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The Best Things to Do in Athens
Written by Nick Rudd
Climb the Acropolis steps and dive into bustling markets – Athens is alive with history and culture around every corner.
Where ancient marble columns cast long shadows over bustling cafes and sun-dappled streets, Athens is a city that’s captured hearts for millennia. Rich in history and culture, it stands as a timeless destination that resonates with even the well-travelled. Follow in the footsteps of philosophers by day and sip ouzo in trendy rooftop bars by night – this European gem has plenty of surprises up its sleeve.
Scroll on for the very best of Athens (and if you’re planning to add it to an island-hopping trip, check out our Greek island guide).
Best things to do in Athens: food and drink
Sample authentic Greek delicacies at the Central Market
Athens is a gastronomic paradise of ancient flavours and culinary artistry. Start your journey at the bustling Central Market, where locals have shopped for centuries. Try crispy spanakopita (flaky filo pastry filled with spinach and feta) and moussaka (layered aubergine, meat and bechamel).
Try the best souvlaki in Athens at O Kostas
This tiny, family-run shop on the outskirts of Syntagma Square, close to the Acropolis has been serving grilled meat skewers since 1950. They’re also known for what many consider the best souvlaki in Athens.
Dine Michelin-style at Hytra
For a more upscale dining experience, book a table at Hytra (one Michelin star), whose innovative tasting menu changes with the seasons.
Visit one of the World’s 50 Best Bars
Feeling parched? Make your way to The Clumsies, consistently ranked as one of the world’s best bars. Its cocktails blend bold Greek ingredients with international spirits, resulting in unique concoctions like Forgetting the Umbrella (Cardhu single malt Scotch whisky, nori, peach mirin, edamame and prickly pear wine).
Sample spirits in an avant-garde cocktail lounge
For a standout experience, visit Baba au Rhum. Celebrating 15 years of excellence, this unique bar boasts an impressive collection of over 400 types of rum, paired with an eclectic and lively atmosphere.
Best things to do in Athens: events and festivals
See a show at the Athens and Epidaurus Festival
Held annually from June to August, this cultural celebration honours ancient Greek theatre and contemporary arts, featuring a lineup that includes Greek tragedies, comedies, modern plays, dance and music. Across 85 days, the festival showcases an impressive 2,500 artists, making it a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar.
Join in the festivities during the Apokries carnival season
Just before Lent, Athens turns into a lively spectacle of colour and energy. Locals sport elaborate costumes and masks as they parade through the streets of Plaka and Psyrri and feasting ensues. Savour loukoumades (fried honey donuts), and don’t miss Tsiknopempti or ‘Smoky Thursday’, when the aroma of grilled meat fills the air and music echoes through tavernas until dawn.
Go nuts at Pistachio Fest
For something a bit different, hop on a short ferry to Aegina Island for its annual celebration honouring the island’s prized nut, known locally as fistiki. Every September, the festival transforms Aegina Town into a vibrant bazaar, where you can sample pistachio-infused delicacies like pasteli candy bars and pistachio pesto. Live music, art exhibitions and cooking demonstrations add to the festivities.
Best things to do in Athens: art and culture
Stand in awe below the Acropolis
A visit to Athens is incomplete without exploring its historical landmarks. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city, this UNESCO-listed site’s name means ‘high city’, and it served as a fortified citadel in ancient times. At its heart lies the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, the city’s patron deity.
Uncover national treasures at the National Archaeological Museum
Boasting one of the most extensive collections of artefacts in the world – from the striking Mask of Agamemnon to the exquisite Venus de Milo – this museum invites you to walk through Greece’s journey across the ages.
Wander through the graffiti-filled alleys of Psiri and Exarchia
Venture into the neighbourhoods where Athens’ burgeoning street art scene injects modern flair into its historical backdrop. Here, discover a kaleidoscope of colours and styles that reflect the voices and creativity of local artists.
Discover Athens
Best things to do in Athens: hidden gems
Imagine yourself on a Greek Island in Anafiotika
For one of Athens’ lesser-known treasures, wander through the charming streets of this picturesque neighbourhood, tucked away at the base of the Acropolis. With its whitewashed houses and blooming bougainvillaea, Anafiotika feels like a quaint island village in the heart of Athens.
Savour a rooftop sunset at the newly opened The Dolli
Brand new to the city in 2024, this Neoclassical residence-turned-hotel offers incredible views of the city skyline and the Acropolis from its rooftop restaurant, made only more magical at sunset. Discover signature cocktails, like the Greek Fashioned, and savour contemporary cuisine like lamb chops drizzled with aromatic rosemary sauce, all while enjoying the elevated atmosphere of Athens.
