Visiting the ancient ruins of Athens, Greece has been on the top of the travel bucket list for some time. I finally made it, and Athens did not disappoint. During my one day in Athens, I was able to see most of the iconic ruins atop the Acropolis hill and across the city. The gigantic columns and detailed artwork constructed by the ancient Greeks are something to truly marvel at.
Where to Stay in Athens
For your one day in Athens, I recommend staying in a hotel or AirBnb in one of the surrounding neighborhoods near the Acropolis. If you stay in this area, you will not need to rent a car as everything in this itinerary is walkable. We stayed in a super cute Airbnb nestled between the main entrance of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
When to Visit Athens
Summers in Greece are hot and are overrun with crowds. In my opinion, the best times to visit Athens is from March to May and September to November when the weather is still warm, and the sun shines most days. The crowds are far fewer than the summertime making it the ideal time to visit. For even less crowds, you can visit during the winter months, but the weather may not be as agreeable.
How to Get Around Athens
There are three ways to get from the Athens airport to the city centre: taxi, metro train, and bus. A taxi is the easiest and quickest way to travel and costs 38 Euros during the day and 54 Euros at night. A taxi generally takes 25 minutes to get from the airport to the city centre. Taxis can be ordered through your Uber app making getting a taxi even more convenient. Taking the metro train will cost you 10 Euros each way or 18 Euros for a roundtrip ticket. This method takes approximately 50 minutes with an average wait time of 30 minutes. Taking a bus is the least expensive but the most inconvenient way to travel. The trip will cost you 6 Euros each way and will take around 55 minutes.
What to Pack for One Day in Athens
- Sunscreen – The Athens sun can be unforgiving, and I learned the hard way that sunscreen is a must.
- Cute Outfit – For your one day in Athens, you need to sport a cute but comfortable outfit. Here’s some shorts and a tank that would look amazing. For the men, here is some shorts and a t-shirt for you to rock.
- Comfortable shoes – Stylish but comfortable is the name of the game when walking around the city. Here is an option for men and women.
- Weekender Bag – For a short visit, a simple weekender bag is perfect.
- Rolling Luggage – If your one day in Athens is just part of a longer trip to Greece or Europe, you will need a durable and easy to maneuver piece of luggage.
- Packing Cubes – These make organizing your luggage super easy.
- Plug Adapter – Keep your devices charged with this European plug adapter.
- Hobo Bag – I often carry this cute hobo bag on my travels. It isn’t too big but big enough to carry small souvenirs I buy along the way.
8:00 AM: The Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis is the highlight of Athens and is the one must-do sight to see during your one day in Athens. As it is the most popular attraction in the city, it is also very busy and crowded. To avoid severe crowds, I highly recommend arriving 15-30 minutes before opening time. Buy tickets ahead of time online to skip the line when you arrive. Upon entry, head straight to the Parthenon as it is the main attraction and gets the most crowded.
Opening times and closing times vary depending on the time of year. For up-to-date operating times and to purchase your tickets online, visit the Acropolis Tickets website. I have allowed 2 hours during your one day in Athens at the Acropolis.
Parthenon
The most iconic archaeological site at the Acropolis is the Parthenon which was the center of religious life in the city. Built in the mid-5th century BC, the temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena and dominates the hilltop. The Parthenon was built to give thanks to the gods and goddesses after defeating Persian invaders. Since 1975, the structure has undergone many renovations to preserve its columns and detailed artwork.
Propylaia – Entrance to Acropolis
You will walk through the Propylaia, the grand entrance, after climbing the hill and just before entering the Acropolis. The large columns that surround you will beg you to stop for pictures. But do not be enticed just yet. Put your blinders on and continue to the Parthenon. You will exit through the Propylaia as you leave the Acropolis and can take your pictures then.
Temple of Athena Nike
While looking at the Propylaia from outside the Acropolis, look up and to the right. You will see the very well-preserved Temple of Athena Nike. I completely missed this temple the first time I visited Athens, but the second time I was on the lookout. I see how I missed it. You cannot actually walk up to the temple, so the view from the entrance staircase will the best view you get.
Erechtheion
One of the other major structures still standing on the Acropolis is the Erechtheion which was constructed between 421 and 406 BC. The temple was built to honor Athena and Poseidon and is located on the north side of the hill. On the south side of the building is The Porch of Caryatids, or the Porch of the Maidens. Six female statues were erected to conceal a 15-ft beam needed to support the building.
Herodes Atticus of Marathon
Shortly after entering the main entrance, you will see the Herodes Atticus of Marathon which is a theater built in 161 AD. There is a small path that will take you a little closer to the theater for better views. The theater is still used to this day for live performances that fill the air during the summertime. Music from these live performances can be heard from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Theater of Dionysus
If you continue down the small path at the Herodes Atticus of Marathon, you will come across the Theater of Dionysus. These ancient ruins were built into the slope of the Acropolis hill and fell into disarray sometime in the Byzantine era. During the 19th century, the theater was discovered and excavated. You can continue walking on the small path in the direction that you were going to see more ancient ruins and finally exiting the Acropolis.
10:00 AM: Late Breakfast on Makrigianni Street
This smaller exit will put you near Makrigianni Street, which is perfect because by now you should be pretty hungry for breakfast. The street is lined with traditional Greek restaurants, so take your pick. I have allowed about an hour for breakfast.
11:00 AM: Acropolis Museum
Next it’s time to visit the Acropolis Museum which is located very close to Makrigianni Street. I also recommend buying your tickets to the museum online ahead of time to avoid waiting in lengthy lines. At the Acropolis Museum, you will find artifacts, sculptures, and decorations that were found at the Acropolis. I am not a huge museum fan and we have a lot to do during our one day in Athens, so I only allotted an hour and a half at this museum.
12:30 PM: Hadrian’s Arch & Temple of Olympian Zeus
Along the walk to the Panathenaic Stadium, you will pass Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Hadrian’s Arch, also known as Hadrian’s Gate, used to span an ancient road that traveled from the center of Athens to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Stop here for a quick picture.
While you are at Hadrian’s Arch, you will notice a fence that surrounds giant ancient columns. Some of which are standing and some have fallen. This is the Temple of Olympian Zeus. As you walk along the fence, you will come to an entrance gate. While you can choose to pay the fee and enter the temple ground, I recommend taking in the views from outside the gate. This will save time as time is limited.
1:30 PM: Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble and was constructed in 144 AD. After being abandoned in the 4th century, the stadium was excavated in 1869 and refurbished. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies for the first modern-day Olympics in 1896 and then again during the 2004 Olympics. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 people.
When visiting you can run around the track, you can climb the stairs of the stadium, and you can stand on the podium to accept your gold medal! At the top of the stands, you can observe views of the Acropolis. Make sure to walk through the tunnel which leads to a small museum that houses the torches from Olympics past.
3:00 PM: Plaka Neighborhood
When you have finished exploring the Panathenaic Stadium, head to Plaka Neighborhood. This old neighborhood is rich in history and full of things to do and sights to see. This is the perfect location for a light, late lunch and souvenir shopping. Make sure to get an evil eye and a Greek inspired frock to take home with you. Some historic sights you will want to see include the Cathedral Church of Athens, Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and Monastiraki Square.
6:00 PM: Hadrian’s Library
Located near Monastiraki Square, Hadrian’s Library is another must-see location for ancient ruins. The library was built in 132 AD and requested by Roman Emperor Hadrian. Several hundred years after its construction, three churches were built at the site that are still preserved: a tetraconch, a three-aisled basilica, and a simple cathedral named Megali Panagia.
8:00 PM: Rooftop Dinner for Views of Acropolis at Night
To conclude your one day in Athens, you should enjoy dinner and drinks at a rooftop establishment with views of the Acropolis at night. The structures are lit up after sunset and illuminate across the city. You will need to make a reservation at a restaurant at least several days prior to your arrival. We lucked into one restaurant that had an opening for same day reservations, but we also visited during a non-busy time. The views of Acropolis at night are spectacular and should not be missed.
I hope you have enjoyed your one day in Athens. It is definitely fast-paced and packed with things to do. However, I feel like it is not so busy that you cannot do it all or feel too rushed. Of course, if you have more than a day, you can experience more of what Athens has to offer.
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