How many days in Athens?

[Anonymous]

People need to be honest with themselves. The truth is most people want to visit islands, beaches, see the crystal clear water, eat in tavernas, etc. They “know” they should see Athens and probably also know it deserves a bit more time. I think that is why it’s become axiomatic to say the city deserves 1-2 days and no more. It assuages any doubts. Having the months it requires to truly see Greece (likely even years) is not time most people have. I also don’t think this solely applies to Americans. A friend who works for the Greek government tourism board told me that most visitors to Greece now only visit one historical monument while in Greece. This is down from 3 or more. For many Europeans, Greece is only a beach vacation and nothing more.

[Anonymous]

We did everything but the Acropolis one day and then the Acropolis and museum the second. We had three little kids though at the time so you might be able to do it all in a day and a half. We loved Athens though so maybe you don’t want to rush it. Highly recommend Naxos for an island.

[Anonymous]

1 day - Acropolis and museum. Walk around Plaka and Monastiraki
2 day - shortndrive to Delphi

We visited Greece last year. I did not really like Athens. I like our roadtrip through the Peloponnese : Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth, Nafplio. Lovely!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1 day - Acropolis and museum. Walk around Plaka and Monastiraki
2 day - shortndrive to Delphi

We visited Greece last year. I did not really like Athens. I like our roadtrip through the Peloponnese : Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth, Nafplio. Lovely!

I would rather spend the day in Athens than drive 3 hours each way to Delphi for the day. Ymmv.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1 day - Acropolis and museum. Walk around Plaka and Monastiraki
2 day - shortndrive to Delphi

We visited Greece last year. I did not really like Athens. I like our roadtrip through the Peloponnese : Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth, Nafplio. Lovely!

OP here- this is along the lines of what we were considering if we opt for the Peloponnese! Did you base yourself in one place and do daytrips or move around?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on how much you want to pack in and what you feel comfortable seeing. We did Athens with two young teens. Two full days there and it was good. We weren’t rushed and pressed for time. We saw a lot, had time for ice cream and pit stops along the way. Two days filled up nicely with a mix of the must see (Acropolis, and museum, along with many other highlights). Then we rented a car and did the Pelo.Pennisula which was good as well.

As for islands- I’m sure they are gorgeous. Just depends on what you want to get out of the trip- historical places, beaches. And no answer is wrong- it’s your vacation! If Athens and then islands is what you want- do it. We did more sorts/history with relaxation mixed in so our island was Crete after the above travel. If I were to go back to Greece, I’d want do visit small Greek islands.

OP here- any spots you liked in particular? We are leaning towards the roadtrip over an island because of the time of year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1 day - Acropolis and museum. Walk around Plaka and Monastiraki
2 day - shortndrive to Delphi

We visited Greece last year. I did not really like Athens. I like our roadtrip through the Peloponnese : Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth, Nafplio. Lovely!

OP here- this is along the lines of what we were considering if we opt for the Peloponnese! Did you base yourself in one place and do daytrips or move around?

Not that PP but we did this a few years ago and based ourselves in Nafplio and did day trips to Mycenae, Ephesus etc. (We did not get to Corinth or Olympia but when we were done we drove north to Delphi).

[Anonymous]

Piggy backing on this a bit, what itinerary would people recommend for a visit that IS focused on history/archeological sites? That's my kid's biggest interest and we're thinking about a trip next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One full day. That’s it. It’s not Rome.

Inclined to agree with this- just a totally different vibe from Rome and Paris (which are both cities I left wanting to stay even longer).

You must not like history. Athens has tons of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Piggy backing on this a bit, what itinerary would people recommend for a visit that IS focused on history/archeological sites? That's my kid's biggest interest and we're thinking about a trip next year.

Go in shoulder season. Tons of great suggestions on Reddit and travel forums.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Piggy backing on this a bit, what itinerary would people recommend for a visit that IS focused on history/archeological sites? That's my kid's biggest interest and we're thinking about a trip next year.

I think it’s basically the ones listed here in various comments plus you can add Crete if you want an island (spend a morning or afternoon at Knossos).

[Anonymous]

I only did 2 nights/1 full day in Athens and I wished I had more time for it. We stayed in this perfect Airbnb (the Europeans still do Airbnb right). The neighborhood was so perfect - I liked Athens more because we liked our neighborhood so much.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17728362

For reference I was not a fan of crowded and busy Rome. I don't usually like big cities (except I love Paris) so I didn't leave much time for Athens and wished I had!

[Anonymous]

Even on this thread people don’t really say what they actually liked to do in Athens! There is the Acropolis and its museum, the archaeological museum has been mentioned… and what else? Genuinely want to know as I plan a few days in Athens!

[Anonymous]

I don’t know your kids’ ages. Many would like the Kotsanas Museum for ancient technology. Interactive. I liked it, too.

I also think the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square is worth it, andI rarely think that. I watched it 3 times.

One day would not be enough for me.

The Acropolis climb takes time.

Going off season is brilliant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even on this thread people don’t really say what they actually liked to do in Athens! There is the Acropolis and its museum, the archaeological museum has been mentioned… and what else? Genuinely want to know as I plan a few days in Athens!

We did two full days. We went to the Acropolis and museum one evening. We saw a local play. We went to the Agora. We checked out the changing of the guards. We saw some other ruins. Beyond that we mostly just wandered around the city and ate. Two full days was plenty, one day would have been too short.