How to Spend 5 Days in Athens - A Complete Itinerary for Athens

Day 1 | Morning

Acropolis of Athens

Opening Hours: Open from 8:00am-8:00pm

Ticket Price: 20 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-6 Hours

Location: Acropoli, Athens

The Acropolis is located in the southwest of the city center of Athens. It stands on the top of the Acropolis hill more than 150 meters high. It is the landmark of the city and the symbol of ancient Greece. The Acropolis was built in 580 BC. Acropolis means "city-state on a high place" in Greek. The east, south and north sides of the hill are surrounded by cliffs, which can be described as a natural barrier. People generally enter the Acropolis from the main entrance on the west side. To enter the Acropolis scenic spot, the Gate of Bray must first pass through the Gate of Bray (BeuleGate), named after the French archaeologist Ernest Beule who discovered it. Continue up the ramp leading to the mountain gate. On the left, you can see an 8-meter-high pedestal, which once had the monument of Agrippa, a bronze statue of a Roman general driving a chariot. Above the right side of the Athena Victory Temple is an elegant and beautiful small temple-Athena Victory Temple, also known as the "Victory Temple". It was originally located on the right side of the higher mountain gate. In 2003 It was relocated to its present location as a whole and rebuilt. The temple was originally built between 427 BC and 424 BC. It is a peristyle building with four beautiful Ionian columns at each end. The capitals are decorated with curly patterns, which are very fine and elegant. The frieze is decorated with carvings depicting myths and war scenes, which are now incomplete. The central hall actually leads to the Propylaia, which is the real entrance to the Acropolis. The mountain gate was built between 437 BC and 432 BC. There is a central hall with two wings on both sides. There is a door. The colonnade in the central hall is of Doric style (20 grooves in the body and no decoration on the capital), and the colonnade on both sides is of Ionian style. The central door in the hall leads to the Panathenaic Way (Panathenaic Way). The ceiling of the hall is painted with gold stars on a dark blue background. The north wing is the Pinakothiki, which preserves the previous offerings, paintings and other treasures. Flanking the reception room of the Temple of Athena Victory. Go through the mountain gate and follow the Panathenaic Boulevard and you will pass a row of statue bases. Continuing on, you will come to the essence of the Acropolis ruins - the Erechtheion Temple on the left and the world-famous Parthenon on the right. Erechtheion Temple The Erechtheion Temple takes on the role of a real temple in the Acropolis and is home to most of the gods on the Acropolis. There are 6 Ionian-style stone pillars on the south colonnade, which are carved into the image of young girls. Their long skirts are flowing and their postures are graceful. They are called caryatides (Caryatides). well-known part. Imitations are displayed in the ruins of the temple now. Five of the originals are now in the Acropolis Museum, and one is in the British Museum. The main hall has two inner halls, one dedicated to Athena and the other to Poseidon. During the Panathenaic Day, the statue is draped in Peplos. There are also 6 Ionian-style pillars on the north side of the temple, and there is a crack in the ground, which is said to be left by Zeus. Parthenon Temple The Parthenon Temple symbolizes the glory of ancient Athens. It was built to worship Athena, the patron saint of Athens. It is a building for the entire Acropolis site. The entire building is constructed of Pantrik marble and is located on the high point of the Acropolis, which can be seen from anywhere in the city. There are 46 Doric-style pillars standing on all sides of the temple, which are simple and powerful, giving a strong and powerful impression. These stone pillars are thicker in the middle and thinner at the top. The stone pillars on both sides are not actually vertical to the ground, but slightly inclined to the inside. These designs avoid the overall rigidity and rigidity, and make the building more flexible. When the teThe Acropolis is located in the southwest portion of central Athens. It is one of Athens' greatest landmarks and a symbol of ancient Greece. The Acropolis consists of ancient architectural relics such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Erektio and the Temple of Athena. The Acropolis is steep, with only a channel in the west, which serves as a natural barrier. Actually, the Acropolis used to be a military fortress. Standing in the Acropolis, you can also look at the magnificent panorama of Athens.mple was completed, it was decorated with numerous statues and reliefs, mainly depicting mythological and historical scenes. The reliefs are mainly inlaid on the gable surface between the column capital and the roof, and the statues are placed in front of the gables of the inner roof. Some of the remaining works of art are preserved in the Acropolis Museum and the British Museum. After visiting the Atticus Theatre and the Theatre of Dionysus, there are two more theatres on both sides of the southern slope of the Acropolis worth visiting, the theatre of Herod Atticus on the west near the main entrance ( OdeonofHerodesAtticus) and the Theater of Dionysos to the east. The theater of Herod Atticus is still in use and hosts various performances, concerts, operas, Greek classical plays, etc. every summer. In recent years, the seats that can accommodate nearly 6,000 spectators have been restored. Only the remains of the huge theatre of Dionysus remain. This large theater with a capacity of 15,000 people was built in the 6th century BC. Dionysus was the god of wine and drama in Greek mythology, so the "Dionysus Festival" was held here every year in ancient times. The remaining statues and reliefs at the rear of the theater stage represent the life of the god Dionysus and are the essence of the theater site. Suggested visiting route: Temple of the Goddess of Victory of Athena → Mountain Gate → Parthenon → Temple of Erechtheion. In addition, the "New Acropolis Museum" newly built in 2009 is located at the foot of the southern foothills of the Acropolis. The style is modern and solemn, and the scale is large. It is worth visiting together.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Overall I think it was a good experince. I expected a little more to be honest. You know how expectant you are to be in the Acropolis! But it wasn’t anything wow to me. I had been in Rome previously so probably that’s why, the ruins there were more complete. But again, it was nice, the view at night was the best to see not to take pictures though but to just capture that moment with your eyes.

Trip.com User: A trip to Athens is not complete without visiting the majestic Acropolis. Wear comfortable walking shoes and remember to leave your white sneakers at home if you want them to remain white. Mine came back in shades of grey after a hike up to the Acropolis. Would be wise to also purchase your tickets online to avoid the queues.

Day 1 | Afternoon

Temple of Olympian Zeus nearby is the top choice before you leave Acropolis of Athens and hit the road.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Ticket Price: 6 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Hours

Location: Athens 105 57

The Temple of Zeus is located in the village of Olympia. It was built to worship Zeus and is one of the temples of ancient Greece. The Temple of Zeus was once famous for its ivory and gold statues, but today it is impossible to see the real thing. The Temple of Zeus was built in 470 BC and completed in 456 BC. It was designed by the architect Libon, and the statue of Zeus was in charge of the sculptor Pheidias. In 86 BC, the Roman commander Sulla captured Athens, destroyed the unfinished buildings, removed some of the stone pillars and other building materials, and transported them to Rome. They can still be seen today on the ruins of the Roman Forum in the center of Rome. The base of the Temple of Zeus is 64x28 meters, with 6 columns on the broad side and 13 columns on the long side. The surface of the temple is covered with stucco limestone, and the top of the temple is built of marble. The stone statues in front of and behind the temple are all made of marble from the island of Paros. The many statues on the gabled eaves on the west side of the temple are full of Athenian style. Legend has it that the Temple of Zeus once housed a statue of Zeus. According to historical records, the statue is 12 meters high, has an olive crown made of gold, sits on a magnificent throne made of fir wood, and is decorated with gold, ivory, ebony and various precious stones. On the right hand of Zeus is a small crowned statue, which is also made of gold and ivory. It holds a scepter made of gold in its right hand, and an eagle beside it. Today, the legendary statue and shrine no longer exist, only a few mutilated pillars and beams remain.

Reviews from Real Guests:

TheDragonHorse: Love the architecture and the moods from this historical site.

Day 1 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Temple of Olympian Zeus, xenodocheio Milos nearby is the best place to stay.

xenodocheio Milos

The xenodocheio Milos is an ideal spot for travelers wanting to discover the city. The xenodocheio Milos is an ideal choice for travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Athens.

The hotel is only 800m from Monastiraki Railway Station and 35km from Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos", giving guests a number of convenient transportation options. Transportation around the city is also convenient, with Panepistimio Metro Station within walking distance. There's plenty to do nearby, with Kolokotroni Statue, Holmes place Athens and Massage House all within a short distance.

When guests have some time on their hands they can make use of the onsite facilities.

According to our trusted guests, the facilities at this hotel are first-rate.

Day 2 | Morning

Acropolis Museum

Opening Hours: Open from 4/1-10/31,Mon,8:00am-4:00pm;Open from 4/1-10/31,Tue-Thu,Sat-Sun,8:00am-8:00pm;Open from 4/1-10/31,Fri,8:00am-10:00pm;Open from 11/1-3/31,Mon-Thu,9:00am-5:00pm;Open from 11/1-3/31,Fri,9:00am-10:00pm;Open from 11/1-3/31,Sat-Sun,9:00am-8:00pm

Ticket Price: 5 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athina 117 42, Greece

The Acropolis Museum is located in the southeast corner of the Acropolis. The entire interior of the pavilion is identical to the inner temple of the Parthenon. The exterior glass corridor is striking, and the soft natural light passes through the special glass to the venue. Uniform projection, almost perfection restores the simplicity of the sculptures and other works of art displayed in it, and the advanced design concept makes people feel like they are in the space-time corridor, between the ancient and the modern. In addition, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Parthenon hundreds of meters away from the corridor and the city of Athens.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: A real jewel where an in-depth history about the Acropolis can be discovered. I strongly suggest having a guide with you so the finds can be understood. All these artifacts have a story to be told!

Trip.com User: if you visit Athens and saw the Acropolis, you must the Acropolis Museum. The museum contains many artifacts relating to the Acropolis and the Parthenon. the admission is 20euros.

Day 2 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Acropolis Museum, National Archaeological Museum next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

National Archaeological Museum

Opening Hours: Open on Mon,Wed-Sun,8:00am-8:00pm;Open on Tue,1:00pm-8:00pm

Ticket Price: 6 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-4 Hours

Location: 28is Oktovriou 44, Athina 106 82, Greece

The National Archaeological Museum is a very large and rich museum in Athens. There are many important cultural relics collected here, which are from different archaeological sites in Greece, ranging from prehistoric to late antiquity. The museum is located in the Exarhia district of Athens, with its entrance on PatissionAvenue, next to the historic building of the Athens Polytechnic. Museum Overview The exhibition area of the museum is mainly divided into two floors, with a total of 50 exhibition halls and a collection of nearly 20,000 documents. Most of the cultural relics reflect the content of Greek mythology. An effective way to gain a detailed understanding of ancient Greek art and culture. Usually it may take half a day to read all the content carefully, basically 1-2 hours to read.

Reviews from Real Guests:

sarah.umnz: such a interesting museum with so much history

Day 2 | Evening

After visiting the glorious National Archaeological Museum, The Newel Psychiko nearby is the best place to stay.

The Newel Psychiko

The Newel Psychiko is an ideal spot for travelers wanting to discover the city. The Newel Psychiko is an ideal choice for travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Athens.

With Monastiraki Railway Station just 6km away and Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" only 30km away, transportation is very convenient. Just a short walk from Megaro Moussikis Metro Station, traveling to most city destinations is a breeze. There's plenty to do nearby, with Dimitra Goula Boutique Institute, Badminton Theater and All Massage all within a short distance.

In their spare time, guests can explore the hotel's surroundings.

According to our trusted guests, the facilities at this hotel are first-rate.

Day 3 | Morning

Panathenaic Stadium

Opening Hours: Open from 8:00am-7:00pm

Ticket Price: 5 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Leof. Vasileos Konstantinou, Athina 116 35, Greece

Athens Arena, also known as Panathenaic Stadium, is located in the Pagrati district of central Athens, adjacent to the National Garden. This horseshoe-shaped all-marble venue has a considerable historical heritage. It was mainly used in ancient Greece to host the Panathenaic Games in honor of the goddess Athena until it was rebuilt in 1896 for the first modern Olympic Games. , has become one of the landmarks of Athens and even Greece. The predecessor of the historical arena can be traced back to the Pan-Athens Congress in 331 BC. The venue was very simple at first. It was not until the ancient Roman era that the marble auditorium was renovated. . In 2004, when the 28th Summer Olympics were held in Athens, the Athens Arena became the finish line of the marathon and the venue for the archery competition. Guided tours The walls at the entrance of the arena are inlaid with five-color rings symbolizing the Olympics, and a statue of Avinov is placed at the entrance. Don't forget to pick up the audio guide and guidebook at the ticket office. The arena still maintains its original appearance. The west side is the entrance for athletes and referees. The auditorium is arranged in a horseshoe shape, all made of white marble, and can accommodate 50,000 spectators. There is a limestone starting line at the east and west ends of the arena, with a total length of 192 meters. Passing through the stone-built athlete's entry corridor, you will enter the Olympic Arena. Visitors can run in the venue and experience the feeling of Olympic athletes; in addition, you can stand on the championship podium and take pictures as a souvenir. . There are also inscriptions recording the venues of the modern Olympic Games in the arena. In the atrium, there is the exhibition "Memories of the Olympic Games", which displays relevant historical materials and items related to the Olympic Games from 1896 to the present. You may wish to take a look. There are also cafes and souvenir shops in the Athens Arena, where you can take a break and take home the commemorative items from the hometown of the Olympic Games.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Stoa of Attalos.

Stoa of Attalos

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Ticket Price: 8 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Hours

Location: Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55, Greece

The Colonnade of Attalus is a magnificent colonnade located in the ancient Agora of Athens. It was built by Attalus II, King of Pergamon, as a gift to Athens for his education here. Rebuilt one by one. The colonnade is a typical Hellenistic period building. Compared with the classical period buildings, the building scale is larger and more detailed, and the construction art is more mature. The subtlety of the colonnade is that the outer porch and the interior use different columns. The veranda on the ground floor uses Doric columns, and the interior is Ionian. The colonnade veranda and the interior on the second floor are also of two different styles, which are worthy of appreciation and careful study. The colonnade was once destroyed by the Germans and rebuilt with donations from the Rockefeller family, which is now the Museum of the Ancient Agora of Athens. This only fully restored building is of great value for archaeological research.

Day 3 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel is the best places.

Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel

The brand New Smart five-star Hotel, right in the heart of Athens, next to Monastiraki Square, Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel, combines luxury and smart accommodation and is a true luxurious, urban refuge which offers lively facilities, minimalism and aesthetics on a budget and smart technology with a twist. One can choose between 28 rooms and 7 suites, all decorated with tailor-made, delicate design elements. Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel is the perfect choice as it is close to the main city landmarks. Immerse into the hellenic vibes of a city that narrates centuries of culture and heritage. Experience a piece of Athenian history and enjoy the sensation of timeless elegance. Everything is done in a way to set you in the right mood, a blend of influences, images and emotions.

Day 4 | Morning

Cape Sounion

Opening Hours: 9:30 - Sunset, holidays. Closed on March 25.

Ticket Price: 4 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: Sounion, Ethniki Odos 91, Lavreotiki

Cape Sunyu is known as the "ends of the earth" in southeastern Europe, and the famous Poseidon Sea Temple is located on the sea cliffs of Cape Sunyu. Drive from Athens and drive 69 kilometers along the beautiful Saronic Gulf to see the ruins of the Poseidon Sea Temple built in the 5th century BC. There one can enjoy a beautiful sea view (at least 7 islands if the weather is clear).

Day 4 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Cape Sounion, Hadrian's Library next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Hadrian's Library

Opening Hours: Open on Mon-Thu,Sun,9:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Price: 4 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: Areos 3, Athens Greece

The ruins of Hadrian's Library are located in the north of the Acropolis, built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 132. The library is modeled after the architectural style of the ancient Roman Forum, and the interior is designed with study, reading room and classrooms. Today's library ruins are one of the two well-known ruins left by Emperor Hadrian in Athens. Today, the only thing that remains of the library is the gate of the library. However, from the structure and some room ruins, we can still imagine the grand scale of the year.

Day 4 | Evening

If you want to explore other popular attractions later, Coco-Mat Athens BC is a suitable place for you to stay and refresh.

Coco-Mat Athens BC

Located in Acropolis - Koukaki, Coco-mat Athens BC is a perfect starting point from which to explore Athens. The property offers guests a range of services and amenities designed to provide comfort and convenience. Facilities like free Wi-Fi in all rooms, daily housekeeping, private check in/check out, 24-hour front desk, express check-in/check-out are readily available for you to enjoy. All rooms are designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, and some rooms come with flat screen television, cleaning products, clothes rack, linens, private entrance. Entertain yourself with the property's recreational facilities, including fitness center, sauna, golf course (on site), spa, steamroom. For reliable service and professional staff, Coco-mat Athens BC caters to your needs.

Day 5 | Morning

Olympic Athletic Center of Athens "Spiros Louis"

Ticket Price: 3 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: Kifisias 37, Athens 151 23

The Athens Olympic Sports Center is a new sports center renovated in Athens to host the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, designed by Spanish architect Yago Calatrava. The sports center is located in the northeast of Athens city center and mainly consists of 5 important parts, namely Olympic Stadium, Olympic Sports Hall, Water Sports, Tennis and Olympic Indoor Cycling

Day 5 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Roman Agora.

Roman Agora

Ticket Price: 8 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Polignotou 3, Athina 105 55

Next to the ancient market in Athens is the ancient Roman market, which is very lively, with various vendors and restaurants.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.