This is my tried-and-true plan for the best things to see in Athens in a week. The days are planned to have time to rest and enjoy some unexpected treasures during your time here. There is also always time around noon to account for the sweltering summer heat. Athens, and Greece in general, is beautiful in the summer; however, it can also become unbearably hot. As such, I planned in time so you can escape the hot or take a second to recharge before you head back out. Enjoy Athens!
Before we begin, these are 6 Tips Everyone Should Know:
Dinner often starts later in day so 9 pm - 10 pm for a meal is not uncommon. Many people will be out late in the city, the streets will be bustling, and more than a few shops stay open late. Nights in Athens have an energy so plan for it and make sure to enjoy it.
For areas to stay, I would recommend staying in the Plaka area. It has lots of cute shops, restaurants, and many people enjoying the streets at night. It is a safer area to stay as a result of all of the activity. Monastiraki and Syntagma areas are also nice, thought the Plaka is my favorite.
Be careful to not overload your schedule, especially in the heat, because it can easily become exhausting learning the history of the city and juggling seeing so many new things. Also, there are so many cool archaeological sites and museums, but you don’t need to see everything. Pick a few but don’t overwhelm yourself.
This ties in with the heat, but I would honestly avoid Athens in July and August. It has become so hot that it just makes for a crowded, unpleasant experience. If you can, pick another time.
Dress appropriately when visiting sites, religious or otherwise. I actually saw someone get chased out of a church and yelled out for their outfit (which did not at all comply with the dress code of the space). Please be respectful of these places. Also, dress appropriately for the weather - bring hats, sunscreen, and water in the summer. They are NEEDED.
There are set days during the year when museums and archaeological sites are free. This goes for state-run institutions. Compare the dates of your trip with the offered free days to make the most of your money. Of course, this ensures spaces will be busier, but don’t let that turn you away.
Day 1: Arrival Day
I don’t know about you, but after flying so far to reach Europe for the US, I am always exhausted. It is very important to try to adjust to the time change, so plan enough to stay active but still be able to not overdo it.
Once you arrive in Athens, check into a hotel or rented apartment, and get yourself settled.
Afterward, head out to explore the Plaka, potentially grab a bite to eat, and enjoy strolling the charming winding streets full of cute shops, small churches in the squares, and little restaurants lining the road.
Make a reservation at a dinner with a view. Athens is no stranger to fantastic restaurants and delicious food, so you have plenty of options to choose from.
After dinner, or even before, head to Anifiotika. This charming area of Athens is just under the Acropolis, and it offers beautiful views over the city. This area has a distinct charm with its whitewashed buildings, blooming bougainvillea, and the many adorable cats roaming the streets.
Head to bed because you have an early morning on day 2.
The view of the Acropolis from Hotel Grande Bretagne’s rooftop bar in Athens.
Day 2: the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum
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 morning early, especially in the summer, because there is no shade at the top of the Acropolis and the site fills up quickly. In fact, I would recommend asking a guide to meet up earlier than expected in order to learn about the history of the Acropolis before heading into the site and moving to the top as quickly as possible. This way you get the history without the crowds and terrible heat. (Can you tell I have visited in the summer?)
You can have a tour that pairs both the Acropolis and its museum which is great to highlight the pieces shared between these two spaces. You can also just tour the Acropolis and do a self-guided tour of the museum. However, I think it is nice to get a tour of both since you do learn more than you otherwise would.
This is a tour option for both: Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon Half-Day Tour With Museum Upgrade 2026 - BOOK NOW
Just around the corner is a cafe called Little Tree Books and Coffee with a shaded patio. This is a nice spot to stop and rest for a moment. Also, in the streets around the Acropolis Museum, there are plenty of other restaurants and shops. In the fall, we stopped for a hot chocolate at Leonidas which was just across the street from the museum.
With such a full morning, take the afternoon off to rest, do art, or to go read at a cafe. The world is your oyster. This is also a great time to check out one of Athens’ many rooftop bars with a view of the Acropolis. There so many around the city so it truly is up to you. In the past, I enjoyed Hotel Grande Bretagne’s rooftop restaurant and bar for a lovely view of the city, nice cocktails, and some yummy bites to eat. You can also grab dinner here and it is a lovely hotel to stay at, but you do not need to be staying here to access the bar.
The mural “Caryatids Crying” by INO done in his signature, distinctive style: black and white with a pop of blue.
Day 3: Visit the Ancient Agora and Take a Food Tour
Start the day with breakfast at one of Athens’ many cafes. Either Picky Brunch & Specialty Coffee or Usurum Brunch & Cocktails would serve as great places for breakfast or lunch just ten minutes from the morning’s main attraction: the Ancient Agora of Athens. This ancient market was a significant hub of commercial and political power. At the site, you can visit the museum and walk the grounds to see the ruins of temples here.
Also, if you are visit these cafes, be sure to check out MON COIN STUDIO, a Greek ceramic shop, and stop by INO’s famous mural titled “Caryatids Crying” (Ermou 121, Athens 10555, Greece). This mural is representative of the city’s heritage (the head facing the Acropolis), current life (the one staring back), and civics (a look at the Parliament of Greece). In generally, Athens has some lovely murals. Keep your eyes peeled when walking around.
In the afternoon, enjoy a food tour of the city. From this experience, you will learn some of Athens’ history, get the opportunity try a variety of local cuisine, and see many different areas of the city. I love to do a food tour in any city I visit, since 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.
An eggplant dish at a restaurant on our culinary tour of Athens.
This is the food tour company I would recommend: Athens Food Tours: Culinary Walks in the Backstreets - Culinary Backstreets. Athens Food Tour: Guided Walking Experience 2026 - BOOK NOW is another great option!
There are several different tours in the mornings and in the evenings, so pick whichever works best for you. They last 5.5 hours, so be ready to eat, learn, and to walk. These tours are also quite accommodating of dietary needs so be sure to reach out to them to express your needs.
View from the top area of the SNFCC of the grounds.
Day 4: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre and the National Gardens
Today, plan to head over the SNFCC. This building is out of the central, touristy area of Athens. The building was designed by the famous, Italian architect Renzo Piano. His designs are known for being structural, having a certain lightness to them, and being connected to their context. This is a perfect example of this design language.
The SNFCC houses the National Library of Greece and the Opera. At the front, a water feature is displayed, and it runs a water show every 30 minutes from 10:00 am –3:00 pm and 5:30 pm – 12:00 am. There is also an area to eat on the ground floor, a charming gift shop, and an upper observation deck. This deck can be accessed by the main elevator (free of charge), and it takes you to a deck with a cafe, a studio for workout classes, and views of the city.
This site also includes the Stavros Niarchos park that spans 21 hectares. This is a lovely place to escape from the crowds and get to relax undercover of shade.
Be sure to check and see if there are any free concerts or events happening, especially in the summer. We were fortunate enough to come during a choir event, so it was a day filled with music from various group performances.
Once you are done here, either stop for lunch and a break, or head over to the National Gardens. Before entering the gardens, be sure to check-out the Panathenaic Stadium. This stadium is the only one in the world built entirely of marble, and it was rebuilt for its use in 1896 in the first modern Olympic Games. This stadium’s first iterations trace back as early as the 4th century BC, which makes this site fantastic to see.
Take time to stroll through the National Gardens. There are ponds with koi fish and turtles to view. Mainly, however, the grounds are simply home to flowering plants, trees hanging over the paths, and shrubs. Spend as much time as you would like here. This is another location where there is shaded space to walk.
End your walk and head towards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tomb is situated in front of the Hellenic Parliament on Syntagma Square. This is the area in which you can see the Changing of the Guard performed by the Evzones, the Greek Presidential Guard. This occurs on the hour, but on Sunday at 11:00 am, there is a longer, more elaborate shift.
The rest of your afternoon is free. Enjoy the break!
Tip: Wild Souls Athens is such a few minutes away, so check it out and grab a bite to eat if you get the chance.
Image of a set-up for a cooking class at Soybird.
Day 5: Cooking Class and Benaki Museum
Take a cooking class in the city and gain a skill to bring back home with you. Greek food is known for being delicious, so who wouldn’t want to head to a cooking class to learn some fantastic recipes that you get to try! I have taken two cooking classes during my trips to Athens, one was a fantastic dinner with this group - Athens Greek Cooking Class With Rooftop Dinner, Acropolis View 2026 - BOOK NOW - and the other was a morning class with vegan cooking - Greek Traditional Cooking Class in Athens | SOYBIRD – Vegan Cooking in Athens. These will take a half day, and they are so worth it.
After lunch at your cooking class, head off to Benaki Museum. This is a great museum to learn more about the history of Greece, especially through the perspective of an ordinary individual. The pieces in this collection are textiles, clothing, jewelry, and so in. This museum is a good change from the many marble statues that you will have been seeing.
Before sunset, head up Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in central Athens, for panoramic views of the city. You can climb stairs to the top (a bit of a workout) or take a cable car up. At the top, join other tourists in admiring the views of the city and the resident cats. There is also a cafe/restaurant at top if you need a bite to eat or a drink. Enjoying a sunset looking over the city is well worth the hike.
A cat on a motorbike.
Day 6: Free Tours, Shopping, & Open-Air Cinema
Today is a day to truly explore the city’s streets and market stalls. This is a day to have a bit of fun with your schedule. As such, there a few things you should do today.
Start with a dedicated tour of the city. I would choose either a free walking tour (paid on basis of tips), a self-guided tour, or join a cycling tour of the city. If I had to choose, in the summer, I think biking is a great way to see the city and to feel a bit of wind on your face. When it is colder, I think a self-guided tour is great. On this type of tour, you can always pop into little shops or cafes when needed. With a self-guided tour, you can either follow a free guide or create your own map with locations you may have saved. I have done both of these, and it makes exploring so fun.
For the tours themselves, I would first recommend: Best Bike Tours in Athens and Greece to cycle the city. For free tours there are so many different companies to choose from, but these two come well recommended: Free Walking Tour Athens - No Credit Card Needed or Athens Free Tour - Official | Free Walking tours | English & Spanish
Once done with the tour, depending on the ending time, stop for lunch and a siesta.
Later in the afternoon, head to Monastiraki Flea Market (Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm). There is a huge variety of goods from art to antiques to clothing. Anything you can think of, they have it. If you are in need of souvenirs or gifts, this is a great place to browse for everyone you know. It is quite touristy, but it has a fun, lively atmosphere that you can’t miss.
A view of Cine Paris, one of Athens’ open-air cinemas.
In the evening, it is time for the cinema. Athens is home to tons of outdoor movie theaters. In the summer, this is the perfect place to for an evening viewing with snacks & cocktails. Some of these cinemas have great views and fabulous food. Make sure to arrive early enough, at least 20 - 30 minutes before it starts. It’s also good to make a reservation just in case. These can be quite popular, so if you want to do this book in advance.
I would recommend two cinemas in Athens. The first is Cine Paris. This cinema has been operating since 1920 and it boasts of a beautiful view of the Acropolis. Watching a film, sipping a cocktail, and seeing the sun set over the city is a dream. My second recommendation will take you back to the National Gardens to Aigli Cinema. Enjoy some delicious pizza while watching a show. One thing to keep in mind, since these are outdoors, they are subject to the weather, be that rain or the summer heat. Also, many people will be smoking. This was my biggest complaint since I don’t like the smell of cigarettes. This is a great experience, but keep that in mind before you book.
Interior of a cafe in Athens full of lush greenery and people enjoying brunch.
Day 7: Final Day - Beach Day
It is the final day of the week, so you should do one last thing to enjoy something Greece is known for: let’s go to the beach.
For this, I would either head out earlier in the morning or around mid-afternoon for the summer. In the cooler months, heading midday for warmer weather is a better idea. Right outside of Athens, Edem Beach is a tram line away. If you are comfortable biking, that is also doable. This is a nice beach, close to the city center. Since it is the nearest beach, it can get busy. If you want to avoid larger crowds, going later in the day can help you. The water here is beautiful and it’s so lovely to wade into the sea. Especially if you don’t have other opportunities to visit beaches in Greece, this is something you should certainly add to your list.
For the other half of the day, pick something that you wanted to do but couldn’t or return to a favorite place from the trip.
