10 Aesthetic Things to Do in Athens, Greece (Beyond the Acropolis)

Athens is more than just ancient ruins. If you are drawn to arts, beautiful architecture, hidden corners, and aesthetic, colourful photo shooting spots, the city has far more to offer than the Acropolis alone.

Things to do in Athens

Whether you are an aesthetic seeker like me, or simply want to experience Athens beyond the typical tourist activities, these 10 experiences will satisfy your artistic and aesthetic cravings. 

Before I discovered them from my random walks, I really thought Athens was boring, but I was very excited and fell in love with Athens afterwards.

1. Take a walk in Plaka and experience dining on the stairway restaurants

From my experience, walking around the Plaka is the happiest and best thing to do in Athens, Greece. 

The whole area is really artistic, charming, vibrant and colourful. 

The most special view is that there are so many cute, aesthetic restaurants and cafes built on the stairs, their tables and chairs are set on the layers of steps, for you to have an unique dining experience. This specific area is called Plaka Stairs or Mnisikleous Stairs. 

There are also lots of boutiques and jewelry shops that are perfect for shopping souvenirs in the Plaka neighbourhood.

What’s more, it is located right under the Acropolis, which means you can see the view of the Acropolis from many corners in the Plaka area.

2. Hike up to Lycabettus Hill for panoramic views over Athens and a stunning Greek blue-roofed chapel

When I arrived in Athens, a local recommended hiking up to Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in the city center, saying it is one of her favourite things to do in Athens. So I did.

From there, you can observe the entire capital and see the whitewashed chapel with blue roof. The view is beautiful, and you can even see the Acropolis from above.

To reach the top, you can walk from the city centre and go through a beautiful forest path, enjoying the views all the way up to Lycabettus. Or you can take the Lycabettus Hill cable car (Funicular), which will take you right to the top. 

At Lycabettus Hill, you can find restaurants (Orizontes Lykavittou), cafe (Prasini Tenta Lykavitos) and Sky Bar, where you can take a rest, have some food, drink and enjoy the best view of Athens after a little hike.  

I was glad that I listened to the local girl and visited there. There’s no entrance fee needed. I highly recommend it to you.

3. Visit Anafiotika to see Greek-style whitewashed houses

If you want to see Cycladic architecture- whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets, and beautifully detailed doors & windows in Athens, you need to visit the Anafiotika neighbourhood. 

According to the Greek Reporter site, these beautiful and rare whitewashed buildings in Athens were built by some of the workers from Cyclades island- Anafi in the 19th century when they went to Athens. They built it because they want to make it feel like their home island. Currently, there are still individuals who prefer to reside in Anafiotika to enjoy a more peaceful way of living, away from the bustling centre of Athens.

The experience of exploring Anafiotika is truly amazing! I’m so grateful that we randomly walked into this hidden gem on our way up to the Acropolis. 

Again, if you love aesthetic streets, make sure to mark the location of Anafiotika on your map and make a stop here, you won’t regret it! 

4. Visit the Acropolis by walk via Anafiotika area

The Acropolis is the most iconic landmark in Athens, Greece, and is one of the most historically significant sites in the world. So it is definitely a must visit place in Athens. 

But, when you visit the Acropolis, I suggest you walk up to it instead of taking transportation. You will be rewarded with stunning views along the way, and you can also pass by the beautiful Anafiotika area that I mentioned above! 

5. Walk around Psyri (Psiri) Neighbourhood and enjoy unique and creative bars, cafes, and restaurants

Psyri (Psiri) Neighbourhood is an artistic hub that’s full of surprises. 

This area is home to 🔗aesthetic bars, restaurants, and cafes, each with its own unique design. Walking in this area made me fall deeply in love with Athens. And made me think that Athens is a city that’s perfect for a long stay. 

If you love arts, colourful places & aesthetic vibes, you will feel so obsessed everywhere you go in Psyri, it’s just so charming. It should definitely be on your list of things to do in Athens, Greece. 

You can also join 🔗this guided walking food tour which will take you to try authentic local food in Psyri, Plaka, Monastiraki, and more areas, so you can get to understand those areas more and eat like a local Athenian.

Aesthetic apartments/hostel in the Psyri area with balconies (the last 2 are also with Acropolis view): 🔗Ancient Agora Apartments, 🔗ÉOS Luxury Loft by Edrano 8essentially, 🔗Living Stone Moonstone, and 🔗Yellowsquare Athens (hostel with also private room option).

6. Take a ferry from Piraeus Harbour for an unforgettable island-hopping adventure

Athens is the perfect starting point for visiting stunning Greek islands and having an island-hopping adventure.

As the main harbour in Athens, Piraeus Harbour is the largest and busiest port in Greece. There are many ferries operating daily from there, to take you to Greek islands you desire. Including Santorini, Miros, Paros, Crete, Mykonos, Naxos and more.

If you are not sure which island to visit, I highly recommend Crete, it has many picturesque places to visit, such as unique pink sand beaches and colourful streets with aesthetic doors and windows. It is an island that made me feel completely in love with Greece. You can 🔗read this article for picturesque places to go in Crete.

7. Visit rooftop bars, cafes with view of the Acropolis

It is amazing that there are many rooftop bars, cafes, and restaurants in Athens, Greece where you can enjoy views of the Acropolis, while dining and sipping cocktails. Especially in the Monastiraki neighbourhood. 

If you love rooftop places, Athens is your place to go! Some of the rooftop bars with Acropolis view are as belows:

• 360 Cocktail Bar
• City ZEN
• Art Lounge Rooftop 
• The Artist Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
• Mira Me Athens Boutique Hotel
• The rooftop Athens (part of Selina Theatrou Athens) -> now named Great Bear Rooftop (but temporarily closed).

8. Take a walk in Monastiraki

The Monastiraki neighbourhood is not just about the rooftop bars, restaurants, and cafes, it’s also one of the busiest areas in Athens, where you can find local markets and handicraft shops.

With the Monastiraki metro station right at its centre, and the fact that there is a direct metro from Athens International Airport to Monastiraki Station, the area is easily accessible and an excellent starting point for Athens adventure. 

9. Watch a movie at one of Athens’ open-air cinemas

If you visit Athens in summer, don’t miss out the chance to watch movies at outdoor cinemas in Athens, Greece! This city is quite famous for it!

Some open-air cinemas you can go are Cinema Riviera, Thision Open Air Cinema, Dexameni Outdoor Cinema.

10. Take photos of cats with aesthetic, colourful backgrounds

Beautiful cats are everywhere in Greece! With Athens’ artistic, characterful streets as backdrops, you can capture stunning photos. 

My favourite spots for taking cat photos in Athens are in Monastiraki, Plaka, Anafiotika, Psyri.

It’s a really fun thing to do in Athens for photographers, aesthetic seekers and cat lovers.

Frequently asked questions about Athens​​

Is it easy to travel in Athens without a car?

Yes, central Athens is one of the best and easiest cities to travel without a car. 

Public transportation in Athens is well connected and affordable. There is a direct metro to the city centre- Monastiraki directly from both Athens International Airport and Piraeus Harbour (for ferry). And the fares are really cheap.

If you love walking, it is also very easy to walk to the main attractions in Athens.

Is Athens a dangerous place for solo travelers?

No, I’d say Athens is pretty safe to travel by yourself, and very easy too. But there are some places you need to avoid going at night time.

Where are the best areas to find hotels to stay in Athens?​

From my personal travel experience in Athens, I find 🔗Monastiraki, 🔗Psyri (Psiri), and 🔗Plaka  the 3 best areas to stay in Athens as these places are in the centre of everything, and very easy to walk to main attractions and are considered safe areas to stay in Athens. 

🔗Kolonaki is also a very nice area, it is quieter and more of a high-end area and close to the Lycabettus Hill I mentioned above.

Where are the areas in Athens you need to avoid going?​

Athens in general is pretty safe. But there is a place you really need to avoid is Omonia area (including Omonia square, and Omonia metro station), which is notorious for pickpockets, drugs and prostitutes. Even the locals advised me not to go there both day and night.

Where to buy ferry tickets for Greek islands? ​

You can check availability and book your ferry tickets to all Greek islands via 🔗this trustworthy ferry ticket booking site. 

Since ferries to some Greek islands don’t operate daily, especially during the off-season,  booking in advance is highly recommended, as it makes planning the rest of your trip much easier.

More articles for planning your Greece trips:

🔗11 aesthetic cafes restaurants bars in Athens Greece.

🔗6 Picturesque Places to Visit in Crete Island, Greece － Easy To Reach From Chania.