3 Days in Athens Itinerary: Best Things to Do, Where to Stay & Top Tips for Your Trip
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Kalimera from Athens! Payton and I kicked off our summer adventure with three days in Athens before boarding our Windstar Treasures of the Greek Isles cruise, and I’m so glad we did. Arriving early gave us time to shake off the jet lag, avoid any travel hiccups, and soak up some history, food, and killer rooftop views. If your cruise starts in Athens, spending a few days here first is 100% worth it.
HOW TO GET INTO THE CITY FROM THE AIRPORT
Most international travelers will arrive at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH), which is about 35–45 minutes from the city center.
There are a few options for getting from the airport to your hotel.
Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) – Connects the airport to central stops like Syntagma and Monastiraki in about 40 minutes.
Airport Express Bus (X95) – Runs 24/7 between the airport and Syntagma Square, affordable but slower.
Taxi – Flat rate of €40 (day) or €55 (night) to the city center. Many of my readers told me that they had issues with cab drivers not respecting the flat rate, being dropped off away from the hotel, etc. so we decided to book a private transfer.
Private Transfer (Highly Recommended) – We pre-booked with Welcome Pickups and had a smooth, stress-free experience. Our driver was waiting at arrivals, helped with luggage, and even gave us tips about the city during the ride. It was the perfect way to start our trip.
How to Get from Piraeus Cruise Port to Athens City Center
Most cruise ships dock at Piraeus, about 10 km from central Athens. Here are the easiest ways to reach the city. If you have followed me for any time at all you know that I will pay for convenience and that usually means taking an Uber or private transfer to our hotel.
1. Metro (Fast & Cheap): Walk or take the shuttle to Piraeus Metro Station. Take the M1 Green Line to Monastiraki (near the Acropolis). 25–30 min- €1.20
2. Taxi: Available at the port, taking 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. €25–30 (more at night). Negotiate the rate, ask if they take credit cards and make sure the meter is running. Better yet, use the Uber app to get your taxi.
3. Private Transfer: We used Welcome Pickups for all our transfers in Greece. You can also book a transfer or compare prices on GetYourGuide.
Athens Three Days pre-cruise Itinerary at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of how we planned our 3-day Athens itinerary. I really didn’t want to pack too much in before our cruise, and I think we ended up with a good balance of seeing all the highlights and a little bit of relaxation.
Day 1: Arrival Day
Plane landed in ATH at 3:15pm, took about an hour to get to hotel from the airport
Check in to the hotel. We had dinner at the hotel rooftop restaurant and spent the evening at the rooftop pool and watched the sunset.
Day 2: A Taste of Athens
Ancient Angora (in the morning to beat the heat)
Stroll around Plaka
Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square
National Gardens stroll to Panathenaic Stadium, see Temple of Zeus
Evening on our hotel rooftop pool
Day 3: Acropolis and Ancient Athens
Acropolis and Parthenon at 0800
Acropolis Museum at 10
Walk to Hadrian’s Library
Explore Monastiraki Square (all next to each other)
A for Athens rooftop for views and cool drink
Anafiotika and Little Kook
Day 4:
Breakfast, morning by the pool
Light packing before boarding the Windstar cruise
See the Changing of the Guard at the top of every hour
WHERE TO STAY in athens before a cruise
I always recommend staying as close to the sights as you can afford. I love being able to walk out of my hotel and be in the center of things. For this trip however, we chose to redeem points for our hotel stay which meant we didn’t stay in the center of it all. We still had a great stay because our hotel had a fantastic rooftop pool with Acropolis views, but I’ll share some other properties that we considered that are closer to the sites.
It is very, very hot in Athens in the summertime and if I were booking a hotel my two must-haves would be: a pool and a view of the Acropolis. Whether you're using points or booking cash rates, Athens has some excellent options for every budget.
Luxury:
Electra Palace Athens – Gorgeous rooftop pool. In the center of Plaka, comes highly recommended in my Greece travel planning group.
Electra Metropolis - Great rooftop pool with views of the Acropolis, breakfast included
Hotel Grande Bretagne – Nightly rates can be over $1k a night, but off-peak you can find rooms under $500 a night. Fantastic location right across the street from the Parliament Building with an amazing rooftop pool with views of the Acropolis.
The Dolli at Acropolis - This gorgeous hotel is in a restored 1920’s mansion with Acropolis views. Just a short walk from Monastiraki Square and the Roman Agora
Views of the Acropolis from the pool at The Dolli
Mid-range:
Plaka Hotel - Fantastic location, steps to all the sights. No pool but has a rooftop bar/terrace with an amazing view of the Acropolis. Great price includes breakfast
Athens Gate - Views of the Acropolis and Temple of Zeus, great location, views from rooftop terrace
Coco-Mat Athens BC – Great value and location with Acropolis views
A for Athens – Monastiraki, and Plaka are a 5-minute walk away with unbeatable views from some rooms and rooftop bar
Herodian - Rooms range from single up to a 3-bedroom townhouse. At the foot of the Acropolis, a rooftop terrace with two hot tubs and loungers.
Acropolis views from the Plaka Hotel rooftop
Budget-Friendly:
Attalos Hotel - Great location, great price, get a room with a balcony. Rooftop terrace with views.
Acropolis View Hotel - Prices under $150. Some rooms have views of the Acropolis. Rooftop terrace/bar. Breakfast included.
Intercontinental Athens - Swimming pool and rooftop restaurant with great views.
Athens 1890 Hotel and Spa - Fantastic location, reasonable prices, rooms are gorgeous.
Acropolis View Hotel rooftop
WHERE WE STAYED:
I booked 3 nights at the Grand Hyatt Athens for our pre-cruise stay. The Grand Hyatt Athens is a Category 3 Hyatt which means award nights start at just 12k points per night.
I booked three nights with points so that I could apply my Club Access Awards which gave us access to the lounge for breakfast and throughout the day for drinks and snacks
I transferred points earned from my Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card to my Hyatt account to book
A full hotel review is coming soon
One of the amazing rooftop pools at the Grand Hyatt Athens
WHERE TO STAY NEAR PIRAEUS PORT BEFORE/AFTER YOUR CRUISE
If you just have a day before or after your cruise or your cruise leaves early/arrives late or you just don’t want the stress of rushing from central Athens on embarkation day, staying near Piraeus Port can be a lifesaver. It’s not as charming as Plaka or Syntagma, but the convenience of waking up just minutes from your ship is worth it. Here are a few solid options:
Phidias Piraeus Hotel – Super popular with cruise passengers. It’s clean, modern, affordable, and they even offer a free shuttle to the port.
Port Square Hotel - Great location near train station and ferry port. Close to cruise ports. Nightly rates are often under $100 which is hard to beat.
The Alex Monte Kastella – A little more boutique, with stylish rooms and a rooftop restaurant overlooking the sea. If you want comfort and convenience, this is a great pick.
Piraeus City Hotel – Another easy option near the port. Friendly staff, comfy beds, and a big breakfast buffet to fuel you before boarding.
The Port Square Hotel is in a great location. We boarded our Windstar Cruise from Port E11.
TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN ATHENS
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus at the base of the Acropolis. They hold performances here in the summer so check the schedule before your trip.
If you're prioritizing what to see during a short stay, these are our top picks. I prefer to “sightsee by neighborhood” and in Athens it’s pretty easy to do that since almost everything is within a 10–15-minute walk of each other.
The Acropolis & Parthenon: We booked the 0800-time slot and arrived at 0715. Although the gate doesn’t open until 0800, the line was very, very long so arriving early was key to getting up top before the crowds. I highly recommend booking a guided tour for your visit, so you know what you’re looking at up there.
Acropolis Museum - We made timed reservations here two hours after our Acropolis tickets. It’s just a short walk down the hill. Try to visit before 10am for fewer crowds. Make sure to go in and through the cafe where there is a wonderful terrace with views of the Acropolis.
Plaka – Charming old town with shops, tavernas, and winding alleys.
Mount Lycabettus – Panoramic city views, especially at sunset.
Syntagma Square – Watch the ceremonial changing of the guard at the top of every hour. Try to line up at the front and do not move position when the new guards arrive or you won’t be able to see.
Hadrian’s Library - right by Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki Square & Flea Market – The Flea market is on Sundays around the square. Roman Angora and Hadrian’s Library are nearby.
Little Kook - This is a short walk from Monastiraki Square, behind A for Athens, put it on your list
National Gardens – We visited in June so it’s more green than colorful
Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion Tour at sunset - my readers said this was a highlight of their trip. I wish we had time to do it.
National Archeological Museum
Beat the heat and the crowds. We lined up at 0715 for our 0800 Acropolis entry.
TOP ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS WITH VIEWS OF THE ACROPOLIS:
You can’t come to Athens without having drinks or dinner at a rooftop restaurant. Most of these are within walking distance of the Acropolis. Pop in for brunch or sunset drinks.
A for Athens - Make sure to walk up the stairs to the top level for best views
Kuzina’s - upscale dining with a view of the Acropolis
MS Roof Garden - great location - highly recommended
Acropolis Museum Cafe and Restaurant - amazing views from the 2nd floor. You’ll need to get a free ticket at the door to go up.
Strofi - excellent food, amazing views, reservations required
Amazing views from A for Athens
TAKE A DAY TRIP
If you have more time, add a day trip to one of these amazing sights.
DELPHI is a UNESCO World Heritage site once believed to be the center of the world and home to the Oracle. This would be a long day trip and may even be worth adding a couple of days to stay in the area and see Meteora at the same time.
Athens: Mythology of Delphi, Museum and Arachova Guided Tour: Visit the Temple of Apollo, where the oracle delivered ancient prophecies, explore the Delphi Museum and mountain village of Arachova
From Athens: Delphi and Meteora 2-day tour with hotel - this would be great if you want to visit both sites and have transportation and lodging and the tour included.
METEORA is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of the most breathtaking places in Greece. Centuries-old monasteries perch on top of towering rock formations, creating a landscape that feels straight out of a fantasy novel.
Athens to Meteora Day Trip - Visit all of the monasteries on this full day tour with photo stops and lunch included
Athens to Meteora: Monasteries, Caves & Seaside Stopovers: Visit Meteora’s monasteries and hidden hermit caves with a local guide. Enjoy optional lunch in Kastraki, plus seaside brunch and sunset dinner with stunning views just steps from the sea.
TIPS FOR VISITING ATHENS
You’ll see the original Caryatids from the Erechtheion temple inside the Acropolis Museum
Athens in the summertime is extremely hot. I ended up buying a hat at a shop in Plaka, wore it everywhere and took it on our cruise. Try to sightsee early to beat the heat and the crowds. My portable fan saved me, and we didn’t go anywhere without water.
Visit the Acropolis early. It opens at 8am. We arrived at 0715 and there were already people lining up.
Instead of a Hop on Hop off Tour which may have you sitting in traffic in the heat, consider doing a golf cart or e-bike tour.
Wear comfortable shoes – Athens has lots of cobblestone streets and hills.
Use the Uber app for taxis. We did find that sometimes we would be asked to add a tip on the app before a driver would confirm but we always found a ride on the app even without tipping in advance.
Don’t leave Athens without buying a souvenir with an evil eye (or mati) on it. It is a big part of Greek culture and is believed to protect against bad energy or envy. I wish I would have bought more for family and friends.
The Acropolis entry around 0715
The line to get into the Acropolis by 0745. It wrapped around the corner and down the hill.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Three days in Athens was the perfect way to start our Windstar Cruise adventure. It gave us time to adjust, explore the city’s rich history, and fall in love with the culture (and the food!). Whether you're here before a cruise or planning a short city break, Athens is a place worth slowing down for. From rooftop sunsets to ancient ruins, it’s the perfect kickoff to any Greek getaway. Yamas!
Happy Travels!