Three days is a good amount of time to get a real feel for Athens without rushing every stop. Here’s how I’d lay it out.
The Acropolis and Parthenon
This one’s non-negotiable. Combine it with a visit to the Acropolis Museum right next door while you’re at it. I wrote a full guide with ticket links and timing tips if you want the details: Acropolis
The Archaeological Museum
If you’re into history beyond just the Acropolis itself, the National Archaeological Museum is worth the trip. It gives you the wider picture of ancient Greece that the Acropolis Museum, focused as it is on one site, doesn’t.
Evenings in Plaka
At night, wander the streets of Plaka. It’s the neighborhood for browsing souvenir shops and picking a restaurant, there are plenty of good ones tucked into the narrow streets. My pick is Trattoria Plaka: Trattoria Plaka
Monastiraki and Little Kook
Monastiraki Square is worth a stop on its own, and if you happen to be there on a Sunday, there’s a flea market running through the area. Close by, Little Kook is a must-see, it’s unlike anywhere else I’ve been in Athens: Little Kook
Getting around
For seeing the rest of the city, the hop-on-hop-off bus is the easiest option. A 24-hour pass covers you for a full day, and it conveniently stops at both the Archaeological Museum and Monastiraki.
As an alternative to the hop-on-hop-off, the metro works great too. You don’t even need to queue at a ticket booth, you can tap in with a credit card straight from your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The ticket machines are still there if you’d rather buy a physical ticket. And if you need a taxi, Uber runs through the local taxi network in Athens, so don’t be surprised if an actual taxi shows up when you request an Uber.
A lot of people just transit through Athens on their way to the islands, but three days shouldn’t shorten your trip too much to see the beauty the city has to offer.
