A guide to help you decide how many days you should spend in Athens. Are two days enough? Are five days too long?
Last updated: 12 Jul 2024
One of the most common questions for Athens visitors is, ‘How many days should I spend in Athens?’
Are two days enough to see the city’s most important sights?
Are there exciting activities for a stay of four days or more?
Should I combine my visit with an island trip, or is it worth dedicating my entire holiday to the city?
How Long Should You Spend in Athens?
Like many travelers, I often ask similar questions when planning a trip abroad. The answer usually depends on many factors:
- How many days can I take off from work?
- What is my budget?
- Do I prefer a relaxed pace, or do I want to see as much as possible in a limited time?
Then, I examine what my destination has to offer.
Athens, for example, is one of the oldest cities in the world and manages to combine modern life with a rich history.
In my view, 3 or 4 days is the ideal duration for a visit.
Here is why:
- Athens is perfect for those interested in ancient monuments and world-famous museums.
- At the same time, it offers a lively atmosphere, with authentic restaurants, great bars and cafes, and various theatrical and music festivals.
- You can combine your visit with nature activities, such as swimming in the sea. Along the Athenian Riviera, you’ll find several clean and high-quality beaches with warm waters for most of the year.
Of course, whether you have fewer days or more, Athens has enough to keep you engaged.
Considering all these factors, let’s explore in detail what you can do in Athens, tailored to the length of your stay, whether you have just a few days or more.
One Day in Athens: Acropolis, Plaka & Baklava
If you are willing to walk a lot, one day in Athens is enough to get a first taste of its most important attractions.
Usually, those who visit the city by cruise ship or plan to continue their vacation on a Greek island have only one day available.
That is why the “Athens in one day itinerary” can be extremely useful to you.
It focuses on the city center and the most famous landmarks, such as the Acropolis and the Panathenaic Stadium.
It also includes a visit to the picturesque Plaka neighborhood and a taste of baklava at a local pastry shop.
Additionally, its route is almost circular, making it easy to follow, regardless of where your starting point is.
Finally, it recommends places you can skip if you only have a few hours at your disposal.
Read more in the guide to Athens in 1 Day.
Two Days in Athens: Ancient Ruins, Museums & Shopping
Two days in Athens are, of course, better than one.
With this extra time, you can explore the city’s most famous ancient monuments, some over 2,500 years old, and get a good taste of modern Athens.
You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the world-renowned Acropolis, stroll through the enchanting Filopappou Hill, and dine in the local-favorite restaurants of the Koukaki neighborhood.
Within 48 hours, you can visit the most important monuments, museums, and major shopping streets.
Of course, the guide I have prepared is flexible, allowing you to spend more time in shops or museums, for example, depending on your preferences.
Check the “Athens in 2 Days itinerary” for detailed instructions.
And if you’re wondering whether it’s worth spending another day in Athens, the answer is definitely yes.
Three to four days are ideal for a thorough exploration, provided you have the time.
How Many Days in Athens is Enough? Three or Four!
Three Days in Athens: Hidden Gems & Local Favorites
It is easy to spend three unforgettable days in Athens: the only certainty is that you will not get bored.
Three days is the perfect amount of time, allowing you to see many top sights and attractions and to really get a good feel for the city.
Of course, adding one more day would be even better, but three days are certainly enough to see a lot.
To maximize your time, I’ve designed a quite tight itinerary.
It balances the ancient and modern aspects of Athens, and if you follow it, you will be more than satisfied.
As always, if you feel that it’s too much, I recommend which points you can skip at the end of the guide.
As you would expect, it includes all the points from the two-day guide, with the addition of the Athenian Trilogy of neoclassical buildings and two neighborhoods that locals adore: Kolonaki and Psyri.
Read more in the “Athens in 3 Days itinerary”.
Four Days in Athens: Riviera Beaches, Foodie Adventures & More
If you plan a four-day trip, you can enjoy Athens at a relaxed pace.
You’ll have the chance to follow the complete three-day program, and in addition, sample a variety of delicious local Greek foods, desserts like baklava, and local spirits.
You’ll also have time to visit the unique Athenian Riviera.
Additionally, you’ll find many worthwhile beaches for swimming, perfect if you’re not planning to continue your trip to a Greek island.
While four days may seem too much to some, as Athens is often considered a shorter destination, they are mistaken.
Spending this amount of time in the city allows you to discover its in-depth beauties and many aspects that might go unnoticed at first glance.
The four-day itinerary has been designed after extensive research to help you enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Read more in the “Athens in 4 Days guide”.
5+ Days / Returning Visitor
If this isn’t your first visit to Athens, or you’re planning to stay for more than four days, you have an excellent opportunity to discover its hidden treasures.
In the “Hidden Gems in Athens” guide, you’ll find unique and unusual activities such as participating in some of the world’s best escape rooms, attending a performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, or jogging at the facilities of the 2004 Olympic Games.
Before diving into these lesser-known attractions, make sure to review the step-by-step “Athens in 4 Days” guide, which covers all the top spots in the city.
Read more in the “Hidden Gems in Athens guide”.
Conclusion: Plan and Save Money
Once you have decided how many days you want to spend in Athens, it’s time to start planning your trip:
- For booking flights, I always use Skyscanner because it compares different airlines to provide the cheapest and fastest solutions. Also, in the “Athens International Airport guide”, you will find a detailed breakdown of how to navigate the airport upon arrival and departure.
- When booking your stay, I recommend you use a reliable service like Booking.com. This ensures you have immediate support in case of any issues. Additionally, always make sure to read reviews from other guests before finalizing your booking. Here you will find the 10 most reliable neighborhoods to stay in Athens, as well as the areas you should avoid.
- Finally, do not miss taking out travel insurance; its cost is minimal and can save you a lot of trouble. I personally use SafetyWing, and you can easily get a free quote from them.
Furthermore, if this is your first time in the city, the “First Time in Athens Survival Guide, provides the 10+1 most essential tips to know before traveling.
Do you have any other questions? Feel free to ask them in the comments, and I will be glad to help you!
Make Your Trip Easier
Airport Transfer
If you want to get to and from Athens Airport with peace of mind, I recommend pre-booking your taxi with Welcome Pickups. Their flat rate is a few euros more expensive than random taxis, but it is totally worth it. They use local, English-speaking drivers, who will wait for you even if your flight is delayed and introduce you to the city during your ride.
Accommodation
I always book my accommodation with a reliable service like Booking.com. They offer a price guarantee and 24/7 support in case of any problems with your hotel. Always make sure you read reviews from other guests before booking.
Activities
From day trips to Greek islands to Acropolis Guided Tours, GetYourGuide will help you find some unique ideas for your trip.
Car Rental
If you decide to rent a car while in Athens, check Rentalcars. It compares the most reliable companies and returns the best prices with free cancellation.
Free Athens Tours
If you have limited time or want a local guide to introduce you to the city, check GuruWalk. They offer free tours, and at the end, you give them the amount you think is fair.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you if you get sick or injured while abroad, or if you lose your luggage or your flight is delayed. On my trips, I use SafetyWing as it’s affordable and has a simple claims process.
Sunny Athens is reader-supported. Some of the links above may be affiliate links for which I may receive compensation if you click, at no cost to you. This does not influence my evaluations. Learn more in Advertise Disclosure.
