Athens, Rome, is a walkable city from the Parthenon to Philopappos Hill and everything in between. Athens International Airport broke all its previous records in 2024, processing almost 32 million travelers and increasing its traffic by 13% in just one year. And for good reason. Athens is the hub of Greece, where deep history meets authentic traditional experiences, but where you can also experience all the modern day creature comforts you love. It doesn’t hurt that last year, Athens served as the host city for 1.7 million cruise passengers sailing the Mediterranean coast. Most choose to spend a day or two in the Classic City – after all, you can’t stare up at the Acropolis, shrug your shoulders, and figure you’ll catch it another time. The sites in Athens are breathtakingly alluring. They pull you in and command your undivided attention, and even on a short visit, you’d be well advised to give it. A Two-Day Itinerary For Athens, Greece If you’re flying from the U.S., you’re likely to take the red eye and arrive in Athens in the morning, so you can plan on a full first day (jet lag not allowed). You’ll want to drop your bags at your centrally located hotel (more on that below) from where you can easily get around on foot, something crucial to your exploration of Athens. Traffic and congestion are legendary here, so if you can avoid getting in a car, it’s lifechanging. Plus, you can see some incredible sites by walking, then supplement with tours of must-sees farther out. So, let’s get started. See The Acropolis And Its Museum, The Parthenon, And The Historic Sites All Around Them The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is one of the amazing sites you'll see on your walk up the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Rebecca Deurlein The Parthenon is the most imposing structure in Athens – some argue in all of Greece – and you simply can’t miss it. How deeply you visit is up to you. You can purchase a ticket at the main entrance and make your way up the path on your own, or you can take a guided tour that immerses you in the history of the most complete ancient monument in the world, built around 13 BC. If you’re wondering about the Acropolis versus the Parthenon, here’s a quick primer: The Acropolis is the hill you climb – it served as the city’s political and societal center and contains fascinating evidence of that life. The Parthenon is the actual structure at the top, the temple dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and military victory. From atop the Parthenon, you’ll get sweeping, 360-degree views of Athens, a sea of white homes with red roofs and buildings so tightly compacted you’ll gasp at the sight. After your exploration, you might assume you’ve seen it all, but you haven’t. Back at the base of the Acropolis, take some time to explore the Acropolis Museum, where sculptures and columns loom above glass cases filled with ancient kitchenware, tools, hairclips, and all the reminders that this was indeed a civilization that served not just as the birthplace for democracy, but as the birthplace of life as we know it. Take A Tour Of Athens That Hits The Highlights A tour may take you up the cable car to the top of Athen's peak at Mount Lycabettus, where you'll find St. George Church. Rebecca Deurlein Even if you love to walk, you’ll tire of it, and you’ll quickly discover that when you’re on a time limit, it helps to take a tour. The Tour Guy took good care of us in Athens, picking us up in a golf cart that allowed us to maneuver easily from Constitution Square. Our guide carted us to must-see sites like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where he explained that everything from the guards’ uniforms to the way they raise and lower their feet symbolizes the long history of this city. We also took a cable car to the top of Mount Lycabettus, the highest point in Athens, where we discovered the beautiful whitewashed St. George Church dating back to 1870. Depending on your tour, you might stop at Adrian’s Arch, Pantothenate Stadium (home of the Olympic games), gorgeous churches, and the meat market, with its not-so-gorgeous spread of carcasses and a smell to go along with it. But that’s Greece, and that’s Athens. Its stark beauty is balanced against its stark reality, and hearing the stories behind all of it makes a tour a worthwhile investment. Stroll The Streets, Eat, And Drink In Plaka Next to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, you'll find the charming neighborhood of Plaka, where you can shop, stroll, eat, and drink. The oldest and longest inhabited neighborhood in Athens, Plaka is a tourist destination for good reason. The pedestrian-only roads provide a much-needed break from bustling traffic. Cobblestone streets are lined with tumbling bougainvillea, and café tables are tucked into every nook and cranny, including on hillside steps that lead to more restaurants and shops in neoclassical buildings, Byzantine churches, and of course nightclubs, because everything in Athens is a dichotomy. Shop for olive wood home goods, pottery, Greek spices and kitchen essentials, or religious symbols (Athens seems to have them all). While in Plaka, don’t miss Psaras Tavern, the oldest taverna in Athens – it does not rest on its famous laurels, but produces excellent food and an unforgettable dining experience, especially as you gaze out over the lights of Athens as day turns to night. Treat Yourself To The Most Grand Stay In Athens The GB Roof Top at Hotel Grande Bretagne is not just fine dining - it's fine dining with the most epic view of the Parthenon in Athens. Hotel Grande Bretagne Since Athens is relatively inexpensive, consider sinking some dough into a hotel that will put you in the center of the city (thankfully, you won’t hear any city noise after you step inside) and provide superb service throughout your stay. Celebrating its 150th anniversary, Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection has stellar views of the Parliament Building (you can watch the changing of the guard from your balcony) and the Parthenon, especially when aglow at night. Rooms are luxurious, as is the spa – both provide a calm respite after a busy day in the city. Whatever you do in all of Athens, don’t miss dinner at the hotel’s GB Roof Garden restaurant. You won’t be able to take your eyes off the sight of the Parthenon bathed in a yellow glow of light as you dine on crab pasta or ceviche and lobster ravioli. Have a bottle of wine, some ouzo, and some tiramisu, and settle in for a lovely night of thanking your lucky stars that you’re in Athens, Greece, the birthplace, as it turns out, of incredible memories. MORE FROM FORBES ForbesHow To Spend One Day And Night In BarcelonaBy Rebecca Deurlein ForbesThis Winter, Embark On A Small-Ship Cruise In The MediterraneanBy Rebecca DeurleinForbesLa Quinta, A Coachella Valley Gem, Is Most Certainly Not A Hotel ChainBy Rebecca Deurlein Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades