Athens in 48 hours: Is it possible?

Only two days available to explore the vibrant city of Athens, just before you head off to Mykonos, Santorini or the mainland? No problem! You can do it. You just need some organization and planning ahead (along with the occasional discipline to stick to your schedule). Athens is after all one of the oldest cities worldwide, with archaeological sites dating back to the 5th century BC. It is definitely worth 48 hours of your life, if not more. Significant museums and art galleries pair with modern life graffiti and bars. Delicious cuisine and fine dining set side by side with souvlaki joints and souvenir shops. With everything included in this energetic labyrinth, it may be quite challenging to spend two days only, but you can make it.

So, upon arrival, and after checking in your hotel (preferably somewhere inside the city centre, and better yet in the historical centre, to save time), where do you go first? Easy-peasy: The Acropolis, of course. Early in the morning to avoid the crowds, you should wear your sneakers and visit the landmark of Athens, along with the temple of Parthenon lying on top of it. However, the Acropolis is much more than the Parthenon. The Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaia, the theatre of Dionysus, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and many more important sites wait to be explored. The Acropolis tour will take you two hours at least, depending on your pace and your willingness to walk.

Very close to the Acropolis hill is also the new Acropolis Museum. All the artefacts found on the hill are being exhibited in the world-renown antiquities museum, a state-of-the-art building that allows you to admire the ancient exhibits in natural light. One hour should more or less suffice and it is best combined with the Acropolis tour. Moreover, if you could spare another couple of hours, the National Archaeological Museum, just 15 minutes away from the Acropolis by metro, and 10 minutes by car with more than 11,000 exhibits is the second best option, especially for archaeology lovers. Of course, Athens has got over 50 museums and galleries, for all preferences, like the Benaki Museum with works of art from prehistoric to modern times, as well as the National Gallery, again located within the city centre.

However, the historical centre of Athens is far more than the Acropolis. The Ancient Agora where philosophers used to talk and locals socialize, the well-preserved temple of Hephaestus in Thissio, the majestic temple of Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, and the Parliament with the famous changing of the guards, are sites you should definitely visit. It is better to book in advance an all-inclusive tour of the Athenian centre and get an overview of the highlights with the skip-the-line service which saves you an enormous amount of time. Of course, the historical centre is not all about monuments and museums. There are areas worthy to explore and get a real local flavour. Monastiraki square and the area around it is definitely such a place, with elements of the Ottoman rule and the Roman period of Athens that give it a unique character. In Monastiraki you will find a quite large flea market open every day, as well as important historical sites, cafes and restaurants. Plaka is another important area in the historical centre, a neighbourhood at the bottom of the Acropolis hill that reminds visitors of Aegean islands, especially of the Cyclades complex. It is also full of art galleries, picturesque churches and cute cafes, and of course, the famous Adrianou Street packed with souvenir shops and eateries.

For the food lovers who adore getting a taste of the local cuisine, along with the real local atmosphere, there is a comprehensive food tour, full of aromas and cute local delicatessens and eateries. Within two hours, you could truly get Athens in your platter, with delicious bites and cultural info about the city’s history, and the locals’ everyday life.

How to get around

From the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport you can take the metro (line 3) which will cost you 10 Euro and 40 minutes of your time. There is also a bus that takes you to Syntagma Square in 1 hour, depending on the traffic (which can get pretty bad, especially on weekdays). The basic 3 metro lines of the city can practically get you anywhere in the city centre. If you can spare some extra coins, you can always get a taxi. There are plenty available in the centre. Just don’t forget to keep some change with you, like 5 and 10 euro notes, because most taxis cannot accept cashless payments.

You are in the Greek capital, hence there are lots and lots of shopping places downtown, especially around the historical centre. Try the famous market of brands on Ermou Street that starts from Syntagma, and explore shopping-wise the nearby areas of Kolonaki, Koukaki, Exarhia and Psirri, for more than just souvenirs. After the shopping-spree you will certainly get hungry and thirsty. There are plenty of cute restaurants, bistros and taverns in the historical centre. Don’t forget to try traditional desserts, and Greek coffee.