Museums
There are many museums in Athens that everyone can visit according to their different interests. In this list, we only recommend the ones we liked among the museums we visited.
Acropolis Museum
After or ideally before visiting the Acropolis, the most important symbol of Greece and Athens, we recommend that you also visit the Acropolis Museum, if you would like to delve into more details about it. This museum, designed by world renowned architect Bernard Tschumi and opened in 2009, is one of the best examples of modern museology in Athens with both the architecture of its building and the display of its collection.
Benaki Museum
Established by Antonis Benakis 1931, the Benaki Museum expanded its collection since then. It is an important museum that exhibits the development of the Greek culture and history spanning a wide period from the antiquity to the modern times. They've curated the finest examples of artifacts, not the usual ones crammed into display cases found in many other museums. It's a superb collection where you’d want to meticulously examine each piece individually. The entry to the permanent collection is free between 18:00-20:00 thursdays.
Besides the main museum Greek Culture, other outposts of the collection worth checking based on your interests.
National Archaeological Museum
It is an important museum where most important artifacts ever found in throughout the Greece are exhibited, from the Neolithic age to Roman period and even later. If you are an history or an archeology buff, that definitely worths visiting and it is a nice way to escape from the heat as well during the hottest hours of the day.
Museum of Modern Greek Culture
Located in the heart of Plaka, this museum offers a fascinating look into Greek folklore and traditional life. Spread across several historical buildings, the visit feels like a stroll through old Athens.
Museum of Cycladic Art
Focusing on the mysterious and minimalist marble figurines of the Cyclades Islands. The serene, white aesthetic of the museum perfectly matches the 5,000-year-old art it preserves.
Events & Culture
Venues we have been to and recommend for concerts and various events..
Technopolis Athens
This event space, located in Gazi District, was created by arranging the old Athenian gasworks. With its friendly and comfortable atmosphere, the concerts held especially in the summer months are very enjoyable.
Megaro Mousikis (Athens Concert Hall)
We recommend you to check out the concerts and events at The Athens Concert Hall, which is a 10-minute walk from our house. Megaron also serves as the home of the National Symphony Orchestra of Greece. It is known for its modern architecture and acoustic design and has hosted concerts of many famous musicians and orchestras from around the world.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)
A public space, where everyone has free access and can participate in a multitude of cultural, educational, athletic, environmental and recreational activities and events. It houses the Greek National Opera, the National Library of Greece as well as the Stavros Niarchos Park, one of the largest green areas in Athens, covering 21 hectares.
Temple
Many concerts, both local and international, are held in this beautiful event space. We recommend taking a look at the event calendar.
Athens Conservatoire (Odeion Athinon)
One of the landmarks of modernist architecture in Athens. It is a vibrant spot for music, theater, and contemporary art exhibitions in a very cool, underground setting.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The most iconic ancient theater at the foot of the Acropolis. If you can catch a performance here during the Athens & Epidaurus Festival, it will be the most unforgettable moment of your trip.
Cine Paris
One of the oldest and most beautiful open-air cinemas in Athens. Watching a movie with the illuminated Acropolis in the background is the perfect Athens summer experience.
Sightseeing
Acropolis of Athens
That is impossible to imagine a trip to Athens to be completed without a visit to Acropolis. Especially if you are visiting during summer months pre-booking your time slot via Hellenic Heritage website is highly recommended, as the early hours of the day tend to be sold out and that might be unbearable to climb during the middle of the day. The evening hours are also nice close to the sunset. Please keep in mind to take some water with you and that it might get closed last moment during heatwaves.
Ancient Agora of Athens
After Acropolis, the Ancient Agora is probably is the second most rewarding archeological site in Athens. Feel free to learn about the history of Athens at the Stoa of Attalos, or to take a leisurely among the ruins and the greenery.
Aristotle's Lyceum
One of the three oldest gymnasiums in ancient Athens. It is a peaceful archaeological site where Aristotle founded his Peripatetic school of philosophy.
Parks, Hills, and Views...
National Garden of Athens
Make sure to walk through this park when heading from Ilisia to the city center. In this peaceful and green escape, you will walk among beautiful trees and maybe even spot some local animals.
Pnyx Hill
The birthplace of democracy. This is where Athenians gathered for their popular assemblies. Away from the tourist crowds, it offers a wonderful and quiet view of the Acropolis.
Mount Lycabettus
The highest point in the city. Whether you take the funicular or walk up, the 360-degree view of Athens stretching all the way to the sea is breathtaking.
Panathenaic Stadium
The only stadium in the world made entirely of marble, where the first modern Olympic games were held. When you include it in your walking route, you can see the stadium from the area in front of it. You can climb to the upper elevation of the stadium from the neighborhood right behind it and go up to the walking track surrounding it, getting a view of the stadium from an angle you can't see from below.
While you can buy a ticket and tour the stadium inside, in our opinion, the best time to visit is by going to one of the concerts occasionally held here. Check the concert calendar in Athens and be sure to include listening to musicians that interest you here in your plans.
Alsos Ilision
A beautiful park covered with pine forests close to the city center. A favorite of locals for a morning run or a peaceful walk away from the concrete jungle.