How to Spend an Unforgettable Weekend in Athens
A weekend break in Athens can be a fascinating experience as long as you know the best places to visit and activities to try! Even if you plan to stay in the Greek capital for just a couple of days, you can still cross many things off your bucket list and immerse yourself in the city’s unique atmosphere.
Are you ready to discover the best ways to spend a weekend or a long weekend in Athens? Keep reading!
- Find and book a hotel for your weekend break in Athens
- Discover the Greek capital’s food scene
- Visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum
- Attend a concert or a theatrical performance
- Go on a weekend day trip from Athens
- Wander the narrow streets of the Plaka neighborhood
- Discover the city’s street art scene
1. Find and book a hotel for your weekend break in Athens
Finding the perfect hotel for your weekend break in Athens may sound challenging, as you have to consider several factors, with the location being the most important. Athens city center is a great area to stay, as it is where you will find the main points of interest. From the legendary Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum to the Roman Agora and the picturesque Plaka district, central Athens is home to many beautiful places.
A hotel in Syntagma or a hotel in Kolonaki are great options for a long weekend in Athens, as they are close to the most popular attractions, restaurants, and bars. Staying in the city center also offers easy access to public transport, which you can use to get to the suburbs.
2. Discover the Greek capital’s food scene
Greece is famous for its gastronomic culture and delicious traditional dishes. So what better place to introduce yourself to the local food scene than the Greek capital? The excellent fine-dining restaurants in Athens will fascinate you with their creative dishes, while in the city’s traditional taverns, you will enjoy hearty meals full of flavor.
However, to try new flavors during your long weekend in Athens, you can visit the city’s Japanese, Indian, Lebanese, and Chinese restaurants for an international food experience. Regardless of your taste in food, you will find the perfect restaurant!
3. Visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum
An international symbol of democracy and an architectural masterpiece, the Acropolis is the absolute must-visit attraction in Athens. So, one of the best things you can do during your weekend break in Athens is to climb up the Acropolis Hill until you reach the legendary Parthenon.
But, the Parthenon isn’t the only attraction worth visiting on Acropolis Hill. The Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and other monuments on the hill will fascinate you with their history and architecture!
4. Attend a concert or a theatrical performance
A weekend break in Athens is the perfect opportunity to attend a performance or concert and introduce yourself to the local cultural scene. But, be sure to book your ticket early, as they often sell out quickly!
The Athens Concert Hall, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Herodeon), and the Panathenaic Stadium are some of the most beautiful concert venues in Athens, but there are also countless smaller theaters and concert venues with a rich cultural program scattered throughout the city!
5. Go on a weekend day trip from Athens
If you want to discover nearby places instead of spending your entire weekend break in Athens, consider going on a day trip. There are day trip destinations near Athens for every taste, from scenic seaside towns, like Nafplion to mountain villages, like Arachova and Kalavryta.
A day trip from Athens is also a great way to see more than one place during your stay and explore Greece off the beaten path. It’s also the perfect opportunity to do activities in nature, including hiking, cycling, skiing, rafting, horseback riding, and more!
6. Wander Plaka’s neighborhood’s narrow streets
If you want to feel teleported to an Aegean island in the middle of the city center, head to the Plaka neighborhood next to Monastiraki. Brimming with whitewashed buildings with colorful windows, narrow alleys, and balconies adorned with bougainvillea, this picturesque neighborhood oozes Cycladic charm in abundance.
The best part of the day to visit Plaka is the evening, just before sunset. Get there on time for the sunset, sit at one of the bars or cafés in the area, and enjoy the colors of the sunset painting the Athenian sky. It’s truly magical!
7. Discover the city’s street art scene
The Greek capital stands out not only for its archaeological sites but also for its street art masterpieces. Strolling around the city, you will discover many walls covered with beautiful graffiti by talented artists aiming to add a pop of color to the cityscape.
Psyrri, Monastiraki, Exarcheia, Kerameikos, and Pireos Avenue are some of the best areas for street art in Athens. However, the more you explore the city, the more hidden street art treasures you discover, so keep your eyes peeled for art-filled walls!
Spending a long weekend in Athens is a fascinating experience! There are so many places to visit during a weekend break in Athens, that you can choose among many options, ensuring you’ll have fun regardless of your taste. Are you ready to discover them?
