Choose from 58 Fun Things to Do in Athens
Omonoia Square
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National Gardens of Athens
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Megalo Kavouri
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Odeon of Herodes Atticus
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Meteora
- Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen and water, and prepare to walk—all but one of the monasteries is reached by steep steps.
- Visitors to the monasteries must have their shoulders and knees covered, and wraps are provided at the entrance.
- The best options for restaurants and cafes are in Kalampaka, so bring a packed lunch if you plan to spend the day.
- Be sure to check the opening days and times of the monasteries in advance as they vary.
- Plan to visit two or three monasteries on a day tour—to visit all six, you will need a 2-day tour.
- St. Stephen's Monastery (Agios Stephanos) is the only wheelchair-accessible monastery.
Olympic Stadium
Greece is where the Olympic Games began in the 11th century BC, as a festival dedicated to the god Zeus. The first modern Olympics was held in Athens in 1896 in the Panathinaiko Stadium, a 4th century BC stadium which was restored for the games. When Athens won the right to hold the 2004 games, people wondered if the chaotic and polluted city could make it work; they did. The result was a rebuilding program which re-invigorated the city and its transport system.
The Olympic Stadium of 2004 was originally built in the early 1980s for the European Olympic Championships and was remodeled by famous architect Santiago Calatrava for 2004. It seats around 70,000 and is now home to the major Athens football clubs and concerts. The stadium is called Spiros Louis Stadium after the winner of the 1896 marathon.
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Bus X14 from Syntagma Square takes about half an hour to reach the stadium. The closest train station is Irini on metro line 1.
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
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Plaka
Plaka is the oldest residential district of Athens. Its historic narrow lanes and stepped alleys wind up the lower slope of the Acropolis. Once the heart of working class Athens, then the centre of music and nightclubbing, nowadays it's full of cafes and restaurants, also shops which tend to be aimed at tourists with prices to match. But it's definitely the nicest part of Athens to wander around between visits to the nearby archaeological sites and museums.
Head up the steps to the small area of Anafiotica. This is like a little Greek island village transplanted to Athens. It was built by the migrant workers who came to build the Presidential Palace in the 19th century when it was King Otto's palace.
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Piraeus Cruise Port
The Basics
Most shore excursions departing Piraeus head inland to nearby Athens (8 miles or 13.5 km away). With half- and full-day Athens tours available, travelers can explore the Greek capital and its UNESCO-listed Acropolis—including Parthenon Temple, the Plaka District, and Temple of Zeus—or visit popular attractions such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Olympic Stadium. Other popular day trips head to Vouliagmeni Beach (15 miles or 24 km away); southern Cape Sounion and its Temple of Poseidon (52 miles or 83 km away); ancient Corinth (52 miles or 83 km away); or the Greek islands of Poros, Hydra, and Egina (58 miles or 93 km across the Saronic Gulf). Back at the dock in Piraeus, visitors can experience the city’s National Archaeological Museum and its collection of art from Greek antiquity, including bronze statues of Athena and Apollo.
- Discover Athens on foot, or by Segway, cruise, or hop-on, hop-off bus on a shore excursion tour.
- Booking an excursion that includes transportation and an English-speaking tour guide is the best way to learn about the ancient sights.
- Most Piraeus shore excursion tours include pickup and dropoff at the Piraeus port.
- For a taste of local flavor, choose a food tour or an outdoor excursion with a traditional lunch.
How to Get to Athens from the Piraeus Cruise Port
To reach Piraeus city center from the cruise terminal, head to the Piraeus metro station about a mile away—you can walk 20 minutes around the harbor to get there, or take bus No. 843 from the port to the station. From here, take the green metro line to central Athens in about 20 minutes, alighting at Omonia Station or Thissio for the Acropolis. Shore excursion tours typically include round-trip transportation, while shuttles buses and private transfers are also available from Piraeus to central Athens.
Port Information
In Piraeus, the language is Greek and the currency is the euro, although you will find both English speakers and ATMs in the tourist areas of the city. It’s possible to ferry to just about any of the major Greek Islands from Piraeus—the biggest problem you will encounter is choosing which one.
Monument of Lysicrates
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Mikrolimano
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Kolonaki Square
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Kotzia Square
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Pelion
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National Archeological Museum
A visit to the National Archaeological Museum provides the ultimate overview of Greek history and art, underscoring their influence on Western civilization. The scores of exhibits range from prehistory through to late antiquity.
Highlights include glittering artifacts from Mycenae, spectacular Minoan frescos from Santorini, and intricate Cycladic figurines.
There are objects excavated from Troy, Neolithic ceramics, marble sculptures from the Aegean islands, jewelry and weapons, and mummies and statues from ancient Egypt.
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Parthenon
The Basics
The best way to visit the Parthenon is on a walking tour of the Acropolis of Athens, including neighboring ruins such as the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion. First-time visitors to Athens can also combine a visit with a city sightseeing tour; a half-day trip to the Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion; or even a food tasting city tour. History buffs can tack on a tour of the Ancient Agora or a visit to the New Acropolis Museum.
- The Parthenon is most often visited on half- or full-day city tours of Ancient Athens.
- Come prepared for the weather, as the Parthenon is an indoor/outdoor experience.
- Wheelchair lift available to the top of the Acropolis.
How to Get to the Parthenon
The Parthenon is located within the Acropolis on a hilltop in central Athens. Entry is via Dionysiou Areopagitou or Theorias, and the nearest underground train station is Akropoli.
When to Get There
The Parthenon is open from April to October, Monday 11am to 7:30pm and Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 7:30pm, and November to March, daily from 8:30am to 3pm. As with most popular tourist attractions, you would do well to arrive when the doors open to beat the crowds.
An Awkward Encounter with England
In the early 19th century, when Athens was under Turkish rule, sculptures from the Parthenon were sold to Englishman Lord Elgin. The artifacts, nicknamed the ‘Elgin Marbles’ are now on display in London's British Museum, but they remain a point of contention for the Greek government, which still insists they should be returned.