Athens Attica Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Athens and Attica gives you the complete experience of the birthplace of Western civilisation, from the extraordinary Acropolis and its remarkable museum to the National Archaeological Museum, the finest collection of ancient Greek art in the world, the magnificent Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion and a day trip to the extraordinary ancient sites of the Attica countryside at Marathon, Brauron and Ramnous. This route covers the full Athens and Attica experience. The extraordinary Acropolis, Agora and Kerameikos, the remarkable Byzantine churches of the city, the extraordinary Benaki Museum and Cycladic Art Museum, the magnificent Attica Riviera and Cape Sounion, and the extraordinary hidden ancient sites of Marathon, Brauron and the Laurion silver mines that funded the golden age of Athens.
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 day trips.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking with some driving
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 Porch of the Caryatids, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylaea gateway. The Parthenon, built between 447 and 432 BC under Pericles, is the most important 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
MIDDAY
THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
The Acropolis Museum is the most extraordinary archaeological museum in Greece, its remarkable collection of sculptures from the Acropolis displayed in a building aligned with the Parthenon above. The 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. Entry approx 10 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
PLAKA, MONASTIRAKI AND THE ROMAN AGORA
Plaka is the most extraordinary historic neighbourhood in Athens, its remarkable neoclassical houses and Byzantine churches preserved below the Acropolis. 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 afternoon in central Athens. 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. Almost no tourists visit despite being 5 minutes from the Acropolis. Free.
🍽 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 Parthenon 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 site containing the Stoa of Attalos, the extraordinary Temple of Hephaestus, the finest surviving Doric temple in the world, and the site where Socrates and Pericles walked and debated. Democracy was invented here in the 5th century BC. Entry included in combined ticket. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
KERAMEIKOS CEMETERY
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. The Kerameikos Museum contains the finest collection of ancient Athenian funerary art. Entry included in combined ticket. Drive: 20 min metro
AFTERNOON
NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The National Archaeological Museum is the most extraordinary museum in Greece and one of the greatest in the world, its remarkable collection including the extraordinary gold Mask of Agamemnon, the remarkable Antikythera Mechanism, the finest ancient bronzes in existence and the extraordinary Cycladic figurines. 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 by 19th-century sculptors giving the most extraordinary collection of funerary art in the country. Free entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kuzina, Thissio Outstanding Greek breakfast near the Agora. Extraordinary Acropolis views from the rooftop terrace. | Lunch: To Kouti, Plaka Outstanding traditional Greek taverna in Plaka. Extraordinary moussaka and local wine. | Dinner: Spondi, Pangrati Two Michelin stars and the finest French-Greek cuisine in Athens. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 3
THE GREAT MUSEUMS OF ATHENS
MORNING
BENAKI MUSEUM OF GREEK CULTURE
The Benaki Museum is the most extraordinary cultural museum in Greece, its remarkable collection of 36,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of Greek history from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. The extraordinary collection of Byzantine icons, Greek War of Independence memorabilia and traditional regional costumes gives the finest overview of Greek culture in any single building. The remarkable rooftop cafe gives the finest garden terrace in Athens. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
MUSEUM OF CYCLADIC ART
The Museum of Cycladic Art is the most extraordinary specialist museum in Athens, its remarkable collection of Cycladic figurines dating from 3200 to 2000 BC giving the finest insight into the mysterious pre-Mycenaean civilisation of the Aegean islands. The extraordinary abstract marble figures, their minimalist forms influencing Picasso and Modigliani, are among the most remarkable objects in Greek art. Entry approx 10 euros. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
BYZANTINE AND CHRISTIAN MUSEUM
The Byzantine and Christian Museum is the most extraordinary Byzantine heritage museum in Greece, its remarkable collection of 25,000 objects spanning 15 centuries of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art giving the finest overview of Eastern Christian culture in any single institution. The extraordinary collection of icons, mosaics, manuscripts and ecclesiastical treasures is almost entirely unknown to most visitors to Athens. Entry approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Numismatic Museum of Athens, housed in Heinrich Schliemann's remarkable 1878 mansion in central Athens, is the finest hidden museum in the city, its remarkable collection of 600,000 coins spanning 4,000 years of monetary history giving the most extraordinary insight into the ancient Greek world. Entry approx 6 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lukumades, Monastiraki The most legendary honey-drenched doughnuts in Athens since the 18th century. Extraordinary for breakfast. | Lunch: Benaki Museum rooftop cafe Outstanding lunch in the finest garden terrace in Athens. Extraordinary Greek salads and mezedes. | Dinner: Hytra, Onassis Cultural Centre One Michelin star. The finest modern Greek cuisine in Athens. Extraordinary tasting menu.
DAY 4
CAPE SOUNION AND THE ATTICA RIVIERA
MORNING
LAKE VOULIAGMENI AND THE ATTICA RIVIERA
Lake Vouliagmeni is the most extraordinary thermal lake in Attica, its remarkable turquoise waters maintained at 22 to 29 degrees year-round by geothermal springs connected to the sea through an underground passage, giving the finest therapeutic swimming experience in Greece. The remarkable stalactites in the cave section and the extraordinary blind cave fish are entirely unique. The Attica Riviera beaches at Vouliagmeni and Voula are the finest near Athens. Lake entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 30 min drive south
MIDDAY
THE ATTIC COAST TO CAPE SOUNION
The drive south from Vouliagmeni to Cape Sounion along the extraordinary Attica coast passes through the finest coastal scenery in the Athens region, its remarkable series of small coves, fishing villages and crystal-clear Aegean waters giving the finest driving route in Attica. The extraordinary Astir Beach at Vouliagmeni is the finest private beach in Greece. The Poseidonion restaurant at Sounion gives the finest lunch with a view in the region. 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 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 Aegean islands at sunset is among the finest in all Greece. Entry approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient theatre of Thorikos near Lavrio is the oldest theatre in the world, its remarkable oval stone seating dating from the 6th century BC predating the more famous theatre of Epidaurus by 200 years. Almost entirely unknown to visitors. Free entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel before driving south Early start to reach Vouliagmeni before the crowds at the thermal lake. | Lunch: Fish taverna on the Attica Riviera Outstanding fresh fish lunch on the extraordinary Saronic Gulf waterfront near Vouliagmeni. | Dinner: Taverna overlooking the Aegean at Sounion Outstanding fresh fish dinner after the extraordinary sunset at the Temple of Poseidon.
DAY 5
HIDDEN ATTICA
MORNING
MARATHON AND THE BATTLE OF MARATHON
The Marathon Battlefield is the most extraordinary military heritage site in Attica, the remarkable plain where 10,000 Athenians defeated a Persian force of 25,000 in 490 BC in the battle that saved Greek civilisation. The extraordinary burial mound of the 192 Athenian dead, the Soros, rises 9 metres from the plain exactly where it was built in 490 BC. The Marathon Archaeological Museum gives the finest battle heritage experience. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 30 min drive to Brauron
MIDDAY
BRAURON SANCTUARY AND ANCIENT THEATRE OF THORIKOS
The Sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron is the most extraordinary hidden ancient site in Attica, its remarkable marshy valley containing the finest Archaic Greek sanctuary outside Athens. The extraordinary Brauron Museum displays the remarkable collection of votive offerings, including the finest ancient Greek children's toys, clothing and jewellery in any museum. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 20 min drive to Ramnous
AFTERNOON
RAMNOUS AND THE HIDDEN TEMPLES
Ramnous is the most extraordinary hidden ancient city in Attica, its remarkable hilltop site above the sea containing the sanctuaries of Nemesis and Themis, the only ancient Greek site dedicated to the goddess of divine retribution. The extraordinary fortification walls, gates and towers are among the finest surviving ancient Greek military architecture. The site is almost entirely unvisited by tourists. Entry approx 6 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient silver mines of Lavrio at the southern tip of Attica are the finest hidden industrial heritage site in Greece, its remarkable labyrinth of ancient mining tunnels and washing tables carved into the hillside funding the golden age of Athens and the fleet that defeated the Persians at Salamis. Entry approx 4 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Local cafe in Athens before driving north Early start for Marathon. The extraordinary drive along the coast road to Marathon takes 45 minutes. | Lunch: Fish taverna in Marathon town Outstanding fresh fish lunch on the extraordinary Marathon Bay waterfront. | Dinner: Diporto, Athens city centre The most extraordinary traditional Greek lunch restaurant in Athens, open since 1887. Cash only, no menu.
Where To Stay
Plaka or Monastiraki, All Nights Hotel Grande Bretagne or Athens Was. Staying central saves transport time. Approx 120 to 300 euros. Budget option Athens Backpackers or City Circus hostel near 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 7 sites and is valid for 5 days. Buy online to skip the morning queues.
2. Arrive at the Acropolis at 8am opening. By 10am the Parthenon is surrounded by crowds. The morning light is extraordinary.
3. Benaki Museum Thursday evening opening is free and the finest way to experience Greece's greatest cultural collection.
4. Cape Sounion sunset: arrive 1 hour before sunset. The Temple of Poseidon at dusk is one of the great sunset views in Europe.
5. Marathon Beach is free, almost entirely unknown to tourists and the finest swimming beach in Attica. 45 minutes from Athens.
6. Ramnous ancient city is completely unknown outside Greece and entirely free. The finest hidden ancient site in Attica.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day