Athens in 7 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

The Greek capital is a land of cultural tradition that adapts to any type of traveller. In this post I have prepared a 7-day itinerary to follow the route of the gods of Olympus.

You'll explore archaeological wonders, rugged hilltop monasteries, vibrant streets, paradise beaches, museums that tantalise the senses and much more. Let's get started!

After your transfer from Athens airport, the tour starts with Zeus, the father of gods and men - according to Greek mythology - together with his favourite daughter, Athena, the goddess who with wit and wisdom became the patron saint of the city.

From the Presidential Palace of Athens to the Parthenon you will find yourself in the middle of the National Garden of Athens, in close proximity to the Jewish Museum of Greece, as well as the famous Hadrian's Arch and the Mausoleum of Philopapus. There are literally hundreds of points of interest, for this area alone you will need a day in Athens, but don't worry, here is a map with all the things to see and do that you shouldn't miss on your visit to simplify your 3 km tour.

You can follow this route on foot, although the nearest metro station is Syntagma, which is in front of the National Garden of Athens and is the same place where the city's tourist bus would drop you off. If you prefer, you can also take a bike tour. In any case, here are all the things you shouldn't miss on your first day in Athens:

The changing of the Evzones' military guard

Since the mid-1800s, a special unit of the Hellenic Army has guarded the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in front of the Greek Parliament. These guards, whose name has changed from Tsoliades to Evzones, change guard every hour north of Syntagma Square.

• Price: free of charge.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday every hour.
• Address: Leoforos Vasilissis Amalias 133, Athens 105.

Panathenaic Stadium

It was built in the early 300's BC to host the Panathenaic Games which were held every four years in honour of the goddess Athena. When Herod took power the stadium was renamed: Kallimarmaro, translated as "beautifully marbled". The Panathenaic Stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

• Price: from 5 euros.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 am to 7 pm, March-October. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between November and February.
• Address: Vasileos Konstantinou Sve, Athens 116.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The largest temple in ancient Greece was built to honour the Sovereign of Olymp us, preceded by Hadrian's Arch. The construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus was a challenge that began in 515 BC and was completed in the 2nd century during Roman times.

• Price: from 11 euros.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, between 8am and 7.30pm, and Mondays, between 11am and 7.30pm, from April to October. The rest of the year from Monday to Sunday between 8am and 3pm.
• Address: Vassilissis Olgas Ave, Athens 105.

Plaka

Cross Hadrian's Arch again to lose yourself in the oldest shopping streets of Athens in Plaka. As well as the Monastiraki flea market you'll find bars and restaurants serving the best of Athenian food. Lunch is one of the best things to do in Plaka.

The Acropolis - Acropolis Museum

This is Athens' main attraction, the "Upper City" or Sacred Rock. Take a guided tour of the Acropolis and explore the beating heart of the Athenian political system amidst pristine exhibits.

• Price: from 16 euros.
• Opening hours: Monday, 8am to 4pm; Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm between April and October. The rest of the year from Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm; Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 8 pm.
• Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Makriyianni, Athens 117.

The Parthenon

The Parthenon was built in honour of the goddess Athena, in thanksgiving for her triumph during the Persian Wars. The Parthenon, whose Greek translation is "virgin", is the main ancient structure of the Acropolis and symbol of Athens. This point has been an obligatory stop for different civilisations, so it is essential to enter and learn about its history.

• Price: from 20 euros.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 8am to 8pm.
• Address: Acropolis, Athens 105.

The Temple of Athena Nike

Athena is the goddess of wisdom, but this magnificent room celebrates the protective and fighting facet of this deity, who incidentally also confronted Poseidon and, after winning her battles - the traces of which are commemorated by the Erechtheon or Erechtheion - became the ruler of the Greek capital.

• Price: included with the Acropolis ticket (from 20 euros).
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 7.30pm, Mondays, 11am to 7.30pm between April and October. The rest of the year from Monday to Sunday between 8.30am and 3pm.
• Address: Athens 105, to the right of the Acropolis.

At the end of the day you can watch the sunset from the restaurants surrounding the Acropolis.

Begin your second day's journey through Athens' iconic museums and temples. You can travel by metro and stay at Thēseio or Monastiraki station and you'll be very close to your first stop. You can also use the tourist bus: stop number 14 on the red line (A Monastiraki Square) will drop you off at the same place.

If you are travelling with your children, remember that family passes (2 adults + 2 children) have a special discount. Here is a map of the suggested route here.

Temple of Ares and the Altar of the Twelve Gods

Start with a reconnaissance to the north of the Agora where the Altar of the Twelve Gods, the Odeon of Agrippa and the Monument of the Eponymous Heroes surround the remains of the monument to the Greek god of war, the Temple of Ares.

• Price: free of charge.
• Opening hours: n /a.
• Address: Athens 105.

Agora Museum

The Stoa of Attalus II was built around 150 BC by order of King Attalus II of Pergamon as a gift to the city that educated him. However, the structures did not survive and today the Agora Museum is the reconstruction of the ruins of the Stoa carried out in the mid-1950s.

In the Agora, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and other philosophers discussed political and economic dynamics 2,500 years ago. In these 116x20x13 metres lies the heart of Attica.

• Price: from 10 euros.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 8 am to 6 pm.
• Address: Adrianou 24, Τ.Κ.

Temple of Aphrodite

A monument to the Greek goddess of ethereal love was built just 350 metres from the Agora Museum. It is Aphrodite Urania. It was in the 1990s that archaeologists identified the temple of the daughter of Uranus among the ruins.

Before you learn the details of how Plato reconciled the conceptions of Aphrodite by Homer and Hesiod in the Temple of Aphrodite Urania, you see the ruins of the church of St. Thomas and soon you will walk down Adrianou Street, a busy area where the restaurants and cafes are tempting for a gastronomic tour. It will be the perfect place to sit down for lunch.

• Price: from 10 euros.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 7 pm.
• Address: Atenas 105.

Athens Museum of Illusions

Live a sensory experience at the Museum of Illusions of Athens, get lost in an infinite tunnel, defy the laws of gravity in the inverse room, shrink to miniature size, change the order of the cardinal points, see yourself in the kaleidoscope..... This museum lets your imagination run wild and is ideal for families visiting Athens. The fun is multiplied in good company.

• Price: over 16s from 10 euros.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am-9pm. Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am to 10pm.
• Address: Ermou 119 (entrance via Astigos 12).

Herakleidon Museum

600m from the Museum of Illusions you can immerse yourself in ancient culture amidst engineering masterpieces. Trirremes - warships - interactive exhibits and the best of Greek sophistication in technology at the Herakleidon Museum. If you like the evolution of science, art and technology, eureka, this 2-building museum is the exhibition of your dreams.

• Price: from 5 euros.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Address: 16 Herakleidon St.Thissio and 37 Ap. Pavlou ST.

Temple of Hephaestus

A short walk from the Herakleidon Museum is the Temple of Hephaestus or Hephaestion, which was completed shortly before the opening of the Parthenon. The result was so solid that the structure remains almost intact today.

• Price: from 10 euros.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 8 am to 7 pm.
• Address: 24 Adrianou St.

On the third day you will visit the magnificent Temple of Poseidon and on the way you will have some interesting stops, all along the shores of the Aegean Sea. Have a look at the suggested map.

The Temple of Poseidon is located at Cape Sunio. From the city centre it is a 2 hour direct drive. You can go on your own on a non-stop bus which you can take from Egypt Square, or you can sign up for a day trip to Cape Sunnius. On these tours you have the option of going by bus, jeep or private transport. The interesting thing will be the stops between the 5-8 hours of the tours:

Kavouri, Alimos, Glyfada, Voula, Faliro

Contrast the fashionable suburbs in the Athenian countryside. Kavouri, Alimos, Glyfada, Voula, Faliro, Varkiza, Lagonisi, Saronida... are some of the towns that are part of the guided tours to the Temple of Poseidon. In addition to beautiful scenery and trendy restaurants, you can also take a dip in some of the beaches of the Aegean.

Lake Vouliagmeni

Vouliagmeni is a tourist town known for its thermal water caves that make up Lake Vouliagmeni. Healing powers are attributed to the water here. All surrounded by impossible cliffs, you get steep climbs, water activities at your leisure and breathtaking views.

Temple of Poseidon

It is said that this was the place where Poseidon divided the armada when he was trying to eradicate Attica. After his failure in battle with the goddess Athena, he did not become ruler of this Greek countryside. However, his sanctuary is in a privileged location.

At Cape Sunio you can bathe on its beaches, but the most interesting thing is the sunset offered by the Temple of Poseidon or the beauty of the full moon. Here you will dine with a breathtaking view of the Saronic Gulf before returning to the centre of Athens.

Your fourth day of your trip is dedicated to another of the best day trips from Athens, discovering Delphi, which the ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is easily accessible by road. Buses leave from Liossion Street and run six times a day for the 3-hour journey. You can also hire a car and follow the route on the map. The most convenient way is to take a guided tour, so you can enjoy the panoramic views and worry only about appreciating the navel of the world. Stops on this day include:

Temple of Apollo

After touring the plain of Boeotia and Thebes - the birthplace of King Oedipus - you will visit the site of the Pythian Games and the famous Temple of Apollo. There you will find the remains of the Delphic oracle, which predicted the future and imposed divine sanctions on certain political activities in the city.

At the end of the tour, you will stop for lunch in a traditional local restaurant.

Archaeological Museum of Delphi

This museum houses important finds, most of which were discovered in the area of the sanctuary of Delphi. The exhibits are arranged in fourteen rooms in chronological order. Highlights include the charioteer of Delphi, the frieze from the Treasury of Siphni, the Sphinx of Naxos, chryselephantine sculptures and bronze statuettes.

After your visit to the museum, stroll through Arakhova, a picturesque mountain village at the foot of Mount Parnassus before returning to Athens.

Delphi is beautiful, but Meteora is spectacular. Some, in fact, prefer to do a combined trip to Delphi and Meteora. I leave it to you to choose what you want to do. For now, on your fifth day, escape to the city of monasteries, caves and cliffs, Meteora.

The journey from Athens is largely by train from Larissis Central Station. It's the easiest and most comfortable way to travel the nearly 5-hour journey to Kalambaka, at the foot of the six priories that make up the Meteora monasteries. Follow the map, namely:

• Holy Trinity (Agias Triada)
• Great Meteora or Megalo Meteoros
• St. Nicholas
• St. Stephen
• Roussanou (Agia Varvara)
• Varlaam

Once you arrive in Meteora, wander through the hermit caves of Badovas and the Byzantine-era priories. All are located on top of huge rock formations. The hike is a delight and among the little red houses in the valley you'll find some traditional restaurants where you can have lunch or a snack before returning to Athens.

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Athens. On the sixth day of your tour, I recommend that you relax by the sea and visit some of the most beautiful spots on board a Greek Islands cruise from Athens to see:

Aegina

This island is named after one of the nymphs from the controversial history with Zeus. Also known as Aegina, it offers magnificent scenery: crystal clear waters, another of the Sanctuaries of Apollo and the Temple of Aphaia which forms part of the sacred triangle of the Parthenon.

Poros

Poros is one of the primordial beings of Greek mythology: opportunity. This colourful town abounds with restaurants and bars in a year-round summer atmosphere. As well as diving into the sea, you can visit the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi and the popular lemon grove of Poros, an idyllic spot filled with waterfalls and tree-shaded windmills.

Hydra

This island honours the three-headed monster of chaos, Hydra. It is home to the Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion, a Byzantine Museum, the archontic or Maisons de Hydra, as well as the Hydra and Palamidas trails, a paradise for those who want to explore the island on foot. Choose your seafront or mountain activity Hydra has it all for you.

This combination cruise is one of the things to do from Athens in summer. Prices are cheap (you spend less than on Mykonos), the beaches are lovely and packages usually include folklore shows, transport to and from the hotel, meals and guided tours.

On the last day I suggest you climb Mount Lycabettus to enjoy the city from the highest hill in Attica. Finally, relax on a cruise along thecoast of Athens.

Mount Lycabettus

From this 227-metre high peak you have a 360° panoramic view. On a clear day you can even see the island of Aegina from the top of Athens. The Church of St. George Lycabettus stands on the foundations of the first Temple of Zeus. To get to Mount Lycabettus, take the train to Evangelization station and there choose to climb the mountain for 1.1 km or in a cable car.

You can climb to the summit between 9am and 2pm Monday to Sunday. Once you come down you can have a snack at one of the cafes at the foot of the mountain or go straight to your next stop.

Cruise along the Athenian coast

To top it all off, hop aboard a catamaran cruise around Athens from Agios Kosmas Marina. It will be 4-5 hours where the crew will pamper you while you bask in the Aegean Sea.