Discover the ultimate family guide to spending a quick and efficient one day in Athens, Greece. Explore top attractions, top attractions, and travel tips for a cruise port day or one-day visit.
The city of Athens is one of the most awe-inspiring urban centers on the planet.
When my family had the chance to stroll down the narrow streets and climb up to the Athena Parthenon, we came face-to-face with a jaw-dropping amount of history. My family loved the city so much that we came back to Greece twice in just six months. A travel experience that we very rarely have a chance to do when we travel.
The first time that we came to Greece, we spent two days in Athens. On our second visit to a cruise port during our Greek Islands cruise, we only had one day in Athens to see as much as possible.
After both of those visits, I think we’ve perfected that brief but epic itinerary that will let your family experience the best things to do in the city on a short schedule.
Athens is, after all, one of the most awe-inspiring places to visit in Greece. At one time, this was one of the most influential cities in the world. It was the birthplace of philosophy, democracy, and many of the world’s best adventure stories.
Our first visit to Athens was on a dramatic road trip inspired by our boys’ love of the Percy Jackson and the Olympian’s modern fantasy series. The book series follows a young demi-god living in modern times as he navigates a balance of living as the son of a Greek God while still living life as a modern teenager. It’s a wild ride.
If you’re looking for a one-day Athens itinerary, this city guide is perfect to help you plan your visit. We covered most of the big experiences in the city and even had time for a few unexpected adventures that you’ll likely not find in many other places.
How you follow this itinerary is going to depend a lot upon your timeline. I’ve laid out some of the more time-sensitive items, such as the Acropolis and some of the restaurants. But I recommend following a path that hits the major sights for the rest of it based on where you’re staying so that you avoid too much walking, especially if you’re visiting Athens with younger children.
Breakfast At Migniardis
If you’re arriving in Athens on a cruise ship, you may not have the chance for this, as you’ll likely be eating on the boat. But if you have a full day to spend in the city, this is where we would start.
We love keeping it as local as possible, so when we started our one day in Athens, we wanted to fuel up with a local hotspot. We had researched local Greek breakfast spots and cafes and came across Migniardise at Veikou 30, Athina 117.
This lovely little cafe is run by a man named Thanos (which my kids just couldn’t believe after watching some Marvel movies), who was an absolute gem, showing off his favorite Greek treats, amazing coffee, and traditional Greek dishes.
Migniardise is a classic Greek cafe, so there are no seats inside, but there are a couple of small tables outside where we enjoyed our breakfast.
The Acropolis
Let’s face it. The Acropolis is the face of Athens. And any family visiting the city will definitely want to check this off of their Athens bucket list.
The Acropolis was the first place that my family visited in the city. We had originally booked tickets on Get Your Guide, but those tickets turned out to be fake (we don’t get burned often, but when we do, it hurts). So, we ended up getting our tickets directly from the ticket booths outside of the entrance.
You can also purchase tickets and a guided tour from Viator at a very good price if you’d like to have an expert on hand to show you around.
We visited Athens in March, so the crowds weren’t nearly as busy as they could get during the peak summer months, but the Acropolis grounds were still buzzing with excited visitors.
I highly recommend that you visit first thing in the morning as the crowds get busier throughout the day, and so does the heat. There is very little shade around the Acropolis, so take advantage of the cooler mornings to enjoy yourself.
Before we went in, the boys posed with a gladiator outside of the entrance. We were celebrating Cohen’s birthday, and when the actor found out, he gave them each a cool Greek pendant.
Within the Acropolis, there are several different things to do. I recommend grabbing a map and planning out your visit beforehand so that you get to all the stops that resonate best with you. Most visitors walk up the stairs to get to the entrance, but there is an elevator for those with mobility issues or for parents with strollers.
Give yourself at least a couple of hours to go through the Acropolis grounds. Some of the top places to visit are the Propylaea (where most people enter), the Theatre of Dionysos, the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Parthenon itself.
The Theatre of Dionysos is often heralded as the world’s oldest theater. The views here, overlooking the surrounding area and Athens itself, are spectacular.
Hadrian’s Arch and the Statue of Zeus at Olympia
There’s something uniquely magical about ancient monuments. In our travels, we’ve been lucky enough not just to encounter many of the modern wonders of the world like Machu Picchu, Petra, and Chichen Itza, but we’ve also gotten glimpses of what remains of several of the Ancient Wonders of the World including the Temple of Artemis in Selcuk, Turkiye, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and on our one-day tour of Athens, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia.
Very little remains of the statue of Zeus beyond the throne on which the statue once stood and a few broken columns. But the Arch of Hadrian, which was built right between the ancient city of Athens and where Hadrian’s new city was being built, is still a majestic place to visit in Athens. The arch stands next to a busy roadway but offers a beautiful frame for the nearby Acropolis.
Panathenaic Stadium
After taking in the wonders of the Acropolis, we took a leisurely stroll down from the hilltop, pausing to grab some roasted chestnuts and some golden Olympic tiaras on the way. We continued down past the Acropolis Museum.
The museum is a wonderful stop, especially if you love museums. For us, our one-day Athens itinerary didn’t really allow for it. We wanted to have our feet in history, not just see it on display. So we continued downhill toward the Panathenaic Stadium.
It was March, and back home, the boys were preparing for their spring track and field meets, so a stop at the first modern Olympic Stadium seemed like a perfect way to set the mood. The stadium, originally built in 144 CE, is the only stadium in the world to be completely built out of marble. It was excavated and renovated to be used in the inaugural 1896 modern Olympic games. The stadium hosted four of the nine Olympic events from that year. It was used for the Olympics again during the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
After running around the track a few times, we dipped into one of the athlete tunnels on the north side of the museum. The tunnels lead to a cool little free museum where you can see a huge collection of Olympic torches from the past century.
Tripodon Street
The oldest surviving road in the world is Lake Moeris Quarry Road in Egypt, which has been in existence for more than 4,000 years. But the oldest road in Europe is right here in Athens. Tripodon Street runs through the Plaka from Thespidos Lisou and is essentially a section of Flessa Street.
At 18 feet wide, Tripodon was actually one of the widest streets in Europe at one point. Nowadays, it’s a narrow lane lined with wonderful restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Strolling down Tripodon isn’t just a cool walk down memory lane. It’s a convenient way to get to some of the best things to do in Athens, like the Plaka. I highly recommend stopping at one of the ice cream shops along the way and treating yourself to a cold treat, especially if you’re visiting Athens during the summer.
Lunch at Varvakios Central Municipal Market
Just past the end of Tripodon St. at the corner of Socratous 9 and Thatrou 2 was one of Athen’s hidden gems. Diporto restaurant was one of the oldest restaurants in Athens and had been serving set blue-collar meals across from the city’s Municipal market for decades. Unfortunately, Diporto closed its doors shortly after our last visit.
But if Diporto was on your Athens culinary list, don’t fret; the Municipal market has loads of amazing places to eat, many with the same rough-and-tumble vibe that Diportos so loved. You’ll find kebabs, grilled sardines, salads, and authentic Greek cuisine as fresh as it could possibly be.
Enjoy some time wandering through the aisles, picking out your seafood or meats and vegetables, and watching as it’s crafted into an unforgettable meal.
Hadrian’s Library
Just a ten-minute walk from the Varvakios Central Municipal Market is Hadrian’s Library. Built in 132 CE, the library was used for art exhibitions, as well as a place of worship. But its primary function was as an archive for many of the city’s important documents.
Hadrian’s Library suffered heavy damage during an earthquake in 237 CE but was repaired in 402 by Herculius the Perfect of Illiricum. This is a beautiful historic spot, and a visit here doesn’t take much more than about 20-30 minutes.
The Ancient Agora
Circling back around the top of the Plaka, we enjoyed a shady 10-minute walk to the Ancient Agora. The Agora is a BIG stop, almost as involved as a visit to the Acropolis itself, and if you find yourself walking in, try to limit your visit to one hour in length so you’ll have time to see the rest of the city.
Some of the most notable stops in the Agora are the Temple of Hephaestus, the Stoa of Attalos, and the Odeon of Agrippa. There’s also an on-site museum called the Agora Museum located in the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos. There are some fascinating exhibits and many pieces of art from the original buildings.
You can get a guided tour of the Ancient Agora if you’d like, but if you want to save some money and still learn, there’s a fantastic free audio guide from Rick Steves’ Europe that we used. It has loads of great information and helped to keep us on track while we were exploring.
Sunset and Dinner at Mount Lycabettus
Athens can sport some beautiful sunsets, and one of the things that I’d love to do on a one-day Athens itinerary is to get to the top of Mount Lycabettus, the highest point in the city, and watch the sunset.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do this on our second day, as our Greek Islands cruise was leaving early. But if you get the chance, the photos that I’ve seen are beautiful. You can actually see Mount Lycabettus from the Acropolis, so it’s easy to scout out the location to decide if the weather will cooperate for you.
There’s a funicular railway that can take visitors up from the lower terminus at Kolonaki (on Aristippou Street). At the summit is the 19th-century Chapel of St. George, a theater, and a restaurant.
The restaurant, Orizontes, is beautiful and offers incredible views of the city, especially on a clear night. The servings are generous and tasty but expect to pay tourist-level prices here. But the scenery is worth it.
Bonus Things To See With One Day In Athens For Those Fast Travelers
I recognize that not everyone travels slowly, so if you’re the type of traveler who can rip through a destination at lightning speed, here are a few bonus stops to enjoy on your Athens day trip.
Monastiraki Market
Markets are my favorite way to get into the heart of a new city, and one look at the bustling entrance to Monastiraki Market on Ifestou Street will let you know that you’ve arrived where the action is.
Although Monastiraki is dubbed as a Flea Market, it really only fits that bill on Sundays. Monday through Saturday, the market is a bustling hub of stores selling everything from trinkets to antiques, much more akin to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. But on Sundays, locals lay out rugs and hock wares, bringing a new level to the busy market experience.
You’ll find great deals on clothing and souvenirs such as handmade sandals (Christina picked up a lovely pair that she still uses all of the time), clothing, artwork, and baked goods. Most of the items are priced to bargain, so bring your poker face. The bargaining here is all in good spirits, and if you get a great deal, you may even be congratulated!
There are countless cafes and small restaurants throughout Monastiraki Market. One of my top food stops in Monastiraki is Bairaktaris. This famous souvlaki spot has been run by the same family since 1879!
Church of Panagia Kapnikarea
Stroll around historical Athens, and you’ll notice some gorgeous small stone churches that dot the urban landscape. These are some of the oldest and most beautiful places of worship in the country. The most famous of these is the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea at Pl. Kapnikareas 3.
The history of the church is spotty, but it’s believed that it was built sometime in the 11th century, possibly around 1050 CE, over a Greek temple that was dedicated to either Athena or Demeter.
Inside, the small but opulent church is dark and broody, but the artwork and design are quite spectacular. There are no photos allowed inside the church, but it’s definitely worth a visit. To add to the allure, there are some wonderful cafes and ice cream shops nearby.
Have An Extra Day? Here’s How We Would Spend A Second Day In Athens
If you have a second day in Athens, you may want to check out our two-day Athens itinerary. It runs at a slightly more relaxed pace but lets you see some of the city’s top attractions.
But if you’d like to expand your reach around Athens, it’s road trip time. I recommend either renting a car or joining a tour to visit Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. This beautiful cliffside temple was a key reason that we chose to visit Greece, as Poseidon is the main God in the Percy Jackson book series!
Sounion is about an hour from central Athens, and if you have the chance to get there for a sunrise view of the temple, you won’t regret it.
The scenic drive around Cape Sounion is wonderful, and if you love snorkeling, it has some of the clearest water in Greece. This private half-day tour takes you out to Cape Sounio for that beautiful sunset and includes dinner and drinks.
You can read about our visit to the Temple of Poseidon here.
Family-Friendly Places To Stay In Athens
If you’ve only got one day in Athens, picking the right places to stay can be the difference between experiencing and commuting.
We chose to splurge and stay close to the historic old town. Yes, the prices are higher, and the rooms are smaller, but because we only had a limited amount of time, we wanted to ensure that we had as much time to explore as possible.
We stayed at Old Time Apartments, which is just a short walk to the Acropolis. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and they had more than enough space for the four of us and Christina’s parents, who had joined us for our mainland tour of Greece.
If Old Time Apartments is booked, nearby Apartments Tina is another highly-rated place to stay with a similar setup. They also offer a free Airport shuttle, which we didn’t need because we were driving in Greece.
Tips For Visiting Athens With Kids
Like any big city, there are a few things to know about Athens before you visit. These Athens tips should help you plan for your visit and save you a little money and time when you’re in the city.
- You can save money using the Acropolis and Six Archaeological Site combo ticket. It includes access to the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Zeus, Aristotle’s School, Hadrian’s Library, and Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery. The ticket also includes five audio guides so you can learn about the attractions along the way.
- Before you go, check out our Greece family travel guide, which has loads of tips, including Greek words to know, electrical outlet types, and other important need-to-knows before you go.
- Plan for Heat and Hydration, especially during the summer. Athens can get very hot, and many of the archaeological sites do not have much shade. Carry a filtered water bottle, wear hats, and apply sunscreen regularly. Plan outdoor activities like visiting the Acropolis early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the peak heat.
- Athens has a reliable and affordable public transportation system, including buses, trams, and the metro. The metro is particularly useful for getting around quickly and avoiding traffic. Consider getting an “Athens Transport Ticket” or a family pass for easy access to all public transport.
How to Get to Athens?
If you’re visiting Athens from out of town, it’s a very easy city to get to. There is reliable public transportation that includes buses, trams, and a metro. We used public transit to get from the cruise port to the old town, which took us about an hour.
There are ticket booths near most stops, and many shops and groceries also sell public transportation tickets. Most transit options will take you right to Syntagma Square near the Parliament buildings.
Athens Airport is located about 30 minutes from central Athens. Taxis and shuttles are available to take you straight to the urban center. We rented a van at the airport and drove ourselves. It was an easy drive for the most part, but expect very narrow streets and limited parking once you get to the older section of the city.
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