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Looking for the best things to do in Athens? We’ve got you covered!
Athens is one of those cities that feels like stepping back in time. It’s filled with ancient wonders, lively streets, and incredible food at every corner. There’s never a shortage of amazing things to do here.
After traveling here a few times, we feel like we have finally figured out what the overall best activities are. So to help you plan your itinerary, we’ve created this guide of the top 10 things to do in Athens that will make your trip unforgettable!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Athens was visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Acropolis museum with these skip-the-line tickets! We learned so much from our guide and had more time to explore by skipping the queue.
Check out the 950+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is very popular, so book your spot in advance and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Athens, Greece
- 1. Take a cruise to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina islands
- 2. Wander through the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Acropolis Museum
- 3. Eat your way through Athens
- 4. Discover the ancient ruins of Delphi
- 5. Learn about Greek Mythology
- 6. Explore ancient monasteries and caves in Meteora
- 7. Bicycle around Athens
- 8. See the Temple of Poseidon at sunset
- 9. Learn how to cook Greek food in a cooking class
- 10. See all of Athens on a private full-day tour
- Where to Stay in Athens, Greece
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Athens, Greece
1. Take a cruise to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina islands
- Price: €149 – €165
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Spend the day island hopping to 3 different Saronic Islands, explore the islands, swim in the water, relax on the boat with beer or wine, enjoy an authentic Mediterranean lunch
- Inclusions: Professional crew, Mediterranean lunch, snacks, coffee/tea, beer/wine, snorkeling masks
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 3,600+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If island hopping in Greece is near the top of your bucket list (like it was on mine!), then you MUST do this full-day sailing cruise from Athens!
Athens has over 3,000 islands nearby, making it the perfect starting point to do some serious island exploring. On this day trip you will head out of the busy city to the gorgeous Saronic Islands on a Greek sailing ship. You will spend the day island hopping around the Aegean Sea, stopping at 3 different islands: Agistri, Moni, and Aegina.
The first stop is Agistri where you will have an hour and a half to explore the villages or relax on the beach. There is an optional bike tour here, which allows you to explore even more of the island. We did it on our tour and highly recommend it. We saw beautiful temples and even some wild peacocks!
We then headed to Moni Island, where we had a delicious Mediterranean lunch onboard and enjoyed some time in the water. The final stop is the island Aegina, which is the most beautiful of all in my opinion. We had the best time here relaxing on the beach and snorkeling in the crystal-clear water. Just make sure you learn from my mistakes and bring lots of sunscreen!
Honestly, the entire day was such a blast! The crew kept the vibes high all day with fantastic music and a constant flow of beer and wine. And I’m not the only one who had a great time, just look at these thousands of 5-star reviews!
Check availability for this popular Greek island-hopping cruise here!
2. Wander through the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Acropolis Museum
- Price: €55 – €350
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- Time: Multiple departure times throughout the day
- Highlights: Enjoy a guided tour of the Acropolis and see highlights like the Parthenon, Propylaea, and Erechtheion, visit the Acropolis Museum
- Inclusions: Professional guide, skip-the-line entry tickets (if option selected)
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 1,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
As Europe’s oldest capital city, Athens is filled to the brim with interesting history. On this half-day tour, you will get a glimpse into ancient Greece by exploring some of the most iconic attractions in Athens including the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
For those who don’t know, the Acropolis is a large archaeological complex consisting of several important ancient buildings and temples. The most famous is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. This ancient site sits on a hill overlooking Athens and is the city’s most notable landmark. Seeing it in person was such an incredible moment!
We also got to explore the Acropolis Museum, which is home to thousands of artifacts, sculptures, and remnants from the ancient Acropolis. Visiting here gave us a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Greeks and helped us to understand modern Greek culture better.
The guide on this tour is a wealth of knowledge. We learned so many amazing things about ancient Greece that blew me away – I never knew that ancient Greece was the birthplace of democracy and that they actually created modern-day theatre!
As Athens’ top attractions, the lines to get into the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum can get massive! So we were happy that we had chosen the tour option that includes skip-the-line entrance to both of these sites. It cost only €44 more than the basic tour (which doesn’t come with admission tickets), and we were able to just waltz past the long line of people!
If you’d prefer a private tour instead of a group tour, you can upgrade even further for €350 per person. No matter which option you choose, this is an activity that deserves a spot on everyone’s Athens itinerary (just look at the hundreds of awesome reviews here)!
Book this popular tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
3. Eat your way through Athens
- Price: €72 – €110
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 9:30 am, 10 am, 1:30 pm, 2 pm
- Highlights: Eat your way through Athens stopping at 6 different places to enjoy 12 samples of gourmet Greek cuisine, learn about Greece’s culinary history and culture
- Inclusions: All food and drink samples, a local foodie guide, visit to the fish and meat market
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 3,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Ok, I don’t know about you, but Greek food is one of my favorite types of cuisine. So when I first visited Athens I couldn’t wait to go on this popular gourmet food tour!
We love food tours because they are such a great way to get to know the city better and discover some of the best foodie hotspots (most of which we would never find on our own!)
Guided by a local, you will walk down the streets of Athens stopping by some great cafes, markets, restaurants, and even street food stalls. Get ready to sample a variety of authentic Greek food including Greek bread and gyros (my personal favorite!).
In fact, we sampled around 12 different food items during this 3.5-hour tour, so make sure you come hungry! The tour also included some wine and coffee samples to wash down the food with, which was a nice touch.
We love that this is a small group tour with a maximum of only 12 people, so things never felt too crowded. And if you want an even more personalized experience you can opt for a private tour instead for an extra cost.
This tour runs every day except Sundays and is very popular with over 3,100 5-star reviews (see them here!), so make sure you book in advance!
Check availability for our favorite Athens tour here!
4. Discover the ancient ruins of Delphi
- Price: €88 – €300
- Duration: 9 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Guided tour of Delphi archeological site, visit the Delphi Museum, free time in Delphi town, see Mount Parnassus
- Inclusions: Central Athens hotel pick-up/drop-off, professional guide, driver
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check out the 280+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
The first time we visited Greece, we didn’t have Delphi on our itinerary, but after talking to other travelers we realized what a mistake that was! So the last time we went to Athens, we made sure we had this Delphi day trip booked.
In ancient Greek times, Delphi was considered the center of the world (AKA “Omphalos”) and served as the most important religious and cultural center of its time. Today, Delphi remains an important archeological and UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors can view the remains and learn about the ancient Greeks’ daily life, beliefs, and culture.
After seeing the remains for ourselves, we can definitely see what all the buzz was about! Our guide took us around the site showing us incredible highlights such as the monument of the Argive Kings and the Athenian Stoa.
But the highlight for me was visiting the Temple of Apollo where the famous Oracle of Delphi used to reside. People from all over ancient Greece would travel here to seek her guidance and get a prophecy – how cool is that?!
We also got to spend some time in the Delphi Archeological Museum and in the actual town of Delphi itself. We had lunch here and had fun wandering the streets during our free time.
This tour costs €88 per person, but lunch and entry fees aren’t included so make sure to budget a bit extra for that. And if group tours aren’t your cup of tea, you have the option to upgrade to a private tour instead for as little as €110 per person (depending on your group size).
Reserve your spot here and access FREE cancellation options before you go!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Learn about Greek Mythology
- Price: €67
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 8:45 am
- Highlights: Wander around Athens’ top ancient sites, learn about their significance and the mythological stories from your expert guide
- Inclusions: Expert guide, ancient Athens map
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 2,100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
I don’t know about you, but I find Greek mythology fascinating. In fact, it was one of the main reasons I was drawn to visiting Athens in the first place. So if you’re anything like me and you want to learn more about ancient Greek mythology, you must go on this half-day mythological tour!
Before this tour, all I really knew about Greek mythology came from the movie Hercules (don’t judge me, ok!). But now that I’ve been on this tour I feel like a mythology expert!
It was so much fun wandering around Athens and visiting all of the best historical sites including the Temple of Zeus, the Acropolis, the Agora, and the Temple of Hephaestus. Each stop was filled with incredible stories from our knowledgeable guide. He really brought everything we saw to life and gave us such an in-depth understanding of how mythology shaped the ancient Greeks’ lives.
We really appreciated that this was a small group tour, with a maximum of only 15 people. It never felt crowded and we were able to ask our guide all of our burning questions.
The tour only costs €67, so it’s one of the more affordable experiences on this list (just make sure you budget extra for entry into the Acropolis). If you have any doubts about whether or not this tour is worth it, make sure to have a look at all of the great reviews here!
Book this tour with HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews here, before it fills up!
6. Explore ancient monasteries and caves in Meteora
- Price: €99 – €215
- Duration: 14 hours or 2 days
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Visit 3 of the Meteora monasteries, see the hermit caves, enjoy lunch in the village of Kastraki
- Inclusions: Transportation from Athens, tour guide, lunch (if option selected), bottled water
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check out the 900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
As you already know, there is a lot of cool stuff to see within Athens, but there are also a lot of neat places to see nearby. In fact, one of the best things we’ve done while staying in Athens was this day trip to Meteora!
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to six ancient monasteries that are built on top of towering rock formations. It’s a truly magnificent site you just have to see with your own eyes!
On this tour, you will take a 4-hour long bus ride to the nearby town of Kalambaka. It’s a long journey, but the bus was comfortable and equipped with WIFI (or you can just sleep the whole time like I did). Once there you will enjoy lunch before heading to the top of the hill to visit 3 different monasteries.
The monasteries are all unique and house many religious and historical treasures. In fact, we learned that there were originally 24 monasteries that the monks built, but only 6 remain today. They were built in the 14th century as a way for the monks to live in seclusion and dedicate themselves to prayer. Today they are easier to access (thankfully!), but are still actively used by Orthodox Christian monks and nuns.
We also got to visit the “hermit caves”, which were really interesting. They are natural caves in the rock formations where people would go to live in solitude as a way to deepen their spiritual connection. These monks were very dedicated to their faith!
This tour costs €99 per person without lunch, or you can add lunch for only an extra €10. You can also opt for a private tour for €215 per person or even stay the night for only €168! We did the day trip when we went but wish we had done the overnight tour instead. It’s a long day on the bus, so if you have the time time, we highly recommend staying the night to get some more exploring in!
Learn more about the different options and book your trip to Meteora here!
7. Bicycle around Athens
- Price: €25- €85
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: Multiple departure times throughout the day
- Highlights: Ride around the city stopping at important landmarks and sites, learn about the city’s history and culture from a local guide, and go on a guided tour of the Acropolis (if option selected)
- Inclusions: Regular bike or e-bike (depending on the option selected), helmet, tour guide, Athens suggestion list
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 2,300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’ve done a lot of walking tours before and are looking to spice things up a bit, this city bike tour is the answer!
We love bike tours because you can see more in a short amount of time. In 2.5 hours you’ll make over 15 stops at some of Athens’ most iconic landmarks and some lesser-known hidden gems as well. If you don’t have long in the city, this tour is perfect because it brings you to all of the “can’t miss” spots!
We love that you have the option to use a regular bike or upgrade to an e-bike if you want a truly relaxing experience. The ride was on relatively flat ground, but let’s be honest, ebikes make things more fun!
And if you want to spend more time at the Acropolis, there is an option to add on a guided tour of the archeological complex for an additional fee.
Prices start as low as €25, making this one of the most affordable things to do in Athens. I can’t think of a better introduction to this wonderful city than by cruising around on a bike (and I think the 2,300 people who left 5-star reviews would agree with me!)
This tour is likely to sell out – book your spot here so you don’t miss out!
8. See the Temple of Poseidon at sunset
- Price: €36 – €190
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Time: 9 am or 2:30 pm
- Highlights: See the sunset over the Temple of Poseidon (if option selected), visit a volcanic lake, drive along the Sardonic Gulf, and swim at Sounio Beach (between May 31 and October 31 only)
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, tour guide, air-conditioned transportation, taxes
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check out the 2,400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
History and beaches are two of my favorite things, so when I heard that this half-day tour combines both of these things I knew I had to check it out!
The tour picks you up from your hotel and takes you on a scenic drive out of Athens along the Saronic Gulf. You’ll stop for a photo op by a volcanic lake, and if you book between May 1 to October 31 you will also head to Sounio Beach to swim and relax.
But the real highlight of this tour is visiting the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion. This ancient temple was dedicated to the god of the sea and sits atop a 60-meter (about 200 feet) cliff offering stunning panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. In fact, it is considered one of the best sunset spots in all of Greece!
We went on the sunset tour that departs Athens at 2:30 pm and highly recommend it. Watching the sunset over the ancient ruins and cliffs was breathtaking!
Just make sure you book your spot on the sunset tour in advance as it’s a very popular activity!
Reserve your spot in advance here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
9. Learn how to cook Greek food in a cooking class
- Price: €92
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 4 pm
- Highlights: Learn to cook a variety of authentic Greek dishes by a professional chef, and enjoy your food on a rooftop patio with views over the Acropolis
- Inclusions: Professional chef, all ingredients, dinner
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
I know I mentioned how much I love Greek food already, so it’s no surprise that last time we were in Athens I booked this 4-hour cooking class so that I could learn to make some myself!
The class was held in the vibrant neighborhood of Monastiraki, where we were greeted by Stam, our professional chef and teacher for the evening. After some introductions, our small group of 12 people was put to work creating a variety of authentic Greek dishes.
Chef Stam broke everything down step by step and made it very easy to follow along – I still make his tzatziki recipe to this day! Once we were done cooking we got to head to the rooftop patio where we enjoyed the fruits of our labor with spectacular views over the city and the Acropolis. It was a lovely end to a fun evening!
This highly-rated cooking class (check out the awesome reviews here) costs €92 which includes all of the ingredients and your delicious dinner at the end. No matter if you’re new to cooking or an expert in the kitchen, we think this is a great activity for any food lover!
If you’re ready to learn some new culinary skills, book this Greek cooking class here!
10. See all of Athens on a private full-day tour
- Price: €163 – €498
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Explore Athens for a full day with a private vehicle and driver, visit top attractions with skip-the-line entry, and enjoy an authentic Greek lunch
- Inclusions: Private transportation, professional driver, hotel pick-up/drop-off, authentic Greek lunch, bottled water, skip-the-line entry tickets (Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, Ancient Agora)
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 2,100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
The only thing better than a sightseeing tour around Athens is a private VIP sightseeing tour around Athens! I mean, who wouldn’t want an expert guide all to themselves and the freedom to modify the itinerary as they wish?
This private tour offers a full day of exploring in a comfortable private vehicle with your own knowledgeable driver. You will hit up all of the best historical sites as well as some of the trendiest neighborhoods. If you’ve never been to Athens before, believe me, you will feel well acquainted with the city after this jam-packed day.
What’s really great about this tour is that it’s all-inclusive! It includes lunch and skip-the-line entry to the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, and Ancient Agora which is a huge bonus. The only thing you’ll have to pay extra for is museum entrance fees if you decide to check them out.
The private tours start as low as €163 depending on the number of people you have in your group. You can also choose to bundle a second tour to either Sounio or Corinth if you wish for an extra cost.
Check availability and book this top-rated private tour here!
Where to Stay in Athens, Greece
There are a ton of different areas you can stay in Athens, but I was keen on being close to the historic sights! Plus, when there are dozens of hotels with views of the Acropolis from your room, how could you pass that up?
Below, I’ve listed three awesome accommodation options for every budget so you can have a comfortable stay in Athens.
Luxury – $$$
If you’re looking for a luxury stay, Electra Metropolis is the best option. Located in central Athens, you’re meters from the top city and historic sights. The hotel provides the finest quality, from the rooftop infinity pool, to its atrium, or fresh food restaurants. You can expect the same high-class luxuries in the rooms, whether you have a classic double room or a Acropolis view suite.
Standard rooms get as low as €250, but high-end suites can reach €700+. Check availability and reserve this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
You don’t have to break the bank to get stunning views from your bed! The Elia Ermou Athens Hotel is a moderately priced option with modern and comfortable rooms, and a fantastic location. You can see the famous Acropolis from some rooms and from the restaurant, and you’re within walking distance to all of Athens main attractions.
Room prices range from about €160 to €400 and can be booked on Booking.com.
Budget – $
The Athens Connection Apartments are fully furnished apartments, less than a kilometer from the city center! These apartments are only €50 – €80 per night, which is a fantastic price for the quality. Featuring full kitchens, balconies, and modern design, this is a good option for those with a budget but don’t necessarily want the rowdy hostel vibes.
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all the hotels in Athens here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
No matter what you end up doing in Athens, you’re sure to have a fantastic time! This city has it all – history, amazing food, friendly locals, and a lively culture. We absolutely love Athens and are already planning our next trip back, maybe we’ll see you on a tour!
If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other travel guides. We have created a lot of resources for fellow travelers, no matter what corner of the world you find yourself in. I’ll leave a few related blogs below to help you plan your next adventure – cheers!
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