Here are the main highlights when visiting Athens Greece. If you’re going for a visit, grab this overview on what to do and where to eat in the city of Athens.

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What To Do and Where To Eat In Athens

The Acropolis

If you’re in Athens, you’re probably here to see the Acropolis, and it’s a must-see.

A guided tour is a really nice way to see the Acropolis and the surrounding area, as well as get a good history lesson.

I did this Athens tour and found it really informative and enlightening.

I’ve already shared my favorite places at the Acropolis. As a bonus, I also offered some additional insight on how we can look at ancient civilizations to get inspired to create solid practices for our own health and increased longevity.

Acropolis Museum

Some of the original pieces from the Acropolis are now in the Acropolis Museum like the ladies from the Caryatid Porch. It’s a slightly safer place for them to be than braving the elements outside for thousands of years.

You can also see many other preserved statues, pillars, and architecture from the Acropolis. It’s a beautiful museum worth a visit.

Athens’ National Gardens and Zappeion Hall

A wander through The National Gardens will give you some refreshing shade and hopeful cool breezes as you tour Athens.

Queen Amalia completed the garden in 1840 and was said to personally spend a minimum of three hours there a day tending to things herself. That’s some good self care – getting exercise while doing what you love!

There are over 7,000 trees, 40,000 bushes and other plants, and lots of free-flying parrots that you might see or hear around the city.

The gardens will eventually end at Zappeion Hall.

If you’re lucky like we were, you might see some women dressed in native attire greet you with a smile.

House of Parliament

If you time your visit to Athens’ House of Parliament on the top of the hour, you may see the unique changing of the guards.

The soldiers here have quite the march with exacting footwork, guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The men are dressed in white tights and dark skirts, making their high kicks all the more impressive. That kick is further accentuated by large round pom poms affixed to the toes of their shoes. I may have arrived home with one of these festive tassels on a keychain.

Temple of Zeus and Hardian’s Gate

The Temple of Zeus dates back to 520 BC when work began.

After some starts and stops, it was eventually completed in AD 132.

The temple was one of the largest ever built with unusually tall columns.

The Arch of Hadrian sits nearby and offers a lovely framed view of the Acropolis in the distance.

The Agora

On the northwest slope of the Acropolis, sits The Agora.

The Agora was a gathering area for people and businesses.

Socrates, Sophocles and many other great thinkers met here to talk about the issues of the day.

You can still find many ancient structures dotted across the area.

Lycabettus Hill

If the weather is clear, head to Lycabettus Hill.

You can get your steps in by hiking to the highest point in Athens or you can take a funicular up and walk down. There are many ways to mix and match.

There’s lots of trees and pretty little church on top to take in some quiet in the middle of this bustling city.

You can also enjoy a meal on Lycabettus Hill while savoring the panoramic views of Athens.

The Plaka

The Plaka is a bustling collection of winding streets, picturesque squares, and wall-to-wall shops.

There are definitely a lot of T-shirt and souvenir shops but there’s also places with beautiful handmade jewelry and other artisanal products.

You can buy some of their local products like oregano, thyme, honey, and spirits. And I highly recommend you do!

Psyri

If you’re willing to venture a little further, and aren’t afraid of getting lost (that is one of the best parts of traveling, isn’t it?), then wander through the edgier area of Psyri.

Psyri is filled with unique restaurants and cafes that spill into the marble streets. Turn a residential corner and you may find yourself in front of a tiny and magnificent church.

There are some chain shops as well as boutiques lining the streets so there’s plenty of places to stock up on essentials or find something special.

Many areas are pedestrian-only so you don’t have to worry about window shopping and navigating traffic.

Eating in Athens

Greek Yogurt

Ah the yogurt.

If you’re a yogurt eater, then you’ve likely had Greek yogurt.

But if you’ve never been to Greece, then you haven’t had the real deal.

I’m not a dairy eater in the US. Doesn’t work for me but when in Rome, or Athens, I had to try some of the local delicacy.

The Greek yogurt did not bother my stomach. In fact, it delighted it.

It’s so thick and creamy and full of flavor.

Not like the stuff we have in the U.S.

Ladies, if you’re going to eat yogurt, get full fat. Fat is good for so many internal workings in your body. It’s necessary for hormones, energy, and brain health. Of course, everything in moderation but Greek yogurt is worth it all to me.

The Greeks actually don’t eat much yogurt for breakfast like we do. If you tried it here, you’d know why since it tastes more like dessert.

Drizzle a little local honey and walnuts on it, and it’s my new favorite sweet treat.

The Greeks tend to eat a light breakfast. They’ll have coffee with a pastry or other baked good like these koulouri.

Koulouri are crisp on the outside and softer on the inside with lots of sesame on top. Breakfast often includes this and they dip the koulouri in coffee and set out about their day.

Of course I’d like to see some protein and healthy fat mixed in for a more balanced breakfast and even blood sugar but they do walk a lot so can burn a lot of carbs!

Athens Food Market

The Central Municipal Athens Market is a must-stop for food lovers.

Visiting local markets is one of my favorite things to do while traveling and also is a great way to pull together a healthy meal if you have an AirBnb.

Going to the markets can also give you a good idea of what is fresh and caught locally.

As you can imagine, there was a ton of fish and seafood as well as meat, complete with head and carcasses intact. You definitely get to see EVERYTHING you’re going to be eating.

Athens Restaurants

It’s pretty easy to find a good meal in Athens.

Dionysus was a great meal with an amazing view of the Acropolis. It’s rare when a restaurant can deliver both but Dionysus had food and ambiance covered.

There’s a pretty, expansive patio with a casual and more upscale menu.

There’s fresh fish like sole, cod, and sea bass but you can also find meat, chicken, and the most tender and flavorful lamb.

Psarras and Geros are both nice local restaurants in the bustling Plaka. You can sit in the winding walks around Psaras or grab a table on their rooftop patio for more beautiful views.

Aiolou is a fabulous fish spot in Athens.

It’s got a fun and funky vibe with a rotating menu of fresh seafood options.

Having just visited the Athens Food Market, we had to get some of the amazing fresh octopus we had seen as well as sardines and a smoky eggplant spread.

A great meal for a reasonable price.