How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Athens, Greece

There’s not much that hasn’t been written about the perks of visiting Athens, Greece. The ancient city has long been a popular travel destination, thanks to its bountiful historical sites, distinctive architecture, and fantastic food. But just because it’s all been said doesn’t mean it isn’t worth repeating. So, we’ll say it one more time: Athens is, without question, one of the world’s greatest travel destinations. 

“The Acropolis, one of the most important ancient sites in the Western world, is crowned by an architectural masterpiece: the mighty Parthenon,” Rick Steves told Travel + Leisure. “I visit in the cool of the early evening, when the crowds are gone and the setting sun turns the marble golden.”

But Athens’ appeal goes far beyond its history lessons. “Athens has a vibe. The restaurants and bars feel intimate, and visitors can either indulge in the city’s vibrant nightlife scene or simply go for a stroll at night—the city is second to none during the evening,” Alys Colayera, the lead travel expert for Greece at Black Tomato, shared with T+L. Colayera also called out the city’s shopping scene, noting, “The boutique shops have tons of local artisans selling high-quality Greek crafts, jewelry, and clothing.”

Ready to start plotting your own Athens adventure? Here’s how to plan the perfect trip. 

Best Hotels & Resorts

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

The Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens holds a prime location along the Athens Riviera, providing sea views while remaining just a short drive from all the city’s major attractions. One of T+L readers’ favorite Greek resorts in 2025, the hotel is set on 75 private acres, making it an ideal spot for those looking for a bit of solitude. 

Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens

Christos Stergiou, a T+L A-List travel advisor and founder of TrueTrips, recommends the Grande Bretagne, a city center landmark founded in 1874. “From its rooftop restaurant to its elegant lobby and rooms, it epitomizes class and culture,” Stergiou said. When only the best accommodations will do, this property ticks all the boxes.

Gatsby Athens

Another centrally located option is Gatsby Athens, just outside the Plaka neighborhood. The boutique hotel makes a fantastic home base for those looking to walk just about everywhere. Inside, guests will find a playful space filled with art deco touches and a fantastic food and beverage program. Don’t miss the guest-only rooftop, which provides spectacular views of the city. 

Best Things to Do 

Visit the Acropolis.

As Steves alluded to, no trip to Athens is complete without a visit to the Acropolis. Colayera agreed with the sentiment. “The Acropolis is the epitome of ancient Greek architecture and a symbol of Athens. It houses several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon,” said Colayera. The best time to go is early morning or late evening, when the crowds are thinner, though you should always expect other tourists hanging around. Note that timed entry tickets must be booked online.

Want to make the most of your visit? Colayera also suggested checking out the Acropolis Museum, home to a collection of artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations of the site. “The exhibits offer insights into the daily life, rituals, and artistry of the people who lived in Athens during different periods,” Colayera added. A separate ticket is required for the museum.

See Hadrian’s Library.

Another fascinating historic landmark is Hadrian’s Library. Built in 132, it was used as an entertainment space, lecture hall, and, yes, an actual library. Today, just a few columns and sections remain, but visitors can walk through and imagine what used to be. As with the Acropolis, timed entry tickets are required. 

Watch the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square.

Looking for a fun, free activity in the city? Visitors to Athens can watch the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament building at Syntagma Square every hour on the hour. And every Sunday at 11 a.m., the official event takes place in full regalia. Just plan to arrive a little early to snag a front-row seat. 

Visit the National Museum of Contemporary Art.

For something a little more new school, head to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum’s mission is to preserve contemporary works by Greek and international artists across disciplines. It includes both permanent and rotating collections, so check its website before going so you know what to expect. 

Best Shopping 

Plaka

At the base of the Acropolis, the Plaka neighborhood is packed with souvenir and specialty shops. While many are undeniably touristy, this is a good place to find a wide range of Greek-made goods, from olive oil to handcrafted leather sandals. Explore the area by simply allowing yourself to wander its streets, popping into any shop that catches your eye, and perhaps grabbing a frappe along the way on a hot day, too. 

Psirri

Find yourself in one of the city’s most colorful neighborhoods within about a 15-minute walk of Plaka. In Psirri, travelers can admire some of the best street art in the world (book a tour with Kalliopi for the ultimate insider experience), browse stores selling vintage clothing and locally designed accessories, and stop in third-wave coffee shops.

Anthologist

For those seeking an all-around shop, where you can pick up everything from high-end goods to more affordable trinkets curated from around the globe, look no further than Anthologist. The store, owned by travel tastemaker Andria Mitsakos, is a visual paradise, filled with goodies you’ll want to stuff in your suitcase. 

Best Restaurants 

Minu

Begin a day in Athens by mixing fantastic food with shopping at Minu, a third-wave coffee shop and boutique. The space is gorgeous—find a back corner to settle into, go all the way up to its loft area, or sit outside on the patio when the weather is right. Order a coffee and a bite to eat (menu items include smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and more).

Soil

Enjoy another delicious alfresco meal in Athens at Soil, a sustainably focused restaurant. The ingredients here are grown in the chef’s private garden, providing flavors you can’t taste anywhere else. Book a table (preferably outside) and don’t even worry about ordering, as you can opt for the seasonal tasting menu and enjoy every bite. 

Lukumades

Don’t leave Athens without digging into some tasty Greek desserts. When I was a child, my Greek grandmother would make loukoumades, so it’s a personal favorite, and in Athens, you can get a taste of the same at Lukumades. Smothered in honey and cinnamon, the dough balls are small enough to pop in your mouth one after another—and you won’t be able to stop at just one.

Best Time to Visit

There’s no bad time to visit Athens, but according to Steves, the spring shoulder season is particularly lovely. Of an April visit, he said: “The weather was cool and pleasant, and the city wasn’t crowded. It just felt good.” Indeed, both the spring and fall shoulder seasons (April to mid-June and September through October) offer visitors the chance to explore the city in milder weather. Plus, if you’re planning a budget trip to Greece, you may be able to snag a deal. Summer is the peak period, and with it comes sweltering temperatures. So, if you don’t tolerate heat (or crowds) well, try to book your stay outside of July and August.  

How to Get There

By Air: Travelers from around the world can make their way to Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). It’s serviced by every major airline, including Delta and American, which offer direct flights from the U.S. 

By Sea: Athens is an ultra-popular port for cruises, including MSC Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, Royal Caribbean, and more.  

How to Get Around

By Rental Car: Rental cars are readily available in the city, at the airport, and at the ferry terminal. Just make sure to book an automatic as early as possible if you can’t drive a manual, as they tend to be in short supply.  

By Taxi: Both yellow cabs and Ubers are plentiful around Athens. Simply open the app or hail the next one you see.

By Metro: Athens has a robust metro system to get you around the city with ease. There’s also a metro line directly to and from the airport. Pick up a rechargeable Ath.ena ticket, which starts at €1.20. 

By Foot: Athens is a walkable city. If you enjoy slowly taking in the sights and popping in and out of shops and cafes, this is the way to go. You never know what you may find along the way.