The Birthplace of Democracy, Philosophy and Theatre, the cradle of the Western Civilization and a beacon of the ancient world – Athens has many feathers to its cap. However, the real appeal of Athens goes way beyond its legendary ruins and ancient history. It is the juxtaposition of tradition and modernity that will draw you in; how the mighty Acropolis towers over the concrete jungle, how an ancient temple is right next to a clubbing zone and how a ruin could be right next to a modern café.
We are no history buffs; so, we will definitely not bore you with nerdfest and historical archipelago. So instead of going deep into the historical trivia of the classical ruins, we will divulge more on the savoury eateries and the best places to visit. As a bonus tip for our fellow Shutterbugs, we will try to give you the inside scoop on the best photography locations in Athens.
In order to pack your itinerary with the best travel experiences, we will start with the best means of communication within the Capital. For transport to your Hotel/Accomodation we suggest taking the X95 bus, directly at the Airport Arrival Gate. For Sightseeing within the city, consider taking the Metro.
Pro-Tip: Book your accommodation near the Metro. Purchase a Self-Generated Metro Ticket worth of 1.20 Euros (valid for 90 minutes anywhere near Athens Area; price as on 2022), and head straight to the Monastriaki Square. All the major attractions are clustered in and around Monastriaki and are easily and seamlessly accessible on foot.
Day 1:
Start the day early with a hot cup of Greek Coffee and head straight to the Monastriaki Square.
a) Acropolis
The Mighty Acropolis is the highlight of Athens. This should undoubtedly be your first visit for the day, preferably during the wee hours of the morning. As we walked towards the grand architecture, we marveled at its splendour and grandeur. The Acropolis means the upper city. This is where people lived as early as 5000 B.C. They used it as a natural defense to avoid enemies due to its sheer size.
Acropolis is also the birthplace of democracy and hence one of the main influencers of modern civilization.
As for us, we made it a point to keep the Acropolis close to us throughout our stay in Athens. Our Accommodation had the Acropolis View. We visited cafes (360 degrees) for that perfect view of the mighty Parthenons. We chose to dine at ‘A for Athens‘ near sunset and saw the skies reflect different hues till it became pitch dark and the entire Acropolis Area lit up magnificently giving the onlookers a spectacular visual treat.
b) Odeon of Herodus Atticus
Imagine being able to attend a live classical theatre performance in a theatre that has been functioning for over 2000 years! We sat in the midst of ancient history as we enjoyed the performances, bands and plays in an ancient theatre built in Roman times.
Book a slot to visit this beautifully designed classic theatre and attend the Athens Arts Festival, Concerts and Tragedies with a marvellous acoustic experience.
c) Ancient Agora
Bustled amidst greenery, and a majestic structure withstanding the test of time stands the mighty ‘Ancient Agora’. This ancient ruin was once a commercial hub and the focal point of all intellectual, political, social and economic activities. The Agora, also known as ‘a place of gathering’ was the pulsating heart of Athens back then where Socrates lectured his young students on philosophy.
Take some time to explore the ruins before you move on to the next attractions.
d) Temple of Zeus
This impressive ruined temple standing tall right in the centre of Athens was built to honour Zeus, the father of all Olympian Gods. This massive structure supported by 105 Corinthium Columns took 700 years to build, but today only 15 columns remain standing.
To whet up your appetite for lunch, you will have to walk a little over 1 km for the last pre lunch attraction.
e) The Arch of Hadrian
Ornate with fine Pentelic marble, crowned by Coronthian columns and pilasters, this triumphal arc was built to honor the arrival of Roman Emperor Hadrian and to thank him for all his benefactions to the city. The arch served as one of the seven gates used as a wall by the Turks to shield against the attacks by the Albanian troops. What interested us the most were the contrasting inscriptions carved on the architraves. One read “This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus” while the other read, “This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus.”
For Lunch, we would recommend the neighbourhood of Psyri.
Indulge in some traditional Greek Souvlaki and some white wine as you take a cozy corner in one of the bustling street cafes. The entire Psyri neighbourhood was draped in bougainvillea, the streets had a lively colourful vibe and most of the streets were just closed to pedestrians.
Head back to your accommodation for a good afternoon slumber. But before you do, pre-book your sunset table at ‘A for Athens’ for dinner.
Dine in at ‘A for Athens’.
Why we recommend ‘A for Athens’ is manifolds. Great food, a gorgeous sunset view, lit up Athens City view and illuminated Parthenons (Acropolis view). I promise you; you will have an evening to remember as you carry the memories back home.
Pro Tip:
Book you table for Coffee at 360 degrees, for the best acropolis view.
Day 2:
a) Acropolis Museum
Emboldened in history, telling you tales of times immemorial, a good two-three hours at the Acropolis Museum is bare minimum if you are at the city of Athens. For history nerds, even one full day tour would fail to suffice.
This museum has been constantly rated as one of the tops in the world. With its huge glass walkways, its incredibly high ceilings and the exhilarating panoramic views. Not only does one get to learn about Athens (the Parthenon) but one also gets to marvel at the beauty of the museum itself.
You will be met with large glass panes that allow light to get in and illuminate the entire museum. It also allows for wonderful views of the ancient and modern parts of Athens, giving you an overall great experience.
Take a 15 minute walk to…
b) Syntagma Square
As you trace your steps to the Syntagma Square, it will be like getting transported through a time machine where you go from the ancient pulsating heart of the city to a new one. A stark contrast from the Monastriaki Square giving old city vibes, this Square is what keeps the city going. It is its beating centre and its main transport hub where people meet to have a drink and meet and greet with friends, relax after work or go shopping.
While you are there do check out
- War Memorial of the Unknown Soldier – Dedicated to all of the unknown soldiers who died during the wars.
- The Parliament Building – You can walk through the national garden to the parliament building, where the changing of the Guard Ceremony takes place. Every hour exactly, the changing of the guard takes place where the presidential guards dress in their traditional uniform to pay tribute to all of the war victims.
c) Panthenaic Stadium
The Birthplace of Olympics in 1896, this coveted stadium is constructed entirely of marble and holds a 60,000 spectator seating capacity. An interesting trivia about the Panthenaic stadium is that it was constructed in the 4th Century B.C. and has been hosting events and competitions since then.
d) Streets of Plaka
We would recommend it particularly as an evening highlight. But do reach atleast an hour before sunset to soak in the vibe of the place. You will be walking around neoclassical houses, pedestrian streets, and beautiful views in one of the oldest districts in Athens. Little tavernas serving the tastiest of delicacies, intricately designed street side restaurants, musicians playing their melodies and cozy cafes letting out the aroma of the freshly brewed evening coffee. The air of the place is as lively as it can get.
e) Street Art of Athens
Graphittis, Rebel Slogans and Abstract Art Forms adorn the walls of the city of Athens. Just take a stroll along the Monastriaki Square or choose any random streets within its vicinity. And you will be privy to some great street art, and if you observe closely, each of them tells a unique story.
Day 3:
a) Lake Vouliagmeni
Escape the bustle of the big city for half a day—and enjoy a pampering, natural spa experience—on this private, half-day tour to Lake Vouliagmeni on the Athenian Riviera. Following morning departure from your hotel, travel via air-conditioned vehicle to the lake (admission own expense), located amidst a dramatic natural setting. Finally wash your woes away at the always warm spectacular emerald mineral waters.
b) Sunset at Temple of Posseidon
This will be the last of your 3 day Athens Tour highlight. So be sure to savour every moment to the fullest. As you drive along the Athens Riveria, you will enjoy the splendid views of the saronic Gulf, while passing through Athens’ most breathtakingly beautiful suburbs.
Arriving at the Cape Sounion, you will visit the 5th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon with its magnificent panoramic view of the Aegean Sea. On a clear day you can see at least seven islands. Cape Sounion has long played an important part in Greek mythology and history. The first recorded mention of it occurs in the Odyssey, as the last safe landing before Poseidon scattered the returning Greek navy. As the god of the sea, Poseidon was very important for ancient Greeks. And the scale of the Temple at Cape Sounion reflects that.
After visiting the Temple we will wait to admire one of the most amazing sunsets you could ever imagine. And when the sun begins to slowly touch the sea it is the perfect photo capturing moment, before returning to your hotel.
Parting Thoughts
Whether or not you are intrigued by the amazing Greek history, you must definitely take a peek at it. Testimony to the ancient great Greek culture while being modern and metropolitan at the same time, this city promises you some amazing pocket friendly bars and cafes, along with glorious panaromic views of the stunning architecture, quaint cobbled neighbourhoods and a vibrant night life.
Athens is much more than a mere stopover to experience the pristine islands of Greece. It is a city that must be visited to experience the Greek way of life. In the words of John Milton, “Athens, the eye of Greece, the mother of arts and eloquence.” This statement precisely captures the true essence of Athens. We can assure you that this city will make you fall in love with it!
If you have missed our previous blogs on Greece, do check out in the links below:
Best Beaches in Santorini, Greece for a Perfect Romantic Getaway
2 thoughts on “Three days in Athens, Greece – The Cradle of Western Civilization”
Hi, I am from Greece. You have defined Athens so beautifully. Your pictures are amazing. Keep up the good work.
Hey Sabastian, we are glad that we could meet up with your expectations. Thank you so much for your inspiring words!
With love,
Tanu & Maddy