What to do in Athens in 3 days
Athens, the capital of Greece, is a symbol of history, culture, good food and hospitality. Democracy, philosophy and Western culture were born here. Athens hosts vestiges of a great past, however, without remaining rooted back in time but opening up into modernity with a dynamic, cutting-edge atmosphere that you wouldn’t expect.
Here are some tips on what to see/do in the Greek capital in 3 days, if you are passing through before or after visiting one of the magnificent Greek islands or on a Mediterranean cruise or as the only destination for a long weekend in one of the cities most iconic in Europe.
Pratical informations
If your port of entry to Athens is the airport, you will land at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport approximately 40 km east of the city. To reach the center of Athens you will be spoiled for choice. The airport is connected by public buses (routes X93, X95, X96, X97), subway (blue line), suburban rail, intercity buses and taxis. The cost of the latter is set at 40 euros for the center of Athens.
If you arrive by ship or cruise, you will arrive in Piraeus, the populous port municipality adjacent to the city of Athens, quickly connected to the main attractions of the Greek capital by bus and metro.
Where to sleep
If you have a few days available for your. holiday, my advice is to choose a hotel in the most central areas of the city. In this way you can reach the main attractions in just a few steps without having to waste time on public transport (which is still extremely efficient). The most popular neighborhoods are Plaka, a few steps from the main square or Syntagma Square, the dynamic Monastiraki neighborhood or the luxurious Kolonaki area. My choice fell on the magnificent Electra Metropolis hotel, a few steps from Syntagma Square and the main attractions of the city (about 15 minutes walk from the Acropolis). The Hotel Electra Metropolis is a 5-star hotel of the Electra Hotels group. The icing on the cake is the rooftop with swimming pool which offers a priceless view of the Acropolis. The restaurant offers sophisticated and modern cuisine that perfectly combines the Greek culinary tradition with the most innovative and modern flavours. The Hotel also has a SPA, various types of rooms and a restaurant and bar for light lunches and excellent cocktails.
What to see
The starting point for a visit to Athens can only be the Acropolis. Symbol of the city and of all of Greece, this hill houses some of the most important ruins of Hellenic civilization. The magnificent Parthenon, the temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Theater of Dionysus and the Propylaea attract thousands of tourists every year. My advice is to purchase your ticket online in advance on the official website to avoid unnecessary queues. This way you can choose the time slot for your visit and skip the queue. There is the possibility of purchasing a cumulative ticket to visit other attractions (30 euros in total) which you can visit in 5 days from the validation date. In addition to the Acropolis, a visit to the Ancient Agora with the magnificent Temple of Ephesus, the Roman Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Aristotle’s Lyceum, the Kerameikos and Hadrian’s Library is a must.
After having had a “gorge” of Greco-Roman ruins, get lost in the streets of the fascinating Plaka district until you reach the adjacent Monastiraki district with its bazaars and the chaotic comings and goings of people in the square of the same name.
Don’t miss the changing of the guard in front of the Hellenic Parliament in Syntagma Square where the Euzons (Greek soldiers with their original uniform) attract many tourists for the show which takes place every 30 minutes. A few steps from here you will find the National Garden which continues with the Zappeio Garden. An oasis of peace in hot Athens where you can relax. Continuing further you will also reach the Panathenaic Stadium.
For a unique view of the city of Athens, especially at sunset, I recommend you go up Lycabettus Hill, where you can stop for an excellent aperitif and visit the little church of Saint George. To go up the hill you could use the funicular or arm yourself with courage and go up on foot.
For museum lovers, Athens offers a wide choice: the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the National Gallery as well as the fun Museum of Illusions!
Trips out of Athens
Three days are very few to fully visit the city of Athens. Furthermore, a few kilometers from the Greek capital, it is possible to discover other enchanting corners. About an hour and twenty by car you can reach, for example, the splendid Cape Sounion. This rocky promontory is bordered by numerous villages and beaches of enchanting value that make up the so-called Athenian Riviera. At the extreme point of the cape we find the iconic Temple of Poseidon which you cannot miss visiting at sunset! Here, in fact, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in all of Greece! I reached this splendid place with a private tour organized by Olive Sea Travel. This tour operator specializes in private tours not only of Athens but of all of Attica and guarantees impeccable service so you can enjoy a unique experience! At Cape Sounion you can’t miss a romantic dinner overlooking the Temple of Poseidon at sunset!
