Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by AMANDA CASTILLO
Visiting Athens in 2 Days
If you plan to spend time in Athens, stay for at least 2 full days. It is the oldest capital in Europe and the oldest inhabited city on Earth, so it deserves a good once-over! It goes without saying that visiting Athens is perfect for the “wondering” solo female traveler too. It is overflowing with history, being the cradle of Western civilization and where democracy and philosophy were born. Not to mention the birthplace of Greek Mythology and Drama. You won’t be disappointed if you love history, culture and ancient ruins. Also research shows that Greece is known as a safe place when traveling alone. Even though you will come across countless honeymooners, solo female travelers will also fit right in.
However, modern-day Athens is a battleground of the old versus the new, with the magnificent Parthenon and the Acropolis on one side, while on the other side of the street, you see a sprawl of ugly concrete apartment blocks. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the classical elegance or grandeur of an ancient city or other European capitals like Rome.
Visiting Athens is slowly making a comeback from being known as a somewhat grubby part of Greece or the poor man’s Rome, or a place that most people only visited because it was a stopping point to get to other parts of Greece. Now the tide has turned, and it is up and coming with affordable luxury travel options, trendy bars and fabulous hotels calling back in tourism. Along with the ruins, Athens boasts some mind-blowing museums, too.
Where To Stay For 2 Days In Athens
With only two days, you will want to stay within walking distance of the action and main sites. The Plaka or Syntagma neighborhoods will be your best bet for walkability and safety. Affordable luxury is possible in Athens and I’ll give you the scoop to help you decide where to stay for an optimal experience.
Some of my favorite Hotels in Athens:
The Marblous Athens-Mid Range Plaka
Plaka
This is the oldest neighborhood, also known as the “neighborhood of the gods,” with the best restaurants and Athens’s main shopping area. It is also the safest area, comforting for this solo female traveler. Located right below the Acropolis Hill, numerous ancient Greek monuments are scattered around the area. It is captivating and picturesque, making it stand out with authenticity and traditional streets lined with beautiful bougainvillea. This area will also have some of the best nighttime views of the Parthenon. Even if you decide to stay in a different area, exploring Plaka is a must in Athens.
Syntagma
Home to Syntagma Square, this is one of the most popular public squares in the city and makes a good starting point for the day. Situated in the center of Athens, the Athenians rose against the King of Greece, King Otto, on 3 September 1843 to demand a constitution. If you’re taking walking tours, most of them will start from here too. Major transportation links also make this area ideal for first-time visitors. Make sure to Head to watch the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square. It takes place daily, every hour on the hour, so attempt to time your visit perfectly. The guards wear interesting outfits, march in unison, and make for fun photos.
Tip for solo female travelers – I would avoid staying in the Omonia area. It has significantly improved thanks to a more prominent police presence in recent years. However, it’s still not somewhere you want to walk around at night. Street harassment isn’t uncommon, and it’s not worth taking the risk to save a few dollars.
Itinerary Inspiration & Things to Do
Because your time in Athens is limited, drop off your things, stop for Greek meze (snacks) and some wine, and hit the door to explore. Once you hit the ground head, get ready to start checking things off your list.
Arrival Day
Temple Of Zeus & Hadrian's Arch
Temple Of Zeus & Hadrian’s Arch 8€
I don’t consider arrival day, Day 1. Even with the high likelihood that you will arrive around noon when visiting Athens, there is still plenty of time to get out there and explore.
Stroll over and admire Hadrian’s Arch and the largest Temple ever built in Greece, The Temple of Zeus. In the same swoop, you can also visit the Roman Baths, the Basilica of Olympieion, the Temple of Apollo Delphinios, the Temple of Kronos and Rhea. Plus, the Gates of Themistoclean Wall are on the same grounds as the Temple of Zeus. During the summer, the Temple is open from 8 am to 7 pm, making this a great place to check out after arriving in Athens.
Temple of Zeus Fact: Only 16 of the original 104 columns remain.
After you take your time here, “wonder” around the area, there is much to see and do. Consider checking out the nightlife scene after a yummy dinner. There are plenty of hotspots, but what is so unique about the bars in Athens is they are open during the day for coffee, snacks, or desserts and stay open and happening until very, very late at night. This is very common in Athens; the coffee shops turn up switcharoo. Alternatively, head to Kolokotroni Street from Syntagma towards Monastiraki for the actual party. Around the back of Agias Irinis is where the best nightlife in Athens is found.
Day 1.
Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour
On your first full day, I highly recommend the Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour. Start as early as possible and discover this UNESCO World Heritage site through a licensed guide’s journey into history, mythology, and storytelling. On the 4-hour tour, you will visit the new Acropolis Museum and have an opportunity to marvel at findings from this archaeological site. You will also see the Dionysus Theater, where famous ancient dramas and tragedies were performed for the first time.
Tonight, have a fabulous dinner at one of the many exceptional restaurants and delicious drinks as the close of your trip nears. I’m wholly and thoroughly convinced that it’s impossible to have a bad meal when you are in Greece. Go rogue and see what kind of fun you stumble across and make core memories that an itinerary could never find for you.
Day 2.
Kerameikos Cemetery
This cemetery is old! The first tombs date back to the Early Bronze Age (2700-2000 BCE) and continued without interruption until approximately the 6th century CE.
The entire cemetery is 11 acres and filled with insane tombstones and statues. The cemetery is only about a 10-minute walk from Monastiraki Square. In addition to monumental graves, a section of the defensive walls built by Themistocles in the fifth century BC runs through the site. You can purchase a skip the line ticket with audio guide if you did not buy the Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket
Ancient Agora
Not too far from the Kerameikos Cemetery is The Ancient Agora. Built during the 6th Century BC, this was once the center of life in ancient Athens. It was used as a marketplace and gathering spot. It was where you likely found Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato casually wandering around. The highlight of The Ancient Agora is the Temple of Hephaestus. It is the best-preserved temple in Athens, built in 415 BC, and that says a lot. The Temple is still in excellent condition, making this a mind-blowing monument. But with all the ruins, a little imagination is necessary because it is, after all, a pile of rocks on the ground.
Now, time to eat! Let’s be honest food is a huge part of traveling. I’m usually a wander-and-get-lost traveler who pulls over when something smells good, but Greek food is some of the best in the world and should be celebrated as such, so what better way to take in the ancient wonders of Athens than on a walking street food tour.
There are usually afternoon and evening tours available where you can deep dive into Athenian cuisine, sample the best street food with local beer or wine in hand, explore Athens, and hang out where the locals do. Definitely my vibe.
Pro Tip: Before arriving in Athens, I highly recommend purchasing an Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket especially if guided tours aren’t your thing and you want to explore on your own. The tickets are around €40 and are valid for 5 days after the first use. They include entry to 7 major historical sites in the city.
2 Comments
Great post. I love the incorporation of history in the descriptions of each place. Can’t wait to try out these recommendations!
Aw thank you! You will really enjoy Athens!