Best Things to Do in Athens, Greece: Restaurants and Museums to Visit - Thrillist

Dating back to 3000 BCE, Athens is synonymous with ancient history, democracy, and culturally rich mythology. But this sprawling city, home to 129 neighborhoods across more than 1,000 square miles, has much to offer visitors than just its storied past.
Europe’s oldest capital city is now a living paradox of old meets new, where ancient ruins stand in stark contrast to a buzzing contemporary culture that’s pushing boundaries through its food, art, technology, and design. Formerly industrial areas have been transformed into vibrant social spaces with trendy cafés, bars, and cultural venues that “reflect the city’s artistic spirit,” in the words of Athens-based spatial designer Stavros Sgouros.
While most visitors flock to the Acropolis or the busy streets of Monastiraki and Plaka, there's an overlooked side of Athens that shines brighter than the Parthenon's marble on an August day. In the time that has passed since the 2008 economic crisis, Athens has rebuilt itself, rising from the ashes of a modern Greek tragedy with renewed energy and creativity. In the first half of 2024, over 21.6 million passengers passed through Athens International Airport, a significant increase over the same time period last year and a testament to the city's renaissance.
Most visitors come to Athens with simple goals of wandering the Acropolis and the Parthenon and indulging in traditional dishes like gyro and moussaka. But the heart of Athens beats strongest off the expected tourist path. It’s here, among the lesser-known neighborhoods, where you’ll find the city’s complex and inspiring history still echoing through the streets. If you’re keen to experience Athens like a local, you’ve come to the right place.
See: The panoramic sunset views from Philopappos Hill. Also known as the Hill of the Muses, Philopappos Hill rises gracefully over Athens, just steps away from the city’s iconic landmarks, but it feels like a world of its own. The brief climb to the top is like stepping back in time, with ancient ruins sprinkled along the path.
Touch: The warm sand beneath your feet on a beach along the Athenian Riviera. Tourists often miss Athens' nearby coastline, just a short metro, bus, or tram ride away. In the summer, locals enjoy the hidden gem of the Athenian Riviera, relaxing at beaches like Kavouri or spending evenings visiting Bolivar, a lively beachfront bar. In cooler months, sip coffee by the sea at a café, such as Moorings in Voula.
Smell: Richly scented spices along Evripidou Street. Athens is a sensory feast. Just past the central market is Evripidou Street, where the air is filled with the aromas of freshly ground spices like Greek saffron, thyme, exotic cumin, and cinnamon, along with the savory scent of pastourma (cured and spiced beef). Vendors and spice shops like Bahar, a local staple since 1940 with over 2,500 products, make this fragrant journey one not to be missed.
Hear: Music under the moonlight at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus during Athens Epidaurus Festival or the unmistakable sound of bouzoukia. On the southern slope of the Acropolis, the ancient Herodeon theater hosts the Athens Epidaurus Festival from May to October each year, with performances from opera to ballet under the Athenian night sky. Beyond the summer, head to a bouzoukia, where live music, table dancing, swirling smoke, and thunderous beats fill the air. By morning, you’ll feel like an adopted Athenian.
Taste: A rich tapestry of flavors in a meal at a local tavern in Koukaki. Koukaki, just beyond the historic center, is one of Athens’ best kept secrets for a traditional Greek meal. “Koukaki has modernized over the years,” says Maria Filindras, who grew up in the area, "but the heart of the neighborhood, the connection to its food and community, is still the same." It’s the perfect spot to enjoy real Greek flavors away from the crowds, while still staying close to the city’s heart.
The first European Capital of Culture in 1985, Athens is swiftly transforming into a cultural hub where ancient legacies intertwine with a vibrant, gritty modern scene. Whether you’re interested in classical art or provocative urban graffiti, the city offers an authentic experience for every traveler eager to feel its creative pulse.
While the Acropolis and its museum are essential for any Hellenophile, the privately owned Benaki Museum in the upscale Kolonaki neighborhood is often overlooked and features a comprehensive collection of Greek art from prehistoric times to today. Alternatively, visit the National Gallery, showcasing 1,000 paintings from the post-Byzantine era to modern Greece. For contemporary Greek art, Athens has numerous micro art galleries, particularly concentrated in Kifissia and Metaxourgeio.
Music and theater are integral to Greek culture, celebrating ancient legacies and contemporary voices across generations. While summer days in Athens can be long and hot, locals eagerly await sunset, flocking to venues for live performances like the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus open-air theater and Technopolis, a late 19th-century gasworks facility transformed into a vibrant cultural complex.
Bibliophiles will delight in Athens' independent bookshops. Lexikopoleio in Pangrati is a welcoming store with books in various languages and literary events. Evripidis in Chalandri spans four floors of global literature and was featured in Pan MacMillan’s list of beautiful bookstores worldwide in 2018.
8:30 am - Make your way to Pangrati for a modern Greek brunch at Ohh Boy. Greeks are known for their exceptional dishes, and breakfast is no exception. In the artsy neighborhood of Pangrati, Ohh Boy stands out as one of the best new spots in the city for a scrumptious, slow breakfast, featuring a delightful array of sweet and savory options, along with plenty of vegan choices. Indulge your sweet tooth with irresistible banoffee pie, and don’t miss the zucchini and corn pancakes as a savory main.
10 am - Dive into Athens' multifaceted urban landscape w