Short on time? Our 1 day Athens itinerary guides you through iconic sights and local favourites, letting you enjoy the city’s rich history and creative energy.
Athens has become a hub of creativity in recent years, with its art scene flourishing as lower rents during the economic downturn attracted many creatives. This mix of old and new has sparked fresh energy in the city.
Overview: 1 Day in Athens
Daytime: Start your day at a chic cafe, explore the Acropolis and Parthenon, enjoy an authentic gyro, and shop for artisan-made leather shoes. Evening: Watch the Acropolis transform from day to night at buzzing rooftop bars and uncover Athens' diverse culinary scene. |
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Where to stay for your one day in Athens
Monsieur Didot in the Kolonaki neighbourhood
For your one day in Athens, we recommend staying in Kolonaki, a stylish neighbourhood just outside the city centre. We enjoyed its quieter, local atmosphere, with elegant neoclassical buildings, chic bistros, boutiques, and galleries. Plus, it's easy to get around from and is only a walk away from the lively central streets.
Consider staying at Monsieur Didot, a boutique hotel set in a charming 20th-century neoclassical house. With just seven rooms, it offers an intimate atmosphere, and the gourmet breakfast delivered right to your room adds a nice touch. It’s easily our top choice in the city. 🛋️ Browse more stays in Athens ✔️ Top Tip: If you're arriving at the Athens Airport, we highly recommend setting aside some budget for Uber or a driver through Welcome Pickups. It’s a much quicker option that lets you start exploring sooner. The train was a frustrating, long journey for us - read about our experience here.1 Day Athens Itinerary
Daytime
Feel energized with a healthy breakfast at Me Kolonaki
After dropping off your bags at your hotel, head to Me Kolonaki for a breakfast boost. This chic bistro on a leafy street serves healthy options, from open-faced toasts to power bowls with Greek yogurt, berries, and granola. Pair it with a fresh juice, smoothie, or flat white.
Do a walking tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon
The Acropolis is an ancient citadel dating back to the 5th century BC, and perched atop is Greece's most famous temple, the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Viator offers highly rated tours with licensed archaeologists and skip-the-line access.Devour an authentic gyro at Prodorpion
After your tour, fill up on an authentic gyro for lunch at Prodorpion. We couldn't believe the value. It was 3.20 euros for our pita packed with seasoned pork, onions, tomatoes, fries and tzatziki sauce. It filled us right up. We can see why this joint is a local favourite.
Treat yourself to a pair of leather sandals
Greece is renowned for its leather shoemaking, with traditional techniques passed down to talented artisans. While exploring Athens, we came across a ton of affordable shoe stores.
If you can check out just one store, make it Ancient Greek Sandals. It's on the pricier side, but this iconic brand worn by celebrities offers stylish, high-quality sandals that reflect Greek craftsmanship.
Evening
Enjoy Acropolis views and the city's creative energy at Bios
One of our favourite experiences in the city was unwinding at rooftop bars with a view of the Acropolis, especially as it transformed during sunset.
Bios is a fantastic rooftop bar located in an arts centre. Kick back in the beach chairs with a refreshing cocktail and enjoy the views while mingling with a creative crowd.
Experience Athens' diverse food scene
Experience Athens' diverse food scene with dinner at Birdman. This Tokyo-inspired izakaya specializes in yakitori (grilled skewers) cooked over an open fire.
Enjoy your meal with a glass of sake while listening to music on their Hi-Fi sound system. It's easy to see why Birdman was listed as one of the best restaurants in Athens by Conde Nast. It's one of the best meals we've ever had!
Experience Athens' nightlife at Couleur Locale
After dinner, head over to Couleur Locale, a lively rooftop bar with views of the Acropolis illuminated against the night sky. Its nondescript entrance located up a few flights of stairs made it an exciting discovery. The staff were very friendly and it had a local feel to it.
With daily DJ sets and a buzzing atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to wrap up your evening in Athens.
Enjoy your day in Athens!
Get started on planning your trip to Greece
- 🛌 Book your accommodation: in Athens
- 🚕 Book your airport transfer: to Athens city centre with Welcome Pickups
- ✈️ Compare flights: with Skyscanner
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Don't miss our other Greece itineraries:
- 5 Days in Greece Itinerary
- 8 Days in Greece Itinerary
- 18 Fun things to do on Hydra Island
- 3 Day Hydra Island itinerary
- 7 Budget tips for Oia, Santorini
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