4 Days in the Greek Capitol

Day One- Arrival Evening

After a long day of travel, keep it simple, check out the neighborhood. This evening's itinerary starts after dropping your bags at the hotel.

1. 01

   Neighborhood Walk

   Allow about 1 hour

   Walk to Syntagma Square and then back toward Mitropoleos Square. Get your bearings in the neighborhood. Grab goat's milk ice cream at Goat It.

2. 02

   Souvlaki Dinner

   We enjoyed Meat the Greek but there are many other souvlaki shops in the area. Casual, Greek dinner- welcome to Athens!

3. 03

   Walk Cont'd

   Until you're ready for bed

   After dinner, continue your walk past Mitropoleos Sqaure. Turn left up Aiolou and get your first nighttime glimpses of the Roman Agora and the Acropolis!

Day Two- Food Tour & Lycabettus Hill

1. 01

   National Gardens

   Allow 1 hour

   Morning walk in Athen's largest urban park.

2. 02

   Guided Food Tour in Psyrri

   3-4 hours

   book ahead

   Book a guided food tour through the vibrant Psyrri neighborhood.

3. 03

   Lycabbetus Hill

   Allow 1 to 2 hours

   Best views in the city. Take the funicular up and down or walk it if you want even more steps for your day.

4. 04

   Dinner in Kolonaki

   book ahead

   We ate at and recommend Mprimpilo but Kolonaki has many fabulous local restaurants.

Day Three- The Acropolis

Exploring the city's crown jewel. Wear good walking shoes.

1. 01

   Guided Tour of the Acropolis

   Allow 3-4 hours

   book ahead

   Book a guided tour of the Acropolis. Get tickets as early as possible to beat the midday crowds.

2. 02

   Acropolis Museum

   Allow 1 to 1.5 hours

   book ahead

   Depending on the tour you've booked, the museum may be included. If not, I suggest booking it separately and heading there immediately after your Acropolis visit.

3. 03

   Afternoon in Plaka

   Allow 2 hours

   Grab lunch in Plaka and soak up its charms. Shop, stroll and enjoy one of Athen's most charming neighborhoods.

4. 04

   Rooftop Dinner

   BOOK AHEAD

   Book dinner on one of the city's many rooftops for nighttime views of the Acropolis. If staying at the Electra Metropolis, it has a wonderful rooftop restaurant with incredible views.

Day Four - Changing of the Guards & A Few Last Sites

If your last day falls on a Sunday, there is an elaborate changing of the guards ceremony at 11 a.m in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. If not, follow the alternative.

1. 01

   Changing of the Guards

   Arrive early, allow 1 hour

   The guards in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour, 24/7/365. You should see it once while in Athens as it is very unique. If it is a Sunday, at 11 a.m. they put on an elaborate ceremony that will take you an hour or so to watch. If any other day, just arrive a little before the hour and watch for ten minutes.

2. 02

   Alternative (non-Sunday): Hop on Hop Off Bus

   Allow 1.5 hours

   Hop on Hop Off Bus leaves from Syntagma Square, does a loop around the city in about 1.5 hours. Fun, casual way to get some more sightseeing in when your feet are tired.

3. 03

   Afternoon in Plaka or Monastiraki Square

   Allow 2 hours

   Head back to Plaka or check out Monastiraki Square for souvenir shopping, gelato or another souvlaki.

4. 04

   Hadrian's Arch & Panathenaic Stadium

   Allow 2 hours

   Walk through the National Gardens stopping first at Hadrian's Arch for a photo and then at the Panathenaic Stadium. At the Stadium, you can buy tickets to go inside or just snap photos.