It's official: I'm completely in love with Greek food and culture! Athens, Greece, is a city where ancient history and incredible food come together at every turn—and I mean every turn. Before my trip, I had a general idea of what I wanted to see, but no real strategy for where to start. So, I headed out from my Airbnb toward the Acropolis, which turned out to be the perfect starting point for exploring Athens.
With so many historic sights clustered around this iconic landmark, you can easily spend hours wandering through narrow alleyways, charming neighborhoods, and winding streets that climb the hillsides. The steep slopes and tiny passageways give parts of Athens that classic European charm, and the food scene? Absolutely fantastic! Athens is packed with restaurants, tavernas, and little eateries on nearly every corner. I usually seek out less touristy spots in hopes of finding the best local dishes, but honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food was, even in the busy tourist areas.
From hands-on cooking classes—where we learned to make an incredible Vegan Spanakopita Recipe—to stepping back into 290 BCE at Plataeon Kaminos, this city knows how to bring history and flavor to life. I didn't follow a strict sightseeing itinerary during my visit, which made wandering around even more fun, so let's explore the neighborhoods, ancient landmarks, and must-try Greek foods that made our trip unforgettable.
Quick Athens Travel Tips:
• Book Acropolis Tickets Early: Reserve your timed entry slot days—or even weeks—in advance, even during the off-season.
• Walk the Acropolis Loop: You can walk a full circle around the base of the Acropolis through Plaka and Monastiraki, ending right back where you started.
• Allow 1.5 Days for Major Ruins: Between the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus, give yourself at least a day and a half so you aren't rushed.
Exploring the Heart of Athens: Plaka & Monastiraki
If there's one thing I learned while exploring Athens, it's that some of the best experiences happen when you have absolutely no plan! One minute you're wandering ancient streets beneath the Acropolis, and the next you're stumbling upon a tucked-away church, a bustling market, or a rooftop restaurant with jaw-dropping views and a plate of delicious Greek food. And honestly? That's exactly how I love to travel!
The Acropolis sits high above the city, with charming neighborhoods, lively squares, and historic landmarks scattered all around it. You can spend hours wandering the narrow alleyways, browsing little shops, and discovering hidden gems along the way. When your belly starts to rumble, simply pick the coolest-looking restaurant you see. We did this throughout Athens, and I was never disappointed! The streets along the slopes of the Acropolis are especially great for finding rooftop spots where you can enjoy a meal with an incredible view.
My favorite tip for exploring this area: You can walk a full loop around the Acropolis and eventually end up back near where you started. So pick a direction and start wandering! You'll pass historic sites, charming neighborhoods, and plenty of tempting places to stop for food or drinks. Just keep in mind that if you plan to visit all the major archaeological sites and really explore along the way, you could easily spend a day and a half in this area. There's a lot more to see than you might expect, so don't try to squeeze it all into a few hours.
Plaka Neighborhood
Plaka is one of those neighborhoods where I could happily spend hours wandering around with absolutely no plan. You know, just turning down little streets to see what we could find! With its narrow, winding alleyways, colorful buildings, cute little shops, and traditional tavernas, Plaka has that classic European charm I absolutely love. Tucked beneath the Acropolis, it's the perfect place to soak up the Athens vibes, browse for souvenirs, and, of course, find something delicious to eat.
We actually found a beautiful rooftop restaurant for our first full meal in Athens, and the view of the Acropolis was incredible. I mean, could we have picked a better spot? Sitting there, enjoying Greek food with this amazing ancient landmark right in front of us, I remember thinking how lucky we were to be there. It was such a fun way to kick off our Athens adventure, and honestly, it's hard to beat a meal with a view like that!
Monastiraki Square
If you're looking for a little hustle and bustle, Monastiraki Square is the place to be! This lively gathering spot is surrounded by shops, restaurants, street vendors, and the famous Monastiraki Flea Market. With views of the Acropolis nearby and plenty of activity throughout the day, it's a great place to experience the energy of Athens and explore the surrounding streets in search of food and local treasures.
As we wandered through the square, we stumbled across a small church that was surprisingly beautiful inside. I love little discoveries like this when traveling! You can be walking through a busy tourist area one minute and find yourself stepping into a peaceful, historic space the next. After exploring a bit more, we found a lovely bar where we could grab some drinks, do a little people-watching, and just soak up the atmosphere. Honestly, sitting back and watching everyday life unfold is one of my favorite things to do when visiting a new city.
And here's another pleasant surprise about Athens: enjoying ourselves didn't mean spending a fortune! Compared to many other European destinations we've visited, we found Athens to be pretty reasonably priced. Between exploring historic sights, grabbing a bite to eat, and stopping for drinks along the way, it was nice to enjoy the city without feeling like every little stop was going to break the bank.
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Greek Food I Tried in Athens
From flaky spanakopita and sizzling saganaki cheese to creamy dips, souvlaki, and honey-drenched baklava, eating our way through Athens was hands-down the highlight of the trip. Here is a look at some of the best dishes we tasted around the city:
Want to recreate some of these flavors at home? Check out my Vegan Spanakopita Recipe (inspired by our cooking class at SOYBIRD KITCHEN) or finish a Greek dinner with my crispy Pistachio Baklava!
Must-See Ancient Landmarks in Athens
Athens is one of those cities where history seems to pop up everywhere you look. You can be strolling down a modern city street and suddenly find yourself standing next to ruins that are thousands of years old! From the iconic Acropolis to ancient gathering places, there is so much to explore. Even if you're not a huge history buff, it's hard not to be impressed by the incredible landmarks scattered throughout the city.
Acropolis and Parthenon
You can't visit Athens without seeing the Acropolis and its famous Parthenon! Perched high above the city, this ancient hilltop complex is home to some of Greece's most recognizable monuments. The Parthenon, built in honor of the goddess Athena, is the star of the show, but there's so much more to explore along the way. Between the ancient columns, fascinating ruins, and incredible views over Athens, it's one of those places that really makes you appreciate just how much history this city holds.
My number one tip? Book your tickets well in advance—days, if not weeks, ahead of your visit! This place gets incredibly busy, especially during the summer months when the crowds can be intense. We visited during the off-season and still had to book a few days ahead to secure our preferred time slot. So, don't assume you can just show up and walk right in!
Here's another little tip: take some time to admire the Acropolis from around the city after dark. Seeing the ancient monuments beautifully illuminated against the night sky is a completely different experience, and the views are gorgeous. It's a great way to appreciate these incredible landmarks even after you've finished your daytime sightseeing.
Temple of Olympian Zeus & Arch of Hadrian
If you think the Parthenon has impressive columns, wait until you see the Temple of Olympian Zeus! This enormous temple was dedicated to Zeus, the king of the ancient Greek gods, and was once one of the largest temples in the ancient world. Today, the towering columns that remain give you a sense of just how massive the original structure must have been. It's pretty amazing to imagine what this place looked like in its heyday!
As you make your way toward the site, you'll come across the Arch of Hadrian, an impressive landmark that's worth stopping to admire before continuing around the corner to the temple grounds. Once inside, you'll find ancient ruins scattered throughout the area—and keep your eyes peeled for the turtles! They seem to be everywhere, casually wandering around like they own the place. Honestly, spotting them was a fun little bonus we weren't expecting!
After exploring the ruins, we discovered a cool artisan market just a few blocks away. Of course, we couldn't resist stopping to pick up some delicious baklava, sample a few Greek liqueurs, and grab an espresso martini for a little pick-me-up on our walking tour. Because what's sightseeing without a little local food and drink along the way? It was the perfect way to round out our visit!
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
As you make your way up to the Acropolis, you'll be treated to a view of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an ancient stone theater that looks like something straight out of a history book. Built in the second century AD, it was originally designed for musical performances and is still used for concerts and cultural events today. I love places like this because they connect ancient history with modern life. Just imagine sitting here for a performance nearly 2,000 years ago—and then imagine getting to experience one here today!
Walking past the theater at night was especially amazing. With the lights illuminating the ancient stone seating and towering arches, the whole place felt almost magical. It's a beautiful sight on its own, but it's also a great reminder of just how much history surrounds you as you explore Athens. And the best part? The theater is right along the route toward the Acropolis, so you can admire it as part of your visit before continuing up to explore the iconic Parthenon and the ancient monuments waiting at the top.
Ancient Agora
Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring the Ancient Agora, which was once the heart of everyday life in Athens. This was where people gathered to trade goods, discuss politics, socialize, and take part in public life. While the Acropolis is all about monumental temples and spectacular views, the Agora gives you a glimpse into how ancient Athenians actually lived. As you wander through the ruins, you'll also find the impressive Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples. It's fascinating to walk through this historic site and imagine what life was like here thousands of years ago!
Panoramic Views, Dinner, and a Sunset at Mount Lycabettus
We wanted the perfect spot to end our day in Athens, so we made our way up Mount Lycabettus for snacks, drinks, and incredible panoramic views. This hill towers over the city, and several restaurants at the top offer a front-row seat to the Athens skyline. Honestly, it's hard to beat a setting like this!
The Acropolis is always part of the Athens skyline, but from Mount Lycabettus, it really stands out against the sprawling city below. We could even see the surrounding coastline stretching into the distance. It's one of those views that makes you stop and appreciate just how beautiful Athens is!
You can hike to the top if you're feeling energetic, take the funicular for an easier ride, or do what we did and grab an Uber. No judgment here—sometimes it's nice to save your energy for exploring! We settled in with a few snacks and drinks and watched the city take on a beautiful golden glow as the sun went down. It was a relaxing, memorable way to wrap up a full day of sightseeing. If you're visiting Athens, I'd definitely recommend adding Mount Lycabettus to your itinerary!
An Immersive Journey Into Ancient Greek Life: Plataeon Kaminos
If you want to experience ancient Greek culture beyond the ruins and archaeological sites, Plataeon Kaminos is such a fun and unique way to do it. During our trip, we stepped back into 290 BCE to explore everyday life—dressing in traditional robes, trying our hands at ancient breadmaking and clay pottery, and touring a recreation of a wealthy Athenian family's home.
And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, the experience wrapped up in a recreated ancient tavern featuring food and wine inspired by Hellenistic Greek cooking (with a few adjustments for modern taste buds, of course!). We loved the experience so much that I recreated their creamy split-pea dip at home—check out my Ancient Greek Fava Dip Recipe: A Taste of 290 BCE Athens at Plataeon for all the details on the activities and how to make it yourself.
Planning Your Trip to Athens?
Between wandering the cobbled alleys of Plaka, watching the sunset from Mount Lycabettus, and eating our weight in spanakopita and baklava, Athens completely won us over. Put away the strict itinerary, leave plenty of room for spontaneous taverna stops, and enjoy every bite!
Have you been to Athens, or is Greece on your travel bucket list? Drop a comment below and let me know your favorite Greek dish or must-see spot!
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