Before you go
- Fly Friday evening. You land just after midnight and have the full weekend ahead of you.
- I stayed at Arion Athens Hotel. Central, affordable, and breakfast is included.
- Bring cash. Most places take card but Diporto is cash only.
- Book the Acropolis in advance. Don't turn up without a ticket.
- Comfortable shoes. The cobblestones, hills and the mountain will all test your footwear.
My Athens itinerary
A taste of what I got up to. Get the full itinerary free below.
Late arrival
Arion Athens Hotel
Landed after 1am, checked in, dropped the bags. Well located, clean, genuinely affordable, and breakfast is included. Exactly what you need when you are arriving late.
Where I stayed
Late night
Falafel Tqu Psyrri
First stop after dropping the bags. The Psyrri neighbourhood is alive late. Cheap, filling, genuinely good.
Food stop
Early morning
Monastiraki Flea Market
First proper stop of the morning. Get there before the crowds build. Great for people-watching and picking up something local.
Explore
Lunch
Diporto — the grandfather's taverna
An old man cooking underneath a big building. No menu, no choices. Just whatever he made that day. It reminded me of my grandma's cooking. The kind of food that only exists when someone has been doing it their whole life.
Do not miss. Cash only.
Free download
Get the full Athens itinerary
The complete 48 hour guide — every stop, every meal, exact timings, what to book in advance and what I wish I knew before I went. Free when you join the Weerawonders list.
Full Saturday itinerary
Full Sunday itinerary
Top 5 food stops
Mount Lycabettus tips
Acropolis booking guide
Practical tips
Planning to visit the Acropolis? Skip the queue and go with a guide. Knowing the history makes it extraordinary, not just impressive.
Book the Acropolis Tour via Viator Affiliate link. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.3.5h
flight from London
12
places I visited
Fri to Sun
no annual leave needed
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