Athens Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Athens tours, Acropolis and Parthenon tickets, Acropolis Museum visits, Greek food walks and day trips to Cape Sounion, Delphi and Meteora. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Athens itinerary.
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Explore Athens by interest
Whatever brings you to Athens — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Acropolis & Parthenon
Skip-the-line tours of the sacred rock and its temples.
ExploreAcropolis Museum
The original Parthenon sculptures and Caryatids.
ExploreFood & cooking
Greek food walks, the Central Market and cooking classes.
ExploreIsland cruises
Day cruises to Hydra, Poros and Aegina in the Saronic Gulf.
ExploreCape Sounion
The Temple of Poseidon on the cliffs at sunset.
ExploreDelphi & Meteora
The ancient oracle and the clifftop monasteries.
ExploreCity & Plaka
Walking and e-bike tours of the old town and landmarks.
ExploreAncient Peloponnese
Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio in the Argolis.
ExploreTop attractions in Athens
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Acropolis
The sacred rock crowned by the Parthenon and ancient temples.
Acropolis Museum
The original Parthenon marbles and Caryatids in a glass gallery.
Plaka & Monastiraki
The charming old town of tavernas, markets and neoclassical lanes.
Central Market
Souvlaki, feta and Greek flavours on a food walk.
Cape Sounion
The clifftop Temple of Poseidon, famous for its sunsets.
Delphi
The ancient oracle and Temple of Apollo in the mountains.
Meteora
Orthodox monasteries atop towering rock pillars.
Saronic islands
Hydra, Poros and Aegina on an easy day cruise.
Athens in 1 day
- 1Acropolis & Parthenon
- 2Acropolis Museum
- 3Plaka & Monastiraki
- 4Greek food walk
Athens in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Acropolis & museum
- 2Plaka & food walk
- 3Day 2: Cape Sounion
- 4Sunset at Poseidon’s temple
Athens in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Acropolis & city
- 2Day 2: Delphi day trip
- 3Day 3: Saronic islands cruise
- 4Sunset food walk
Athens with kids
- 1Acropolis & Parthenon
- 2Acropolis Museum
- 3Changing of the guard
- 4Saronic islands cruise
Ancient Athens in a day
- 1Acropolis & Parthenon at opening
- 2Acropolis Museum highlights
- 3Ancient Agora & Temple of Hephaestus
- 4Sunset from Areopagus Hill
Athens food & evening
- 1Food tour through Plaka & the market
- 2Hands-on Greek cooking class
- 3Mezze & wine in Monastiraki
- 4Nightcap under the lit Acropolis
1.5 hrs awayCape Sounion
The clifftop Temple of Poseidon, famous for its sunsets.
2.5 hrs awayDelphi
The ancient oracle and Temple of Apollo in the mountains.
4.5 hrs awayMeteora
Orthodox monasteries atop towering rock pillars.
2 hrs awayMycenae & Nafplio
The Bronze-Age citadel, Epidaurus theatre and seaside Nafplio.
Full day awaySaronic islands
A cruise to Hydra, Poros and Aegina with swimming and lunch.
1.5 hrs awayAncient Corinth
The Corinth Canal and the ancient city where Saint Paul preached.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Athens visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) bring warm, sunny days ideal for sightseeing and day trips — the best time to visit.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Comfortable temperatures, wildflowers and Easter celebrations make spring a lovely time for the Acropolis and the islands.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Hot, often above 35°C, and busy. Visit the Acropolis early or late, and enjoy island cruises and the cooler coast.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm sea, golden light and thinner crowds make early autumn a favourite for sightseeing and island days.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Mild and quiet with the lowest prices and the fewest crowds at the Acropolis, with some rain.
Greek Easter
Orthodox Easter (usually April or May) is the biggest celebration of the year — atmospheric, but book ahead as Greeks travel.
One day
Enough for the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Plaka and a food walk.
Two days
Add a sunset trip to Cape Sounion and the Ancient Agora.
Three days
The sweet spot: the city, a Delphi day trip and a Saronic islands cruise.
Four to five days
Add Meteora or the Argolis (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio).
A week or more
Use Athens as a base, then sail to the Cyclades islands like Santorini and Mykonos.
Travelling with kids
Keep a gentle pace, with the Acropolis early, the museum at midday and a cooling island cruise.
The metro
Clean, fast and cheap, the metro links the airport, Piraeus port and the main sights; the Acropoli and Syntagma stations are handy for the centre.
On foot
The historic centre is compact and walkable, with a pedestrian promenade linking the Acropolis, Agora and other ancient sites.
Trams & buses
Trams run to the coast and the Athens Riviera; buses reach Cape Sounion and other spots not on the metro.
Taxis & apps
Taxis are affordable; the Uber/Beat app makes hailing and paying easy and transparent.
Ferries from Piraeus
Ferries and cruises to the Saronic and Cyclades islands leave from the great port of Piraeus, a short metro ride away.
From the airport
The airport links to the centre by metro (blue line), the X95 express bus or a fixed-fare taxi.
Combo ticket
A combined ticket covers the Acropolis plus six other ancient sites (the Agora, Roman Agora, Kerameikos and more) over several days — good value if you’ll see several.
Skip the Acropolis line
Book skip-the-line tickets or a guided tour, and go early or late to avoid the worst queues and heat.
Sun & water
There’s little shade on the Acropolis — bring a hat, sunscreen, water and grippy shoes for the marble.
Currency
Greece uses the euro; cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for tavernas, markets and tips.
Free days
Some state sites offer free entry on certain days (often the first Sunday in winter months) — check before you go.
Eat in the neighbourhoods
Head to Psyrri, Koukaki and the Central Market for great-value, authentic Greek food away from the tourist traps.
Acropolis tours
Skip-the-line Acropolis tickets and guided tours sell out in peak season — book ahead and choose an early slot.
Delphi & Meteora trips
Popular day trips have limited places, especially Meteora trips by train — reserve early.
Food tours & cooking classes
Small-group food walks and classes book out fast in high season.
Island cruises
Saronic Gulf day cruises are popular on summer days — book ahead for the best boats.
Cape Sounion sunset
Sunset-timed Cape Sounion tours are in demand — reserve your spot.
Easter & summer
Around Greek Easter and in midsummer, accommodation and tours fill up — plan ahead.
Acropolis tours
Around €30–60 for a skip-the-line Acropolis and Parthenon guided tour.
Acropolis Museum
Roughly €15–40 for entry or a guided museum tour.
Food tours
About €45–90 for a guided Greek food walk with multiple tastings.
Day trips
Around €35–60 for Cape Sounion or the Argolis; Delphi and Meteora cost more for the distance.
Island cruises
Roughly €45–110 for a full-day Saronic islands cruise with lunch.
How to save
Use the combo ancient-sites ticket, join group tours and eat in the local neighbourhoods.
Athens through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Warm, sunny days and wildflowers — ideal for the Acropolis and day trips.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- A top time to visit, around Greek Easter.
- Best for
- Hot, lively days, island cruises and the coast — the busiest season.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- See the Acropolis early or late and book ahead.
- Best for
- Warm sea and golden light with thinner crowds — a favourite for sightseeing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great value as the summer crowds fade.
- Best for
- Mild and quiet with the lowest prices and fewest crowds at the Acropolis.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Pack a light rain layer for occasional showers.