How to Spend 2 Days in Athens, Greece

Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. As the birthplace of Ancient Greece, it houses the Acropolis, classical theaters, Greek temples, and the ancient cemetery of Athens. But with most people traveling to Greece for its stunning islands, there is usually not enough time to explore Athens. This is why I will show you how to spend 2 days in Athens and make the most of it. As an expat, I have spent almost six years in Athens so here’s my itinerary for the best things to do in Athens in two days.

2 days in Athens – What to see in Athens in 2 days  – What to do in Athens in 2 days

Day 1 of Your Two Days in Athens

Start Your Day at the Acropolis

Unless you are visiting Athens in winter, it will probably get very warm during the day. Since there are no trees on the Acropolis it’s best to explore this impressive landmark early. But another advantage is the lack of crowds in the morning which means you will be able to take much better pictures. The Acropolis opens at 8 am.

Once you get to the top of the hill you will see the entrance gate to the Acropolis. And trust me when I say that it’s better to go there with fewer tourists. It’s an absolutely spectacular experience to pass through a gate that was already in use thousands of years ago. I’ve been to the Acropolis twice while living in Athens but I’ve never managed to go early enough. Don’t make this mistake. Go early and experience the Acropolis without the crowds.

After passing through the gate you will see the unbelievable Parthenon which most people think of when they hear the word Acropolis. This is an absolute must if you spend two days in Athens. It will take you about one or two hours to get up and down and see all the monuments on the hill.

Just a few steps from the Parthenon, there’s also the famous Erechtheion. Be aware that the statues now holding the roof are copies. You can see five of the originals in the Acropolis Museum. The sixth one is still in the British Museum despite Greece asking to get it back.

Another beautiful temple on the Acropolis is the Temple of Athena Nike. There really is more here than just the Parthenon.

On the Slopes of the Hill

And then, on the slope, there’s the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This open-air theater is thousands of years old and still functions as a theater for musical performances. I am not exaggerating when I say that I saw the most impressive concert of my life here. If you plan to visit Athens during the warmer months try to find out if there are any interesting performances during your visit. Tickets for well-known artists like Sting and The Foo Fighters sell out immediately. But you may find something else in the calendar that interests you. In any case, a performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus would be the highlight of any visit to Athens. But even visiting it during the day is a fantastic experience.

Finally, at the foot of Acropolis, you can find the world’s oldest surviving theater. The Theater of Dionysus once had seats for up to 17,000 spectators. But after thousands of years, not all of them remain.

Tickets to the Acropolis are usually €20, but you can enter the Acropolis for free on the first Sunday of every month from November to March and on select days.

Visit the Acropolis Museum

After seeing the stunning Acropolis it’s time to learn about its history. No two days in Athens can be complete without a visit to the Acropolis Museum. Even if you’re not usually a fan of museums.

Book Acropolis & Museum tour.

Head to Plaka and Anafiotika

Plaka and Anafiotika are right below the Acropolis so they’re the perfect place to continue your two days in Athens. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful area of Athens.

The whitewashed houses in the narrow alleys of Anafiotika will make you feel like you’re on a Cycladic island. You can also go for a coffee in one of the many cozy cafés here. Perfect if you want to digest all the stunning impressions from the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum.

And the colorful neoclassical buildings in picturesque Plaka are probably the prettiest buildings you will see during your two days in Athens. There’s an array of souvenir shops here where you can find everything from cheap products made in China to beautifully crafted olive wood items.

Book Plaka and Anafiotika tour.

Visit More Ancient Sites

From here, you visit the Roman Agora, the ancient Roman market. It dates back to the first century BC and features an impressive entrance gate.

Not far from the Roman Agora, you will find Hadrian’s Library. The amazing thing about all these sites is that they are located in the center of the modern city so you see the old and new coexist. Quite exciting!

Next, you can walk in the direction of Hadrian’s Arch and on to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Hadrian’s Arch is free, and you can take some photos with the Acropolis in the distance.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is my favorite ancient site in Athens. It may be small, but it’s very impressive. Of the once more than 100 columns less than 20 remain but they are very well preserved.

All these sites are included in the combined Acropolis ticket. However, if you only want to see one or two it’s cheaper to pay for each site. You can see a lot of these without actually entering so it depends on how close you want to get.

Indulge in Delicious Food for Lunch

After seeing all these ancient sites and learning about their history, you are probably hungry. Greek dishes are popular in many parts of the world. But even if you’ve had Greek food before you now have an opportunity to try authentic meals. For vegans and vegetarians, there are several vegan restaurants in Athens that you have to try.

Head to the Ancient Agora

Now that you are full of energy again, you should visit one more incredible ancient Athenian site, the Ancient Agora. It’s much older than the Roman Agora, yet still in very good condition. The Ancient Agora of Classical Athens was an enormous marketplace, and there are various temples and monuments of which you can see the remains.

Even if you feel like you have already seen too many ancient structures at this point, the Ancient Agora is an absolute must if you have two days in Athens. One of the best-preserved buildings here is the Temple of Hephaestus. In the equally impressive Stoa of Attalos, you will find the Museum of the Ancient Agora.

Hike up Lykavittos Hill for the Sunset

I don’t recommend hiking up Lykavittos Hill during the day. But the highest point in Athens is perfect if you want to watch the sunset. It has great views of Athens and all the way to the sea!

The small church at the top makes the atmosphere on Lykavittos Hill even more special. It’s the best place to end your first day of exploring Athens.

Day 2 of Your Two Days in Athens

Visit the Panathenaic Stadium

It’s best to make your way to the Panathenaic Stadium before it gets too hot. Although the stadium is already more than 2,000 years old, this is where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896.

The stadium is constructed entirely of marble and absolutely fascinating to walk around. Once you have explored the stadium itself, I highly recommend a short walk through the surrounding hills. This is a great way to escape both the noise of the city as well as the strong rays of the sun for a bit before you continue.

Visit the Parliament and Observe the Changing of the Guards

You cannot spend two days in Athens without observing the changing of the guards in front of the Parliament.

The guards change every hour so you will have plenty of opportunities to see the ceremony. But it’s only on Sundays at 11 am that you can watch the special procedure which includes an orchestra. On this occasion, the guards put on the official uniform for Sundays and holidays.

If one of your two days in Athens is a Sunday, I highly recommend planning your itinerary around this event.

Discover the Wonderful Street Art in Athens

Athens is an amazing destination for street art lovers. After visiting so many ancient sites on your first day you will see a completely different side of Athens as you walk around to explore the Athenian street art.

The best neighborhoods to find street art are Psyrri, Exarcheia, and Kerameikos. But you may have even seen some street art in Plaka on your first day. There are also organized street art tours that explain more of the context of the pieces you will see.

As an added bonus, these neighborhoods are great for a lunch break. You can find less touristy restaurants here and enjoy the modern Athenian lifestyle.

Take a Walk Through the Ancient Cemetery Kerameikos

Kerameikos is where the potters of Ancient Athens lived (hence the word “ceramic” in English). But it was also a major cemetery.

Many tourists underestimate this part of Ancient Athens, but it actually provides a lot of insight into its history. You can see the road to Plato’s Academy here and ponder the fact that you are walking the same road the ancient philosophers once walked.

Head to the National Archaeological Museum

Even if you’re not the biggest fan of archaeology you must visit the National Archaeological Museum during your two days in Athens. It’s even more impressive than the Acropolis Museum, and you will see many extraordinary archaeological artifacts here.

End Your Two Days in Athens

Now you are free to rest and find a lovely place for dinner. Depending on how much time you still have left you can simply go for a stroll in the center or even revisit some of your favorite spots.

And this is how we end our two days in Athens. But I’m sure you will be back in Greece after this trip since Greece is a 365-day destination!

Athens Tourism

How to Reach Athens

Athens is well connected by air and if you are looking to book cheap flights, you can do it right here. Book through either TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline and save big on flight bookings to reach Athens in Greece.

Where To Stay In Athens

If you are confused with the range of accommodation options that Athens offers and are looking for the best hotels in Athens or the best place to stay in Athens, do check out our favorite booking sites here. We have always used these sites to book our stay. Athens hotel booking can be done through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline to avail big discounts and save considerably on your stay in Athens Greece.

Tours/Activities available in Athens – Things To Do In Athens

Athens’s points of interest and attractions are many and if you are wondering what to see in Athens or what to do in Athens, then look no further. Athens attractions pass are available for the most recommended Athens tours. You can now book tours in Athens as well as activities in Athens.

We hope you liked how to spend 2 days in Athens, Greece post. Do share your thoughts in the comments section about how you would like to spend two days in Athens.

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