3 days in Athens: Acropolis, typical neighborhoods and local cuisine

We just got back from our 3-day weekend in Athens and I already want to tell you all about it here!
This city is incredible and I hadn't necessarily imagined it one way or another, so I was only surprised.

In the center of Athens , there are few tall buildings. The neighborhoods of the Greek capital function like small villages , with a central square and life all around. I particularly liked this neighborhood atmosphere .

My 3-day weekend in Athens: culture, alleys and cafés frappés

For this 3-day city trip to Athens , we took a culinary tour with a French guide to discover Greek customs and specialties . We strolled to the Acropolis to admire the Parthenon , we walked in the Olympic stadium and saw the famous changing of the guard .

We got lost drinking frappé coffees on terraces in the alleys of the Anafiotika , Plaka , Exarcheia and Psiri districts.

Greeks live outdoors, between shopping at the covered market in downtown Athens and enjoying outdoor cafes. It's super lively!

We spent 3 days in Athens and here is our complete itinerary.

How to get to Athens city center from the airport?

We have several options, like everywhere else. We opted for the metro, which takes about 50 minutes from the airport.

Metro services run every 30 minutes and can be found in the airport terminal. Tickets cost €9.50 for a single trip, with reduced fares of €4.50 for children.

By taxi, it takes between 35 and 40 minutes in good traffic. The fare to Athens from the airport ranges from €40 to €55.

What to visit in Athens?

- the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon

- the Acropolis Museum

- the ancient Agora

- the Olympic Stadium in Athens: Panathenaic Stadium

- Visit the Plaka district

- the Anafiotika district

- Monastiraki Square and its surroundings

- Admire the view of the city from Mount Lycabettus

- Changing of the guard on Syntagma Square

- Varvakeios Central Market

- The National Garden of Athens

Day 1: Athens culinary tour and discovery of the neighborhoods

- walk in the white district of Anafiotika

- culinary tour with a French guide

- sunset and cocktail on a rooftop

Day 2: Visit to the Acropolis and the Museum

- the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon

- visit to the Acropolis Museum

- lunch in the antiques district, the “plaka”

- stroll through the alleys and antique shops

- visit to the Ancient Agora

- sunset on Mount Lycabettus

Day 3: Athens Olympic Stadium and Changing of the Guard

- Visit to the Olympic Stadium in Athens: Panathenaic Stadium

- Changing of the guard in Syntagma Square

- Stroll through the arty Exarcheia district

A culinary tour to discover Athens in a different way

Eat like a local: from koulouri to mezze

To kick off this 3-day weekend in Athens, we met up at Monastiraki Square with a French guide for a culinary tour. I really like to start my stays with an immersion with a local . We get a better understanding of the city, which is new to us.

I was inspired by our culinary tour to make a list of gourmet stops for you in this article “Culinary Tour in Athens” .

So Eugenie met us in Monastiraki Square, because it's an iconic square in Athens. We then headed to the Psiri district (my favorite, I think). First, Eugenie explained to us that Greeks have koulouri (a sesame bread ring, crunchy and soft at the same time) for breakfast with Greek coffee , the kind you don't drink in one go or you'll also swallow the coffee grounds.

Greeks then have a late lunch, often after work, around 4 p.m. They therefore have a small snack around 11 a.m., often a tiropita (ultra-crispy feta cheese pastry). We enjoyed a really good one at " Bougatsadiko Psirri ."

After work, Greeks grab a traditional souvlaki , a kind of meat sandwich, to eat on the go.

Dinner is usually eaten later than in France, the Greeks eat a typical Greek meal around 9 p.m. in the form of mezze . Mezze is a type of meal consisting of a set of dishes served at the same time. Specialties include: tzatziki , tarama, dolmades, spanakopita , keftedes, fava, kalamata olives, grilled halloumi , hummus, tirokafteri, gigantes, pita... The list is long.
For dessert, we enjoy delicious loukoumades (honey and cinnamon doughnuts).

Anafiotika, the white parenthesis in the heart of Athens

After a walk of more than 3 hours in the alleys of the different districts of the Greek capital with our French-speaking guide, we went for a walk in the Anafiotika district .
I loved the atmosphere of this small, quiet, white neighborhood . This neighborhood, full of white houses, gives us the impression of being on one of the Cyclades islands . Here, there are fewer tourists than in Plaka, which makes the walk very pleasant. You have to get lost in the alleys and climb to see the pretty view of Athens . Many locals live there, and it's easy to understand why. The Anafiotika neighborhood is truly charming and exotic.

To take advantage of Athens' beautiful weather and to do as the locals do, we had a frappé coffee on a rooftop terrace of a restaurant.

The Greeks and frappe coffee: a true love story

In Greece, frappé coffee isn't just a drink, it's a way of life . Invented in Thessaloniki in the 1950s, it's now a national institution , consumed at any time of day, summer and winter. Order your frappé coffee , choose your sugar level (sugar-free "sketos", medium "metrios", sweet "glykos"), sit in the shade... and enjoy.

The sun was starting to set when we decided to climb up to the Ciel Athens rooftop. The view of the Acropolis is incredible and the colors at the end of the day are exceptional.

For dinner, we found a crazy place , hidden behind a small white door. The restaurant is called Avli . Avli means "the courtyard" in Greek. This restaurant is actually in the interior courtyard of a building, hence its name. I felt like I was in the movie Mamamia, all that was missing was the music.

Here, you can enjoy a Greek salad for €8, cheese croquettes for €6, feta for €5, and the local drink, ouzo (Greek pastis). The dishes are delicious, the service is fast, and the cuisine is inexpensive.

Discover the Acropolis and its museum with the Athens Pass

A must-see visit to the heart of Greek history

We had bought the Athens pass for €70/person which essentially gives access to the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and the Ancient Agora.

On this second morning in Athens, we set off to visit the Acropolis around 10 a.m. The sun warmed us up nicely on the climb to the Parthenon.
From the moment you enter, you are struck by the majesty of the columns of the Parthenon , the emblematic temple dedicated to the goddess Athena . Each stone tells a story of civilization, and the unique atmosphere of the site immediately transports you to another era. It is a must-see visit , full of emotion: close your eyes and imagine yourself in the Roman era, it is incredible!

We went back down to go this time to the Acropolis Museum . Even though I'm not a museum enthusiast, I came out of there with lots of new images in my head. The museum offers an immersive experience thanks to 3D virtual tours , which allow us to visualize the monuments as they were at the time and better understand daily life in ancient Athens. I also loved the glass floor of the museum, which shows us the remains of an ancient city : we get a real glimpse of the archaeological excavations in progress .

Gourmet break and unforgettable panorama of Athens

Lunch at the Avissina café and stroll among the antique shops

After leaving the museum, head to the Monastiraki district for lunch at the Avissina café . This traditional café, which hasn't changed for decades, is located in the flea market district . The view of the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora from the rooftop terrace is sublime. Here, we tried the confit lamb and it was delicious. I also recommend the authentic Greek tarama , don't be surprised by its color!

After leaving, we strolled through the antiques district and then headed to the Ancient Agora. Admission is included in the Athens Pass. I didn't love this visit; there are a lot of ruins, which require a great deal of imagination to visualize.

Magical sunset from Mount Lycabettus

At the end of the day, we went to admire the most beautiful panoramic view of Athens , heading to the hill of Mount Lycabettus (about a 25-minute walk from Monastiraki Square). 277 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in the city . Once at the top, the view is breathtaking: the Acropolis, the Aegean Sea, and the rooftops of Athens stretch as far as the eye can see. You can go up on foot or with the funicular. The round trip costs €12 per person and takes about 3 minutes.

For dinner, we went to Arinos Street. We dined at theMikraki restaurant . A great place with lots of small tables set up in the pedestrian alley. The atmosphere is warm. We shared delicious mezze, generous and inexpensive.

Visit the Panathenaic Stadium: a dive into Athens' Olympic history

An essential stop for the last day in Athens

Entrance to the Athens Olympic Stadium costs €10 per adult (€5 for children up to 6 years old) and includes a very interesting audio guide. Visiting the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens is like stepping back in time and walking on the ground of a mythical place . Built entirely of white marble , this horseshoe-shaped stadium impresses with its purity and elegance.

This is where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 , and the emotion is palpable from the moment you enter. You can sit in the stands, imagine the crowds of yesteryear, and even run on the track like a real athlete. The tour takes us to a small museum under the stadium where Olympic posters and torches are on display. A powerful place, full of history , which will delight sports enthusiasts and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Watching the Changing of the Guard in Syntagma Square: an iconic ritual not to be missed in Athens

After leaving the stadium, we strolled through the National Garden. A real green lung in the city. After looking at our watches, we went to see the changing of the guard . It takes place every hour, in front of the Greek Parliament on Syntagma Square . The guards are elite soldiers from the Greek army. Their traditional dress may raise a smile but it is impressive: fustanella (white skirt with 400 pleats), embroidered waistcoat, knee-high socks, and tsarouchia, leather shoes with black tassels. Their way of walking during the ceremony is impressive , it is really something that I am delighted to have discovered in Athens.

Discover the Exarcheia neighborhood in Athens: local cafes, street art and secret places to eat well

Late in the morning, we went for a walk in the arty Exarcheia neighborhood . We followed some locals to sit on the terrace of the Selas café and drink a frappé coffee . We didn't have a plan for the rest of the day so we wandered around this neighborhood until we found a market.

We had lunch at a delicious restaurant that doesn't look like much, but honestly, go there! The restaurant is called Prigkipas , and we had a delicious chicken pitta bread for €4.30 and a "trout smoked fillet" pitta wrap for €6.40.

Drink an ouzo at Brettos in Plaka and have a traditional dinner at Psyri: the authenticity of Athens on your plate

After lunch, we headed back to the Plaka district to try ouzo at the city's specialist bar: Brettos. In Greece, ouzo is usually drunk as a digestif and is much stronger than Ricard in France, as it is served with much less water.

Head to our favorite neighborhood, Psyri , for dinner at the Klimataria tavern (I recommend booking). Here we tasted the famous Greek moussaka.

Planning a 3-day stay in Athens

When is the best time to visit Athens?

The best time to visit Athens is between May and June , or September and October . The climate is mild, perfect for visiting without crowds or overwhelming heat.

How to get around Athens efficiently?

The Athens metro is fast, clean, and well connected to tourist attractions. There are also buses, trams, and taxis . A rechargeable travel card is ideal for a short stay.

How many days does it take to visit Athens?

Three days is enough to explore the essentials of Athens: ancient sites, museums, authentic neighborhoods, and even a few rooftops to admire the sunsets. It's the ideal length of time to enjoy yourself without rushing .

Is Athens a child-friendly city?

Yes! Between the historical sites , the public gardens , the ice creams on every street corner , and the interactive museums , Athens can be a very nice destination for families , provided you measure your visits carefully.

What is a must-try in Athens?

You can't leave without trying: frappé coffee , moussaka , loukoumades , mezze , and of course ouzo ! For foodies, Athens is a real feast at every meal. Our article "Street food tour in Athens"

What is the cost of living in Athens compared to France?

In general, the cost of living in Athens is more affordable than in France .

Eating out is much cheaper: a good meal at a local taverna costs between €10 and €15 per person , including drinks. Iced coffees are around €2.50 to €3.50 , and souvlakis are easily found for €2 to €3 .

Accommodation is also more affordable, especially if you book in advance. Comfortable hotels or well-located Airbnbs can be found for €60 to €80 per night .

Public transport is very economical: €9 for a 5-day pass , or €1.20 for a single ticket . Even taxis are more affordable than in France.