Only have 24 hours in Athens, Greece? No worries—that’s actually perfect! Whether you have a 1 day stopover or are just pausing in Athens before heading to another destination in Greece, it’s well worth a visit. It’s an ancient city rich in history, buzzing with energy, and a surprisingly and pleasantly walkable nature. You can see old ruins alongside trendy cafes, go shopping, feed some cute cats, and do some rooftop hopping all in one go!
I do love Athens, but its compact nature means that you can cover it in a short amount of time. It’s best used as a gateway to other, more fascinating parts of Greece—like the photogenic blue-domed island of Santorini or the up-and-coming chill paradise of Milos—but that just means you can fit more into your Greece trip alongside Athens! My one week Greece itinerary manages to squeeze in 2 extra iconic stops before Athens, so don’t forget to check that out.
But for now, let’s dig into 24 hours in Athens! There’s so much to see and do in just one day, so it’s best to get started.
Is 24 Hours in Athens Really Enough?
People ask me all the time how many days to spend in Athens, and I’ll be frank. 24 hours in Athens is just enough to see the main sights and leave feeling satisfied. Unless you’re really into ancient architecture, historic ruins, or museums, one day is enough to see the main archaeological sites, enjoy a few great meals, and take in panoramic views of the Acropolis.
The city is compact enough that you can easily walk everywhere, which is one of my favorite things about this one-day itinerary. With a well-planned guide, your 24 hours in Athens can be packed with historic ruins, delicious coffees and drinks with a view, and local market and neighborhoods. Plus, it’ll save you the money and time of navigating multiple days in a busy capital city, so you can allocate more time for other parts of Greece (have you seen my one week Greece itinerary?)
Also, if you have more than 24 hours in Athens and don’t know what to do with the extra time, consider taking a day trip! There are many interesting, significant historic and cultural sights to see close to Athens:
Where to Stay in Athens
To make the most of 24 hours in Athens, location is everything. I recommend staying in either Psyri (also spelled Psiri) or Plaka, both within walking distance to major landmarks like the Acropolis, Monastiraki Square, and the Ancient Agora. Psyri offers a trendier, more local vibe with quirky cafes and boutiques, while Plaka is charming and historic, with neoclassical architecture and cobbled pedestrian streets.
I stayed in Psyri and personally prefer it over Plaka. However, regardless of your choice, most attractions, restaurants, and shops are within a 10-15 minute walk, meaning you can pack more into your 24 hours in Athens without relying on transportation. Here are some of my picks for the best hotels in Athens:
Accommodation Options in Psyri
- 14 Reasons Why Hotel Athens: A stylish mid-range hotel just steps from Monastiraki Square, perfect for travelers who want modern design and rooftop views in a lively neighborhood.
- Psiri Vibes: A comfortable mid-range self-catering option offering modern amenities and a central location, ideal for those who want a bit more space.
- Mosaikon: A budget-friendly boutique hostel-hotel hybrid with clean, minimalist rooms and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Acropolis.
Accommodation Options in Plaka
- Plaka Hotel: A well-located mid-range hotel with unbeatable Acropolis views from the rooftop, perfect for first-time visitors.
- Electra Palace Athens: A luxurious high-end hotel featuring elegant rooms, a rooftop pool, and premium views of the Parthenon.
- Hermes Hotel: A great-value budget-to-mid-range option on a quiet Plaka street, known for its friendly service and generous breakfast.
How to Get Around Athens
One of the best things about spending 24 hours in Athens is how easy it is to get around. If you stay in Plaka or Psyri like I recommended, you won’t need to use taxis, buses, or the metro—everything worth seeing is walkable. This makes Athens perfect for a short visit!
However, there are lots of hills and stairs in Athens. The roads are also often made of slick cobblestone worn down over so many years of foot traffic (as I learned the hard way from slipping and falling a few times!) So wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, and prepare for a bit of uphill walking—especially when visiting historic sites like the Acropolis or Filopappou Hill. If you’re carrying luggage due to a stopover, consider using a luggage storage service near Monastiraki or Syntagma Square so you can roam freely. Trust me, you don’t want to be carrying anything larger than a backpack on those wobbly stone streets!
How to Spend 24 Hours in Athens
Alright, it’s time to get into the meat of the ancient and historic capital city, Athens! This itinerary will walk you through a perfect 24 hours in Athens, from morning to night.
Filopappou Hill and Ruins
Start the morning with a walk up to Filopappou Hill, which has some of the best and most beautiful views of the Acropolis in the golden morning light. If you’re staying in Psyri like we were, you’ll pass by the gorgeous ancient Agora and see hilltop views of the Temple of Hephaestus along the way. This area is a great place to soak in the atmosphere before the city fully wakes up.
On your way down from the hilltop, grab a freddo espresso. This is Greece’s signature iced coffee topped with a fluffy cream head and it’s so delicious! Athenians swear by it and it’s nearly impossible to find outside of Greece. You won’t regret it!
Plaka
After your hilltop stroll, head into Plaka, Athens’s oldest neighborhood. Wander through its winding streets, browse local boutiques, and find a cozy taverna for lunch. Parts of Plaka can be extremely touristy, but it’s a great place to find souvenirs if you want to do some shopping. It also has a really lovely artsy atmosphere with murals and flowers everywhere.
Some popular stops include Brettos Bar, the oldest distillery in Athens, and Mnisikleous Street, famous for its wide staircase filled with cafes and restaurants.
🧿 Did you know that there’s also a Plaka in Milos, Greece? It’s one of the loveliest towns I’ve ever seen! I highly suggest also visiting Milos—it’s an up-and-coming paradise.
Changing of the Guard
From Plaka, walk to Syntagma Square to catch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Hellenic Parliament. The soldiers, known as Evzones, wear traditional uniforms and perform the ritual every hour on the hour. It’s a very popular event for tourists to watch! I was impressed by how formal and stoic the soldiers were, especially in the hot sun.
Psyri
Spend your afternoon exploring Psyri, a hip and artsy neighborhood filled with street art, vintage stores, and quirky coffee shops. Be sure to stop by Little Kook, a fairytale-themed cafe that feels more like a psychedelic film set than a restaurant. I personally don’t think the overpriced food and drink are worth stopping for, but it’s very interesting to see in person!
🏦 If you’re a history buff or interested in seeing more ruins, this is a good time to add in a few more historic stops. Psyri is relatively small and we only spent so long here because we were shopping! If you want to check out more ruins, I recommend picking one or two of these:
- The Ancient Agora
- Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Temple of Hephaestus
- Hadrian’s Arch
Rooftop Bar with Acropolis Views
In the late afternoon, hop to a rooftop bar with views of Monastiraki Square and the Acropolis. My personal pick is 360 Rooftop Bar! Given the Acropolis’s central and high point, it can be seen from several popular bars in the city. However, I recommend 360 Rooftop for its cute chairs and ambiance, plus the proximity to Monastiraki Square (”proximity” is an understatement; it’s literally located in the square itself). I also like 360 Rooftop because you don’t necessarily need a reservation—we walked in, and while there wasn’t a ton of space, we got seated right away.
There are lots of other good options, so I’ve collected some alternatives here:
- A for Athens Rooftop Bar: The most popular and original “Instagram” rooftop bar in Athens. You will need a reservation as it’s quite popular, or you can visit early and have breakfast here from 7:30-11 AM without a reservation.
- Attic Urban Rooftop: Another popular option with a flower arch and swing made for photos. The view of the Acropolis is also very good here!
- The Dolli: A more refined and classy option than the other two, but slightly further away from the Acropolis itself. The views here are beautiful—if you can afford to stay in the hotel, I highly recommend it!
The Acropolis
No trip to Athens—especially one as short as 24 hours in Athens—is complete without visiting the Acropolis itself. Other blogs will tell you to do the Acropolis first thing in the morning, but I actually advise the opposite. The Acropolis doesn’t even open until 8 AM and the lighting is already harsh and bright in the summer, plus people have a habit of lining up more than an hour before the gates are even open!
Instead, I recommend getting there in the late afternoon for soft lighting and fewer crowds. Explore iconic structures like the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. These ruins are the essence of Athens and wowed me with the grandeur of ancient Greek civilization! There are plenty of signs and placards around so you can enjoy the ruins on your own without a tour guide, but of course you can take a guided tour if you want more in-depth knowledge.
You do need a timed entry reservation to visit the Acropolis, and I recommend allocating around 2 hours to see everything at a leisurely pace. Make sure to book your tickets on the official website for the best prices!
Areopagus Hill
If you’re in Greece during high season, the Acropolis will close before sunset. Once you’ve exited the Acropolis gates with the rest of the crowd, walk across the road and scramble up Areopagus Hill. It’s the closest hill to the Acropolis and has great views for sunset!
If you are feeling ambitious or have more time, you can go out to Lycabettus Hill. I would recommend taking a taxi because the hike up takes around half an hour and it’s not that close to the Acropolis itself. However, Lycabettus Hill is the tallest hill in Athens and also boasts the best views—as well as an impressive luxurious restaurant at the top! With only 24 hours in Athens, I would opt for Areopagus Hill instead, but if you finish at the Acropolis early you might be able to make it to Lycabettus Hill in time.
Conclusion
Wrap up your night with dinner in one of Athens’s many delightful tavernas—perhaps something tucked away in Plaka or Psyri for a cozy and atmospheric end to your 24 hours in Athens. It’s time to say goodbye to the city!
Where are you headed to next? Heading home or en route to the islands? Make sure to read my 1 week guide to Greece if you want to hit 3 iconic destinations in one go, or read my dedicated guides to Milos and Santorini for a deeper dive into some of Greece’s most incredible islands.
Did you find this post helpful? Please consider pinning it on Pinterest with the buttons below, or following me on Instagram!
