What are the best things to do in Athens?

• Explore the Acropolis & Parthenon
• Wander around the Plaka neighbourhood
• Shop at the Monastiraki Flea Market
• Visit the Panathenaic Stadium
• Scale Mount Lycabettus
• Walk around the National Archaeological Museum

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Acropolis is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and one of its most important archaeological sites. The monuments here are regarded as the greatest architectural feats of Greek antiquity and the jewel in the crown of Acropolis is the Parthenon.

The Parthenon temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena, is considered the world’s finest Doric masterpiece. It offers panoramic views of the city and is a must-visit for history lovers.

Another major attraction that is just around the corner and on many people’s bucket lists is the Acropolis Museum. Since 2009, this museum has displayed artefacts that have been found in the area, including statues, sculptures, and relics from ancient Greece.

Antoinette, a travel writer who shares her experiences on her Frolic & Courage blog, shared a tip about the best time to visit the site: “Generally speaking, what you need to know before visiting the Acropolis is that the Acropolis is open every day from 8am-5pm. Closing time is extended until 8pm in the summer and early autumn months.

“Once you arrive, you can spend as much time as you want to visit the site, but as a rule of thumb, allow two hours for your visit.”

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Stretching out from under the shadow of the Acropolis is the most famous Athenian neighbourhood, Plaka. Known as the ‘Neighbourhood of the Gods’, it is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited neighbourhoods, and the narrow cobblestone streets, traditional tavernas, and lively cafes and shops make it a popular destination.

The best way to see Plaka is to wander its streets, and almost at every turn, you’ll see neoclassical buildings, Byzantine churches, souvenir shops and restaurants. Between the buildings, you’ll also get glimpses of the Acropolis as you stroll around.

If you want to taste some authentic Greek food or a traditional kafeneio, there are various restaurants and tavernas that you can visit. There is so much to do in the Plaka neighbourhood, making it one of the top things to do in Athens and Greece.

Monastiraki is one of the oldest and busiest areas of the Greek capital, packed with rooftop bars, ancient attractions and huge markets.

The Monastiraki Flea Market is one of Greece’s most famous market areas, and if you are looking to pick up a souvenir or want to do a bit of shopping, this is one of the best places to visit in all of Greece.

Offering a range of goods, from antiques to souvenirs and clothing to street food, you are virtually guaranteed that you will find what you are after.

The flea market stalls will usually close in the early afternoon, so start your hunt as soon as you come to shore for the best options. You can stop by one of the many cafés and bars lining the streets to refresh yourself with a cold drink and some Greek pastries if you need a bit of relief from the sun.

The Panathenaic Stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, and today, this ancient-turned-modern stadium remains one of the most popular attractions in Athens as it draws lovers of classical architecture and sports fans who can imagine the roar of the crowds from millennia past.

It is an iconic stadium, and it remains the only one in the world that has been built entirely out of marble. You can walk around the track and even stand on the podium.

Despite being originally built in the 4th century BC, the venue continues to host cultural, sporting and ceremonial events. During the year of the Olympic Games, the Olympic flame will travel from the ancient site of Olympia and will move around different sites in Greece before it finally arrives at the Panathenaic Stadium for an official handover ceremony to the new host country.

Gillian, the travel writer behind the Imperfect Traveller blog, spoke about her visit to the stadium and what she feels anyone visiting must do.

“Muster up all your strength and climb to the top of the Panathenaic stadium – i.e. the highest row and walk around the stadium. Not only do you feel ‘on top of the world’, but you get to witness some jaw-dropping views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill and the rest of the city.”

Mount Lycabettus has always been one of the most popular views in Athens, with people climbing its slopes or taking the cable car for panoramic views of the city, an Instagram snap of the whitewashed chapel of St George, or the hill's cafés and restaurants.

At the top, you can find Orizontes, a gourmet Greek restaurant that is famed for Its location as it offers views of the Acropolis to Piraeus and the Saronic Gulf.

Arguably the most beloved open-air venue in Athenians, the Lycabettus Theatre is located at the summit, and it holds concerts in the summertime. The likes of Radiohead, Björk, the Blues Brothers, Tangerine Dream and James Brown have played here.

Rachel Nicole shares her travel experiences on her blog, and she has spoken about visiting Mount Lycabettus.

“If you know me, I love a good view. Mount Lycabettus is the highest point in Athens, with an altitude of 277 meters, and offers panoramic views across the city. The Mount towers over Athens, and if you’re feeling energised, you can climb to the top.

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The National Archaeological Museum is regarded as one of the most important museums in the world for ancient Greek art and history, as it houses a vast collection of artefacts from prehistory to late antiquity.

It is the largest museum in Greece, and among the 11,000 exhibits that are on display are marble, clay, bronze, and gold artistic creations that come not only from Greece but also from Cyprus, Egypt, and other countries around the world.

Some of the most famous exhibits that are currently on display at the museum are:

• The Kore and Kouros: these statues are considered one of the most important pieces of Archaic art in existence.
• Zeus or Poseidon: this hollow cast bronze statue dates back to the early Classical period around 460BC and is one of the few original pieces in existence from this time.
• Epinetra of Aphrodite: this exhibit is crafted from clay, and it is believed that it would have been presented as a wedding gift to a female.
• The Antikythera Mechanism: This spent around 2,000 years under the sea, and it is thought to be the world’s first computer, with modern radiography exposing a complex system of over 30 mechanical gears. It is still not certain what its exact purpose is.
• The Mask of Agamemnon: The gold death mask of Agamemnon is one of the most famous gold artefacts of the Greek bronze age.
• The Horse and Jockey: A centrepiece of the museum, this exceptionally preserved piece dates back to 140BC.

Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and culture through its ancient ruins and restaurants, and enjoy the picturesque scenery. With Fred. Olsen, you can embark on a Mediterranean cruise that travels to Greece and combines visiting ancient Athens with the Greek islands. You can discover some of the 1,400 islands that dot the Aegean and Ionian seas.