How to Spend 3 Days in ATHENS Greece | Itinerary for First-time Visitors

22 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 0:44

   Acropolis

   🏛️ Historic site · Acropolis

   An Athens Pass gives skip-the-line entry to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.

2. 0:50

   Parthenon

   ⛩️ Temple · Acropolis

   The temple weighs roughly 20,000 tons.

3. 1:30

   Acropolis Museum

   🏛️ Museum · Makrygianni

   Finish with a drink at the top-floor cafe.

4. 2:04

   Plaka

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Plaka

   Plenty of souvenir and local-goods stands, and a recommended stop for lunch.

5. 2:43

   Anafiotika

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Plaka

   The best city view is from the top of Stratonos Street.

6. 3:01

   Ancient Agora

   🏛️ Historic site · Monastiraki

   The on-site museum has a model showing how the Agora looked in its prime.

7. 3:25

   Temple of Hephaestus

   ⛩️ Temple · Thiseio

8. 3:50

   Monastiraki

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Monastiraki

   Alleys off the square sell souvenirs, clothes, shoes and jewelry.

9. 4:26

   Monastiraki Flea Market

   🛒 Market · Monastiraki

   Bargaining is expected, and early birds get the best deals.

10. 4:46

    Filopappou Hill

    🌳 Park · Thiseio

    Go at sunset; the paths to the summit take about 10 minutes.

11. 5:26

    Philopappos Monument

    🏛️ Historic site · Thiseio · brief mention

12. 5:32

    Panathenaic Stadium

    🏛️ Historic site · Pangrati

    It needs a separate ticket, about €5.

13. 6:19

    Temple of Olympian Zeus

    ⛩️ Temple · Plaka

    The temple was only in active use for about a century.

14. 7:00

    Arch of Hadrian

    🏢 Landmark · Plaka

    Position yourself right and the Acropolis is framed through the arch.

15. 7:30

    National Garden

    🌳 Park · Syntagma

    A good shaded break between sightseeing stops.

16. 7:30

    Zappeion

    🌳 Park · Syntagma

17. 8:07

    Lycabettus Hill

    🥾 Hike · Kolonaki

    The cable car is cash only and runs underground, so there are no views until the top.

18. 8:43

    Gazi

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Gazi

    The streets around Kerameikos metro are the liveliest.

19. 9:40

    Mycenae

    🚆 Day trip · Peloponnese

    About 75 miles from Athens, reachable by rental car or guided tour.

20. 9:45

    Epidaurus

    🚆 Day trip · Peloponnese

    The theater still hosts performances of ancient dramas.

21. 12:07

    Blue Fish

    🍴 Restaurant · Plaka

    Service and atmosphere are rated top-notch.

22. 12:27

    Liondi Traditional Greek Restaurant

    🍴 Restaurant · Makrygianni

    Portions are hearty and filling.