How to spend 2 Days in Athens: Ideal Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
If you’re just 48 hours in Athens and want to see the best monuments, museums, and neighborhoods, take a look at my 2-day Athens itinerary completed with great tips! By the way do you know where the name Athens comes from? It was named after Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. Athens is also known as “the city of the Violet Crown.”
If you decide to stay longer in Athens, check out my other article: 3 Days in Athens, Greece
Athens is one of my favorite cities in Europe. I love it for its charm, rich history, friendly atmosphere, delicious food, and most of all, its kind people. Of course, 2 days in Athens is a bit short since it has so much to offer, but you will be able to capture a good glimpse into the heart of this vibrant city. From exploring iconic monuments like the Acropolis and Parthenon to wandering through lively neighborhoods like Plaka and Monastiraki, and savoring the local cuisine, you’ll experience the essence of what makes Athens so special.
Often people come to Athens just for few days because they are taking a ferry or another flight to one of the beautiful Greek island. Here you can find more information about my favourite hidden gem, Sifnos, famous Crete and Zakynthos with it’s the most famous beach in the whole Europe!
TIP: Athens attracts millions of visitors each year which means endless waiting lines at all must-see attractions. There are 2 great solutions that will allow you to save a lot of time and money during your 2 days in Athens.
You will be able to:
- Explore Athens on a Hop on Hop off bus tour
- Discover Ancient Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Kerameikos
- Experience a time-saving skip-the-line ticket to Acropolis including Parthenon
- Visit on of the world best musems The New Acropolis Museum
- Take the chance an enjoy the one day Cruise to Hydra, Poros & Aegina
You can easily buy it online. That’s what I always do.
2. Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour
I recommend this one because you will not only going to skip the line but also understand and learn the history of all the gorgeous ruins of Athens. Often we look at the things but we don’t understand what exactly to admire. Only when there is a meaning behind it we start to realise why these monuments are so important. Definitely pre-book it online since it’s popular and gets sold out pretty fast.
Also good to know that there are FREE admission days
There are several days within the year when admission is free for everyone:
- 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
- 18 April (International Monuments Day)
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
- 28 October
- Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st
Where to Stay in Athens?
Here are some hotels that are in a great location and offer a good value for money:
- PAME Paradiso – located in the city centre, places nearby: Omonia, National Archaeological Museum of Athens and Athens Central Market. Great choice!
- Athens Panorama Project – This hotel is located 2 km from the city center and has high guest rating. Places nearby: Victoria, National Archaeological Museum of Athens and Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium.
- Acropolis Stay – another great place with even higher guest rating and also not far from the city centre.
- Coco-Mat Hotel Athens – walking distance away from the Athens centre, this place is very cozy and stylish!
- Athenian Foss – just a stone throw away from all the main attractions like Roman Agora, Monastiraki and Hadrian’s Library. Fantastic stay!
2 Days in Athens: The Perfect Itinerary
For each day, you will find all the details you need to plan your visits.
If you have any questions (or need help organising your holiday), ask me in the comments section located at the very end of this article.
DAY 1: Explore the historic centre of Athens
Acropolis
Start your first day with the iconic view of Acropolis. Nevertheless you should start very early if you want to see the best of the Acropolis without many other tourists around it. The best is to go to the southeast gate at 7:30 a.m. because you will be able to see the site without anybody else around. The Acropolis is one of the most important site in Athens and even during the low season in spring or autumn there are plenty of curious tourists. That’s why try to get there already at the moment when the gates open, 7:30 a.m. The southeastern gates also the best choice because there the queues are smaller.
I personally would recommend to get a guide to learn more about the Acropolis and history of Greece. The duration of the guided tour that I would suggest is 4 hours and you will get to know so much! If you want to have a quicker one then check out this tour.
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is not another boring museum! It was voted the 6th best museum in the world according to Trip Advisor’s traveler’s choice awards. That means the Acropolis Museum ranked below Musée d’Orsay, but above the Louvre!
It’s admission free if you purchase The Athens Pass otherwise I would recommend to buy it online to save some time and not stand the queue.
The Acropolis Museum is focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. It houses over 3.000 famous artefacts from the Athenian Acropolis and is considered as the most significant sanctuary of the ancient city. Definitely visit the cafe on the top of the building. There you can enjoy incredible views of the Parthenon, a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis.
Plaka neighborhood
No one can come to Athens and not visit it’s oldest neighbourhood, Plaka. IPlaka, often referred to as the “Neighborhood of the Gods,” lies at the base of the Acropolis and is among the oldest and most enchanting areas in Athens.
Here you can also find alleys with colorful homes and lovely cafes. Plaka occupies the area where the main part of the ancient city of Athens used to be. It’s an awesome place to spend a few hours wandering around, exploring and taking instagramable pictures.
The Plaka Stairs are a must-see in this neighbourhood. Various cafes line these popular steps with small tables and seat pillows for comfortably sitting on the steps and tasting coffee with delicious pastry. This would be a great place to rest after a long walk and enjoy some drinks in Athens, Greece.
Ancient Agora
Let’s continue our 2 day itinerary with the Ancient Agora. It was once the bustling commercial, political, and social center of ancient Athens. Today, it serves as an archaeological site that provides insight into the city’s rich history.
As you explore the Agora, you’ll encounter well-preserved ruins such as the Stoa of Attalos, which has been reconstructed to house the Agora Museum, showcasing an impressive collection of artifacts.
You will also find the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the world’s best-preserved Greek temples and a notable example of Doric architecture.
Access to the Ancient Agora is included with The Athens Pass If you don’t have the Athens Pass, you can book your tickets directly here!
Monastiraki
Monastiraki is renowned for it’s little shops and bustling flea market, where you can find an eclectic array of goods ranging from antiques and vintage clothing to local handicrafts, jewellery, and souvenirs.
One of the highlights of Monastiraki is its iconic square, which offers breathtaking views of the Acropolis towering above. Nearby attractions include Hadrian’s Library and the Roman Agora, both of which provide fascinating insights into Athens’ ancient past.
The access is included with your Athens Pass.
Philopappos hill
Conclude your day with a tranquil walk up Philopappos Hill, where you’ll be greeted by breathtaking panoramic vistas of Athens and the majestic Acropolis.
The ascent to the summit is gentle, making it accessible to all, and rewards you with one of the most spectacular sunset panoramas the city has to offer.
Philopappos Hill is not only renowned for its scenic beauty but also houses the Monument of Philopappos, an ancient structure dating back to 115 AD. This monument pays homage to the Roman senator Philopappos, revered as one of Athens’ esteemed benefactors.
2nd day in Athens: What to do and see?
Food Tour with “Food on Foot”
What is the best way to get to know the culture of the country? Of course through it’s delicious food! We decided to join The Food on Foot Classic Tour in Athens with our lovely guide Anna. She offers a unique and immersive culinary experience that allowed us not only explore the city’s rich food culture while walking through its vibrant neighborhoods. She also shares interesting insider knowledge.
The tour takes off the beaten path to discover hidden culinary gems and local eateries that may be overlooked by tourists. By exploring authentic neighborhood markets, bakeries, tavernas, and food stalls, we would really immerse into the authentic Greek culture.
In 3 hours we tasted so much food: from bougoutsa (sweet and savoury) the iconic Greek pie, traditional brewed Greek coffee, greek donuts to cheeses and great variety of Greek tapas!So you should definitely come with an empty stomach!
I personally love food tours because it’s also a possibility to have small group experience. With small group sizes, the tour offers a personalized and intimate experience, allowing participants to interact with their guide and fellow food enthusiasts.
Panathenaic stadium
This stadium stands out for its remarkable feature as the only major stadium in the world crafted entirely from marble. Don’t miss the chance to climb to the highest tier for an unparalleled panoramic view of Athens.
Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the Panathenaic Stadium’s small museum, showcasing a collection of Olympic memorabilia that traces the history of the games from ancient times to the present day.
Hadrian’s gate and the temple of Olympian Zeus
The Arch of Hadrian also known as Hadrian’s Gate is a monumental gateway resembling a Roman triumphal arch. It was built to celebrate the travels of the Roman emperor Hadrian and to honour him for his contribution to the city. If you stand at a particular angle, you can see the Acropolis through the arch itself. Great opportunity for a picture!
Just beyond the gate, you’ll find the Temple of Olympian Zeus, this half-ruined temple nowadays was once one of the largest temples in the ancient world dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Greek gods.
Though now in ruins, with only a few columns still standing, its sheer scale remains impressive and evokes the grandeur of ancient Greek civilization.
The access is included with your Athens Pass.
The national garden
Zappeion Park, nestled in the heart of Athens, offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city streets. Named after Evangelis Zappas, a wealthy Greek philanthropist, the park boasts lush greenery, elegant pathways, and beautiful gardens, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to unwind and enjoy nature.
The centerpiece of the park is the iconic Zappeion Hall, a neoclassical building with grand columns and stunning architecture, often used for cultural events and exhibitions. Whether taking a leisurely stroll, enjoying a picnic on the grassy lawns, or admiring the historic landmarks, Zappeion Park provides a peaceful oasis in the midst of Athens’ urban landscape.
Syntagma square
Time to visit an important historical public area, Syntagma Square. It is located in the heart of Greece’s capital, Athens, in front of the 19th century Old Royal Palace. Since 1934 it’s also the Greek Parliament. You can even visit the Hellenic Parliament for free.
The highlight of the Syntagma Square is the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guards remain stationary and silent for one hour.
The National archeological museum
Conclude your day with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, an essential stop for anyone intrigued by Greece’s cultural legacy. Renowned as one of the nation’s foremost institutions, it boasts the most extensive collection of artifacts from Greek antiquity worldwide.
In order to avoid the long waiting line in front of the museum, you need to book your tickets online.
Highlights include iconic treasures such as the Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera Mechanism, and a plethora of statues spanning from the Archaic to the Roman era. By adhering to my suggested itinerary, you’ll arrive at the museum during the quieter late afternoon hours, ensuring a more serene exploration of its treasures.
Before departing, be sure to browse the museum shop for an assortment of books and replicas of ancient Greek artifacts, offering perfect options for unique gifts or memorable souvenirs.
Mount Lycabettus
Lycabettus Hill is one of the must-visit sites in Athens. It’s the highest point in the centre of Athens and the best time to come here is in the evening so you can enjoy sunset over the city. You have two options for getting to the top: take the cable car or walk the entire way. Honestly you will do so much walking in Athens so it’s the best to take the cable car. We paid 13€ per person (kids until 5 year are free) for return tickets. Unfortunately, the cable car is under ground so you won’t be able to see a view while you are in it but once you emerge at the top of the hill you will see the incredible view. Just be prepared that it can get very windy up there!
Find the best flight prices for your 2 days in Athens
Since the price of flights to Athens can vary a lot, it’s a good idea to compare them as early as possible. For this, you can use our flight comparison tool Aviasales. I personally use them a lot.
