Top Things to Do in the Athens | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Athens

Places To Visit In Athens

Epigraphic Museum

The Epigraphic Museum in Athens is one of a kind. Located in Tossitsa, it is situated in the south wing of the National Archaeological Museum. However, the Epigraphic Museum has its own separate entrance. With more than 14,000 inscriptions, most of which are in Greek, the Epigraphic Museum has an enviable collection. These inscriptions date back to the early historical times till the Late Roman period. Though the museum might seem too detailed, there are certain displays that are fascinating for ordinary people as well. Some of these include the documented cost of the construction of the Parthenon, an early voting machine, the section on early Greek alphabets, etc. The Epigraphic Museum is also home to various research and now has introduced modern aspects, such as the use of touchscreens, new plaques, bilingual descriptions (in Greek and English,), etc. The main building of the museum was constructed in 1885 and has had a few renovations over the years. A complete photographic archive is also being designed for visitors. Read More

Glyfada Beach in Athens is a popular destination on the Saronic Gulf to relax and enjoy the warm Mediterranean weather. The beach offers crystal-clear waters and soft, golden sands. You can sunbathe, swim, or participate in a variety of water sports, such as surfing or parasailing. The beach is also home to several restaurants and cafes, where tourists can enjoy traditional Greek cuisine and refreshing drinks. Glyfada Beach is easily accessible by public transportation. Read More

Hadrian's Library is an architectural wonder with high surrounding walls and a columned facade. Although mostly in ruins, the site was once home to the largest library in Athens. It is located outside Monastiraki metro station, on the northern side of the Acropolis of Athen. Built by Roman Emperor Hadrian, the library complex used to store both important literary works and legal and administrative documents. It is said that lectures and various philosophical and music schools were also held at the library. Severely damaged in an invasion, three churches were also built in the central courtyard of Hadrian's Library. Some elements of the churches, including portions of their mosaic flooring, are still visible. The west wall by the entrance has been restored, however, the 100 columns that once bordered the courtyard has been destroyed Read More

The Hellenic Motor Museum is a car museum located on the top three floors of the Athenian Capitol shopping mall. It is only a few minutes away by foot from Victoria metro station. It spans over 4000 sqm and contains over 300 cars ranging from the 1920s to the 1970s. About 110 cars are displayed at a time. It also contains an F1 simulator which is great fun for all ages. Guided Tour in English is available upon request. The Hellenic Motor Museum was opened in 2011 and has since been a source of delight for car enthusiasts everywhere. The entire museum is wheelchair accessible and allows pets. Read More

The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum or ILJM is the first museum in Greece focused on the art of jewelry making. Located under the Acropolis hill and at the corner of the Kallisperi and Karyatidon streets, ILJM is created by world-renowned jewelry artist and designer Illias Lalaounis. Though there are different types of creative jewelry exhibits, the emphasis is mostly on goldsmithing, silver, and contemporary jewelry. There are permanent and temporary exhibits at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum. The permanent collection includes more than 4000 pieces that were designed by Illias Lalaounis from 1957 to 2002 and presented in exhibitions throughout the world. There are also other pieces that display ancient Greek art, Byzantium art, cultural arts of other countries, etc. The museum also has temporary exhibits every year that display contemporary jewel art and works from other private collections and museums. Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum also focuses on educative and cultural programs and organizes workshops, tours, and lectures for adults and children. The library has more than 5000 volumes and rare books on the history, folk art, and designs of jewelry. There are also video rooms, a museum shop, and a coffee shop within the premises of the art museum. Read More

Industrial Gas Museum is a historic landmark situated in Pireos, Athens. It houses information about the history of old Athens Gasworks. Visitors can explore the steam machines and the exhibits of various old gas apparatuses and enjoy the recently launched interactive tours. The top floor of the New Watergas building is a must-visit as it provides a panoramic 360° view of the city. The preserved furnaces and the industrial buildings of the gasworks from the 19th century look like giant art installations. There is a small cafe and kids' playground here as well. The museum was dedicated to Greek composer Manos Hatzidakis and has always had the mission to spread awareness and preserve the old Athens Gasworks, which provided energy to the city for over 130 years. Read More

The Museum of Ancient Greek Technology exhibits cutting-edge ancient Greek technology. It is located in the Katakolo town of Elis near Athens. The museum was founded by Kostas Kotsanas and houses hundreds of objects and replicas made by him. The main attractions are Plato’s hydraulic alarm clock and a working replica of the Antikythera Mechanism, the oldest known analogue computer. The exhibitions are accompanied by enriching audio-visual materials, such as detailed drawings and photos. The artefacts are displayed in different sections, with one area exhibiting 29 ancient Greek clocks, including Plato’s alarm clock and another showcasing invention of Archimedes. In addition, it hosts travelling exhibitions to spread this knowledge far and wide. Tourists can also buy the exact functional copies of these instruments from the museum’s E-shop. Read More

Mnisikleous Street Stairs or the Plaka Stairs is a perfect spot for those who want to enjoy delicious and traditional Greek food with a beautiful view of Athens. Located around the northeast side of Acropolis hill, the stairs are painted in a beautiful white colour and climb uphill to the picturesque neighbourhood of Anafiotika. You can pick and choose from the various joints on the stairs - some of them have pillows for seating while others have wicker chairs for that freshly-brewed coffee and homemade pastries in the morning. If you visit the stairs at night, you will find ouzo or wine and meat selections. Spread across the most iconic residential neighbourhood in Athens, Plaka, the Mnisikleous stairs are known to be more than three thousand years old. Read More

Nestled at the Neophytou Douka Street in the heart of Athens, the Museum of Cycladic Art (MCA) is a lively cultural institute. The museum is dedicated specifically to the Cycladic art of the 30th century BC. It also has one of the best private collections of artefacts & sculptures of Cycladic Art. Moreover, the classic Cypriot antiquities in this museum represent one of the largest collections outside Cyprus across the globe. Cycladic Museum was inaugurated in 1986 to exhibit the collection of Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art that belonged to the couple Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris. The museum features four permanent exhibitions, one for Cycladic Art (3200 – 2000 BC), two exhibitions on Ancient Greek Art (2000 BC – 395 AD), and one for Ancient Cypriot Art (3900 BC – 6th century AD). Also, one of the wings in this museum is dedicated to temporary exhibitions. Besides, there is a cafe, a gift shop, & a book shop. It is a must-visit site for people who adore ancient & contemporary art. It is within a walkable distance from Syntagma Square. Read More

Museum of Greek Children's Art

The Museum of Greek Children's Art is a museum dedicated solely to displaying artwork made by children aged 5-14 years. Located in Plaka, it is housed in a neoclassical building. Every year it collects over 10,000 drawings by children and exhibits them in its building which is visited by over 7,000 primary school students and teachers. Its gift shop offers handcrafted products featuring children's artwork.