Athens is becoming an increasingly popular weekend destination. And rightly so, as the Greek capital is perfect for a city-break. Exciting museums, lively, picturesque neighborhoods, ancient monuments around every corner, as well as trendy bars and plenty of nice restaurants. Athens is undoubtedly the destination of choice for a few days’ getaway.
We have lived in Athens for several years and we love this city. So, we deliver here what is, in our eyes, the perfect program for a weekend in Athens: walks and visits but also good addresses restaurants and shopping. The perfect mix to discover the must-sees as well as the typical places frequented by the Athenians. Discover the best of Athens in three days!
You may also be interested in the following articles:
- a weekend in Athens with the family
- a cheap weekend in Athens
- What to do in Athens?
- Must-sees to visit in Athens
- Museums in Athens, our top 10
- A week in Athens
- Top 10 day trips from Athens
Prepare your weekend in Athens: how to come? Where to sleep?
Airplane
Athens is a very well served destination, with several flights a day all year round. You can find direct flights from from England, France, Belgium, Switzerland…
We advise you to visit the site Aegean, a very good Greek airline.
Our favorite hotels for a weekend in Athens
If you come to Athens for a weekend, don’t ask yourself any questions and choose a hotel in the city center. This will avoid wasting time in transportation, so you can do everything on foot. Ideally, choose an accommodation in the neighborhoods of Syntagma, Monastiraki, Psyri, Plaka or Kolonaki. You will find many hotels and apartments on Booking.
We personally like the following hotels very much:
- In[n]Athens: a quiet hotel, close to Plaka and Syntagma.
- Athens 21: very well located in Psyri and with a good quality/price ratio
- Acropolis House: in the heart of Plaka and not expensive
- The Foundry Hotel: a super design establishment, in Psyri, with a nice rooftop
- Fresh Hotel: it has the advantage of being equipped with a swimming pool
You will find our selection of hotels (we have visited them all, without exception) in our articles Our favorite hotels in the Greek capital and The best hotels near the Acropolis.
Upon arrival in Athens
The Athens airport is located 25km from the city center. To get to the center, here are the most convenient options:
- Metro : line 3 connects the airport to the city center (Syntagma or Monastiraki stops). From the airport, the metro runs from 5:30 am to 11 pm.
- bus : the X95 shuttle bus also allows you to reach the city center from the airport. It runs 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, which is very convenient for the arrivals of eight.
- cab : this is the most comfortable option. We advise you to book with Welcome PickUps, a really serious Greek start-up that offers an excellent service. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign with your name on it, he will help you with your luggage and take you directly to your hotel.
You will find complete and detailed information in our article How to get from the airport to downtown Athens.
A weekend in Athens: day 1
The morning
- First, start your day by sipping on a Greek coffee a Greek coffee or a frappé at a café terrace. In Greece, there is no hurry and we take the time to savor. And also taste a Koulouri, these round sesame buns that you can buy in a bakery or from a street vendor.
- Then start your discovery of the Greek capital with a walk to take the pulse of the city. You can opt for a tour in the multi-stop buses: touristy, of course, but it gives you an excellent first overview.
- Then take the time to visit the central market, the “belly of Athens”. An experience rich in smells and flavors that will immediately put you in the mood.
Lunch break
- On your way out of the central market, head across the street to one of our favorite Athens restaurants: Karamanlidika tou Fany. Or, if you prefer off the beaten track, opt for lunch at Di Porto Agoras, a rustic but typical address.
The afternoon
- Take a leisurely stroll through the neighborhoods of Plaka and Anafiotika.
- Finally, end this first day with a visit to the Acropolis. While most guides recommend going in the morning, we prefer to go at the end of the day because it is less crowded, less hot in the summer and the light is very pleasant in the evening. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Areopagus for the sunset or the view on Athens.
First evening in Athens
- Nothing better to end this first day than to go for a drink in a rooftop with a view on the Acropolis like A for Athens, Couleur Locale or 360.
- Finally, dine at Café Avissinia or enjoy fabulous mezzes at Cherchez la femme.
A weekend in Athens: day 2
The morning
- Start your day with breakfast at Stani’s: a typical address to live like an Athenian. Try yogurt with honey and/or cake with syrup. A delight!
- Then, direction the National Museum of Archaeology, must-see during a stay in Athens.
Lunch break
- Go and eat grilled meat and gyros at Hi faï, a very simple and cheap place to enjoy real Greek sandwiches.
The afternoon
- Take a stroll through the chic Kolonaki district and treat yourself to a shopping break if you feel like it.
- For those who are in the mood for culture, visit the Cycladic Art Museum or the Benaki Museum, both of which are exceptional.
- Otherwise, take the funicular to go to Mount Lycabetta with an exceptional view of Athens and the Acropolis.
Second evening in Athens
- Treat yourself to a dinner overlooking the Acropolis at Strofi or Dyonisos Zonar.
- And finish the evening with a cocktail in one of the trendy bars of the city: Baba au rum, Noel or The Clumsies.
Third day for a weekend in Athens
The morning
- For this third day in Athens, start with a coffee and breakfast in the Syntagma district. You can find our favorite addresses here.
- Then discover Syntagma square and its surroundings: the Greek Parliament, the changing of the guard with the famous Evzones
- Take a trip to Ergon to bring back the best of the Greek terroir in your luggage.
- Then head for the lush National Garden
- And after crossing the National Garden, you will find yourself near the Panathenaic Stadium also called Marble Stadium or Kallimarmaro. Impressive!
Lunch break
- For your lunch break, choose Mavro Provato, a typical and delicious tavern, near the Marble Stadium.
The afternoon
- Culture lovers will opt for a visit to the magnificent Acropolis Museum.
- Those who prefer to stroll will prefer a stroll through the Monastiraki district, with a trip to the flea market, before finishing with an exploration of the Psyri district, one of our favorite neighborhoods in Athens. Or, for the ultimate archaeological experience, visit the Ancient Agora, a haven of peace right in the center of Athens.
Last night in Athens
- If you come on a summer or spring weekend, opt for an open-air cinema because it is truly a magical experience.
- In winter, you can enjoy a cozy evening in the tavern Tzitsikas kai Mermigas.
One more day in Athens?
You have the chance to stay one more day in Athens? If we were you, we would take the opportunity to make a day trip to Hydra in order to taste the pleasures of the Greek islands.
Article written by Laure M.
