Athens offers lots of activities and attractions, while ideally you should dedicate 6-7 days to discover it. The city will impress you with its many faces, as it manages to combine the ancient with the modern and the alternative with the conservative, which leaves no-one indifferent. From the Benaki Museum and the Panathenaic Stadium to the Allou! Fun Park and vivid night life, Athens will always offer more than just one reason to visit it.
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Allou! Fun Park
Allou! Fun Park, the largest amusement park in Greece, offers fun moments to children of all ages. At Kidom, the Kingdom of the young ones, there is the Youpi Tower, the Carousel, the Bongo and other games that keep children’s interest unabated. Allou! Fun Park, on the other hand, addresses to older kids that love speed, heights and adventure! Drive in the only Drift Kart course in Greece, get lost inside the mirror forest and meet the world of virtual reality, through the 360 VR X-treme!
Whoever wants to raise their adrenaline high can simply pass by Shock & Drop, for drops from 40 meters high, while the Star Flyer (72m) will help you reach the stars! And these are only a few of the 32 options…Inside the premises you will also find places to eat and rest. Finally, we should highlight that safety is the most important priority of the park, while organization and facilities follow the international park standards.
Suggested visit time: 3-4 hours.
Open: Weekends and bank holidays 10:00-23:00, Every day 17:00-22:30.
Cost: Check the options HERE.
The know-it-all says: It stretches across an area of 40,000 square meters!
National Garden
The National Garden is the best choice for the ones who want to relax from the pressure of everyday life and take a few breaths of cool air (very important, especially during the summer months). The green oasis is located in the center of the capital, behind the Hellenic Parliament. Inside 248 (!) acres, you will find 7,000 trees, 40,000 bushes and other plants, many ponds, as well as the famous sundial. In the well-kept areas of the national garden, you will also find a playground, a children’s library, a cafeteria and many benches to rest.
Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Every day from Sunrise to Sunset.
Cost: Free
The know-it-all says: It is the first park ever created in Greece!
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
On the foothills of the Sacred Rock of Acropolis there is an architectural masterpiece of worldwide fame, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a.k.a. Herodeion. The imposing stage, the amphitheatrical space and amazing acoustics, inspire awe and instantly transport the visitor to the ancient Greek past. For an unforgettable experience, attend an event or concert, during the summer months, when the Odeon’s marvel unravels under the lit up Parthenon. During the summer months, you can admire it from above (Acropolis) or from the pedestrian walkway of Dionysiou Areopagitou.
Suggested visit time: 40 minutes-1 hour
Open: Summer season
Cost: Depends on the event
The know-it-all says: It was constructed to fit 5,000 spectators!
Benaki Museum
The Benaki Museum was the first privately owned museum in Greece and among the most famous ones in Athens. It is comprised of five individual museums, with the main one being the Museum of Greek Culture, on Vassilissis Sofia’s Avenue. The exterior aesthetic of the neoclassic building is in perfect harmony with its interior space, which is comfortable, clean and quite bright. The Benaki Museum stands out due to its great variety of exhibits and its rich collection of traditional costumes. If you have the time, visit some of its temporary exhibitions or enjoy a beverage in its beautifully decorated café.
Suggested visit time: 1.5-2 hours
Open: Wednesday & Friday 10:00-18:00, Thursday & Saturday 10:00-00:00, Sunday 10:00-16:00, Closed: Monday & Tuesday
Cost: General entrance: 9€, Reduced: 7€, Temporary exhibition: 7€, Reduced 5€, Persons <22 years old, Persons with disabilities, Unemployed Free, Combined ticket: 20% Discount on total admission cost of the Temporary and Permanent Exhibitions, “The Benaki Museum Experience” 20€.
The know-it-all says: The museum’s collection includes 120,000 works of art!
Ancient Agora of Athens & Stoa of Attalos
If you want to travel in time and end up in ancient Athens, then visit the Ancient Agora, which is located on the north side of the Acropolis. In a quite large area, through columns, statues, temples and galleries, the glory of the Hellenic history unfolds. In the Ancient Agora what stand out is the Temple of Hephaestus, a.k.a. Theseion, and the restored Stoa of Attalos, which nowadays houses the museum. Visit it on a weekday morning, to enjoy the quiet and walk unobstructed along the trails of living history.
Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
Open: Every day 08:00-15:00 (Last entrance 14:45).
Cost: Ancient Agora of Athens – Museum of Ancient Agora Standard 8€, Reduced 4€, Combined ticket: Standard 30€, Reduced 15€.
The know-it-all says: The Stoa of Attalos used to stretch across two floors with a length of 120 meters each!
Attica Zoo
The Attica Zoo is the largest and most organized zoo in Greece. Within an area of 200 acres, it hosts many species of birds, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, crocodiles and many more. The attraction that stands out the most is the dolphins’ show, which is quite interactive and is included in the ticket price. Another wonderful note are the lemurs that climb all around you! All the areas of the park are clean and well-kept, while the living conditions for the animals are very good. It is worth mentioning that the park protects a lot of endangered species and supports many actions. The experience is strongly recommended for families, as both the number of animals and activities will leave children and parents with a wonderful taste.
Suggested visit time: 3-4 hours
Open: Every day 09:00 until sunset.
Cost: Adults 18€, Children 3-18 years old 14€, Children >3 years old Free. For more prices, see HERE.
The know-it-all says: It started out as an Ornithological Park with the third largest collection of birds in the world!
Mall Athens
A few kilometers away from the city center, in Maroussi, is the Mall Athens. It is a shopping center, based on international standards, which daily attracts thousands of visitors of all ages. Inside its five floors, you will find stores for clothing, footwear, cosmetics, technology, dining and cinemas. It is ideal for families, as many events and happenings for the young and the old take place often. Access is easy, while it offers parking upon charge. Visit it on a weekday, if you cannot stand large crowds, and enjoy some coffee on its balcony with a view of Athens.
Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Commercial stores 10:00-21:00, Dining area 09:00-01:00.
Cost: Free
The know-it-all says: The Stoa of Attalos used to stretch across two floors with a length of 120 meters each!
Church of Panagia Papnikarea
Crossing the busiest and most commercial street in Athens, Ermou, you will come across the small and quaint Church of Panagia Papnikarea. It is a Byzantine church that has been standing in the historic center for more than 1,000 years. Inside, the half-faded murals and plain adornment denote the passing of time and offer moments of serenity. Every day many events take place in front of the church, while it is the perfect spot to feel the rhythm of Ermou Street. Try to visit it on a Sunday morning to attend the liturgy, accompanied by a Byzantine choir.
Suggested visit time: 20 minutes-1 hour
Open: Every day 08:30-15:00.
Cost: Free
The know-it-all says: It is in the possession of the University of Athens for the needs of the School of Theology!
Flisvos Marina
In the area of Paleo Faliro, in Athens’ southern suburbs, you will find the Flisvos Marina. On its walkway you can take walks, ride your bike or jog, while the lush green Flisvos park is offered for picnics. Around the marina there are stores and dining establishments, where you can eat or drink your coffee. The best time to visit it is during sunset, when all the colors are reflected on the water. At the Flisvos Marina you can also find the famous Averoff battleship, the legend of the Hellenic Navy, which nowadays operates as a museum.
Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Marina: Always, Averoff: Tuesday-Friday: 09:00-14:00, Weekends & National Holidays: 10:00-17:00. Closed: Monday.
Cost: Marina: Free, Averoff: General entrance 3€, Reduced 1.5€, Children <6 years old, Unemployed and People with disabilities Free.
The know-it-all says: The Averoff battleship weighs just 10,200 tons!
Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaro, is one of the greatest monuments in the world. Inside the oldest operational stadium, you have the chance to climb the tiers, run around the track and tour the roman gallery. The Kallimarmaro is inextricably tied to the Olympic Games, as it is the place where the Olympic flame is given away and the finish point of the Marathon Run. Visit it on weekdays, combining it with a walk at Zappeion and the National Garden. For the athletics enthusiasts, the stadium opens early for morning jogging.
Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: March-October: Every day 08:00-19:00, November-February: Every day 08:00-17:00, Morning jogging 07:30-09:00.
Cost: Marina: General entrance 5€, Reduced 2.5€, Children <6 years old and People with Disabilities Free.
The know-it-all says: It is the only stadium in the world built entirely out of marble!
Night Life Athens
Athens is famed for its kalamaki and the vivid night life. It can easily be characterized as the night capital of Europe, since when lights go out it is time to party and revel till dawn! The dozens of bars, taverns with live music, the bouzoukia, the big clubs, theaters and concerts are only a few reasons for you to get out of your house or hotel at night. But you should be cautious, as dangers lurk in the city during the night. Stay away from them and consume alcohol with moderation, so that your outing is full of only wonderful moments.
The know-it-all says: The oldest bar in Athens opened in 1958 and has remained open ever since (Au Revoir on 136 Patission Street)!