Athens, the capital and also the largest city in Greece is truly a mesmerizing place where the ancient blend with the modern, art and architecture leaves you amazed, the culture is so dynamic, the nature exotic and the food so delicious. This city surprises with its atmosphere and is a very intriguing place to explore. So let’s dive into the 13 places to visit in Athens!
Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki Square is no doubt the liveliest part of Athens, being a popular place for Athenians to meet and being the heart of the city. The square is surrounded by many restaurants, shops, and souvenir kiosk options as well as unique architecture and cultural combination – with the Church of Panagia Pantanassa, and Tzistarakis Mosque being the main sightseeing points, unique street music being played and in the background, you can see Acropolis of Athens up in the hill.
Monastiraki Flea Market
Monastiraki Flea Market is the best place to find antiques, traditional Greek clothing and footwear, all kinds of souvenirs, Greek delicacies, traditional musical instruments, art and so much more. The Flea Market is easy to find from Monastiraki Square, located on Ifestou Street but I would recommend walking around the square and through the small streets as there are many shops all around.
Psiri
Psiri is a unique and exciting neighborhood, not far away from Monastiraki Square, centering around Iroon Square. In Psiri you can explore many restaurants, cafes, small shops with handmade items, antique and vintage boutiques, art galleries, and astounding street art. Psiri is also the best place to have a night out since there are many bar options, restaurants with live music as well as a quirky atmosphere.
Guard Change by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Guard change by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Parliament Building is like no other soldier change I have ever seen before. It captures your attention from the very second it starts until the very end and I highly recommend paying a visit to it. The guard change ceremony happens every hour and on Sundays, at 11 a.m. there’s even a larger ceremony occurring led by a military band. It is very easy to access the area, located just by Syntagma Square, the city’s central square.
Church of Panagia Kapnikarea
Church of Panagia Kapnikarea is a Greek Orthodox church and also one of the oldest churches in Athens. Built in the early 11th Century, the church is truly unique and has beautiful architecture and marvelous paintings inside the church. Most of the painting artists are Fotis Kontoglou and his pupils, whose art was strongly influenced by Byzantine traditions. The church is located in the heart of Athens center, in the middle of a very busy shopping area therefore it is unmissable while exploring the center of Athens.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square or the Constitution Square is the central square of Athens but also a very important historical place where in 1843 the Athenians protested against King Otto, the first king of Greece to demand a constitution. The protest was successful therefore the square became a significant part of Athens’s history. From Syntagma Square you can easily access the metro and other public transport options as well as other parts of Athens, the main attraction points, shops, and different types of cafes and restaurants.
The Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis of Athens or “The City on the Air” is one of the places that are non-negotiable must-see historical landmarks. Its monuments hold great historical and architectural significance being universal symbols of Greek Antiquity and are also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most important site’s buildings are the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, which has been left unfinished, and the Temple of Athena Nike, as well as the Theater of Dionysus is a significant part of the Acropolis.
Nowadays the Acropolis has been claimed as a symbol of Greek heritage and of the honors of Classical Greece. The price to visit the site in the off-season (from November 1st until March 31st) is 10 Euros per person and in the season 20 Euros.
Areopagus Hill
Areopagus Hill, an outstanding rock outcropping, was a meeting place of the Areopagus – a powerful political council of the city’s elders. The name “Areopagus” is related to the ancient Greek God of War – Ares in Greek. Areopagus Hill is easily accessible from visiting the Acropolis of Athens, just a few minutes walk, and is definitely worth seeing, not only for the historical importance but also for the beauty of nature and the views of the Acropolis.
Holy Church of Saint Demetrios Loumbardiaris
Holy Church of Saint Demetrios Loumbardiaris, located a short walk from the Acropolis of Athens on Philopappos Hill, is a very picturesque and tranquil church. Its surroundings make you feel like you traveled back in time, allowing you to relax from the rush of the city center. The church dates back to the 9th Century and was one of my favorite spots in Athens.
The Prison of Socrates
The Prison of Socrates is the best place to visit if you love philosophy and history. It is located just a few hundred meters from the Holy Church of Saint Demetrios Loumbardiaris, therefore, making the Philopappos Hill exploration so convenient. Although it is not known for certain if Socrates was imprisoned exactly here, there is still some evidence that it could potentially be the place. The entrance to the prison is closed with metal bars but you can still look inside from the outside without any difficulties.
Rooftop Bar
For the best coffee break, a rooftop bar overlooking Monastiraki Square is the most spectacular experience in Athens. What could be better to have a cup of delicious beverage, with a view to the Monastiraki Square, the neighboring streets, and the Acropolis of Athens above all that? There are quite a lot of options for different bars and restaurants, and we tried the “A for Athens” hotel’s rooftop bar and it was very lovely.
Mount Lycabettus
Mount Lycabettus was my favorite spot in Athens. Its peak is the highest point in central Athens, allowing you to overlook the city, the Acropolis of Athens, and enjoy a good hike uphill. Getting to the top of the hill took us about 40 minutes to do so but thankfully it wasn’t so hot as we were exploring Athens in January but it still was a very active walk. Learning from mythology, the hill was created by the Greek goddess of wisdom Athena. At the top of the hill, you will find a 19th-century Saint George chapel and a Mediterranean restaurant “Orizontes” with refreshments well deserved after the long walk uphill.
Kalamaki Beach
Athens has many beautiful and relaxing beaches but the one that we visited was Kalamaki Beach, a very small but lovely one. To get to the beach you can enjoy walking by the sea on the promenade and at the beach, you can order some drinks from the bar, have a swim, or just enjoy watching the waves crashing. After a hectic day in the city center, a day by the beach, especially if it’s so close by and easily accessible by public transport, I think is a very refreshing option.
You can certainly explore Athens in one or two days but also you can easily spend months exploring the city. Athens is a place that will always have something new to delve into, something interesting to visit, and exciting to learn about. If you are traveling to Greece, I highly recommend spending at least a few days in this thrilling city.
Check out my other blog posts about 9 places to visit in mainland Greece and 8 things to know before traveling to mainland Greece!
Latest blog posts
- 8 Things to know about vanlife in the Netherlands
- Places to visit in Amsterdam on a budget-friendly trip
- Places to visit in Utrecht on a one-day budget-friendly trip
2 responses to “13 Places to visit in Athens, Greece”
[…] If you’re planning on traveling to the mainland of Greece, make sure to check out my other blog posts about 8 things to know before traveling there and 13 places to visit in Athens! […]
[…] 13 Places to visit in Athens, GreeceApril 8, 2023 […]