12 Best Things To Do In Athens, The Land Of The Gods

The city of Athens belongs to Greece, one of the mothers and cradles of civilization. There are so many things to do in Athens. It also tells so much stories as it is a place with such a rich mythological past reflected upon its landmarks. If you love reading about Zeus, Athena, and the other Greek deities, they consider this country their home. 

Regarded as one of the oldest cities with a history that spans almost four millennia, this Greek capital is bursting with history, as seen from its glorious ancient ruins to its museums. But Athens is more than just about its historical charm. It is also very modern, filled with trendy spots to lounge and learn, such as in its lively bars and cozy cafés, as well as in its cutting-edge arts and culture scenes. 

Visiting Athens is like traveling back in time, providing a wonderful history lesson for every type of traveler, young and old. So, get ready for this travel guide, where you will learn about the best things to do in Athens. There’s no time to waste. Hop on!

Best Things To Do In Athens, Greece

Enjoy every moment with these best things to do in Athens. 

1. Get To See The Parthenon On The Acropolis In-Person

You’ve seen the Parthenon, that ancient Greek temple built with rows of columns, in photographs. Now that you’re in Athens, it is your chance to see this world wonder in-person. Visiting the Parthenon is one of the first things to do in Athens. 

The Parthenon is an iconic example of ancient Greek architecture. It has become an unparalleled cultural landmark that travelers from all over the world admire. Once a treasure and home to a Christian church, the Parthenon today is a must-see attraction and an unchallenged highlight of the Acropolis, the hill where it stands.

The Acropolis is regarded as the greatest symbol of the glory of Ancient Greece. It stands proud right in the center of Athens. During the rule of Pericles in the fifth century BC, this hilltop was venerated as a religious sanctuary. 

Just as the pilgrims from the past made their way to this house of worship, you can also climb the marble steps on the western side of Acropolis to find yourself in front of the dramatic Parthenon. 

Moreover, the Parthenon, which is Greek for “virgin’s apartment,” was designed to be the pre-eminent monument of the Acropolis. It is dedicated to the goddess who embodies the city’s power and prestige. The Parthenon is also the largest Doric temple in Greece, taking 15 years to finish.

2. At The Acropolis Museum, View Artifacts Archaeologists Unearthed From The Acropolis

Artifacts unearthed from the Acropolis are displayed here at the Acropolis Museum, which is also worth a visit. Residing in the Makrigianni district in central Athens, the Acropolis Museum, as its name suggests, showcases its surviving treasures. 

Its collection covers the Archaic to the Roman periods, but its emphasis is upon the Acropolis during the fifth century BC, touted as the apotheosis or glorification of the artistic achievement of this county in Europe’s Balkan region. 

Some of its most important exhibits include the relief of Athena Nike – the goddess of victory – various carved statues from Erechtheion, and a gallery of some Parthenon artifacts, of course. This is one of the not-to-forget things to do in Athens.

3. Revisit The Way Of Life Of The Greeks From The Past At The Agora, The Heart Of Ancient Athens

You learned about it in your school history – the agora is the marketplace of ancient Greece, and now that you’re in Athens, the country’s largest city, you can finally be able to see an agora up close and personal. 

The Agora is touted as the heart of ancient Athens. It had been a lively hub for commercial, political, and social activities. Renowned Athenian philosopher Socrates developed his ideas here. Saint Paul visited this place to win converts to Christianity. 

Today, it is an unforgettable attraction for tourists offering so many things to do in Athens while you are here at the Agora. It is the home of the Temple of Hephaestus – located at the northwestern side of the Agora – a museum, and an 11th-century Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles.

Pair up your reading of this “things to do in Athens” guide with our list of the “best photography spots in Athens.” 

4. See Hadrian’s Library

Hadrian may be a former emperor in the ancient Roman civilization, miles away from Greece, but his realm stretched from Britain to Babylonia. Furthermore, he is also known for being a die-hard fan of Greece, which he had cultivated since he was a kid. In fact, out of all the cities in Rome, this emperor chose Athens as his intellectual capital, a city he would spend so much money on to build monuments, and one of these is Hadrian’s Library.

This library, however, is not a library in the sense you know of libraries today, but a place of study, rather than where books are found and borrowed. 

It was built around 132 AD for keeping documents and housing reading rooms. It is in ruins today, but you can still clearly see its layout. If you are staying in this city to enjoy more things to do in Athens, this is a must-visit. 

5. Explore A Temple Dedicated To Zeus 

We’re talking about the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Once the largest temple in Greece, it took seven centuries to complete it. It is also in ruins today, but this temple was dedicated to Zeus, the god of the sky, and also, unofficially, to Roman emperor Hadrian. This is because he actually finished its construction and erected a statue of himself. While you are here, you can take a look at Hadrian’s Arch, a piece that congratulates him on this achievement.

6. Watch Dogs Being Walked By The Locals At Filopappou Hill, The Mythical Battleground Of Theseus And The Amazons

Filopappou Hill, known as the mythical battleground of Theseus (a hero and the founder of Athens) and the Amazons, is now one of the best parks in the city. It is laid out with small ruins connected by exquisite stone paths that are themselves an architectural marvel. There are various things to do in Athens when you’re here. 

For one, you can visit Filopappou Hill by sundown to watch the Acropolis get illuminated against the blue sky from here. Or, you can also do some people-watching, and see the locals walk their dogs here. Somehow, this ancient landmark has gotten a touch of modernity. 

With so many great things to do in Athens, you’ll want to explore more of Greece. Visiting Greece this summer? Get to know the best beaches in the country.

7. Sail On A Catamaran And See Another Side Of Athens

Wanting to see Athens from a different perspective? We recommend that you take this catamaran cruise. 

In this tour, you’ll reel in the beautiful sights and seas of the Athens Riviera on a catamaran. Let the skipper and crew do the work, as you relax and revel in the vistas. You’ll also be enjoying a welcome drink, a delicious Greek meal with barbecue dishes, and unlimited complimentary drinks. 

Plus, there will be stops to areas where you can swim and snorkel. You can either choose whether you want to do this cruise during the morning or by sunset. This is one of the things to do in Athens that you should not miss.  

8. Visit The Temple Of Poseidon

There are more things to do in Athens right at its outskirts, such as at Cape Sounion, which is just a few hours drive from Athens, the home of the Temple of Poseidon. 

Aside from Zeus, another revered god in Greek mythology is Poseidon, the god of the sea, storms, earthquakes and horses. His temple at Cape Sounion is among the most significant monuments from Athens’ golden age. It is perched on a cliff’s edge, standing 70 meters from above sea level.

The Temple of Poseidon was built during the fifth century BC, following the typical Greek hexastyle and featuring six doric columns on its front portico. Sixteen of its original 38 columns are still standing until today.

9. Bargain And Shop For Some Treasures At Monastiraki Flea Market

Every Saturday, throngs of shoppers gather at the huge Monastiraki Flea Market in central Athens, a flea market that takes place between the Monastiraki and Thiseio neighborhoods, to look for items they can add to their cart and collection. 

Here, shoppers deal with traders who sell products such as vintage clothing, vintage magazines, furniture, and many other treasures. If you are looking for things to do in Athens where you can shop for some oddities (if you are a fan of those), visit the Monastiraki Flea Market.

Aside from this “things to do in Athens” guide, you might also want to check out the best photography spots in Greece. 

10. Check Out Athens’ Vibrant Art Scene

Aside from ancient ruins, Athens is also brimming with arts. The city may not be as grand as other European hotspots like Spain or Amsterdam when it comes to the art scene, but Athens’ flair for art is still well-known. 

You can get started with these artsy things to do in Athens at the not-for-profit galleries like CheapArtAthens, before heading over to well-established commercial art galleries like The Breeder, the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, and the National Museum of Contemporary Art, which just opened last 2020.

Aside from those, you’ll also be treated to places that feature international artists who have migrated to the city to set up art spaces like the Kypseli Print Studio, a print screening studio that facilitates workshops for people of all abilities, and Haus N Athen, which houses new installations and works by young Greek artists. Talk about immersing yourself in authentic Greek art. 

11. Indulge In Authentic Greek Flavors

Greek cuisine is one of the most interesting all over the world. It also actually runs along its history, as this food scene is a savory and diverse culinary tradition that dates back thousands of years. 

Some of the most famous Greek food are moussaka (a creamy dish made of spiced meat – beef or lamb – cooked in tomato sauce and layered with fried eggplant and bechamel sauce), papoutsakia (stuffed eggplants), pastitsio (Greek lasagna), gyros, and soutzoukakia (Greek meatballs), to name a few. 

You can savor them right here in Athens. To experience these delights, don’t forget to include these restaurants in Athens on your list: CTC Urban Gastronomy, To Kati Allo, Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani, and Cookoovaya. Savor and enjoy these gastronomic things to do in Athens. 

12. Scrutinize The Private Collection That Showcases Greece From The Ancient Times To The Mid-20th Century At Benaki Museum

Say your trip to Athens will just be for a limited time. If there’s just one museum to visit, that has to be the Benaki Museum. 

This museum displays mainly Greek art, from prehistory to the modern era. Its campus comprises various contemporary and historic buildings that also showcase Islamic art, as well as art studios affiliated with well-known Greek artists like Yannis Pappas and Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika. 

Admission to the Yannis Pappas Studio is free, as well as for the Mentis workshop, where you can see how costumes, army uniforms, and others were made for centuries.

These things to do in Athens are exciting, right? Here’s another related story: Best Photography Spots In Meteora 

Exciting Things To Do In Athens: Best Events Happening In This Greek Capital Soon

What is it like to experience the events happening in Athens? Let’s get to know more best things to do in Athens with this list of the upcoming events in this Greek city. 

• Guns N’ Roses live at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, July 22nd – Fly to Athens right now to watch the world-famous rock band Guns N’ Roses perform in Athens. 
• Release Festival 2023 featuring Wu-Tang Clan, Ocean Wisdom, and TAF LATHOS, July 27th – Release Festival is one of the biggest music events in Athens. 
• Athens Epidaurus Festival (AEF) 2023: Oedipus at Colonus, August 4th to 5th – AEF is a leading performing arts festival in Greece, and also one of the oldest in Europe. 

A Life-Changing Experience In Athens

Gorgeous, glorious, and part of the country which is the home of the mythical gods, Athens’ landmarks are a testament that it has perfectly mastered the art and science of reinvention. Its archaic architectural gravitas are co-existing with modern and urban landscapes and landmarks. So many things to do in Athens. 

Athens blends its ancient history and modern history so well that many travelers can’t help but to be captivated. From marveling at its iconic monuments that stand as testament to its glorious past to savoring flavors of sumptuous Greece cuisine, the city offers an enchanting mix of antiquity and modern allure. Athens is so magnificent, you will want to stay here forever.