What to do in Athens

Activities, attractions and tours

The Parthenon in Athens, Greece, illuminated at night.
A narrow street with shops on both sides, including a store with bags and accessories.
Ancient columns of a historical building with intricate carvings.
A street with a gelato shop and a gallery.
A market with colorful clothing and signs for 'NIK' and 'APHRODITE'.

Places to Visit in Athens

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Athens, Attica while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Athens attractions from NZ$4, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Athens tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 746 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Athens. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

Activities

Poros, Hydra & Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch

From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch

NZ$279
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch
Historical Delphi One Day Tour with Arachova Stop & Expert Guide

Historical Delphi One Day Tour with Arachova Stop & Expert Guide

NZ$55
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Historical Delphi One Day Tour with Arachova Stop & Expert Guide
Athens Half-Day Sightseeing Tour with Tickets of Acropolis

Athens Half-Day Sightseeing Tour with Tickets of Acropolis

NZ$172
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Athens Half-Day Sightseeing Tour with Tickets of Acropolis
Skip-the-Line Acropolis and Parthenon Tour

Acropolis and Parthenon Tour in Athens included Skip the line ticket

NZ$142
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Acropolis and Parthenon Tour in Athens included Skip the line ticket
Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon Sunset Experience

Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon Sunset Experience

NZ$63
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon Sunset Experience
Epidaurus & Mycenae Full-Day Trip

Epidaurus & Mycenae Full-Day Trip

NZ$72
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Epidaurus & Mycenae Full-Day Trip
Athens: Acropolis Museum Entry Ticket with Optional Audio Guide

Athens: Acropolis Museum Entry Ticket with Optional Audio Guide

NZ$51
per adult
Athens: Acropolis Museum Entry Ticket with Optional Audio Guide
Athens & Acropolis Tour with optional Acropolis Museum

Athens & Acropolis Tour with optional Acropolis Museum

NZ$158
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Athens & Acropolis Tour with optional Acropolis Museum
Ancient Corinth & Nafplion One-Day Tour

Ancient Corinth & Nafplion One-Day Tour

NZ$111
per adult
Ancient Corinth & Nafplion One-Day Tour
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Top places to visit

1. Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens certainly isn't your average 'sight-to-be-seen' – it's truly in a category all of its own. This sacred hill, and its beautiful temples, have been a magnetic draw to tourists from the Romans onwards. Partly that's because those temples rise from this slab of rock in such a poised and dramatic manner. But it's also because we owe the Ancient Greeks so much. The Acropolis is where we can wander under columns familiar to the great philosophers and democrats that shaped the western world.
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A historic city on a hill with ancient ruins and modern buildings.

2. Syntagma Square

While the centre of gravity for ancient Athens – with its temples and forums, crumbling ruins and shiny new museums – is the Acropolis, for the modern city of Athens it is Syntagma Square. This 18th century square, fronting the Greek Parliament, has been the focus of much of the political turmoil that has gripped Greece since it became independent in 1832. It's where the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior sits solemnly, and where the changing of the guard is a uniquely Greek spectacle. It is also at the buzzing centre of Athens, a tree-line square where Athenians come to meet, greet and eat.
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A grand building with classical architecture, a wide open plaza, and a busy street with light trails indicating movement.

3. Parthenon

The Parthenon, the most famous structure at the Acropolis, was completed in 438 B.C. and is a striking example of ancient Greek architecture. Over the centuries, this symbol of strength has survived the rise and fall of civilizations, wars and modern development and today is a source of great pride for the country. Tourists from around the world come to photograph, paint and just gaze in wonder at the Doric columns, statues and detailed reliefs carved into the white marble.
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The Parthenon, an ancient Greek temple with Doric columns, situated on the Acropolis.

4. Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum is Athens' sleek modern temple to archaeology – a place where the tangled jumble of the Acropolis story, in all its 3,500 year old glory, can be properly told. An elegant and award-winning building, it has manages to reinvigorate the difficult task of presenting the complex history of Athens' most famous ruins.
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A modern building with glass facade, a palm tree, and a staircase leading to an upper level.

5. Monastiraki Flea Market

The word ‘Byzantine’ could have been invented for Monastiraki Flea Market, a warren of narrow streets, tiny squares and busy cafés nestled close to the ancient heart of Athens. Its wonderfully diverse and unique shops pull in the shoppers and tourists. And that bustling crowd, in turn, brings out the noisy side of the Athenians, who are apt to spark up a song-and-dance at the drop of a tasselled cap. Street jugglers, buskers and artists add to the hubbub, and it’s easy to get carried along by the magnetic swirl of it all.
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A bustling market street with historical architecture, including a building with arches and columns, and a prominent sign with a blue and white symbol.

Recommended things to do in Athens

Number of things to do
746
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Athens: Unlimited Greece Internet with eSIM Mobile Data Plan: NZ$4
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Athens

Stay near popular Athens attractions

A historic city on a hill with ancient ruins and modern buildings.

Acropolis

9.8/10 (19,146 reviews)
This ancient citadel crowns Athens with magnificent temples honouring Greek gods. Walk among the Parthenon's iconic columns and glimpse the city's panorama from this UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece.
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Our guide on where to stay in Athens

Find the best Athens areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Athens
Learn more about Athens
Ancient ruins with a prominent stone tower, a large rock formation in the background, and surrounding greenery.

Plaka

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are a few things travellers love about Plaka. Check out Adrianou Street or Roman Agora while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Akropoli Station to get around town.

A historic building with a dome and arches, a fortification on a hill, and a clear blue sky.

Monastiraki

Monastiraki is popular for its fantastic nightlife. Explore top sights like Monastiraki Square and Ermou Street, and you can get around town on the metro at Monastiraki Station.

A grand building with classical architecture, a wide open plaza, and a busy street with light trails indicating movement.

Syntagma

While you're in Syntagma, take in top sights like Syntagma Square and jump on the metro at Syntagma Station to see more of the city.

A cityscape with a prominent hill and a white building with columns in the foreground.

Kolonaki

Spend some time visiting places like Benaki Museum while getting to know Kolonaki, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Aristippou Station or Evangelismos Station to see more of the area.

The Acropolis of Athens, including the Parthenon and other ancient ruins.

Koukaki

Visitors to Koukaki love its fascinating museums, and you can check out Acropolis Museum and Museum of the Center for the Acropolis Studies. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Akropoli Station.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Athens

An aerial view of a coastal town with a beach, clear turquoise waters, and a backdrop of mountains.

Vouliagmeni

An aerial view of a marina with numerous boats docked, surrounded by a coastal cityscape and mountains in the background.

Alimos

A marina with yachts docked, a cityscape in the background, and pink flowers in the foreground.

Piraeus

A white church with a bell tower and a dome.

Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero

A cityscape with a mountainous backdrop.

Ilioupoli

A neoclassical building with columns and a statue in front.

Kallithea

A coastal industrial area with a prominent tall chimney, a harbor, and a mountainous backdrop.

Keratsini-Drapetsona

The Acropolis of Athens, including the Parthenon and other ancient ruins.

Chalandri

Frequently asked questions

Is Athens worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Athens is visit Voula Beach. Check this leading sight off your list, then discover more of this area's views and culture.
How do I spend a day in Athens?
Voula Beach and Votsalakia Beach are two good places to start your holiday adventures. Remember to explore the dining and retail options in Athens while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Athens?
The top tourist attraction in Athens is Voula Beach, so make sure to include it on your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Athens?
Three days will be enough time to check out the leading city attractions, such as Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Athens Concert Hall and Votsalakia Beach. The average stay in Athens is three days. If you have the time to extend your escape, Spata-Artemida isn't far away.
Is Athens a walkable city?
With popular neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Athens is a great place to tour on foot. Enjoy wandering between Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Athens Concert Hall. Then take a stroll around Monastiraki, located 0.16 kilometres from the centre, and Makrigianni, which is roughly 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Athens with kids?
Planning what to do in Athens with kids has never been easier. Whether you're holidaying with toddlers or teenagers, there's a range of family-friendly attractions to keep everyone busy here.

What to do in Athens for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Athens, with experiences for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena or Ancient Agora of Athens.
Are there free things to do in Athens?
In Athens, Votsalakia Beach is a top spot for anyone wanting to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, stroll around the other neighbourhoods and green spaces, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's a simple way to learn about the best free things to do in Athens.

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