48 hours in Athens: The perfect two-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   
   1. Morning

      Begin your adventure with breakfast in Monastiraki (30 minutes)

      

      Kick off your trip in Athens’ Monastiraki neighborhood, the beating heart of the city. Grab breakfast-to-go in Monastiraki Square from one of its many bakeries, restaurants, or coffee shops, and take a seat in the square to soak up its buzzing atmosphere. Marvel at the magnificent Acropolis above while daily Athenian life bustles around you. Go first thing in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun and the persistent bracelet sellers, and enjoy watching the market shop owners setting up in the cool morning air.

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   2. Delve into the Acropolis Museum (1 hour)

      

      From the square, make your way through the pretty streets of the Plaka neighborhood to reach the Acropolis Museum. Take the long way around so you can admire (for free, from the street) a string of monuments en route, including the Gate of Athena, the Roman Forum, and the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Tripodon Street — the oldest street square in Europe. You’ll find the Acropolis Museum housed in a contemporary building, just below Acropolis Hill. Book your tickets in advance to move past the inevitable line and make sure you pay special attention to the top floor of the museum, which was built to be an exact mirror of the Acropolis itself and includes all of the sculptures that used to line the monument’s exterior. The subterranean part of the museum, where an entire neighborhood was found and excavated, is also worth a look.

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   3. Afternoon

      Refuel with a traditional Greek lunch (1 hour)

      

      Head back out into the sun drenched streets of Athens to sit down for a well-earned lunch in Makrygianni, opposite the museum, ahead of a historical afternoon. Try Liondi for one of the best traditional Greek restaurants in the city — the Moussaka is a must-order — or one of the many other authentic restaurants that line the same stretch of road.
      

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   4. Follow in the footsteps of Plato and Socrates in the Archaeological Park (2 hours)

      

      Athens is a city packed with so many historical buildings and monuments that it can be hard to take it in all on your own. Book a guided tour of the ‘Archeological Park’, which is a neat loop of the city’s most significant sites — not a classic green space. Choose between either: the Small Group Electric Bike Tour, which will save your legs between stops, or the Best Sights of the City 3-Hour Tour, which both take in a selection of the most unmissable sites, including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Supreme Court, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, as well as the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games took place.
      
      

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   5. Evening

      See the sunset at Filopappou Hill (1.5 hours)

      

      The top of Filopappou Hill, a vast and lush green area in Athens, is a wonderful place to watch the sunset. Try and get there in plenty of time so that you can make the most of its views over the Acropolis and the rest of the city while it’s still light. There are also many things to see inside, such as the ancient monument of Filopappou — where myth has it that a cannon was placed and helped in destroying the Parthenon — the National Observatory, and the Prison of Socrates.

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   6. Sample the best of Greek wines (2 hours)

      

      Back in the city, it’s time to sample some Greek wines that are lesser known rivals to the mighty vineyards of France and Italy. There are many bars in downtown Athens — where you can also catch beautiful views of the city by night and the Acropolis glowing above it — or you can join a small group tasting with an expert sommelier. They will guide you through the flavors and tannins of each of the bottles you try, while regaling you with tales of the Greek god of wine, Dionysus.

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2. Day 2

   
   1. Morning

      See 2,500 years of history at the Acropolis (1.5 hours)

      

      The Acropolis is without doubt the most significant place to visit in Athens, and visiting the Museum first puts it all into perspective. It’s best to visit first thing in the morning, having picked up a breakfast smoothie from one of Plaka’s fresh fruit stands, before the majority of tourists — and the hot sun — rise. Booking a guided tour will help you understand even more about this ancient citadel as signs can be fragmented and confusing, or just skip any ticket office lines by booking yours in advance. Straight across from the west entrance of the Acropolis is Areopagus Hill, where a set of stairs will lead you to one of the most magical (and free) vantage points of the city.

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   2. Cool off in Athens’ former royal gardens (45 mins-1 hour)

      

      Feeling the heat? Step inside the city’s 38 acres of National Garden. Originally designed for the royal family as their palace gardens, it’s been open to the public since the 1920s. Get lost in its winding, labyrinthine paths, stopping to explore its small zoo, ancient ruins, and the many statues and art installations as you chance upon them.

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   3. Afternoon

      See the guards change at Syntagma Square (1 hour)

      

      Leave the National Garden in Syntagma Square, which stands in front of the Old Royal Palace, now home to the Greek Parliament. Spend some time simply sitting in the square, iced coffee in hand, and enjoy some good people watching — many young Athenians hang out in this area. After paying your respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, catch the Changing of the Guards ceremony on the hour, every hour — on Sundays at 11:00 AM, this custom is especially elaborate.

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   4. Taste the flavors of Greece at Athens’ Central Market (1.5 hours)

      

      Make your way to the Central Market for a late lunch (it’s open until 6:00 PM), stopping on the way to visit Kapnikarea Church. Built in the 11th century on the site of an ancient temple, it has an exquisite Madonna and Child mosaic on its facade, as well as Byzantine frescoes and ancient Corinthian columns within. This central part of town is also packed with clothing boutiques, hip bars, and restaurants, but it’s best to hold off and take up position at one of the many restaurants and cafes surrounding the market when you arrive there. Over lunch, watch the dozens of Athenians stock up on fresh produce for dinner in the lively, working market, with all the accompanying scents and shouts that go with it. If you want to be more part of the action, arrive before 2:00 PM and taste your way around on a private food walking tour.

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   5. Evening

      Soak up some Greek nightlife with a view (2 hours)

      

      Take an evening walk around the Psryi and Monastiraki neighborhoods for a delightful blend of nightlife and ancient ruins. From the many bars and restaurants along Adrianou Street, you can admire the ancient Agora of Athens and Stoa of Attalos, both lit up at night, with a glass of Greek wine and dessert. Fancy a rooftop session? Head to the A for Athens hotel and its dreamy cocktail bar, which has great views of the Acropolis and Monastiraki Square.

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   6. Enjoy an alfresco theater show under the Acropolis (2 hours)

      

      As the birthplace of theater, there is nothing quite like seeing a Greek play performed in Athens. You will likely be entertained by any story at one of the many theater shows going on in the city every day, a performance at Medea and Other Friends I Made in Athens is one of the best. The plays, in English, weave in different Greek myths and tell the city’s story in a unique, humorous way. From spring to fall, the stage is set on a rooftop with the Acropolis looming over it, and boasts breathtaking views of the Roman Forum by night.
      

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