Where to actually go in Athens

Monastiraki souvlaki row (Mitropoleos Street)

Restaurant · Monastiraki

A strip of souvlaki and gyros grills by Monastiraki Square; cheap, fast and open late.

Best for: the cheap Athens meal

Best time: lunch or late

Kostas

Restaurant · Agia Irini Square

A tiny souvlaki shop open since 1950, known for its tomato-sauced pita.

Best for: the classic souvlaki

Best time: lunch

Diporto

Restaurant · Central Market

A basement taverna with no menu, barrels of wine and daily dishes.

Best for: an old-Athens lunch

Best time: lunch

Karamanlidika tou Fani

Restaurant · Psiri

A deli-taverna of cured meats, cheeses and meze.

Best for: meze and cured meats

Best time: lunch or dinner

Varvakios Central Market

Market · Athinas Street

The loud central meat, fish and spice market.

Best for: a local morning

Best time: morning

Acropolis

Sight · Acropolis / Plaka

The Parthenon on its rock above the city. Go first thing, before the heat and the cruise groups.

Best for: the essential Athens sight

Price: $$ — roughly $35; EU citizens under 25 free with a booked zero-price ticket

Booking: Timed entry is mandatory; book on hhticket.gr.

Best time: at opening

Acropolis Museum

Museum · Makrygianni

A modern museum at the foot of the rock, with a glass floor over excavations and the Parthenon sculptures.

Best for: after the Acropolis

Best time: afternoon

Mount Lycabettus

Viewpoint · Kolonaki

The highest point in the city: hike up or take the funicular for a sunset view over the Acropolis.

Best for: the sunset

Best time: sunset

Plaka and Anafiotika

Walk · Plaka

The old neighbourhood under the Acropolis, with the tiny island-style lanes of Anafiotika tucked above it.

Best for: a free wander

Best time: morning

Ancient Agora

Sight · below the Acropolis

The ancient marketplace with the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus.

Best for: a quieter ancient site

Best time: morning

Panathenaic Stadium

Sight · Pangrati

The marble stadium of the first modern Olympics in 1896.

Best for: a photo and a run on the track

Best time: afternoon

National Garden

Garden · Syntagma

A shady park behind parliament; see the changing of the guard on the way.

Best for: a break from the heat

Best time: midday

Cape Sounion

Activity · about 70 km south

The Temple of Poseidon on a cliff over the sea: the classic sunset trip.

Best for: a sunset day trip

Best time: sunset

Psiri

Area · Psiri

The street-art bar district by Monastiraki, full of bars and mezedopoleia with live music.

Best for: a bar night

Best time: from about 11 PM

Gazi

Area · Gazi / Kerameikos

A former gasworks district of clubs and big bars; Athens goes out very late.

Best for: a club night

Best time: after midnight

Monastiraki rooftop bars

Rooftop · Monastiraki

Several hotel and café rooftops around Monastiraki Square look straight at the lit-up Acropolis.

Best for: a sunset drink with the view

Best time: sunset

Line

Cocktail bar · Kato Petralona

Named the best bar in Europe on the 2026 Europe's 50 Best Bars list; fermentation-focused drinks.

Best for: the best cocktail in Europe

Best time: evening

The Bar in Front of the Bar

Bar · central Athens (Petraki Street)

No. 2 in Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026; started as a street pop-up.

Best for: a famous casual bar

Best time: evening

Baba au Rum

Cocktail bar · Syntagma

A rum-focused cocktail bar on Europe's 50 Best list.

Best for: rum cocktails

Best time: evening

The Clumsies

Cocktail bar · Syntagma

A multi-room cocktail bar long on the world's best lists.

Best for: a top cocktail

Best time: evening

A for Athens

Rooftop · Monastiraki

A hotel rooftop bar looking straight at the Acropolis.

Best for: the classic Acropolis-view drink

Best time: sunset

Baraonda

Club · Ilisia

A club-restaurant that's been a city favourite for years.

Best for: a dressy club night

Booking: Reservations recommended.

Best time: late

Bios

Bar · Kerameikos (Pireos Street)

A cultural space with a bar, club room and rooftop.

Best for: an alternative night

Best time: late