The Best Way to Spend 4 Days in Athens: The Ultimate Athens Itinerary

Athens is a wonderful city with an incredible history and an equally incredible cuisine (Greek Gyros are to die for!). Although quite often used as a pit stop on the way to the Greek Islands, there are so many things to do in the city, you could easily spend 3 or 4 days in Athens (or even more than that) exploring the Greek gem.

Steeped in culture and history, Athens is a bustling metropolis. It has all the modern conveniences of any other major European city, but it also has a rustic charm that few cities can match.

This is the ultimate 4-day Athens itinerary: what to do and where to stay, and a few other tips and tricks. I’ve also included a few wonderful day trips from Athens so you don’t miss out on any of Greece’s other amazing sights.

Is Athens worth visiting?

Don’t skip Athens! This is a city worth visiting. Athens may not have the charm of some of the other beautiful cities in Europe. Nor does it have the sunkissed white and blue of the most popular Greek islands.

However, it does have some of Greece’s best historical sites, and you can easily spend a wonderful 4 days in Athens exploring them.

How many days in Athens?

3 or 4 days in Athens is usually enough to explore more of the major sites. This should be enough time to get in a few day trips as well as Athens is surrounded by gorgeous mountainous scenery just begging to be explored.

Ultimately, the longer you have in Greece, the better. But 3 or 4 days is plenty of time to cross a lot off of your Athens itinerary.

Also, discover the best greek islands for couples

Is 4 days in Athens cheap or expensive?

Athens is definitely one of the places in Europe that you can explore on a budget. A lot of the major sites are free to visit and you can get a decent meal for under €10. I highly recommend street food.

On certain days of the week or when there are public holidays, you can get even more discounts. We visited on a public holiday and got free access to the Acropolis!

However, it’s worth noting that not everywhere accepts card, so it’s worth carrying cash on you when possible.

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Where to stay for 4 days in Athens?

Athens is actually quite a BIG city. However, most people would rather stay close to the centre. This will put you within walking distance of many of Athens’s top attractions (like the Acropolis).

We stayed in the city centre and didn’t have to use public transport once. We just walked everywhere (except on the day we hired a car), which saved a lot of money.

However, if you don’t fancy staying in the centre, some of the other smaller areas are just as enticing. It is important to note how each part of Athens is different and consider this when deciding where to stay.

My favourite place to stay in Athens is located slightly outside the main neighbourhoods.

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Where we stayed

The Urban Link Residence is a gorgeous little apartment located a 5-minute walk from Plaka. Unfortunately, they are no longer taking bookings, but the apartment was in a super convenient location which meant we could walk everywhere.

But, the best part about this apartment? The hot tub!

The wall-length sliding doors along one side opened up to a large balcony with a wicker dining set, warm lighting, and a hot tub. All this has stunning Acropolis views. Perfect if you want to relax in your evening after exploring the city, we stayed here for 3 out of our 4 days in Athens and loved every minute.

Here are a few other great places to stay during your trip to Athens.

Plaka

One of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Athens, Plaka is a must-see. It is full of authentic markets, narrow streets and colourful buildings. However, it can be quite busy in the summer so you may want to avoid this area if you’re looking for a quieter stay. Also expect the prices to be a little higher than in other areas. Fos Residential Apartments is a great choice here.

Syntagma

Syntagma is another area to stay in Athens that will place you close to some of the best attractions. In fact, it’s considered THE centre of the city by the locals. You can easily walk the rest of Athens from here and it’s a great spot if you’re looking for something more lively.

Achilleas Hotel Athens is a great hotel in Syntagma. It’s close to all the action and has pleasantly decorated rooms.

Psyri

Psyri is the perfect place to stay in Athens if you love nightlife. The area is home to many bars and clubs – including the wonderful bar and restaurant Klimataria. There’s always something happening at night, and you’re not likely to get bored no matter how long you stay.

One great hotel option here is the Ederlezi Boutique Hotel, which features a gorgeous rustic design and a cosy garden where you can relax during the evening.

Tip: To keep costs down, try staying near Monastiraki Square – one of Psyri’s neighbouring areas with slightly less foot traffic and cheaper prices!

How to spend 4 days in Athens?

So, if you’re wondering about the best way to spend 4 days in Athens, you’re in the right place. It’s a city perfect for all types of travellers and these are the best things to add to your Athens itinerary for 4 unbeatable days in the city.

4 Days in Athens: Day 1 – Athens Must-Sees:

Acropolis Museum

The museum is the home to all of Athens’ most famous archaeological treasures. This is a stop not to be missed if you’re looking to learn more about ancient Greece. It’s a great place to discover the history and culture of Athens before you visit the Acropolis.

Architect Bernard Tschumi designed this fantastic museum and it replicates all five levels of Ancient Greece’s Acropolis. Inside, you’ll find many items that were discovered during recent archaeological digs such as giant statues, friezes, pottery, jewellery, and stone slabs with inscriptions found around the Acropolis itself.

The Acropolis of Athens 

The city’s most famous landmark, the Acropolis is a must-see during your 4 days in Athens. It sits on top of a limestone hill in the centre of the city and is arguably the most famous ancient site in all of Greece. It’s a great place for history buffs and you’ll get some fantastic views over Athens from up there too.

Entrance to the acropolis costs about €20 for adults or €15 if you’re under 25 years old. Queues can get quite long, so you can purchase your tickets online beforehand for faster entry.

Although the ticket might seem expensive, it also includes entrance to the Ancient Agora, the Theatre of Dionysos, Kerameikos, Roman Agora, Tower of the Winds and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, so it’s pretty good value for money. It also lasts for 7 days, so more than enough for a long weekend in Athens.

Parthenon

Although it’s technically part of the Acropolis, the Parthenon is also worth mentioning separately. The temple was built in the fifth century BC. It became a symbol of power, patriotism, peace and democracy.

The Parthenon is one of the most well-known ancient sites in Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a must-see in Athens.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a reconstructed theatre located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens. Built in 161 AD, it is a colossal structure. It can accommodate over 6000 people and is still used for theatres and festivals today.

The Odeon is simply known by the locals as ‘Herodeon’. The amphitheatre-style seating has been cut into the limestone hillsides near the Acropolis, making it one of the most beautiful structures in Greece.

Erechtheion

The Erechtheion is a temple on the north side of the Acropolis.

Mostly known for its six Ionic columns which form an entrance to the east, it was built in 421 BC. It has two porches or colonnades, each composed of four massive pillars. The temple was dedicated to Athens and Poseidon.

National Archaeological Museum

If you want more information about ancient Greece then this is where you’ll find it. The National Archeological Museum has artefacts from some of the earliest human civilizations as well as many other displays for all ages. This includes a fantastic section on Ancient Greek religion with statues, urns, and even mummy masks too.

Home to over two million objects that date back as far as 700 BC, it’s a great addition to your 4 day Athens itinerary and an incredible resource for anyone interested in Ancient Greek culture. 

The Ancient Agora

Athen’s Ancient Agora is one of the oldest and most complete agoras from ancient Greece. It’s located to the northwest of the Acropolis and was used as an assembly place for the democratic government. 

As well as being the centre of decision-making in Athens, the Agora was also the best place to see the city come alive as people gathered all around to hear the outcomes of the discussions. Surrounded by greenery, it’s a beautiful temple and one of the best things to see in Athens.

The Temple of Hephaestus

The Temple of Hephaestus is an architectural goliath. Dedicated to Hephaestus, (the god of fire) and Athena, (the goddess of pottery and crafts), it’s one of the best-preserved temples in Athens today.

According to archaeologists, the temple was built around 450 B.C. It’s located North-west of the Ancient Agora, on top of Agoreos Koronos hill. The building is an example of typical Dorian architecture.

Roman Agora

One of Athens’ oldest markets, the Roman Agora was once one of its busiest areas, full of street vendors selling everything under the sun. 

Not to be confused with the Ancient Agora, it was built in the 1st century BC and was mainly used as a marketplace for trading goods. There was also a selection of shops and stalls fringed by decorative columns and a central fountain. 

The ruins are located north of the Acropolis and near the Monastiraki metro station.

Temple of Ares

The Temple of Ares is a must-see during your 4 days in Athens. The Temple is an important archaeological site located near the northern part of the Ancient Agora. If you travel from Syntagma Square on foot, it can be reached in around 20 minutes. 

Originally built around the 5th century BC, it has been rebuilt several times since. When you visit make sure to take note of the stone sculptures that once lined the roofline – Zeus, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, and Hermes which have all been beautifully restored.

Pnyx

One for history buffs who enjoy walking tours, have an interest in photography or love gorgeous Acropolis views, then head to the Pnyx. 

On a rocky outcrop overlooking the Acropolis, the Pnyx is an archaeological site that is just over 100 metres high in the centre of Athens. The site is in a large park and you can get some of the best views of the Acropolis from here.

Kerameikos

Kerameikos is one of the most important but least visited archaeological sights in Athens. It’s the cemetery of ancient Athen, used from around the 9th century BC until Roman times. 

It features a large number of marble statues, remains of public buildings, funeral offerings, archways, and thousands of tombs. You might also see some wildlife – we saw some wild tortoises and parakeets here.

4 Days in Athens: Day 2- Day Trip to Delphi

For the second day of your 4 days in Athens, I recommend leaving the city for a day trip.

There are some wonderful day trips from Athens, but, if you’re into Greek history, Delphi is definitely one of the best. The ancient city is the site of one of the most important temples dedicated to Apollo in Ancient Greece.

Discover the best day trips from Athens

The ancient oracle at Delphi was said to be able to prophesize and give advice about life, death, war, marriage and more for all who sought it out. The Oracle is famous because its predictions were often scarily accurate.

Delphi was also said to be the centre of the world. According to the ancient Greeks, Zeus threw two eagles in opposite directions. They flew around the entire world and where they met (at Delphi) was the centre.

This day trip will take you on an adventure into history where you’ll see remnants of an old civilization with beautiful scenery along the way. You can even stop by the beautiful mountain town of Arachova which is just a short drive from Delphi.

How to get to Delphi

The easiest way to get from Athens to Delphi is by guided tour. We booked a tour through Get Your Guide. The tour was well-organized and the guide was knowledgeable which was a plus.

The other way to get there would be to hire a car. We did this for our Mycenae trip on day three of this Athens itinerary, and it was pretty easy to do. But more on that soon!

What to do in Delphi?

The tour will most likely take you to all the most famous spots in Delphi. This includes The Sacred Way, the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Theatre, and the Stadion.

But, your first stop will most likely be Tholos, possibly the most photographed site that Delphi has to offer.

Tholos

Tholos is the best place to start because it’s the smallest site in Delphi. Built around 380 BC, Tholos is a circular ruin with 20 Doric columns on the exterior and a further 10 Corinthian columns in the interior. Only three of these columns are still standing though.

As well as the incredible history of this place, there are also some stunning views of the mountainous region surrounding Athens.

After this, you’ll follow The Sacred Way up and around the mountain until you get to all of the other sites…

The Temple of Apollo

The second most famous spot at Delphi is without a doubt Temple of Apollo. There is so much history here! Just walking through its ruins gives one an idea of how monumental this construction was back then. Plus, there are more breathtaking views.

This temple also houses another sight that is important for Athenians: The Omphalos which marks the centre point from which distances were measured on Earth.

Other sites within Delphi

After the Temple of Apollo, you’ll head on to the Treasury of the Athenians. This is where the wealth of Athens was once stored. It used to house war loots and offerings to Apollo.

The Theatre is next. With a history dating back to the 4th century, this astounding building had more than enough space for over 5,000 spectators. The impressive structure had 35 rows of stone benches and was built for musical contests at the Pythian Games (this was similar to the Olympic Games but on a smaller scale).

Lastly, you’ll reach the Stadion, the heart of the Pythian Games and athletic contests, sprints and relay races would be held here. It is located 50 meters above the theatre, at the highest point of the site.

Don’t forget to explore the museum of Delphi too. This museum houses a variety of exhibits such as sculptures, pottery and other treasures.

Travel back to Athens

After exploring Delphi, the tour might take you to a nearby restaurant for a bite to eat before returning to Athens. The journey will take about 2.5 hours, so you’ll usually get back in the evening.

4 Days in Athens: Day 3 – Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Nafplion

For day 3 of your 4 days in Athens, head to some more of the historical wonders surrounding Athens. This includes Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus and the charming town of Nafplion.

For this trip, we hired a car. You can also visit these places via guided tour, but we wanted to spend a little more time in Corinth than most of the tours allowed. So we opted for car hire.

It was pretty simple. We booked it online that night, picked it up in the morning, and off we went. 

Aside from the initial rather hectic journey out of Athens city centre, it was quite an easy drive.

Corinth

Our first stop on this little Greek road trip was Corinth. It’s a city divided into two sides, old and new, and it’s famous for its beautiful canal.

Corinth Canal

Corinth Canal is one of the most impressive engineering feats in antiquity and is also one of the oldest artificial seaways anywhere in the world. It’s 6.3 kilometres long, 23 meters wide, and eight meters deep.

The incredible canal was dug by hand with wooden tools, a stone-faced rampant on both sides to prevent water from sloshing back out over the diggers when it rained, and an earthen dam at each end to keep rainwater flowing into the sea. 

It took about ten years for enough dirt to be moved so that ships could travel between Athens and Corinth via this mighty manmade strait.

Ancient Corinth

Next, we headed to Ancient Corinth. The ruins of this city are like a ghost town (there weren’t many tourists there either), but it’s one of the most fascinating historical sites in Greece.

We parked up with our rental car and explored on foot, taking in all of the old ruins around us.

The site has some incredible mosaics, statues, and buildings from the ancient city, complete with plaques explaining what each building used to be. Make sure you see the fascinating Doric Temple of Apollo too – the most important temple on the site.

There’s also a small archaeological museum on site that’s also worth a visit while you’re there.

Acrocorinth

Our final stop in Corinth was Acrocorinth. 

After a rather terrifying drive up a steep, zig-zagging hill, we reached this imposing fortified castle. Climb all the way to the top for fantastic views across the Isthmus and the surrounding hills of the Peloponnese.

Mycenae

After Corinth, we headed on to Mycenae. This ancient site is a great addition to 4 days in Athens. It has important historical significance as it was the capital of Agamemnon and home to the King of Argos. Many of the ruins here, revolve around his rule.

The ruins are well preserved and there is a small museum on-site with more information about Mycenae’s history. There’s plenty to do here for an hour or so, and this was about how long we stayed.

A few must-see sights in the archaeological site of Mycenae include the famous Lion’s Gate, the Treasury of Artemis and several ginormous tombs.

The Lion’s Gate is the entrance to the citadel. It was built around 1350 BC and is some of the best-preserved Mycenean masonries in history.

The Treasury of Artemis is the name given to a circular building that was built during the 12th century BC. It was used as a temple and is surrounded by two concentric rings of columns, one of which is made out of Lion’s heads.

The Mycenean Tombs are massive structures that would have served an important function in Mycenean society.

Nafplion

After exploring Mycenae, we drove a further 25 minutes to Nafplion. This was honestly one of my favourite places to visit during my 4 days in Athens.

The former capital of Greece has the most beautiful harbour, as well as some incredible neoclassical architecture, a hilltop castle, and some picturesque bays.

You could spend hours here simply wandering the cobbled streets, window shopping at the cute little boutique stores and sipping on a coffee in one of the many cafés.

We stopped here to eat because we found a wonderful family-owned Greek taverna and the smells coming from it were mouth-watering. It was a good choice too as the food was traditional, locally sourced, and utterly delicious.

Epidaurus

Our final stop of the day was Epidaurus. This small city is located on the Argolis Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf and a 30-minute drive from Nafplion.

Epidaurus is mostly famous for its impressive theatre, which, along with being a must-see on your Athens itinerary, was among the largest in ancient Greece. Even today, it’s one of the best-preserved theatres from this era. 

It was constructed in the late 4th century BC, has 35 rows, and can seat an impressive 15,000 spectators. It also has some of the best acoustics of any theatre in ancient Greece.

Epidaurus is also home to the Sanctuary of Asclepius, which is a large healing centre. Evidence suggests this ancient site was used for both religious and medical purposes.

If you time this right, you should arrive at Epidaurus around sunset, where you’ll be treated to some stunning views of the sun setting over the theatre’s beautiful mountainous backdrop.

Head home to Athens

Epidaurus marks the end of day 3 on this 4-day Athens itinerary and once we’d seen enough of this historical gem, we headed back to the car to make out way back to Athens.

The drive from here will take about 2 hours depending on traffic and will get you back in the late evening.

We then jumped in the hot tub with a cold glass of wine!

4 days in Athens: Day 4 – Final Day

For your final day of these 4 days in Athens, explore some more of the city’s historical gems. This way, if you’re catching a flight home tonight, you’re not likely to get stuck hours from the airport in Delphi or Mycenae.

Even though this is a much more chilled-out day than the first, there are still plenty of things to see at the end of this long weekend in Athens.

Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium is a monument to the first Olympics.

Loathed east of the Acropolis, it was the home of the first Olympic games and was also where the games were revived after a break of about 400 years.

It is one of Athens’ most popular historic attractions and the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus

This is a must-see for anyone visiting Athens. One of the largest temples in ancient Athens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus is a temple dedicated to Zeus. It stands at a height of 21m without its pedestal, making it one of the tallest temples in Ancient Greece.

Hadrian’s Arch

Built in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, Hadrian’s Arch is a large arch of marble. The arch was made to celebrate his visit to Athens in 131 AD and makes for one of the best photo opportunities at any time day or night.

Roman Bath

A rather unknown attraction, the Roman Bath in Athens is a little hard to find, but it’s worth the hunt and worth adding to your 4 day Athens itinerary.

The bath is a Roman Era thermal bath complex and one of the best-preserved examples in Greece.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The place where the unknown soldier that died during the Greek War of Independence in 1831 is buried is called the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The tomb was originally constructed to commemorate all those who fought and died for Greece. But after World War II it became a memorial for only one person as there were not any other known soldiers fighting at this time.

Zappeio Gardens

Athens has a few parks and gardens that are worth exploring and Zappeio is one of them. Located in the centre of Athens, within walking distance from the Acropolis, this garden is a great place to visit if you want a break from exploring museums and churches.

Mount Lycabettus

For some of the best views in Athens, head to Mount Lycabettus.

The climb is worth it (although it will kill your legs), and the summit is 300 meters above sea level – the highest point in the city. 

At the top of the hill, you’ll find a pretty little blue-and-white church and a wonderful viewing platform for gorgeous Greek panoramas.

National Gardens

There really is something quite magical about walking through these gardens, there are lots of interesting places to see like the Byzantine chapel and neoclassic gardens. Athens’ National Gardens a 15.5 hectares public park in the centre of Athens (between Syntagma Square and the Panathenaic Stadium). 

The park will give you some wonderful photo opportunities. There are beautiful bridges, winding pathways, small lakes, a duck pond and even a small zoo with goats, peacocks and chickens.

Plaka

The old town is a must-see on your Athens itinerary. Plaka has some lovely restaurants with little side streets that are worth exploring. The best time to go for an evening stroll would be on Pronoia Street which often hosts live music performances.

One popular stop-off point is at a small restaurant called Smak which is a great budget food option selling delicious pizza and peinirli. It’s located off Ermou Street and you can eat here for less than €5 per person.

That’s it!

I hope that this has given some great tips on how to spend 4 days in Athens. It’s not easy deciding where to visit first as there are so many incredible things about this beautiful city… but hopefully, now you’ll be able to plan your trip accordingly 🙂

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