Top chosen destination during Summers, for a good reason, Athens is a perfect choice if you are looking for a mix of bright sun, white sand, and a bit of history.

In this itinerary of 3 days in Athens, I will show you what to do in Athens in 3 days, including the best greek ruins to visit and how to get to the beaches nearby, and the best attractions to visit in Athens.

3 days in Athens itinerary: What to do in Athens in 3 days

How to get around Athens

Getting around Athens is quite easy, the metro system is really good and there are metro stations nearby most of the important monuments in the city center.

Honestly, the bus system I found kind of confusing, especially because everything is written in Greek, and it is hard to understand if you don’t recognize a single letter.

For the adventurous ones, who want to give a try to the public transport, here is a map of the Athenian public transport, to help you out.

But for those, like me, who prefer the comfort and certainty, go for the Hop on Hop off bus. In my opinion, this is always the best option, especially if you have only a few days in Athens and want to visit not only the main monuments but also the Athenian riviera, as the Hop on Hop off bus offer itineraries in the city center and also in the coast site.

What to do in Athens in 3 days

Considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, dated back to 3000 years, Athens is the gem of the Mediterranean and the historical heart of the world.

Once home to a memorable empire, owner of a rich culture that influences lives even centuries later, Athens is not only beautiful by its natural landscapes and famous beaches that attract millions of people every year, but also a hotspot for history & culture lovers looking for a time travel experience.

For those who, like me, love history, I suggest spending some time in the Plaka neighborhood, this is the oldest neighborhood in the city and the background of the ancient Athens city. Here you will find ruins in every corner, some iconic ones like the Acropole, others not so famous as the Ancient Agora.

Walking down the streets of Plaka is walking down the path of important figures such as Socrates, Plato, Sophocles and many other remarkable characters who helped write our history.

Day One

Syntagma square

The central square of Athens and probably the most famous square in modern Greece is home to the beautiful 19th century Old Royal Palace, that houses the Greek Parlament since 1934.

This is the heart of modern Athens and around the square, you will find the top five-start hotels, restaurants, and Mc Donalds.

In Syntagma Square, don’t miss the chance to watch the change of the guard. It happens every hour, every day, in front of the Greek Parliament. Although it happens everyday, Sunday at 11 am is the best day and hour to watch the changing of the guard as it is the official ceremony with the official customs.

Ermou Street

In front of Syntagma Square, is the main shopping street in Athens, Ermou Street. Here you can find the most popular shops, from famous brands like Zara and H&M to other greek brands. If you are looking for clothes or shopping in general, that’s the place.

Another good point in taking Ermou Street is that it brings you directly to Monastiraki Square, another main square in Athens.

On the way, you will pass by Panaghia Kapnikarea, an old Greek Orthodox church. It is one of the oldest churches in the city, probably built around 1050. As it was a common practice back then, the church was built over a Greek temple dedicated to a goddess, probably Athena or Demeter.

Pro Tip: In front of the church you will find some cafes, don’t miss the chance to try baklava, the traditional dessert of Greece.

Psyri neighborhood

At the end of Ermou Street, you will arrive in the old neighborhood of Psyri, one of the most historical and touristy neighborhoods in Athens.

Psyri is full of old buildings, today most of them are restored and narrowed streets. The area is full of cafes and bars, as well as many shops selling especially antique items. Definitely worth a visit.

Pro Tip: Two blocks away from Monastiraki Square, in the Pittaki street, you will find the Little Kook, a fairy-tale inspired cafe. The street is an attraction by itself, but do take your time to try an ice cream or another dessert.

Monastiraki Square

One of the main squares in Athens, with several historical buildings worth visiting. Besides historical, the area is famous for its shops, it is the best place too for souvenirs or cheap clothes.

Another shopping highlight that definitely caught attention from any tourist passing by, is the huge flea market located in one of the streets adjacent to the square. If you, like me, love old stuff, this is like a Disneyland, do spend some time looking around.

The buildings around Monastiraki are a mix of ages and reflect the many events that happened in Athens during the centuries.

The first building in the entrance of the square is the Pantanassa church, an orthodox church built in the 10th century, as part of the now-vanished monastery that used to occupy Monastiraki, the name of the square means “little monastery”, a reference to the old building that despite the name, was once the greatest monastery in Athens. The building next to it is the Tzistarakis Mosque, built-in 1759, during the time of the Ottoman occupation. The building nowadays is an annex to the Museum of Greek Folk Art. Behind the mosque is located the oldest building in the square, Hadrian’s library. It was built by Emperor Hadrian in 132 AD and worked as a place to storage papyrus, offering reading rooms and lecture halls.

Day Two

Acropolis