16 top things to experience in Athens

As the cradle of modern Western civilization, expansive Athens is filled with neoclassical architecture that could keep you occupied for an entire week.

However, if you look beyond the Parthenon, you’ll find a vibrant, youthful side of the city, complete with contemporary art galleries, a laid-back café culture, and charming outdoor cinemas. Today’s Athens offers much more than just ancient relics and quick escapes to the Greek Islands—though we wouldn’t advise skipping those entirely either.

Here are the best experiences Athens has to offer.

1. Climb the steps of the Acropolis to reach the Parthenon

The ultimate symbol of Ancient Greece’s grandeur, the Acropolis dramatically overlooks Athens. During the reign of Pericles in the 5th century BCE, this hill was designated as a sacred religious site.

Just as ancient pilgrims traveled here to pay their respects, you too can climb the marble steps on the west side, where you’ll be awed by the towering columns of the magnificent Parthenon.

Tip: Enhance your visit by attending a concert or play at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

2. Enjoy a sunset view of the city from Filopappou Hill

The legendary battlefield of Theseus and the Amazons is among Athens' finest parks, featuring scattered small ruins linked by lovely stone paths, which are a marvel in their own right. Set aside some time to visit around sunset to witness the Acropolis lights illuminate and shimmer against the evening sky.

Tip: To the north, the Hill of the Pnyx offers similarly stunning views and is usually quite peaceful.

3. Explore the Monastiraki Flea Market

On Saturdays, the heart of Athens fills with bargain hunters at the expansive Monastiraki Flea Market, located between the Monastiraki and Thisseio neighborhoods.

Here, vendors unveil their secondhand shops, offering a mix of flea-market treasures, vintage attire, and eclectic items from old magazines adorned with striking Greek scripts to mid-century furnishings and quirky collectibles. Dig deep enough, and you might uncover a hidden gem (or at least gain insight into how modern Greeks have decorated their homes over the last 60 years).

4. Visit the birthplace of democracy at the ancient Agora

Walk in the footsteps of Socrates and his philosophical peers at the Agora, the center of ancient Athenian civic life and the cradle of democracy. Within the impressive Stoa of Attalos (an architectural model for shopping arcades seen throughout modern Athens), the Agora Museum showcases intriguing artifacts from ancient daily life.

The Temple of Hephaistos is stunning and remarkably well-preserved; see if you can spot all the Labors of Hercules depicted on the frieze.

5. Explore history at the National Archaeological Museum

Athens' premier museum boasts the largest and most exceptional collection of Greek antiquities in the world. Its invaluable artifacts span from the Neolithic Era (6800 BCE) through the Cycladic, Mycenaean, and Classical periods.

It's a delight to encounter iconic sculptures from Western art history here, such as the bronze representation of a bearded deity and the debated hammered gold death mask of Agamemnon, as you wander through the galleries. Additional surprises await, including frescoes from Santorini on the upper floor.

6. Attend a performance at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

A modern marvel in Athens, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, designed by Renzo Piano, houses both the Greek National Opera and the main branch of the National Library.

Catching a show here will be a highlight of your visit, but there are also many free attractions to enjoy, such as wandering through the stunning Stavros Niarchos Park. Designed to highlight Mediterranean vegetation, the gently sloping gardens offer a tranquil spot to unwind and take in the views and refreshing sea breezes.

7. Stroll through the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus

Once hailed as Greece's largest temple, this structure took seven centuries to complete. Today, only a few of its massive columns remain, as many were dismantled and repurposed in other constructions. The temple was dedicated to Zeus and, informally, to the Roman emperor Hadrian, who oversaw its completion and erected a statue of himself.

Planning tip: While visiting, take a moment to admire Hadrian's Arch, honoring his achievement. Adventurous visitors can also search for a sanctuary dedicated to Pan on the far side of the site.

8. Discover the history of Greece at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture

If you can visit just one museum, let it be this one. This remarkable private collection showcases the breadth of Greece's history, from ancient times to the mid-20th century, housed in a stunning neoclassical mansion. It features both exquisite art and everyday folk objects, beautifully arranged in chronological order.

In contrast to the pure classicism celebrated at other archaeological sites in the city, the Benaki collection narrates how Greece has embraced various foreign influences, resulting in its distinctive and blended culture.

9. Step into ancient Athens at Kerameikos

The city’s ancient necropolis features the Street of Tombs, where notable figures from classical times were laid to rest. While many of the exquisite grave markers you’ll see are replicas, the originals are displayed in the small yet captivating on-site museum.

This area once served as the ceremonial gateway into ancient Athens. Although the gates no longer exist and the ancient road is now a modern paved street, it's still a fascinating spot to reflect on the vibrant activities that once took place here.

10. Immerse yourself in the local coffee culture

Athenians don’t reserve their outings for weekends; they spend their days relaxing under orange trees, savoring coffees, and engaging in long conversations with friends.

During the day, the lush central neighborhoods of Pangrati and Exarhia are alive with locals spilling out from kafeneia (Greek cafes) into the streets, indulging in their favorite pastime of philosophizing, playing backgammon on marble tabletops, and enjoying their coffee slowly.

11. Marvel at the treasures housed in the Acropolis Museum

Natural light floods the expansive galleries of the contemporary Acropolis Museum, highlighting the invaluable artifacts that have been carefully relocated from the hilltop for preservation.

The museum's crowning feature is the top-floor glass atrium, where the 161-meter-long frieze from the Parthenon (excluding the portion still housed in the British Museum) is displayed at eye level, allowing visitors to appreciate the intricate details of this marble masterpiece and grasp its impressive scale.

12. Explore the vibrant art scene

Athens is gaining a reputation for its dynamic art scene. From grassroots galleries like CheapArt Athens to well-known commercial spaces such as The Breeder and the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation, along with the National Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in 2020, the city is alive with creativity.

Furthermore, a wave of international artists has settled in the city, establishing places like Kypseli Print Studio—a printmaking studio that offers workshops for all skill levels—and Haus N, a hub for innovative installations and works by emerging Greek artists, clearly transforming the artistic landscape for the better.

13. Experience the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square

At the center of Athens, the rose-hued Hellenic Parliament graces Syntagma Square. Don’t miss the ceremonial changing of the guard, where two guards stand sentinel in traditional Evzones attire, complete with tasseled fezes, thick kilts, and stockinged legs ending in pom-pom shoes.

During the hot summer months, these guards endure the heat in their ceremonial outfits, requiring tissues to wipe away sweat, as they remain still while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They can only move on the hour, executing a perfectly synchronized routine, kicking their legs high as they march to switch places.

14. Relax on the beaches of the Apollo Coast

When the city heat becomes too much, escaping to the beach is simple in Athens. During the hot summer, take the A1 tram to Palaio Faliro, where you’ll find a palm-lined promenade and a soft, sandy beach to enjoy.

Continuing along the Apollo Coast, you'll find the upscale neighborhoods of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, which boast numerous luxury beach clubs for those seeking a day away from sightseeing. In the off-season, Vouliagmeni even has a thriving surf scene.

Travel tip: For those willing to venture a bit further for some beach relaxation, consider taking a day trip to Aegina.

15. Capture a moment on the winner's pedestal at the Panathenaic Stadium

Nestled in a ravine beside Ardettos Hill, this ancient yet modern stadium features rows of pristine white Pentelic marble seats, attracting enthusiasts of classical architecture and sports fans alike who can almost hear the echoes of past crowds. With your ticket, you gain access to an audio tour, a small exhibit on the modern Olympics (featuring vibrant game posters), and the chance to pose on a winners' pedestal.

Originally constructed in the 4th century BCE and renovated for the inaugural modern Olympic Games in 1896, the stadium served as a venue for the Panathenaic athletic contests. Legend has it that during Hadrian's inauguration in CE 120, a thousand wild animals were sacrificed in the arena. Later, Herodes Atticus rebuilt the seating in marble.

16. Explore the enchanting Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris

Situated at the base of Filopappou Hill, this 16th-century church may not be Athens' oldest, but it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, featuring a sturdy timber roof, marble floors, and a constant aroma of incense. The interior is adorned with a stunning 1732 fresco of St Dimitrios, depicted on horseback in a pose reminiscent of ancient depictions of Alexander the Great.

The churchyard, complete with a wooden gate and bells, evokes a sense of Japan—thanks to modernist architect Dimitris Pikionis, who also meticulously restored the charming stonework of the back exterior wall. In 1648, the church was the scene of a miraculous event: as the Turks stationed on the Acropolis prepared to fire upon worshippers inside, lightning struck and killed the gunner, sparing the congregation, which is why it bears the name Loumbardiaris ('of the cannon').