Things to Do in Athens: Fun Excursions, Activities, and Tours in and around Athens
Athens is the capital of Greece, and a city trip here takes you through more than 2000 years of history and art. In Athens, democracy as we know it today was invented, and the Olympic Games were held here more than 2000 years ago. But besides its omnipresent history, Athens is also just a very cozy city, with a bit of an Eastern and chaotic vibe.
You can enjoy delicious food, great shopping, and much more than just visiting the Acropolis and other historical sites. Therefore, staying in Athens for a week is definitely not a punishment! Curious about what else you can do there? Below are some very fun tips.
How to Get There?
Athens feels like another world and can be reached in just 3 hours by flying. You can book affordable flights on Transavia. Transavia flies directly to Athens from Amsterdam or Eindhoven. We flew during the school holidays and paid around €130 per person for our flight. If you plan carefully and are not tied to school holidays or flexible with dates, you can definitely find cheaper options, for less than €100 per person. A good price comparison website like Skyscanner gives you a good idea of the costs.
From Athens Airport to the City Center
Once you arrive in Athens, there are several ways to get from the airport to the city center. It takes at least 45 minutes to reach the center. If you want to use public transportation, take bus X95. This bus runs 24/7 every 15 minutes between the airport and Syntagma Square. If you’re staying in this area, this is definitely a good and cheap option. If not, it’s convenient to take a taxi.
Make sure you have transportation to your hotel booked upon arrival. It can be overwhelming when you arrive, and you’re tired from the journey. We’ve had good experiences arranging a taxi via Booking.com upon arrival.
Tips for Fun Activities and Excursions in and around Athens
1. Get a Good Overview of the City with a Bike Tour
The perfect way to get a first impression of Athens is with a bike tour! We are big fans ourselves. A bike tour is ideal if you don’t have enough time to thoroughly explore a city but still want to get an idea. But even if you have more time, a bike tour on the first day of your city trip is an ideal opener. You get a lot of information about the highlights, but also about nice restaurants and cafes, and you can locate them afterwards.
2. Indulge in Delicious Food on a Food Tour
Of course, you also go to Greece for the delicious food! We are big fans of Greek cuisine, with all its different flavors and dishes. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with trying a different, delicious restaurant every day, but we also think it’s a real added value to do a food tour.
A food tour takes you to places where you wouldn’t quickly go as a tourist. You’ll visit more local neighborhoods and explore local markets full of local delicacies. Your guide knows the best places to taste typical Greek delicacies, from Greek yogurt, cheeses, meats to Greek street food, which you won’t easily find in a restaurant. Meanwhile, your guide tells you about Greek food culture, and all kinds of fun ‘history’ facts are interwoven into the tour.
3. Take the Ferry to One of the Greek Islands
Island hopping through some Greek islands remains a dream for us. Admittedly, we are big fans of the Greek world. We’ve visited Rhodes, Crete, the Peloponnese, and Cyprus before, which is an independent island but can be considered part of the Greek world. However, we haven’t gotten around to island hopping through the Cyclades yet.
Did you know, however, that you can easily visit an island from Athens? The Greek islands Poros and Aegina are easily accessible from Athens. Both are worth a day trip! Aegina can be reached by a 40-minute boat ride, and Poros is a 1 hour and 15-minute sail away. Both islands have their own vibe. Aegina, for example, also has history in the form of a beautiful temple. Poros, on the other hand, gives you that Greek island feeling: a cozy harbor, a relaxed atmosphere, and delicious dining in Greek tavernas. The choice is yours!
4. Rent a Car and Visit Mycenae and Epidaurus
If you have more time in Athens, it’s also recommended to rent a car and visit Mycenae and Epidaurus. We would only recommend this if you’re staying in the city for a week. There’s so much to see and do in Athens itself that you easily fill several days. Add a day trip to a Greek island, and there are easily four to five days to spare.
Mycenae is the oldest site and city on the Greek mainland. If you’re thinking: well, isn’t the Acropolis also more than 2000 years old? Indeed, but Mycenae dates back 3600 years, and it was the Mycenaeans who went to war with Troy and came up with the trick of the Trojan horse. King Agamemnon came from Mycenae, and he wasn’t happy when Trojan Paris took Helen to Troy. Helen was the wife of the Spartan king Menelaus, who was the brother of Agamemnon.
Epidaurus, on the other hand, is a sanctuary dedicated to Asklepius. It boasts the most beautiful and largest surviving theater from Antiquity. Nothing Roman, but Greek, built more than 2400 years ago.
Thousands of years later, both Mycenae and Epidaurus are important archaeological sites. You might think: but I’m already going to see the Acropolis in Athens, right? Consider that ancient Greece was divided into different city-states, that some city-states are much older than others, and that sanctuaries were spread throughout the country. Each archaeological site has its own story and history; you won’t find two identical sites. That’s why we consider a visit a must-see.
5. Discover Contemporary Athens on a Street Art Tour
As I’ve mentioned several times above, Athens is a place with a long history and beautiful archaeological remains. But don’t miss out on the modern side of Athens! It’s definitely there. Explore the trendy district of Psiri. This is a neighborhood that borders the touristy Plaka district and is within walking distance of many attractions.
Where tourism used to be mainly focused around the Acropolis and Plaka and Psiri was a bit run down, it’s now an upcoming destination. The neighborhood is full of nice cafes and alternative restaurants. Be sure to visit here! In addition, this is also a great place to spot street art. You read that right, Athens is famous for graffiti art and street art. In this neighborhood alone, you’ll find more than 50 murals. You can discover these on your own or take a special street art tour.
Delving into Athenian Cuisine: A Gastronomic Journey
Athens, with its rich history and diverse culture, offers a culinary experience like no other. From traditional Greek tavernas serving up hearty moussaka to trendy cafes dishing out innovative twists on classic dishes, the city is a paradise for food enthusiasts.
1. Souvlaki and Gyros:
No trip to Athens is complete without indulging in souvlaki and gyros. These quintessential Greek street foods consist of grilled meat (typically pork, chicken, or lamb) wrapped in warm pita bread and topped with fresh veggies, tzatziki sauce, and a sprinkle of herbs. Whether enjoyed on-the-go or savored at a local taverna, souvlaki and gyros are sure to satisfy your cravings for savory delights.
2. Moussaka:
A beloved staple of Greek cuisine, moussaka is a comforting dish made with layers of eggplant, potatoes, and seasoned ground meat, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce. Baked to golden perfection, each forkful of moussaka offers a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.
3. Feta Cheese and Olives:
No Greek meal is complete without a generous serving of feta cheese and olives. Greece’s famous feta cheese, made from sheep’s milk, is creamy, tangy, and utterly irresistible. Pair it with a selection of briny olives for a simple yet satisfying appetizer or snack that captures the essence of Greek hospitality.
4. Spanakopita and Tiropita:
For a taste of Greece’s savory pastries, look no further than spanakopita and tiropita. Spanakopita features layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with a savory mixture of spinach, feta cheese, onions, and herbs, while tiropita is filled with a delicious blend of feta cheese and eggs. These savory pies make for a delightful snack or light meal any time of day.
5. Greek Salad:
Fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor, the Greek salad is a refreshing accompaniment to any meal. Made with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, tangy red onions, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with oregano, this classic dish captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.
6. Baklava:
Indulge your sweet tooth with a decadent slice of baklava, a traditional Greek dessert made with layers of flaky phyllo pastry, chopped nuts (usually almonds, walnuts, or pistachios), and sweetened with honey or syrup. Each bite of baklava is a symphony of textures and flavors, making it the perfect ending to any meal.
7. Loukoumades:
For a taste of Greek street food at its finest, don’t miss out on loukoumades. These bite-sized balls of fried dough are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. Served hot and fresh, loukoumades are a delightful indulgence that will leave you craving more.
8. Ouzo and Retsina:
No culinary journey through Athens would be complete without sampling Greece’s iconic alcoholic beverages, ouzo and retsina. Ouzo is an anise-flavored liqueur that is typically enjoyed as an apéritif, while retsina is a white or rosé wine that is flavored with pine resin. Both drinks pair perfectly with traditional Greek mezedes (appetizers) and are an integral part of the Greek dining experience.
Read More About Athens?
Those were my tips for fun tours in and around Athens. Of course, you can fly back and forth for a short city trip, but in our opinion, staying for a (small) week is highly recommended. This way, you have plenty of time to explore the sights and charming neighborhoods of Athens, and you can also combine it with the tours mentioned above!
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Athens is the capital of Greece, and a city trip here takes you through more than 2000 years of history and art. In Athens, democracy as we know it today was invented, and the Olympic Games were held here more than 2000 years ago. But besides its omnipresent history, Athens is also just a very…