukumades, Monastiraki The most legendary honey-drenched doughnuts in Athens since the 18th century. Extraordinary for breakfast. | Lunch: Fish taverna on the Attica Riviera Outstanding fresh fish lunch on the extraordinary Saronic Gulf waterfront near Glyfada. | Dinner: Taverna at Cape Sounion Outstanding fresh fish dinner overlooking the extraordinary Aegean after the sunset at the temple.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Plaka or Monastiraki, Nights 1 to 3 Hotel Grande Bretagne or Athens Was, in the heart of the old city. Approx 120 to 300 euros per night. Budget option Athens Backpackers or City Circus hostel, Monastiraki. Approx 25 to 60 euros per night. Luxury option Hotel Grande Bretagne, Syntagma Square, the finest hotel in Greece. Approx 300 to 600 euros.
Top Tips
1. Acropolis combined ticket (30 euros) covers all major ancient sites including the Agora, Kerameikos and Roman Agora. Valid 5 days.
2. Arrive at the Acropolis at 8am opening. By 10am the site is extremely crowded. The morning light on the Parthenon is extraordinary.
3. Acropolis Museum (cafe on the top floor): the finest museum view in the world , the Parthenon friezes with the Acropolis directly behind.
4. Cape Sounion sunset: arrive 1 hour before sunset for the finest light on the Temple of Poseidon. One of the great sunsets of Europe.
5. Monastiraki flea market is finest on Sunday mornings. Arrive early for the most extraordinary finds among the antique dealers.
6. Athens street food: souvlaki at Kostas in Syntagma Square since 1950, and loukoumades at Lukumades in Monastiraki are unmissable.
Total Budget
80 to 140 euros/day