Athens is not just the capital of modern Greece, but was also the capital of Ancient Greece. Being at the heart of one of the most powerful civilizations and empires, Athens is worth spending more than a day. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis. But what if you have just one day in Athens?
Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, so many tourists spend 3 to 4 days in Athens. If you are traveling to Athens only to move on to one of the Greek Islands and figuring what to do in Athens in 1 day, then this post is for you.
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Travel Tips for reaching the city centre in Athens
If you are not spending the night in Athens, then consider storing your luggage with baggagement.com. This way, you can get to the city centre from the airport or port minus any suitcases.
As such, it is easy enough to take a taxi from the Athens International Airport to the city centre. Taxis or Uber are available outside Exit 3 of Arrivals Level. If you have less luggage, you can also consider the metro. Metro Line 3 connects the airport to the city centre (Syntagma Square). The suburban railway (Proastiakos) connects Athens Airport with Larissis Station in the city.
If your entry point is Piraeus Port, taxis are available at the port. During high season, you may have to wait in line. Athens Metro Line 3 connects Piraeus to the city centre (Syntagma Square). Overground Train Line 1 runs from the port of Piraeus and meets Athens Metro line 3 at Monastiraki Station. There are buses that run from the port to Syntagma Square 24 hours a day.
You can always choose to book a pick-up car service from the airport or the main port using Kiwi Taxis.
Best season to visit Athens
The best time to visit Athens is during the shoulder season of April, May, and late September – October. We visited Greece in mid May and the weather was perfect for city sightseeing. The Acropolis can be extremely busy during the summer months of July and August. Plus Greece also has been experiencing heatwaves in recent years. Acropolis closes down on extremely hot days to protect people. In the warmer months, it’s important to be well-hydrated and wear proper sun protection.
One Day Athens Itinerary: Travel Tips For Acropolis
The majestic Acropolis site on a large fortified hill is a must-visit if you are in Athens just for one day. Also, many of the ancient ruins and attractions in Athens are around the Acropolis area. If you are comparing Athens vs Rome, it is possible to walk around and cover a lot in a day in Athens.
The Acropolis of Athens is a famous ancient citadel that is the top attraction in all of Greece. This ancient Greek landmark once played a central role in ancient Greek society, serving as a religious center and a site to display Athenian power. Let’s delve more into how to visit the Acropolis in Athens. If you catch the train to Acropolis Station, it’s approximately a 10-minute walk to the Acropolis entrance. Otherwise, you can get there via bus or tram.
Acropolis Athens Ticket
It is best to book tickets online to this popular attraction. This is especially true for spring and summer months where crowds are more.
When you book the Acropolis Athens ticket, you will need to reserve the time slot as well. From April 1st 2024, entry is only possible during the selected time slot. The visitor cap is now 20,000 people per day. The ticket is valid from 15 min before to 15 min after the selected time slot for entry. You can stay at the site as long as you want.
Most people tell you that early morning is the best time, when crowds are less and heat is not at its peak. While this is true, if you can’t manage early morning during your 1 day in Athens, then book the evening slot from 5 pm onwards. Afternoons are to be avoided unless you are visiting Athens in winter season.
Entry Fee to Acropolis Athens
A general admission single ticket is €20 during summer (April 1 to October 31) and €10 in winter (November 1 to March 31). Some visitors are also entitled to free admission, including all children aged five and under, EU citizens under 25, teachers guiding primary and secondary school students on tours, people with disabilities, archaeologists, and journalists.
Acropolis Athens Greece Opening Hours
The opening hours are different for summer and winter months. Last entrance to the site is half an hour before closing time.
From 1st of April until 31 of August: 8 am until 8 pm
From 1st September onwards, there is a gradual reduction in closing hours.
1st to 15th September: 8 am until 730 pm
16th to 30th September: 8 am until 7 pm
1st to 15th October: 8 am until 630 pm
16th to 31st October: 8 am until 6 pm
Entrance to Acropolis Athens
The main entrance of the archaeological site is at the west slope, close to Theorias street. You access the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike first from the main entrance and then move onto the other structures.
We took the alternative entrance from the south slope. We took the the pedestrian Dionysiou Areoparitou, near to Acropolis Museum to access the South Slope of the Acropolis. This got us to sites like the Odeion of Herodes Atticus first before we visited Parthenon.
Guided Tour to Acropolis Athens
Through natural disasters, foreign invasions and periods of neglect, the Acropolis has proven it was built to last and serves as a symbol of resilience.
At a minimum, it’s worth getting an audio guide or downloading one on your phone. There’s so much to learn, and having that insider knowledge makes a huge difference in understanding how the Acropolis operated while you wander around. Browse through these guided tours –
What to see in Athens in 1 day: Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis houses several ancient structures, so do keep a couple of hours to explore it. The construction of the Acropolis began during the 5th century BC, under the leadership of Pericles, during the “Golden Age” of Athens. That makes it older than the Colosseum in Rome and the Great Wall of China! Here are the 3 main structures to visit at Acropolis site.
Parthenon
The Parthenon is located on top of the Acropolis and is one of the most prominent and iconic buildings on the hill. This famed marble temple was dedicated to worshipping Athena, the goddess of wisdom who gave Athens her name. It was used as a treasury before housing a Byzantine church, then a Roman cathedral and later a mosque.
The Erechtheion
It’s made up of two temples — one dedicated to Athena and another to Poseidon. There was competition between Athena and her uncle Poseidon, and these temples were symbolize their reconciliation following the competition. There is also a sacred olive tree on the opposite end.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
This open-air theatre was designed as hubs for performing arts activities, including singing, poetry and theater. The site is still used for performances today and has hosted the likes of Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra and Elton John.
Athens in one day: Beyond Acropolis
Suppose you reach Acropolis site in late afternoon, what do you do to kill time until your evening slot to Acropolis. Or you have already explored Acropolis site first thing in the morning and are now figuring what to do for the rest of the day in Athens. The next activity depends on your interest and also the number of hours you have left in your 1 day Athens itinerary.
Option 1: Acropolis Museum
You can visit the nearby Acropolis Museum. This is completely different from Acropolis site, it is air conditioned and there is a different ticket required. You can buy a combined ticket that includes access for the selected date and time at the Acropolis site and for any day at the Acropolis Museum. Due to the air-conditioned indoor space, it is perfect to spend a couple of hours during afternoon when the sun is strong outside.
Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum that houses more than 3000 artifacts, including hundreds of marble sculptures that once lived within the Acropolis. If you have time, the Acropolis Museum absolutely deserves a visit.
Option 2: Explore Plaka and Monastiraki neighbourhoods
Plaka is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Athens, located right below the Acropolis Hill. It is worth exploring this area on foot. Parts of it are car-free and have several tavernas, restaurants, bars. And plenty of souvenir shops if you are figuring what to buy in Greece. Despite being touristy, this charming neighbourhood is amazing to wander around, stopping by street musicians, or looking at kitschy souvenirs. Cine Paris, the famous outdoor movie theater in Athens is in Plaka. Whether you like hanging out watching people, shopping, eating, or wandering around, the Plaka is a great area to be in.
Another great area to wander around is Monastiraki. The streets here are crammed with traditional tavernas and restaurants, many with Acropolis views. The shops of Monastiraki cater to the masses. You will find everything you want here from jewelry to trinkets, from original designs to mass produced T-shirts, from antiques to fakes! The flea market is set up each Sunday but the crowds can get difficult to navigate post 11 am. Monastiraki is known for iconic landmarks including the ruins of Hadrian’s Library, the Ancient Agora and the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos.
Consider one of these guided tours for sightseeing or indulging in Greek cuisine:
Option 3: A visit to Lycabettus Hill
If you have more than one day in Athens, it is easy to hike upto the highest point in the city, Mount Lycabettus. Also known as Lycabettos or Lykavittos, this limestone hill offers fanntastic viiews of Athens. At 277 meters above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens and pine trees cover its base. You can reach Lycabettus Hill by cable car, by taxi, or by hiking.
There is a small chapel of Saint George on the top with a bell tower. It is a good spot to watch the sun go down, feel the breeze, or just indulge in people-watching.
With one of the above options, your perfect day in Athens is bound to be memorable. Time to hit other spots in Greece!
Planning a trip to Greece? Check out –
Itinerary Suggestions: Greece 2 week Itinerary, Greece mainland itinerary, Greece with kids: A 10-day Itinerary
Greece mainland places: Athens in 3 days, Athens Day Trips, Complete Guide to Meteora
Greek islands: Crete Greece Itinerary, 3 days in Santorini, One day in Mykonos, Beautiful Greek islands for a family holiday, Santorini vs Crete, Santorini vs Mykonos
Finally, Famous Greek Landmarks and Greece Packing List
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My husband is Greek so I’ve been pushing him to go visit and learn about his heritage. I’m glad you included so much practical infomration about what time of day to go. I’m happy to see the limit of tickets. I know Greece has had an issue with overtourism so hopefully the limit helps.
Overtourism is definitely a problem with some of the epic ancient ruins around the world.
I was supposed to visit Athens before the pandemic. I had booked a cat walking tour of Athens. It is definitely a way to get up close and personal with Athens’ felines. Meow! 🐈⬛🐈
Hope you get to go to Greece soon. It is a wonderful city.
Such a neat and clear day guide to Athens! I agree, the Acropolis is definitely a must, even if you’re in town only for a day. I was in Athens in April this year – spent a few days before heading to the Greek islands, and it was perfect : )
Great that you got to spend a few days in Athens, there is so much history and things to do.
I was lucky enough to have a whole week in Athens back in 2008. I can say I did all these things, except the Acropolis Museum, since it was closed due to construction at that moment. The hike up Lycabettus Hill is worth it for the views.
Athens is definitely worth spending more than a day. There is so much to see and do.