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Athens is the capital of Greece as well as Europe’s oldest capital. It is known to be the birthplace of democracy, in which all citizens should have a voice in governing their society. As the heart of Ancient Greece, Athens was home to a powerful civilization and empire. Evidence of this past is scattered throughout the city, with 5th-century BC landmarks—Acropolis, Parthenon temple, and theaters—being defining sights.

24 hours is definitely not enough time to fully experience this monstrosity of a city. However, much can be accomplished in an entire day in Athens!

Morning

Start your day with a Freddo Cappuccino (a Greek-style coffee) at one of many cafés. Local, smaller places are just as nice as chains. Mikel Coffee and De-Tox Café are two popular chains originating from Larissa, but this website has a list of awesome Athens-based coffee shops. After grabbing a coffee, get a bite to eat from a traditional Greek bakery. Both savory and sweet items are popular for breakfast, or to grab as a snack any time of the day or night:

• Tiropitakia: buttered phyllo and filled with a cheese-egg mixture.
• Koulouri with sesame: like a bagel, but softer; eat these early in the day because they harden quickly.
• Spanakopita: spinach and cheese-filled phyllo pastry.
• Bougatsa: Phyllo and sweet custard semolina cream topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. If you prefer a savory version, order one with feta cheese, spinach, and mince meat.
• Loukoumades: Greek donuts; amazing with honey.

Athens can get quite hot between May and October, which is when most people visit the city for tourist purposes. If you find yourself in Athens during this time frame, hitting up Acropolis is best to do in the earlier hours of the day to avoid extreme heat. You will probably need an hour (two maximum) to tour Acropolis, see the famous Parthenon, and soak in the 360-degree panoramic view of the city below. From there, spend an hour or two at the nearby Acropolis Museum to expand your knowledge of Greek history and archeology.

Afternoon

By this time, you’ll more than likely be hungry. Head to Couleur Locale for a spectacular rooftop-view of Acropolis alongside a light lunch. For a more stylish and hip restaurants, check-out this article. Afterward, take a stroll through Monastriaki for some light shopping in the flea market area and get a yogurt and honey gelato at Da Vinci Gelato.

On your way out of the Monastriaki area and in the direction of Plaka, be sure to pass by the Roman Agora to get a sense of the size of an agora in ancient Greek cities, which was a traditional open space that served as a meeting. Plaka is a must-visit while in Athens, as it’s the oldest neighborhood in the city. It has an ancient-vibe and there are tons of tiny shops selling a wide range of products. This is the perfect place to buy authentic jewelry made by local artisans. Additionally, the more touristy streets in Plaka sell Greek snacks, sweets, and souvenirs for fairly low prices.

Evening

As the sun begins to lower towards the horizon, restaurants and bars will start to fill up. Now is a good time to find a place in Plaka for dinner. Yiasemi is a beautiful, trendy spot with lots of plants and quirky décor. This is a great place to grab a glass of Assyrtiko wine from Santorini alongside some tzatziki and pita, but I would suggest going elsewhere for a solid meal. Find more places in Plaka to eat here. Other foods to eat in Athens (and throughout Greece) include:

• Dolmadakia: stuffed grape leaves covered in olive oil; more of an appetizer.
• Saganaki: fried cheese; generally an appetizer or accompanies a main course.
• Choriatiki: Greek salad made of tomatoes, olives, cucumber, and a large piece of feta cheese, usually served undressed.
• Souvlaki: a popular Greek fast food consisting of grilled meat, and sometimes vegetables, on a skewer. Try it wrapped in pita bread with all the fillings!
• Pastitsio: hearty Greek lasagna topped with a béchamel sauce.
• Moussaka: minced beef in tomato sauce that’s with sweet eggplants and béchamel sauce; typically found in taverns.

If you’re into drinking, Athens is filled with lively bars and clubs for a short bar crawl. The Clumsies is a good bar to start at, with Drachmi and Buena Vista Social Bar great second and third stops. End your bar crawl at The Speakeasy Athens for a calm, low-key vibe. After several drinks, you may want to grab a peinirli or two to share with friends, as well. This is a popular fast food that’s easy to find throughout Greece, Athens included. They come with many different fillings, with yellow cheese being the main ingredient.

How to Navigate Athens

Navigating Athens is pretty feasible because of the Metro lines that connect major parts of the city. You can even get to the airport from the city center using the Metro for less than 10 EUR. Similarly, multiple bus routes connect to the airport, too, such as the X95 Route. This option is a bit cheaper, at 5.50 EUR, but traffic can make timing challenging. Walking is a great, but the streets can be uneven and hard to navigate due to the various twists and turns. If you’re completely lost, hailing a taxi on the street or using the app Viber is always possible.

There you have it: 24 hours in Athens, Greece! While there is much more to experience in this ancient city, this itinerary should be helpful to get you started.

Peace & happy travels,

Tay