Popular Athens Attractions

Acropolis

Floodlit by night, the Acropolis (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a vast rocky mound rearing above Plaka. The world-famous pillars of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon guard the hilltop, while scattered aro...

Ancient Agora

In ancient times the raucous heart of Athens, the Agora complex was originally full of temples, churches and shops, and bordered by the city gates. Today its ruins fringe Plaka, perfect for a lunchtim...

Ancient Promenade

Once traffic-snarled and polluted, recent innovations have turned parts of central Athens into a delightful open-air museum. See the famous sights of Athens from the two-mile pedestrian promenade form...

Ariston

Freshly baked cheese, spinach, and artichoke pies, stuffed pittas, spanakopita and pastries for diners on a budget. Ariston doesn't look much from the outside but it's amazing value, the ingredients a...

Athens Central Market

Enjoy the profusion of meats, fish, produce and fruits from the region as you wander this large market. Plan to visit around lunch or dinner time, as there are several restaurants serving simple, fre...

Athens flea market

Plant your bargaining hat firmly on your head for a morning's bartering with stallholders at chaotic, colorful and ultimately good-humored Monastiraki flea market. Centered around Monastiraki Square, ...

Benaki Museum

Occupying an elegant, white Neo-classical house in Kolonaki, the Benaki Museum takes a stroll through Greek decorative arts from 3,000 BC up to the 20th century. Founded in 1930 by avid collector Anto...

Cafeneon Evi

With a limited menu that changes weekly, Evi offers vegetarian, meat, and fish mezedes plus cuttlefish, fried shrimp, and hunky tomato salads. It's a great place to end the evening with an ouzo at one...

Cilentio

In a pink and white neo-classical house, Cilentio's menu is inspired by the Mediterranean. Spinach salad, salmon tartar, freshly stuffed pastas, duck and sea bream feature, and many of the ingredients...

Filopappos Hill

Enjoy this lovely public park, named after a civil servant and benefactor, to whom a monument has been erected at the top of the hill. Take a shaded walk and revel in wonderful views of Athens from t...

Food and Wine recommends Athens restaurants

Food & Wine food writers found 12 places to recommend in Athens, serving trendy Cretan cuisine, top notch seafood, the classic souvlaki, and more.

See web link for recommendations. ...

Frissiras Museum

Housed in two gorgeous biscuit-and-white neo-classical houses in Plaka, the privately owned Frissaras Museum is Greece's only museum of contemporary European painting. For a respite from classical scu...

GB Roof Garden

Perched atop the Hotel Grande-Bretagne, GB has views across to the Acropolis and a smart, smart crowd. The day kicks off with continental breakfasts, carries on through light lunches and heats up at n...

Hytra

Now with a Michelin star, this funky yellow venue in Psyrri creates innovative dishes out of Greek staples using Greek produce; farm cheeses, fish pulled from the Med, local lamb. Try the tasting menu...

Kuzina

With an art gallery and a buzzing rooftop terrace bar, Kuzina has perfected the art of updating Greek classics using local produce, all in a modish, startlingly white dining room. Book a romantic even...

Lykavittos Hill

Wait for the cool of evening to zigzag up paths through pine woods to the summit of Athens' highest point at 295 meters. If feeling less energetic, catch the Mount Lykavittos funicular railway from Ar...

National Archaeological Museum

Aim to spend at least half a day in the world's finest assembly of ancient Greek art. The National Archaeological Museum is Greece's best and most important museum, jam-packed with priceless collectio...

National Gardens

The National Gardens are a welcome patch of greenery in downtown Athens, with lush planting, duck ponds full of turtles and strutting peacocks. Take a respite from the traffic-choked streets and wand...

Papadakis

Run by TV chef Argyro Barbarigou, Papadakis serves up fancy fish dishes in plain, relaxing surroundings. Book in advance for seats on the pretty terrace for sunny evenings and sample the famed octopus...

Paradosiako

A surprising find on the corner of touristy La Plaka with traditional dishes from fresh anchovies to grilled kalamari, curried soutsouki sausages, and tasty Greek salads. Much the best taverna in the ...

Plaka

Clamber around the ancient Acropolis and then explore Plaka's narrow and historic streets, crammed with tavernas, Neo-classical mansions and bougainvillea-smothered balconies. Lunch in little squares...

Planetarium

A change of pace from all those classical ruins, Athens Planetarium is the most technologically advanced digital planetarium in the world. It has a vast hemispherical dome measuring 950 square feet. <...

Resto Bio

Certified organic ingredients are prepared daily; the menu always includes seasonal soups, salads, pasta, and risotto as well as main dishes of plainly grilled meats and seafood - all of which is deli...

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum (also called the Roman Agora) is a westward extension of the Ancient Agora of classical Athens. It was the hub of the city from the first century AD, built to the orders of Julius Caes...

Spondi

Top-class French cuisine in an elegant converted villa; treat yourself to tandoori scallops and sea bass carpaccio or save up for the tasting menu, which changes seasonally but can include crab, veal,...

Strofi Tavern

Always packed due to the cracking views of the Acropolis at sunset, Strofi offers above average mezedes and grilled goat as well as lots of flavorful dips and salads. The house wine is not great, so o...

Varoulko

Another Michelin-starred establishment, this one arguably the finest seafood restaurant in Athens. Crayfish, cod roe, sea bream, and monkfish star on a glorious verbal menu; nothing is written down an...