A wine tasting in Athens for a group of us.
I am SO EXCITED to share this plan with you all! This is specifically for first-timers in the city. A highlight reel of some of the iconic sites and fun experiences to be had here. Athens is one of my absolute favorite cities, so I hope you enjoy it just as much as I have!
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a stone theater set into the sloping hillside of the Acropolis.
DAY ONE
Start by visiting Athens’ most iconic site: the Acropolis
This is the classic day in Athens with all the must-sees of the city. That means it’s time to visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Start the day with a nice breakfast at one of Athens’ many breakfast spots, and head out to see the Acropolis at your earliest convenience. Especially in the summer, starting early or going as late as possible are essential.
I would recommend breakfast at Little Tree Books and Coffee, a cute cafe just around the corner from the Acropolis Museum.
There are tons of tour options, and I would recommend this one that can include a tour of the museum: Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon Half-Day Tour With Museum Upgrade 2026 - BOOK NOW
Then it’s time to grab lunch, relax, and, in the summer months, escape from the heat for a few hours.
A viewpoint over the city from Anafiotika.
Visit the Plaka and Anafiotika
In the late afternoon, head to the Plaka area and wander the bustling streets. There are tons of cute shops to explore, restaurants crowded on cobblestone squares, and cats roaming the streets. Grab dinner here or make reservations at a restaurant with a view of the city. After dinner, take some time to visit Anafiotika. This neighborhood has lovely views of the city, and it is known for its distinctive whitewashed homes that were created by craftsmen living beneath the Acropolis.
End the evening at one of Athens’ many rooftop bars and see the Acropolis lit up at night. I really enjoyed Hotel Grande Bretagne’s rooftop restaurant and bar for a lovely view of the city, nice cocktails, and some yummy bites to eat.
Views of the Ancient Agora’s grounds from the museum there.
DAY TWO
Visit the Ancient Agora and the National Gardens
Day two should see you visiting the Ancient Agora of Athens. This ancient market was a significant hub of commercial and political power. Today you can visit the museum and the old ruins of the site. Once you are finished here, either stop to grab a bite to eat or head to the National Gardens (a twenty-minute walk away that can take you past Hadrian’s Library). Yiasemi, a delicious cafe, is also located in between these two locations, and it is where I very happily stopped.
After this very full morning, take some time in the early afternoon to rest and recover.
Cocktails at a rooftop bar with a view of the Acropolis at night.
Have a Foodie Evening: Cooking, Food Tour, or a Delicious Dinner
Spend the evening of your last day in Athens eating. Greek food is delicious, so take advantage of being in the city. Depending on your interest, do one of these three options:
Take a cooking class in the city and gain a skill to bring back home with you. These are two cooking classes that I did. The first is delicious, and I absolutely loved it. And the second is also lovely, with great vegan cuisine. I learned so much about cooking without animal products or dairy.
Athens Greek Cooking Class With Rooftop Dinner, Acropolis View 2026 - BOOK NOW
Greek Traditional Cooking Class in Athens | SOYBIRD – Vegan Cooking in Athens
Enjoy a food tour of the city. Learn some history, try a variety of local cuisine and see many different shops in the city. I love to do a food tour in any city I visit. I think it is a great way to learn about the city, get familiar with the streets, and to figure out where and what to eat. I can’t recommend these enough.
Athens Food Tours: Culinary Walks in the Backstreets - Culinary Backstreets
Grab dinner at a restaurant in the heart of the city or enjoy one last view of Athens. Listed below are a few restaurant options that I have eaten at and enjoyed or that have been highly recommended to me to get you started on finding a great restaurant.
