7 Best Things to Do in Athens: An Incredible Family Adventure
Exploring The Greek Capital
Athens is a city where every corner whispers a story. In November 2023, we spent a full week in Greece, dedicating three incredible days to exploring the heart of the capital. From the marble peaks of the Acropolis to the bustling street food scene, Athens proved to be an unforgettable mix of ancient heritage and modern charm.
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Arriving in Athens
- Via Ferry or Bus: Athens is the gateway to the Mediterranean, seamlessly connected by sea and road. To compare the most convenient routes and prices for your journey, you can book through Busbud or local ferry providers.
- Via Flight: Land at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (ATH), located approximately 40 minutes from the historic city center. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Essential Travel Resources for Your Greece Trip
- Over-night Stays: To book a hotel, explore the options available here.
- Stay Connected: Stay connected while exploring without worrying about roaming fees. Grab a local eSIM that fits your data needs here:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
Day 1: Ancient Gems and Market Walks
Acropolis of Athens
Pro-tip: Acropolis of Athens has LONG waiting queues. Secure your ticket using the widget below to get ahead of the crowds.
We started our exploration of Athens with the site that attracts the most tourists. We booked our tickets to the Acropolis of Athens online but still had to stand in the entrance queue for 30 minutes. However, the wait was totally worth it. We spent nearly 2 hours at the Acropolis and enjoyed every bit of the experience. This place was extremely rich in architecture and the history of Greek Mythology. We had acquired a mobile audio guide with our tickets and listened to it to gain information about the different landmarks. We saw the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Erechtheion and more. A trip to the Acropolis is definitely recommended to everyone.
Plaka
After our rich historical experience of the Acropolis, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant. Then, we started our exploration of Plaka and its shops. We thoroughly enjoyed our walking experience at Plaka with the beautiful narrow streets lined with small cafes. We came across a huge collection of Greek souvenirs and, naturally, we splurged.
Acropolis Museum
A visit to the Acropolis of Athens is incomplete without going to the Acropolis Museum. The museum holds thousands of artifacts collected from the Acropolis. We spent 90 minutes at the Acropolis Museum and learnt a lot about the history of the Ancient Greek Civilization.
Pro-tip: Secure your ticket to the Acropolis Museum using the widget below.
Monastiraki
From the Acropolis Museum, we headed towards Monastiraki which is yet another shopping district in Athens. We walked around the district but this time didn’t buy too many souvenirs. After an hour of exploration, we went to our chosen restaurant for dinner and then drove back to the hotel.
Day 2: Temples and Athenian Streets
Ancient Agora of Athens
Pro-tip: Secure your ticket to Ancient Agora of Athens using the widget below.
We started our second day at the Ancient Agora of Athens which used to be a legal, political and business center in ancient Greece. The ticket was around 15 Euros and we spent 90 minutes at the location. The Agora is extremely rich in temples and ruins and is an extremely popular tourist destination. People visit the location to especially view the Temple of Hephaestus which is one of the best preserved Doric temples in Greece. There is a museum built on the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos where we came across artifacts collected at the Agora. This was definitely a historically rich location for us.
Walk Around Athens
After the Ancient Agora of Athens, we spent 2 hours just exploring the different areas of Athens and also stopped to have some delicious lunch. It was our last full-day exploring Athens and we really wanted to take time walking around the beautiful streets of this welcoming city.
Hadrian’s Arch
Our next destination was Hadrian’s Arch, a monument built by the citizens of Athens to honour the Roman Emperor Hadrian. We spent a few minutes looking at the architecture of the arch before moving on with our tour.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
The last destination we visited was the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The ticket was worth 4 Euros and we only spent half an hour at the location as it was mostly closed and covered due to construction work. The exploratory walk was enjoyable but we weren’t able to enjoy the architecture due to the construction work.
Pro-tip: Secure your ticket to the Temple of Olympian Zeus using the widget below.
Day 3: Wildlife
Attica Zoological Park
On the last day of our exploration, we had to catch a flight back to Zürich in the afternoon. We decided to spend a few hours at Attica Zoological Park since it was near the airport and our daughter loves zoos. We spent 2.5 hours at the zoo and the ticket cost 22 Euros. We enjoyed viewing the Tiger, Giraffes, Zebras, Ostriches, Swans, Penguins, Lemurs, Rhinoceroses, Wolves, Bear, Camels, Donkeys and Meerkats. Overall, it was the best activity to do before heading to the airport as our daughter was well prepared to take the flight after burning all her energy at the zoo.
Where to Eat: Authentic Halal Food in Athens
Pak Taka Tak Restaurant
- 🥘Cuisine: Pakistani
- ⭐ Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 🌙 Halal Status: 100% Halal
- 🌐 Website: wolt.com/pak-taka-tak
- 💰 Budget: €8–15 per person
Before planning our trip to Greece, I was hit by authentic biryani cravings multiple times in a month. So when I was planning this trip, I started searching for Halal authentic Pakistani food. Pak Taka Tak restaurant didn’t disappoint. The restaurant served 100% Halal Pakistani food at an extremely reasonable price. We loved the food so much that we visited the restaurant twice. We ordered Samosas, Chicken Biryani, Qeema Aloo, Naan, Roghni Naan, Seekh Kabab and Chicken Karahi. The food was extremely delicious and 110% authentic. This restaurant is a must visit for Pakistani food fans.
IceRoll
- 🥘Cuisine: Dessert / Hand-crafted Rolled Ice Cream
- ⭐ Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 🌙 Halal Status: 100% Vegetarian Options (Vegan-Friendly)
- 🌐 Website: iceroll.gr
- 📸 Socials: Instagram
- 💰 Budget: €5–12 per person
IceRoll is a Gelato Shop in Athens that offers Ice Cream Rolls. I am a big fan of Ice Cream Rolls and it turned out other people were too as the shop had a long queue. The ice cream was absolutely divine and we all loved the taste and creaminess.
HALAL Big Brother
- 🥘Cuisine: Arabic / Egyptian / Middle Eastern
- ⭐ Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
- 🌙 Halal Status: 100% Halal
- 🌐 Website: wolt.com/halal-big-brother
- 💰 Budget: €5–12 per person
HALAL Big Brother is a Halal restaurant in Athens that offers Arabic food. There is outdoor seating available and one can enjoy their food with a side of traffic noise. We ordered Hummus, Gyros Chicken, Gyros Meat and Fries and found the taste to be above average. The service was quick and the prices reasonable so the restaurant is recommended to people who are looking for fast and affordable Halal food.
Cappadocia Grill and Anatolian Cuisine
- 🥘Cuisine: Turkish / Anatolian / Middle Eastern
- ⭐ Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 🌙 Halal Status: 100% Halal
- 🌐 Website: https://www.cappadociagrill.com/
- 📸 Socials: Instagram
- 💰 Budget: €15–25 per person
Cappadocia Grill and Anatolian Cuisine is a 100% Halal restaurant serving Turkish food in Athens. We ordered Chicken Skewers, Beyti Kebab and Manti. The food was extremely delicious and we loved each and every dish a lot. This is a must visit restaurant if you love Turkish cuisine.
Final Remarks
Out of a week, we spent three days exploring Athens. While we had a really good time exploring the outside of Athens, Athens itself had a lot to offer as well. We loved the Acropolis and the markets of Athens and collected quite a few souvenirs during our travels.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area for souvenir shopping in Athens?
Plaka and Monastiraki are the top two districts for souvenirs, offering everything from traditional Greek crafts to local delicacies.
What is the best Halal restaurant in Athens?
Pak Taka Tak is highly recommended for authentic Pakistani food, while Cappadocia Grill is the top choice for Turkish cuisine.
How do I get to the Attica Zoological Park?
The zoo is located near the Athens International Airport. It is easily accessible by car or taxi, making it an ideal final stop before a flight.
