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One day in Athens is all cruise ship passengers have to explore the historic sites of the ancient empire and the modern portions of Greece’s capital city. The list of key places to visit in Athens includes significant landmarks, culinary delights, and both ancient and modern art. Despite the time restrictions, we managed to see many of the highlights in only one day in Athens.

The Temple of Hephaestus viewed from the Agora - one of the places to see in Athens Greece
Temple viewed from the Agora in Athens Greece. I believe it is The Temple of Hephaestus

Our trick to seeing Athens in a day was two-fold

  1. Planning our Athens must-see list in advance of arriving.
  2. Comparing the tours to see which ones match our list.
  3. Pre-purchasing a tour, or in our case, a private driver as none of the tours matched our must-see list.
View from the Acropolis. Part of most city sightseeing Athens Greece
One of the views from the Acropolis. The domed building in the centre of the photo is The National Observatory of Athens.

Planning: Creating Your Personal Thing to See in Athens in a Day

First, the list of best things to do in Athens will be slightly different for each person. To create your “top things to do in Athens Greece” list, start with informational pages like this one, written by people you trust. This page represents what we believe are the top Athens attractions. Next, take notes. Then, get yourself a guidebook that you can carry on the ship where you might not have access to the internet. We personally recommend Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports.

Finding Athens Private Tours or Athens Shore Excursions

Column seen during Acropolis tour, Athens Greece
One of many columns on structures on the Acropolis

Next, we reviewed the excursions offered by the ship to see if any of them went exactly where we wanted to go. We generally opt for independent shore excursions, as they cost less, do more, have smaller groups, and are more personal. The ship’s tours often start more than an hour after arriving in port, have large groups, are impersonal, and frequently include a shopping stop where the ship earns commissions.

As none of the tours exactly met our needs, we opted for one of the private tours in Athens Greece. We created our own Athens itinerary with input from our guide. For us, this was the ideal option. Note: At the time of writing, only licenced guides were permitted to enter the venues with clients.

IMPORTANT: In Greece:

  • A private driver can take you to destinations, tell you about them while outside, but cannot enter with you.
  • An official guide can accompany you into the venues.

Check out these Athens Shore Excursions

TOUR TYPE FEATURES DURATION
Sightseeing of Athens and the Acropolis Private Guide
Private Driver		 Fully licensed guide and a private driver
Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, Panathenian Stadium
New Acropolis Museum, changing of the guard		 4 hrs
Acropolis Walking Tour Group
Walking		 Acropolis and central Athens with an expert guide
Parthenon, the Herodian Theatre and Temple of Zeus,
Syntagma Metro Station archaeological museum		 3.5 hrs
Self-Guided Tour Private Driver Fully customizable
Get tips from the driver, explore on your own		 4 hrs
Segway Tour Small Group
Segway		 Segway instruction
Choose: Acropolis or City Highlights tour		 2 hrs
Food Tour Small Group
Walking Tour		 Sample cuisine from shops and markets
Learn culinary history		 4 hrs
Athens City, Acropolis & Acropolis Museum Group
Walking		 Fully licensed guide
Skip-the-line service
Syntagma Metro Station museum Acropolis, Parthenon,
Temple of Zeus, Dionysus Theater and Sanctuary,
Changing of the Guards, Greek Parliament and National Gardens		 5.5 hrs

*Viator, a TripAdvisor company offers a worry-free shore excursion guarantee with some of their shore tours (be sure to read the details on any trip you choose).

Photo Tour: Things to do in Athens

Initial Historic Sites on the Acropolis

Our first stop was the Acropolis, which means “high city.”  We walked past several ancient structures before coming to the most famous ones. We came here directly from the port and were ahead of the horde of tour buses that were arriving before we left.

Acropolis in Athens Greece
We arrived somewhat early to beat the crowds, it only gets worse as the day went on.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre on the Acropolis in Athens Greece
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre built in 161 AD (renovated in 1950).
Acropolis in Athens Greece
A broken column shows that they were built in sections.

Parthenon and Erechtheion

Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens Greece
Our girls sit on an old column in front of the Parthenon, a former temple dedicated to Athena. Located on the Acropolis, this spot holds personal significance to me as I sat in this spot 30 years ago.
Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens Greece in 1982
This image was taken over 30 years ago, sold to us as a postcard, and then mailed home. I am the third from the left.
Erechtheion on the Acropolis in Athens Greece
The Erechtheion (Erechtheum) is an ancient Greek temple dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.
A closer look at Erechtheion on the Acropolis in Athens Greece
A closer look at Erechtheion.

Views from the Acropolis

View from the Acropolis in Athens Greece

View from the Acropolis in Athens Greece
A rare photo of hubby and I.

Agora (ancient market area)

Agora in Athens Greece
This is the Stoa of Attalos at the Agora, a rebuilt ancient shopping and gathering place.
Agora in Athens Greece
The Stoa of Attalos now houses a museum filled with ancient statues and mosaics.
Agora, an ancient gathering place seen on our tour with only one day in Athens Greece
The ancient portion of the Agora

Greek Parliament and the Changing of the Guard

Greek parliament and changing of the guard at tomb of unknown solider.
Changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier, in Syntagma Square (the central square of Athens), just outside of the Greek Parliament building. With limited time, we didn’t walk behind Parliament to enjoy the 15 hectare National Gardens.

Visit a Museum in Athens

We enjoyed the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. It was a difficult choice between it and the Acropolis Museum, but we opted to see artefacts from all over Greece as we had already stood upon the Acropolis. As a bonus, the air-conditioned museum was a refreshing break from a blistering hot day.

New Acropolis Museum in Athens Greece

Other significant museums in Athens that we didn’t get to:

  • Museum of Cycladic Art
  • The Byzantine and Christian Museum (exhibits from the 3rd century AD to the late medieval era)
  • The Numismatic Museum (one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of ancient and modern coins)
  • The National Museum of Contemporary Art  (located in a former brewery)
  • The Jewish Museum of Greece

Stop and Enjoy a Meal or Snack

Bread at a bakery in Athens Greece
While we ate a traditional Greek souvlaki lunch, we didn’t take photos. However, we did get some delicious shots from our morning tea.

The Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium

The Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble. It has hosted three Olympics: the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and again in 1906. Plus it was used for events of the 2004 Olympics.

It is less popular than other sites. Therefore, unlike everywhere else we visited in Athens, it was fairly empty. In fact, it was empty enough for the girls to have a race around the Olympic track and then stand on the podium.

See the Olympic Torches

The first lighting of each Olympic Torch takes place in Greece and then tours the country. Next, the flame transfers to a purpose-built lantern for a flight to the host country. Upon arrival, the flame jumps to an identical copy of the first torch and is run through the host country. Each Olympic torch has six copies.

Each of the torches started in Greece are housed at the Panathenaic Stadium. To see them, walk through the tunnel leading out of the stadium on the far side from the entrance. Climb the stairs at the end of the tunnel to find the room.

Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium in Athens Greece
Our girls had a chance to run on the track at the Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium, home to first modern Olympic Games.

Other Historic Sites to Visit

Temple Olympia Zeus in Athens Greece
The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion) is a former colossal temple.
Statue of Athena in Athens Greece
The goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron.
Hadrian's Gate in Athens Greece
Hadrian’s Gate was possibly built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian 131 AD.

Did we see all of Athens in a Day?

Of course not. We did see many of the highlights, but here are a few more key things to do in Athens  that we missed:

  • Walk the labyrinth of streets and have a coffee or meal in the old historic Pláka neighbourhood.
  • Shop in the Monastiraki district.
  • Stare in awe of the ruins of the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus.
  • Imagine participating in one of the Athenian assemblies at Pnyx, and being a part of the creation of democracy in 507 BC.
  • Study the columns and architecture at the ruins of Hadrian’s Library created in 132 AD.

Travel Tips whether you have one day in Athens or longer:

  • Visit the Acropolis as early in the day as possible as the ticket queue gets over an hour long.
  • When at the Agora, or probably at any of the ruins, do not take a photo standing behind one of the headless statues to give the appearance of your head being on top of the statue.  The guards will come running and stand over you until you delete the photo.
  • If you visit as a cruise port and enjoy Athens as much as we did, you will probably want to return for a longer visit. When you do, check for the best hotel pricing at Booking.com.
  • Get out to at least one of the Greek islands. We went to Mykonos. The relaxed atmosphere and stark white-washed buildings offered a sharp contrast to the fast-paced Greek capital of Athens.
  • Many of my Greek images are available for purchase at Zazzle.

We visited Athens as one of nine ports as we cruised the Mediterranean on the NCL Spirit. We arrived in Athens after my favourite destination from this cruise, the historic and picturesque ruins of Ephesus Turkey. From Athens, we cruised into Venice Italy, our port of disembarkation. The ports included one port in France, four in Italy, two in Greece, and two in Turkey.

If you are heading out to sea, read next: 25 Tips for Cruising that Everyone Should Know.

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This image is just one of 23 that we saw in Athens Greece, a city filled with ancient historic sites. Read the article to see more.

What would you see if you only had one day in Athens?

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Comments

  2. Fabulous photos Rhonda I just booked my flights for Greece for a month next May/June. Love the old shot of you at the Acropolis. The photos have really helped me to decide to actually spend 3 days in Athens as there seems there is more than enough to see.

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  3. As other commentators have said, one day is never enough time. But saying that, itineraries like this one, do help in maximising your time in a city. I’d love to visit Athens one day.

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  4. One day is never enough, but sometimes you have no choice! I’ve been in this situation before. It’s amazing to make the most of your time and know that you’ll have other awesome spots to return to someday!

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  5. Now this brings back memories. You covered a lot of the same territory I did in one day on my trip to Athens. I love the idea of hiring a private guide to take you around. You get to choose your own adventure that way!

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  6. Totally did not know that is what Acropolis meant! But it makes total sense seeing where the structure was built! Also, it is one of the really good restaurants in Florida 😉

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  7. I really enjoyed this post, you know how much I love cruising but the downside is that they leave you one day to see so much so this post its perfect to refer back if I go to Athens in the future.
    I loved the picture of your girls sitting in the same post as you 30 years ago, how lovely!

    I wish you a great week!

    Nuria

    Reply

  8. Wow, so much to discover in ATHENS in one day! I cant believe how many people were there at the Acropolis! it s certainly a great city. I pass by almost every year for a day on my way down to the Greek Islands, so I have seen most of these sites.

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  9. These are some amazing tips. We always try to make the most of time in places even if its a short trip. It is always good to hear other who have been successful at it too. Will keep this in mind for athens

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  10. Love your photos. It looks like the weather was beautiful when you visited. Athens is one of those cities steeped in history and mystery. And I’m sure your girls will always remember their visit to Athens, especially the chance to run on the track in the Panathenaic Olympic Stadium.

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  12. I think your tactic of advance planning and booking a private driver and car was wise, to allow you to pack in as much as you could into the time. And getting off the ship amongst the first on arrival to port probably helped you to beat some of those crowds at Acropolis too. I went when I was four, over 4 decades ago, and there’s a photo of me on that same fallen rock somewhere in our family albums. I’ve not been back (yet) though.

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    • We pre-arrange for private drivers often when we travel and have limited time in a city. Especially from a ship. Even the expensive driver is often cheaper than paying for four people on an excursion.

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  13. We spent 3 days in Athens and I would say that was plenty before leaving on a tour. Our hotel was directly across from the Parliment.

    Oh I remember those tourist postcards that were mailed to us.

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  14. When I think of Athens, I think of history and food. So I think I would go with the day the way you did. I’m not really a huge city person so one day would be enough for me at a time, then maybe go back another time. Greece is definitely at the top of the list for me though! I love the old photo you had from your previous visit – and the photo of your girls on the track! Fun!

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  15. Ah, I want to go to Athens so badly! When we lived in Romania, Greece was only a stone’s throw away from us, but at that time we couldn’t travel anywhere outside the borders. Now we have to cross the world to get there and it’s not so easy anymore, but I still didn’t give up hope that I’ll make it there someday. Your pictures are fascinating.

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  16. We were in Athens for nine days. But if we had only been there one day, I would have gone to Plaka, and the main square, visited one of the churches. Eat an authentic Greek meal. Go to the street market with antiques. Oh, and visit one of the islands. But the Acropolis was a major disappointment – and you are talking to an artist here. The pillars are the only thing to see there. In the museum you are nor allowed to take pics. We were planning to spend there a whole day, but in two hours we got bored and left for the city.

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  17. Oh my goodness the crowds are too much; but the sights are worth it. I like the old picture versus the new picture of you. Show less crowded in the old old days. You are a lucky person to have been there twice. Good planning. I like at the end what to to and what not to do.

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  21. You packed a lot into one day and seemed to capture the essence of Athens. My son really wants to go to Greece. I’m going to save this and share it with him.

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  22. That was amazing. I love all of your pictures. I like the 30 year postcard. That can be a family tradition. You make me want to travel to Greece. I’m in Nashville TN, and we have the recreation of the Parthenon here. I visit that park alot it’s my favorite. Thanks for sharing

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  29. I wouldn’t care for those crowds, but I haven’t cared for them for many years.

    Beautiful city and great shots.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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  32. That is amazing your were there 30 years earlier in a similar photo. Such a beautiful place. If that crowd was beating the crowds, I’d hate to see what it looks like when it’s really busy.

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    • I love Athens. I am sorry I didn’t spend more time in Greece with my girls. We had planned on it, but then we got the last minute cruise deal, and the plan all changed.

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  40. I still can’t afford a visit to Athens. It’s actually on my plan but my funds aren’t enough yet. I really envy this trip of yours. Anyway, nice photos you got there.

    Reply

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