A Local’s Guide to Smashing 48 Hours in Beautiful Athens

From the almighty Acropolis to the perfect souvlaki, here’s how to make the most of a weekend in Athens. While a week might be ideal for exploring the Greek islands, a weekend in Athens can feel just right. Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, or partygoer, the Greek capital has something for you. Guaranteed.

Preparation: Comfortable Shoes and a Spirit of Adventure

Pack your most comfortable shoes, as you’ll be exploring on foot—there’s no better way to see Athens up close. You’ll find yourself strolling through ancient monuments, historic buildings, trendy cafes, and stylish restaurants, all in the same breath. A new surprise awaits on every corner.

How to Get There

Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is about 34 km from the city center. You can access it via Metro’s Line 3 (Blue Line): Municipal Theater (Piraeus) – Airport. A one-way ticket to Syntagma Square costs €10, with trains departing every 30 minutes from 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM daily.

Four bus routes also connect Athens and Piraeus with the airport. Bus route X95, which connects central Syntagma Square to the airport, is available 24/7 and takes approximately 40 minutes.

If you prefer a taxi, the fixed price to and from the airport is €40 during the day and €55 after hours.

Where to Stay

No matter where you stay in the historic center, you’ll only be a few steps away from all the action. The Artist Hotel in the Psyrri neighborhood offers an indoor yard and a roof garden bar with stunning views of the Acropolis. For a bohemian vibe, check out Ederlezi Boutique Hotel. On a budget? The stylish Mosaikon Hostel is a great choice. Airbnb also has plenty of options, like this renovated apartment in a neoclassical building from 1910.

Friday: Get to Know the City

Climb Your First Mountain

Athens is built around the Acropolis hill, which will be your central point. Arrive early on Friday afternoon to get a sense of the city’s layout. The best way to do this is from above. Head to the 277-meter-high Mount Lycabettus, accessible by cable car from the intersection of Plutarch and Aristippou Streets in the Kolonaki neighborhood, or via the footpath. Stay for the sunset.

Kolonaki is one of Athens’s fanciest neighborhoods, so stop there for a snack. Try The Wrap, a traditional Greek souvlaki at Kalamaki Kolonaki, and finish at Portatif for something sweet and a coffee before heading up the hill.

Hit Your First Night Out

When night falls, head to the Exarchia neighborhood. Dine at Pharaoh for elevated Greek cuisine (pre-booking recommended), Lacantina for ethnic street food, Rakoumel for a traditional Cretan tavern experience, or the newly opened To Rini Dipla Sto Mouseio. For drinks, check out Mavros Gatos, Kokkinos Lotos, or the historic Ippopotamos bar.

Saturday: See Athens on Foot

Pack It All In

Rent an electric scooter (you’ll find them everywhere in Athens) and start at Panepistimiou Street. Admire the beautiful neoclassical buildings of Vallianeio Megaron, the National University, and the Academy of Athens.

Have brunch on the Museum of Cycladic Art’s sun-drenched patio. Continue to the Greek Parliament to see the national guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visit the National Garden, created in 1839 by Queen Amalia, and the nearby Zappeion Megaron. Walk to the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held. On your way back, stop at the Columns of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian.

At Syntagma Square, grab lunch at Okio (seasonal Mediterranean cuisine) or Pink Flamingo (southeast Asian). Walk to Ermou Street, pass the street musicians, and visit Kapnikarea Church. Try traditional Greek donuts at Lukumades or Levantine desserts at Feyrouz.

Discover Old-School Athens

Head to the historic neighborhood of Plaka below the Acropolis, the world’s longest inhabited neighborhood. Stroll through Anafiotika’s ancient streets and grab coffee at Yiasemi Café Bistrot.

As night falls, pass by the Tower of Winds towards Psyrri. Dine at Avli, a charming yard in an old Athenian building, and grab a sweet treat at Nancy’s Sweet Home. Stay in the area for a drink, or go to Six Dogs for live music. For a rooftop experience, try A for Athens or Couleur Locale. For a big night out, head to Keramikos.

Sunday: Go Back in Time

Get Your Culture Fix

Dedicate your last day to museums. Start at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, which houses some of the greatest antiquities from Ancient Greece. Climb the Parthenon and explore the Acropolis. Visit the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Acropolis Museum.

On the opposite hill, Filopappou Hill offers a panoramic view of the Acropolis and the southern suburbs. Pass by the Prison of Socrates and take the pedestrian path of Apostolos Pavlos to the Ancient Agora of Athens, including the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos.

Before you leave for the airport, grab a quick souvlaki at Hoocut (you’ll miss them greatly).

Top Tip: On national holidays and every first Sunday from November 1 to March 31, all public archaeological sites and museums are free.

If You’re Staying One More Night…

Do the quintessential Athens activity: grab a beer (and another souvlaki) from a kiosk and head up Areopagus Hill next to the Acropolis. If you’re feeling fancy, have dinner at the restaurant on the second floor of the Acropolis Museum.