20 of the best · Athens, Greece
20 of the Best Attractions in Athens
From the Acropolis to hidden ancient cemeteries, world-class museums and the city's best viewpoints, these are the twenty sights not to miss in Athens.
Our 20 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Athens
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Athens.
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UNESCO World Heritage
The Acropolis & Parthenon
The symbol of Athens and of Western civilisation: the Parthenon, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike crowning the sacred rock. Book a timed ticket online and go early or late to beat the heat.
Dionysiou Areopagitou (main entrance)Explore View on map
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World-class museum
Acropolis Museum
A stunning modern museum at the foot of the Acropolis, with the Parthenon marbles displayed in a glass gallery facing the temple itself. Walk over the excavated ancient neighbourhood beneath your feet.
15 Dionysiou AreopagitouExplore View on map
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Greece's greatest museum
National Archaeological Museum
The largest archaeological museum in Greece, home to the Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera Mechanism and the bronze Artemision god. Allow at least half a day.
44 Patision (28is Oktovriou)Explore View on map
The full list: Attractions, A–Z
Show all 20 places on a map
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World-class museum
Acropolis Museum
A stunning modern museum at the foot of the Acropolis, with the Parthenon marbles displayed in a glass gallery facing the temple itself. Walk over the excavated ancient neighbourhood beneath your feet.
15 Dionysiou AreopagitouExplore View on map
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Ancient site
Ancient Agora & Temple of Hephaestus
The heart of ancient Athenian life, where Socrates walked and democracy took shape. Its Temple of Hephaestus is one of the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere.
24 AdrianouExplore View on map
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Greek culture
Benaki Museum
A captivating journey through Greek art and culture from prehistory to the 20th century, set in an elegant mansion with a lovely rooftop café.
1 Koumbari & Vasilissis SofiasExplore View on map
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Byzantine art
Byzantine & Christian Museum
A superb collection of icons, mosaics and frescoes spanning the Byzantine era, in a peaceful villa and garden.
22 Vasilissis Sofias AveExplore View on map
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Local life
Central Market (Varvakios Agora)
The bustling meat and fish halls of the city's central market, with spice shops, delis and old tavernas all around. Athens at its most authentic.
Athinas StreetExplore View on map
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Hidden gem
Kerameikos
The ancient cemetery of Athens, with beautiful grave monuments, the remains of the city gates and a small museum, often blissfully quiet.
148 ErmouExplore View on map
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Best city view
Lycabettus Hill
The highest point in central Athens, with a little chapel at the top and 360-degree views from the Acropolis to the sea. Walk up through the pines or take the funicular, and stay for sunset.
Funicular from Aristippou StreetExplore View on map
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Shopping
Monastiraki Flea Market
A maze of stalls and shops selling antiques, vintage finds, souvenirs and leather sandals, liveliest on Sunday mornings around Avissinias Square.
Ifestou Street & Avissinias SquareExplore View on map
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Ancient art
Museum of Cycladic Art
Home to the iconic marble Cycladic figurines that inspired Picasso and Modigliani, plus excellent temporary exhibitions in a neoclassical mansion.
4 Neofytou DoukaExplore View on map
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Greece's greatest museum
National Archaeological Museum
The largest archaeological museum in Greece, home to the Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera Mechanism and the bronze Artemision god. Allow at least half a day.
44 Patision (28is Oktovriou)Explore View on map
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Green escape
National Garden
A shady green oasis behind Parliament, created for Queen Amalia in the 1830s, with ponds, a small zoo, Roman ruins and the grand Zappeion at its southern end. Free, and the best escape from the summer heat in central Athens.
Vasilissis Amalias AveExplore View on map
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Built of marble
Panathenaic Stadium
The only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, home to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Walk the track and climb to the royal seats.
Vasileos Konstantinou AveExplore View on map
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The finest Acropolis view
Philopappos Hill
The pine-covered Hill of the Muses opposite the Acropolis, crowned by a Roman monument, with perhaps the finest view of the Parthenon in Athens. Free, peaceful and magical at sunset.
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Old town
Plaka & Anafiotika
The oldest neighbourhood in Athens: pedestrian lanes, neoclassical mansions and tavernas, with the whitewashed island-style houses of Anafiotika tucked into the slope of the Acropolis.
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Ancient site
Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds
Roman-era marketplace with the remarkable octagonal Tower of the Winds, an ancient clock tower with sundials, a water clock and carved wind gods.
Pelopida & EolouExplore View on map
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Modern landmark
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Renzo Piano's spectacular home of the National Opera and National Library, set in a vast park with a canal and a rooftop lighthouse looking out to sea.
364 Syngrou AveExplore View on map
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Every hour, on the hour
Syntagma & the Changing of the Guard
Below the Parliament on Syntagma Square, the Evzones of the Presidential Guard change guard every hour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with the full ceremony and band on Sunday mornings. Free, moving and unmissable.
Syntagma SquareExplore View on map
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Ancient site
Temple of Olympian Zeus
The colossal columns of what was once the largest temple in Greece, beside Hadrian's Arch and with the Acropolis as a backdrop.
Vasilissis Olgas AveExplore View on map
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Day trip
Temple of Poseidon, Sounion
A marble temple on a clifftop at the tip of Attica, one of the most spectacular sunset spots in Greece. About an hour and a half from the centre along the coast.
Cape Sounion (about 70 km south)Explore View on map
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UNESCO World Heritage
The Acropolis & Parthenon
The symbol of Athens and of Western civilisation: the Parthenon, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike crowning the sacred rock. Book a timed ticket online and go early or late to beat the heat.
Dionysiou Areopagitou (main entrance)Explore View on map
Price guide per adult: Free, € under €10, €€ €10–20, €€€ over €20. Ancient sites sell timed tickets online; prices and opening hours change seasonally, so check before you go.
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