Mt Lycabettus in Athens Photograph: Why Athens

WHAT to do in Athens

There are endless possibilities and things to do in Athens to suit a wide range of interests but as always it comes down to that precious commodity called time. We’ve compiled and curated the very best of what to do and things to see including, attractions, museums, shopping and other leisurely activities for you to get the most out of your visit to Athens. So get your walking shoes on, pack some sunscreen and get ready to explore this fascinating metropolis.

Athens attractions

It goes without saying that you really must see the Acropolis and set aside at least half a day to do so. It is unlikely that you will get to see all of the Athens attractions in one visit, particularly if you want to go at a reasonable pace, smell the roses and enjoy the modern side of Athens as well.

Things to do in Athens: museums

You can read about Athens museums in our ‘Museums’ category. History buffs will have an absolute field day particularly when it comes to the Acropolis Museum. Ranked as one of the best museums in the world, the collections from the Greek Bronze era to the Roman and Byzantine periods are truly exceptional. It’s a good idea to attend the museum before you go to the Acropolis, as it will put a great deal of what you will see in and around the Parthenon into perspective. Museum guides are also available in several languages.

Things to do in Athens: shopping

For those wanting to squeeze in some shopping therapy, we have divided our shopping category into two. In our ‘Where to Shop’ category, we provide a curated list of shops that are first and foremost Athenian. You will find stylish Greek fashion labels and independent designers. If you’re looking for a special keepsake to take home and remember Greece by, our ‘Souvenirs’ category features authentic Greek gifts that are lovingly made in Greece.

Things to do in Athens: leisure & experiences

We’re all for site seeing and exploring but somewhere in your trip you may just want to relax and enjoy the city as the locals do. In our ‘Leisure’ category, we’ve listed some stand out places to go and relax including one of the oldest places to sip a coffee in Athens, along with the best place to spend the day swimming. If you want to meet some locals and find out more about the city, its culture and history, we’ve selected some of the best-structured day tours.

Souvenirs

Made in Greece

A new generation of creative thinkers have redefined what made in Greece means. Returning to their cultural roots for inspiration, local designers are embracing Greek raw materials and ancient crafts to create a new age of Greek brands. From fashion to homewares, these collections are on the way up, establishing a loyal following both locally…
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Leisure

Experiencing Athens, from tourist to local

There was a time when I was a tourist in Athens. I would usually dedicate the last three days of my Greek holiday to the capital before making the painfully long journey back home to Australia. Three days was never enough, I often felt disappointed that I couldn’t conquer the city in that time and…
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Where to Shop

ZAMA, romance re-born in Athens

Family run businesses have for decades been a vital part of the social fabric of Athens. The city’s history as a mercantile centre runs deep and if you wander around the area surrounding Agias Irinis Square (close to Monastiraki) or along Perikleous St near Syntagma, you’ll find the evidence of a once thriving textile precinct…
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Souvenirs

The Attic Black Shop

Specialising in the production of ceramic artefacts, The Attic Black shop is the retail store for the THETIS Authentics workshop in Athens. They have managed to preserve an almost lost Athenian tradition of black glazing thanks to scientific research and testing, producing identical replicas. Their workmanship has become renowned throughout Greece. The shop includes ancient…
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Where to Shop

Designer Elena Syraka draws from Greece’s ancient history for inspiration

Elena Syraka created her first pieces of jewellery while at school, without realising this would ultimately be her calling. After studying at the Veloudakis Fashion School in Athens, she went on to ESMOD in Paris, where she decided to focus on jewellery design. Her official debut into the field was in 1995 and about a decade later, she decided to focus exclusively on fine jewellery. Her designs balance between opposite elements, such as the masculine and the feminine, the strict and the fluid.
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Where to Shop

Eccentrics

Skoufa Street in Kolonaki is the old playground of the intelligentsia of Athens, where artists and writers would meet at the infamous Filion Café. Close by you’ll find Eccentrics, which has also been part of the street’s history for the last 30 years, established by Stella Pournatzi. Her charismatic dog “Throubi” assists with charming the…
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