Is Athens Worth Visiting in 2024? 10 Things Not to Miss

The museum houses artefacts found on the Acropolis and the surrounding slopes. It’s built over an archaeological site, and its glass floors allow visitors to view ongoing excavations below.

As you walk through the museum you’ll learn about everyday life in Ancient Greece, from the dice crafted out of animal bones for children to play with, to the magnificent marble sculptures that lined the temples on the Acropolis.

I’d strongly recommend visiting the museum before the Acropolis, as it gives you a really good understanding of the history behind the temples and sanctuaries on the Acropolis hill.

The museum is really popular, so I’d recommend booking your tickets in advance.

2. The Acropolis

The word Acropolis comes from the Greek words “akron,” meaning “highest” and “polis,” meaning “city.”

So in English, Acropolis translates to a “high city”, which is why you’ll find it overlooking the city of Athens. 

In ancient Greece, an acropolis referred to a high point in a city where important temples, monuments and other significant buildings were built.

The Acropolis of Athens is arguably the most famous, and although a lot of people mistake it for being the most prominent building made up of columns (The Parthenon), the Acropolis is actually the whole hill, and the buildings within it. 

It’s made up of several temples and sanctuaries, including:

• The Parthenon: the most famous structure on the Acropolis. It’s a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, and was built between 447 BC and 438 BC.
• Erechtheion: the Erechtheion is dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon and is famous for its Porch of the Caryatids, which features six female statues serving as columns.
• Propylaea: the Propylaea is the entrance gateway to the Acropolis. It consists of a central building with wings on either side, and would have been the main way the Ancient Greeks entered the Acropolis
• Temple of Athena Nike: This small temple is dedicated to Athena Nike, the goddess of victory. 
• Theater of Dionysus: Located on the southern slope of the Acropolis hill, the Theater of Dionysus is an ancient theatre that could hold up thousands of people for theatrical performances 

It’s an incredible experience to stand somewhere that holds so much history, and a real privilege to learn more about the thriving community that lived here.

3. Wander the streets of Plaka

The Plaka neighbourhood is one of the oldest in the city, known for its charming, narrow streets, bustling atmosphere and grand neoclassical houses.

I’d recommend visiting the Acropolis and then wandering through Plaka afterwards, as they’re located very close together. It’s a great spot for lunch, with many traditional Greek tavernas and modern restaurants to choose from.

You’ll also find lots of shops and boutiques selling traditional Greek crafts, souvenirs, jewellery, and clothes.

4. Take a gastronomy tour

A food tour is one of the best ways to familiarise yourself with the culture of a city. I’d never done one before visiting Athens and now I’m vouching to book one everywhere I go.

We did our food tour with Alternative Athens, who run a range of tours that focus on local experiences, away from places frequented by tourists.

Throughout the award-winning gastronomy tour, we sampled local delicacies like baklava, bougatsa and souvlaki.

We even went to a shop to give olive oil tasting a go, and learn more about the benefits of consuming olive oil as part of your diet.

The tour took us to neighbourhood cafes, bustling markets, and family-run restaurants, and was a brilliant way to understand the history surrounding Greek food.

5. Visit the iconic Little Kook cafe

Little Kook is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Located just a short walk from the main Monastiraki Metro station, it’s known for its elaborate decorations which change according to the season.

We visited in December when it was adorned with Christmas decorations, and there wasn’t a space inside the cafe and on the surrounding streets that wasn’t covered.

The cafe serves a selection of drinks and snacks, but even if you go just to see the decorations, it’s well worth a visit.

Top tip: Get here for opening time (9am) to enjoy it without the crowds. It’s open until midnight so make sure you come back to see the street lit up, it looks even more impressive.

6. Enjoy fine dining at Makris

If you’re looking for a special dining experience whilst you’re in Athens, book a table at Makris. The restaurant group began in Corfu in 2018 and has gone on to win multiple awards.

Chef Peter Dimas heads up the kitchen, and has a wealth of experience in several Michelin-starred restaurants.

Guests can enjoy an 8 or 13-course menu, alongside an extensive list of over 250 wines and signature cocktails.

The restaurant even has its very own farm, located in ancient Corinth, about an hour away from Athens. The farm, along with small local producers, supply the majority of the ingredients for the restaurant.

The quality of the food is reflective of the time spent on sourcing the finest ingredients.

7. Visit the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) was built in 2016 to support art, culture and education across the city.

It’s located in the Kallithea neighborhood of Athens and is home to the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece, as well as gardens and a 42 acre park.

Most impressively, the majority of attractions here are free or very affordable for the general public. Its purpose is to bring people together and give back to the community of Athens, and residents and tourists benefit from walking tours, sailing, rock climbing and ice-skating in the winter months.

8. Admire the views from the rooftop at Electra Metropolis

We were lucky enough to be staying at the Electra Metropolis, a 5* hotel located in the heart of the city. The rooftop of the hotel has some of the most incredible views of the Acropolis, so I’d recommend visiting for a drink whilst you’re here.

There’s tables inside and outside, so no matter the weather, you can make the most of the views.

9. Learn about the life of Maria Callas

Maria Callas was a very famous Greek-American opera singer, often regarded as one of the greatest of the 20th century.

She was born in New York to Greek immigrant parents and demonstrated incredible talent from a young age. She later moved to Greece with her mother and received her early musical education there.

Callas went on to make her professional debut in Athens in 1942 and gained huge popularity not only in Greece but around the world.

The Maria Callas museum opened in 2023, and is a dedicated space to her life and career.

It’s well worth a visit whilst you’re in Athens, and is an opportunity to hear Maria sing, view the outfits she wore, and learn more about her life and why she was so well loved by the people of Greece.

10. Grab drinks at Juan Rodriguez

One thing that really surprised me about Athens was just how lively it was. By day, there’s bustling cafes, where groups gather to enjoy meals on tables lining the streets.

And by night, there’s plenty of bars and clubs. Even in December, which isn’t the peak season for the city, they were full of people.

Juan Rodriguez is a restaurant serving food and drinks throughout the day. At night, it’s a thriving bar and the perfect place for a night out in Athens.

Is Athens worth visiting: accommodation choice

No matter your budget, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation in Athens.

There’s airbnbs, hotels and hostels across the city, here’s some of my favourites:

Electra Metropolis

We checked into the 5* Electra Metropolis during our stay in Athens, and it was the perfect base for a weekend in the city.

The rooms are spacious and modern, some with views over the Acropolis.

Best of all, there’s a large rooftop restaurant with unrivalled views over the city and the Acropolis, as well as a pool that’s open during the warmer months.

Downstairs, there’s a spa with an additional inside pool, as well as a bistro.

The location couldn’t be better as you’re within walking distance of most of the sights, just 10-minutes from Little Kook cafe, 15-minutes from the Acropolis, and only 1-minute from the Maria Callas museum.

Breakfast is included and rooms start from £130 per night.

Monsieur Didot

Located in a neoclassical house built in the 20th century, Monsieur Didot is surrounded by theatres, cafes, bars and restaurants, the perfect place to be in the heart of it all.

There’s just 6 rooms here, made up of 4 bedrooms and 2 suites, giving it a boutique feel that can sometimes be lost in larger chains.

Some rooms even have a terrace, perfect for enjoying the warm Athens evenings.

A breakfast made up of delicious Greek products is included, and rooms start from £70 per night.