1 Day In Athens
Our trip to Athens was the last stop after visiting Mykonos and Santorini. We only had time to spend 1 day in Athens, but I feel like we accomplished a lot of sight seeing. You can spend 1 day in Athens and still feel like you've seen a lot.
Here's how we made the most out of our 1 day in Athens. And if you're booking a trip to Athens and want more help planning, check out my Athens travel guide.
24 Hours In Athens
Stay @ Academias Hotel (Autograph Collection)
The Academias Hotel was a great hotel in a central location. We weren't really in our hotel for that long during our stay in Athens, but its location made it easy to walk to most of the places we went to. Aside from its nice rooms, the hotel has a full bar in the lobby, a gym, and indoor pool.
Explore The Athens City Center
Our room wasn't ready when we arrived, so we decided to explore the Athens City Center before our food tour. There are a lot of shops, coffee spots, and restaurants in the area. I loved walking around and getting a feel for the city.
Walking Food Tour
Everyone I’ve talked to who has gone to Athens has RAVED about the walking food tours. You’ll discover hidden gems, from family-owned tavernas to modern eateries that reinvent traditional dishes. You’ll get to taste all the amazing dishes that Greece is known for like souvlaki and moussaka. Plus, your guide will show you more of the local spots and dishes. Trust me, a food tour is always a good idea. You will leave full and satisfied so lunch takes care of itself!
Visit the Acropolis
No trip to Athens would be complete without going to the Acropolis. We scheduled a 4:30p tour, which gave us time to quickly get back to our hotel, check in, and freshen up. You could technically walk to the Acropolis from the Academias Hotel, but we were pressed for time in between our tours. We took a $10 taxi (through the Uber app) and got there right at 4:30p to check in. The tour starts at the bottom of the Acropolis and takes you all the way to the top, stopping to educate on various historical sites. The Parthenon itself is grand and amazing. It's so cool to see up close, and the view from the top is gorgeous too.
Visit the Acropolis Museum
From the Acropolis, head to the Acropolis Museum, where you can see artifacts and sculptures from the actual Acropolis site.
Drinks @ A Is For Athens
If you have time before dinner, head to A Is For Athens. It's a cocktail bar and restaurant with a gorgeous view of the Parthenon.
Dinner @ Dopios
After our tour, we went back to the hotel to change and then we walked to Dopios. The weather was perfect, and it was fun to walk around the busy city at sunset. Dopios was recommended to us and it did not disappoint. We got the Dolmadakias (grape leaves), tzatziki avocado, hummus, and lamb sweetbreads. The food was all amazing, but the grape leaves specifically were the best I've ever had (and I'm part Greek!).
Drinks @ Drunk Sinatra
After dinner, walk over to Drunk Sinatra. It's a cocktail bar with a great vibe and even better cocktails.
Have more time?
If you are able to spend more than 1 day in Athens, I would recommend experiencing the Athens Riviera. When people think of Athens, they usually think of history and great food. But a lot of people don’t realize that the Athens Riviera is a whole different side of Athens. Part of the Mediterranean, the Athens Riviera is an escape from the hustle of the city and a world of luxury and relaxation. There are fun and glamorous beach clubs and great waterfront cafes.
Looking for more?
*Check out my Athens travel guide post for my 3 must-dos during your 1 day in Athens
*Check out my Athens travel guide which includes where to stay, how to get around, 40+ things to do, and 45+ places to eat/drink during your trip to Athens
*This post is not affiliated with any of the mentioned establishments.