23 Best Things To Do In Athens In 48 Hours In 2023

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When it comes to finding things to do in Athens, you really are spoiled for choice. This historic capital city is packed full of ancient Greek attractions, historic landmarks, and vibrant cultural heritage.

Most people visit Athens as a gateway to explore the Greek islands, but on my recent visit to the city, I realized that there is more to see and do here than just the Acropolis.

In this guide, I have listed all the best attractions in Athens to help you get the most out of that short stay.

I’ve also organized the top Athens attractions into a 2 day itinerary, so you can maximize your short stay in the city and really get a feel for some of its vibrant, artistic neighborhoods. 

Is Athens Worth Visiting?

I love it when a city transforms you – either physically, mentally, spiritually, OR opinion wise. 

I visited Athens in 1997 and in 1998 and hated it. 

To me, it felt dirty, dusty, unkempt with a sinister air. I couldn’t wait to bypass it for the Greek Islands which was the purpose of my Greek holiday. 

Now the question for me is: Is it me that’s changed or is it Athens? Because on this trip, I discovered a fun and vibrant city with rich culture and history waiting for adventurous and curious travelers. 

For me, I found that Athens is definitely worth visiting and should not just be treated as a gateway to the Greek Islands.

How many days is enough for Athens?

While two nights were ideal to see the best things to do in Athens, I would be more than happy to return to dive a little deeper. 

I traveled on my own to Athens on my visit to Greece for TBEX on the Peloponnese Peninsula (where I explored for 10 days as well as spoke at the travel blogging conference.)

I’m hoping to return to Greece in the summer of 2024 with Craig and the girls and have already told them, “You must spend time in Athens!” 

Most visitors come to Greece for just a day or two on their way to other exciting destinations – which is exactly what I did. I would say that 2 days is just about enough for Athens, but if you have three days at your disposal, you can definitely find things to do.

Follow the suggestions from my two-night trip to get a taste of old and new Athens and you’ll fall in love too!

Why Is Athens Special?