Kalós írthate stin Athína – welcome to Athens!

This magnificent Greek capital is more than just a cruise embarkation point. Its rich history alone is one of the many things that entice tourists and travellers of all ages.

Here’s what we did during our pre-cruise stay in Athens, and maybe this will be helpful to you too!

Quick note: prices below are in euros with rough GBP/USD conversions alongside, based on today’s rates

What to See and Do

1. The Acropolis You can’t come to Athens and skip this one. We went early morning to beat the heat and the tour groups, and honestly, standing under the Parthenon for the first time is jaw dropping even if you have seen a thousand photos of it. The standard price as per the official website is €30 (£25.50 / $34.50) per adult ticket. My advice: book directly through www.hhticket.gr and check the current price before you commit. Tickets are tied to a one-hour entry slot, so don’t be late.

2. The Acropolis Museum This is a separate ticket from the Acropolis itself (book it on its own site, etickets.theacropolismuseum.gr) so don’t assume it’s included. The current price is €20. The top floor with the glass walls looking straight back up at the Acropolis is worth the visit alone.

3. Hadrian’s Library A quieter one, tucked into Monastiraki. Built by Emperor Hadrian back in 132 AD, it used to house scrolls and lecture halls, and now it’s just a peaceful spot to catch your breath between the bigger, busier sites. Entry is cheap, only a few euros (10 for peak months and 5 for off peak months) and it’s a nice contrast to the crowds.

4. Temple of Olympian Zeus Once the biggest temple in all of Greece, now down to a handful of towering columns — but they’re still impressive enough to stop and stare at for a while. It’s an easy add-on if you’re already walking towards Syntagma or the National Garden.

5. Roman Agora of Athens Not to be confused with the Ancient Agora. This was the Roman-era commercial centre of the city, and the Tower of the Winds here is genuinely beautiful — it worked as a sundial, weather vane, and water clock all at once, which feels wildly ahead of its time.

7. Plaka This is where you can spend most of your downtime. Athens’ oldest neighbourhood, all narrow cobbled streets, neoclassical houses, and little tavernas tucked into corners. Yes it’s touristy, but it’s touristy for a reason — just wander without a plan for an hour and you’ll find something lovely.

8. Monastiraki Square and the Church of Panagia Pantanassa One of the liveliest corners of the city — flea market stalls, street food, people everywhere, and this tiny Byzantine church sitting right in the middle of it all like it’s not fazed by any of it. Great people-watching spot.

9. Syntagma Square Home to the Greek Parliament. Try to time it for the Changing of the Evzones Guard on the hour, it’s a bit theatrical in the best way, and there’s a bigger ceremony on Sundays. It’s also just a handy landmark since several metro lines meet here, so we used it as our mental “home base” for the city.

What and Where to Eat

1. Gyros Non-negotiable. Warm pita, tzatziki, tomato, onion, and the fries tucked right inside the wrap rather than on the side. We grabbed these constantly around Plaka and Monastiraki, usually for under €5 (£4.25 / $5.75) each, and honestly some of the best value food we had on the whole trip.

2. Rooftop bars Athens has really leaned into its rooftop bar scene, and a sunset drink with the Acropolis lit up in front of you is one of those moments worth building an evening around. Cocktails ran us roughly €12–16 (£10–13.50 / $14–18.50) each, which felt fair for the view alone.

3. Little Kook This place is an experience more than a café. Whimsical, fairy-tale, over-the-top decor that changes with the seasons, tucked into Monastiraki — it’s become a bit of an Instagram institution and honestly, it deserves the hype. Desserts are shareable and photogenic, budget around €8–12 (£6.75–10 / $9–14) per plate.

4. Ariston – located on Coulis street, this bakery is a hit with the locals. You will see queues in early morning. This bakery has stood time and remains to stand to present serving authentic greek pastries. Their speciality is the kourou pie, made with a crumbly yogurt and butter dough.

How to Get Around

1. Metro  Probably the most efficient but cheap way to get around Athens. A few stations even double as mini-museums with ancient artefacts uncovered during construction sitting right there on the platforms. Lines 2 and 3 cover most of what you’ll want to see. A single ticket is around €1.20 (£1 / $1.40), or grab a 24-hour travel card if you’re moving around a lot. Alternatively, you can conveniently pay with your bank cards as well.

3. Local Taxis/Ride-share/Uber Uber works in Athens, though it’s a bit different to what you might expect — rides are often fulfilled by licensed taxi drivers through the app rather than private cars. Still a solid, transparent-pricing option if you’d rather not flag one down on the street.

4. Buses Fills in the gaps the metro doesn’t reach. Slower, but budget-friendly, and usually covered under the same travel card as the metro and tram.