Athens Vacation Packages & Tours

Things to do in Athens

Before you embark from Athens to your next Greek island destination, there are plenty of things to do in Athens in a perfect 2 day itinerary.

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  Visit the Acropolis

  Climb the steps of the Acropolis, one of the wonders of the ancient world, as there are few sights that compare to this, a place that many people only read about in history books and see on television or in films. The Parthenon temple sits high atop a rocky crag, keeping watch over the city as it has for centuries. This was the center of the ancient city, and the Parthenon is the largest temple of the classical period. Pass through the Propylaia gateway to witness the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon.

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  Explore the Agora

  Located just below the Acropolis, the Agora is a testament to the city’s status as the birthplace of western civilization. It includes long, colonnaded arcades, a concert hall and temples. This was the very spot where people gathered to talk about the nature of the universe, politics and other current events, and to conduct business, as an important trading and meeting place. In Plato’s and Socrate’s day, it was the heart of public life. The Royal Stoa is believed to be the site of Socrates’ trial in the late 4th century BC.

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  View the Treasures at the Acropolis Museum

  This museum lies at the foot of the Acropolis and showcases surviving treasures with a focus on the 5th-century BC, although the collection includes everything from the Archaic period to the Roman period. View layers of history with ruins that can be seen through the floor and floor-to-ceiling windows, while the Acropolis stands visible above.

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  Spend an Afternoon or Longer at the National Archaeological Museum

  The largest museum of its kind in the country, and one of the greatest antiquity institutions in the world, the National Archaeological Museum sits within a majestic Neoclassical building and hosts an incredible collection of ancient Greek jewelry, pottery, and sculptures. The Vase and Decorative Objects collection includes pottery from the 11th century BC through the Roman period, while the Sculpture collection features ancient Greek sculptures from the 6th-century to 5th-century BC. Visitors can also view a 2,000-year-old computer called the Antikythira Device, which was uncovered in a shipwreck off Antikithira Island.

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  Stroll through the Plaka

  The Plaka has a history that goes back at least 3,500 years as one of Europe’s most ancient settlements. Located under the Acropolis, it includes ancient ruins, renovated Neoclassical buildings, and Byzantine temples. Nestled in peaceful corners are historic churches like the Church of Kapnikarea and the Metamorfosis Church while pastel-hued, bougainvillea-trimmed homes line the streets. There are some outstanding eateries here for enjoying a meal outdoors on a warm evening, along with ouzeries to duck into when a chill sets in. It’s also home to hundreds of shops for browsing or buying, with everything from kitschy souvenir items to handcrafted products.