10 Best Things to Do in Athens Greece for Aesthetic Seekers
Are you an aesthetic seekers looking for best things to do in Athens, Greece other than visit Acropolis , Pantheon Athens? Here are 10 best things for you to satisfied your needs! Enjoy!
List of Contents
- 1. Take a walk in Plaka Neighbourhood and experience dining on the stair or slope
- 2. Hike up to Lycabettus Hill for a view of Athens city and Greek-style blue roof church
- 3. Take a ferry from Piraeus Harbour for an unforgettable island-hopping adventure
- 4. Visit rooftop bars cafes to enjoy stunning views of Acropolis Athens
- 5. Take a walk in Monastiraki neighbourhood
- 6. Walk around Psyri (Psiri) Neighbourhood and enjoy unique and creative bars, cafes, and restaurants
- 7. Watch a movie at outdoor (open-air) cinemas
- 8. Visit Anafiotika Neighbourhood to see Greek-style whitewashed houses
- 9. Walk up to Acropolis via Anafiotika area
- 10. Enjoy Greek cats on the streets
- Frequently asked questioned about Athens
- Is it easy to travel in Athens without a car?
- Is Athens a dangerous place for solo travelers?
- Where are the best areas to find hotels to stay in Athens?
- Where are the areas in Athens you need to avoid going?
- Where to buy ferry tickets for Greek islands?
1. Take a walk in Plaka Neighbourhood and experience dining on the stair or slope
In my opinion, walking around the Plaka Neighbourhood is the best thing to do in Athens.
The whole area is really artistic, and there are so many cute and aesthetic restaurants and cafes located on the stairs or slope. There are also lots of boutiques and jewelry shops that are perfect for shopping souvenirs. 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.
Hotels in Plaka area: click here
2. Hike up to Lycabettus Hill for a view of Athens city and Greek-style blue roof church
When I arrived in Athens, a local suggested that I go for a hike up to Lycabettus, the highest point in the centre of Athens. From there, you can observe the entire capital and see the blue roofed whitewashed church on the top. Even the local said it was one of her favourite things to do in Athens.
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.
The price for the Lycabettus Hill cable car is 7 euros one way and 10 euros round trip. And the closest metro station to Lycabettus Hill Cable Car (Funicular) starting point is Evangelismos station.
Once you reach to the top of the Lycabettus Hill, you will have the view of the entire Athens and there are restaurant (Orizontes Lykavittou), cafe (Prasini Tenta Lykavitos) and Sky Bar, where you can take a rest, have some food and drink and enjoy the best view of Athens after a little hike.
Exact location for Lycabettus Hill is here.
Exact location for taking Lycabettus Hill Cable Car is here.
Hotels near Lycabettus Hill: click here
3. Take a ferry from Piraeus Harbour for an unforgettable island-hopping adventure
Athens is the perfect starting point for your Greek island-hopping adventure, thanks to Piraeus Harbour. As the largest and busiest port in Greece, it offers numerous ferry and cruise companies operating daily to take you to any Greek island you desire.
If you’re not sure which island to visit, I highly recommend Crete, which boasts picturesque places such as unique pink sand beaches and colorful streets with interesting doors and windows in Chania.
And if you’re short on time planning the trip or prefer an organized tour, you can easily join a day trip from Athens that takes you to three islands in one day: Check availability and details here.
4. Visit rooftop bars cafes to enjoy stunning views of Acropolis Athens
There are so many rooftop bars, cafes, and restaurants in Athens, Greece, especially in the Monastiraki neighbourhood where you can enjoy views of Acropolis Athens while dining and sipping cocktails.
Some of the best rooftop bars in Athens include:
- The rooftop Athens
- 360 Cocktail Bar
- City ZEN
- A for Athens
- NEW Art Lounge
- The Artist Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
- Mira Me Athens Boutique Hotel
and more!!!
You will really fall in love with Athens if you love rooftops!!!
5. Take a walk in Monastiraki neighbourhood
The Monastiraki neighbourhood is not just about its numerous rooftop bars, restaurants, and cafes; it’s also one of the busiest areas in Athens, featuring many Greek restaurants, markets, and handicrafts shops.
Thanks to the Monastiraki metro station, this area is easily accessible and an excellent starting point for your Athens adventure.
Hotels in Monastiraki area: click here
6. Walk around Psyri (Psiri) Neighbourhood and enjoy unique and creative bars, cafes, and restaurants
Psyri (or Psiri) Neighbourhood is an artistic hub that’s full of surprises.
This area is home to numerous bars, restaurants, and cafes, each with its own unique design. Everywhere you go in Psyri, you’ll be captivated by its charm. Make me think that Athens is a city that’s perfect for a long stay. If you love exploring unique and aesthetic vibes, then walking around Psyri should definitely be on your list of things to do in Athens, Greece.
Hotels in Psyri (Psiri) Neighbourhood: click here
7. Watch a movie at outdoor (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 too!
Some you can go to are: Cinema Riviera, Thision Open Air Cinema, Dexameni Outdoor Cinema, Cine Aegli Summer Cinema
8. Visit Anafiotika Neighbourhood to see Greek-style whitewashed houses
If you want to see Greek Cyclades island style whitewashed houses, narrow streets and beautiful Greek doors and 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 a 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 stumbled upon this hidden gem on our way up to the Acropolis. Be sure to mark the location of Anafiotika on your map and make a stop here, you won’t regret it!
Exact location for Anafiotika Neighbourhood starts here.
9. Walk up to Acropolis via Anafiotika area
Acropolis is not the only attraction in Athens, but it is an iconic historical sight of Athens, Greece, and an essential one globally. So, I highly recommend you visit it while you are in Athens.
Instead of taking transportation to reach the Acropolis, I suggest you walk up to it. This way, you can pass by the beautiful Anafiotika area that I mentioned above!
For information on Acropolis tickets and maps of the site, you can check the official website and book the valuable combo tickets here.
10. Enjoy Greek cats on the streets
Cute cats are everywhere in Greece island as well as the capital, Athens! Take a walk in the city and enjoy having Greek cats company is a blast things to do in Athens for cat lovers!
Frequently asked questioned 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. The public transportation is well connected, and tickets 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?
Monastiraki, Psyri (Psiri), and Plaka Neighbourhood are 3 best areas to stay in Athens in my opinion, since it is in the centre of everything, and very easy to walk to main attractions and considered safe areas to stay in Athens.
Kolonaki is also a very nice area, it is quieter and more of a high end, fashion area and close to the Lycabettus Hill, where you can see the view of the entire Athens.
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), where is notorious for pickpockets, drugs and prostitutes. Even the locals advised me not to go there both in day time and night time.
Where to buy ferry tickets for Greek islands?
You can book and plan your Greek island hopping trips in advance by booking ferry tickets here. I did this right after booking my flight to Greece. This way, it’s easier to plan the rest of your days and things to do in Greece since the ferry may not operate on certain days.
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