Day 1 : Athens Weekend Guide
After getting checked into your Athens Hotel, get freshened up and venture off to one of the best Sunset Viewpoints because golden hour in the capital is simply magical!
*If you didn’t choose a hotel in Athens yet, we highly recommend this charming boutique hotel that we stayed at during our Babymoon to Europe and we were easily able to walk major points of interest in Athens. 36
Best Sunset Viewpoints in Athens
MT. LYCABETTUS : 360′ SUNSET VIEWS
Not only is this the highest point in Athens, the panoramic views over the city, with the Acropolis glowing in the evening light, make it one of the most romantic points of interest in Athens. You can walk up to the summit or take a funicular ride through the mountain. Do note that it is a small area at the top, so it gets crowded about 1.5 hours before sunset.
Cost of Mt Lycabettus Funicular Ride in 2025 : 7 Euros (one way) or 10 Euros (round-trip)
Travel Tips to Athens:
- We highly recommend taking a taxi to the Mt. Lycabettus Funicular Station because it’s a pretty steep part of the city with lots of stairs to climb to get there. However, we are very frugal, so we walked from our hotel near Syntagma Square. At least my hubby was gracious enough to not make my pregnant self walk all the way to the summit, and we got to ride the funicular up into the mountain of Lycabettus to reach the highest point in Athens — what an experience!
AREOPAGUS HILL : THE BEST SUNSET VIEWPOINT OF THE ACROPOLIS
Offers the most stunning views of the Acropolis as the sun casts a golden hue over this iconic historical site. It’s truly magical!
Travel Tips to Areopagus Hill:
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with a good grip because the marble floors of Mars Hill are very slippery!
- Buy water before walking up towards the Acropolis. Water at the top is 5 Euros versus .30 cents at a grocery store at the bottom.
FILOPAPPOU HILL : A LESS CROWDED SUNSET VIEWPOINT
If you’re looking for a less crowded option, this hill is not far from the Acropolis — just a 15 minute walk away. The walk through the forest-like setting is provides quite a bit of shade. This place truly provides a stunning view of the Acropolis and entire city view.
ANAFIOTIKA : A HIDDEN GEM
This neighborhood is a true hidden gem in Athens tucked up into the slopes of the Acropolis and offers a picturesque sunset of the city. This is part of the old historical neighborhood called Plaka. Find a cute little cafe restaurant like Point A or Metropolis Roof Garden and enjoy the breathtaking views.
PNYX HILL : A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET OF ATHENS IN A HISTORIC SETTING
Stand where ancient democracy began. This ancient meeting place offers a beautiful sunset of Athens amidst a historical setting. The walk up is pleasant with paths weaving through olive and pine trees — a calm escape from the busy city. Offers stunning views of the Acropolis as well!
Best Rooftop Bars in Athens
Next, grab dinner and drinks at one of the numerous rooftop bars that offer stunning nighttime views of the city with the Acropolis twinkling in the background:
Most Famous Rooftop Bar in Athens: A is for Athens
Rooftop Bar with the Best Views of the Acropolis: The Dolli Rooftop Restaurant
Rooftop Bar with Exceptional Food: Metropolis Roof Garden
Budget-friendly Rooftop Bar: Hyper Astro Rooftop Bar
Rooftop Bar with a swing for a fun, instagram worthy photo: Attica Urban Rooftop bar
TRAVEL TIPS TO ATHENS:
- It’s best to to book a Rooftop Bar with Acropolis Views a couple months in advance.
- I also recommend checking on Google Maps if the food quality is good or not.
- Also see if the Rooftop Bar has an elevator because climbing 5 flights of stairs would not be fun!
Our Favorite Travel Resources for Exploring Europe
- Best Deals on Hotels: Booking.com
- Best Airline to Europe: Qatar Airlines
- Renting a Car in Europe: EconomyBookings.com
- Booking an Activity or Tour: Viator.com
- Travel Insurance: VisitorsCoverage.com
- Great Internet Service all over Europe: Airalo
Day 2 : Famous Historical Sites in Athens
Start your first full day in Athens at the Acropolis — this is the crown jewel among the must-see places in Athens. Be sure to buy your Acropolis tickets in advance to avoid the long lines!
The Parthenon is the most famous historical site in Greece and worthy of any visit to the capital. Don’t miss the Erechtheion and its famous Caryatid statues. I’m also a little bummed we missed a classical Greek play at the ancient theatre called the Odeon of Herodes Atticu. These are all must-see places in Athens up in the Acropolis area.
After exploring the historic ruins, head down the hill a bit to the Acropolis Museum, where you can dive deeper into the stories behind these ancient marvels. I love that I could get my entrance tickets to all of these historical sites on Viator and skip the long lines.
TRAVEL TIPS TO ATHENS:
- Try to reach the Acropolis right at 8:00am when it opens to avoid the high heat of the day and also the busy crowds.
- Buy your Acropolis Tickets online in advance to avoid the long lines.
Afterwards, stroll down to the Plaka district where you’ll find narrow streets lined with tavernas, perfect for a traditional Greek lunch. Avoid falling for the typical tourist trap restaurants that have high prices and have mediocre food. We ALWAYS look on Google Maps to check out the best restaurants near us and even peak at the prices before going. Lyra Restaurant Athens is a great choice in the Plaka District. Loved eating right there on the steps going up to the Acropolis, people watching, and enjoying a lovely Greek Salad and Moussaka dish.
Be sure to get an eSIM to have internet while traveling in Greece. We always go with Airalo — it’s super easy to install and we’ve used it all over Europe and Asia.
Day 3 : Other Top Points of Interest in Athens
No Athens Weekend Guide would be complete without visiting Syntagma Square to watch the Changing of the Guard. This happens at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Hellenic Parliament at Syntagma Square. The best time to watch the Changing of the Guard in Athens is on Sundays at 11:00am. Sundays have a special ceremony with a military band, choreographed marching, and a placement of wreaths at the monument. However, they do have a short version of the Changing of the Guards everyday on the hour.
Next, if you’re a fan of history and museums, the National Archaeological Museum is a great visit and is home to one of the world’s richest collections of ancient Greek artifacts.
Afterwards, head to the Monastiraki Flea Market that happens every Sunday. It’s such a lively and colorful market full of souvenirs, antiques, paintings, and handmade goods. We loved the fun atmosphere with live music, friendly vendors, and plenty of cafes.
Even if you can’t make it to the Monastiraki Flea Market on a Sunday, Monastiraki Square is still a worthy point of interest in Athens. There you’ll be able to visit the ruins of the Hadrian’s Library, the ancient Roman Agora, and the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos with views of the Acropolis from nearly every street!
Where to Eat the Best Greek Food on a Budget
Athens isn’t just about ancient history—it’s a city full of culinary surprises and a buzzing nightlife. One of our favorite things was simply trying souvlaki from a local street vendor and enjoying meze plates at a rooftop bar overlooking the Acropolis. In the evening, we loved the neighborhood of Psiri that came alive with music and late-night cafes with rooftop views of the Acropolis twinkling in the distance.
The Best Places to Eat in Athens (from our own personal experience):
Most Authentic Greek Food : Karamanlidika in the Psiri District
Best Greek Street Food : Street Souvlaki near Syntagma Square
Best Souvlaki : Meat n Roses Kolonaki on our way up to Mt Lycabettus
Best Specialty Coffee Shop : Tate Specialty Coffee near Syntagma Square
Best Gelato : Zuccherino near Syntagma Square
Best Rooftop Bar : Metropolis Roof Garden near the Plaka District
Most Traditional Greek Food Experience : Liondi Traditional Greek Restaurant near the Acropoli Metro Station
Best Restaurant on Monastiraki Square : Greco Project
Best Restaurant on the Famous Adrianou Street : Eucharist Restaurant
*Because we love high quality food at affordable prices, all of these meals (except the rooftop bar) were under 12 Euros a plate.
Charming Boutique Hotel in Athens with Acropolis Views
While on our Babymoon to Europe, we stayed at one of the most charming boutique hotels in Athens. It was the perfect combination of old-world elegance and modern comforts.
We particularly liked that it had a lovely rooftop garden with Acropolis Views that we could sit up there drinking coffee or sipping wine by night. We also noticed 3 rooms with a large private balcony and Acropolis Views.
But we opted for the more budget-friendly option, which was still a bright and airy room equipped with a Smart TV, super comfy bed, a large window, and a surprisingly spacious bathroom.
But what made this boutique hotel in Athens stand out from the rest was the buffet breakfast set in a lovely cafe style setting. It was really the perfect way to begin our day exploring Greece!
For more about this hotel, here’s a detailed blog post about our stay in Athens.
When is the Best Time to Visit Athens
The best time to visit Athens is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. The best months to visit Greece are April, May, June, September, and October. The weather will be pleasant and warm, but not overly hot. The crowds will be smaller than the peak summer months of July and August. Without the busy crowds or intense summer heat, you’ll be able to enjoy exploring the ancient ruins, sipping a Lemon Spritz at an outdoor cafe, and meandering through the vibrant streets.
Whether you’re here for the iconic historical sites in Athens or the dynamic culture that thrives today, the city is perfect for a short getaway. Use this Athens Weekend Guide to experience the best of both worlds—ancient wonders and modern Mediterranean charm.