Visit Athens in 1 day with google maps of the itinerary on foot

For visit athens in 1 day, here is my tourist circuit with google maps of the route on foot to follow in pedestrian GPS mode.

Indeed, tourists on vacation, on a stopover on a cruise or road trip around Greece, generally dedicate 1 day for the visit of Athens.

Yes, but then, how to organize this day:

  • How to visit Athens in 1 day?
  • What to visit in Athens?
  • Which walking route to see the most beautiful emblematic sites of Athens?

Here is my tourist circuit which allows you to visit Athens on foot in 1 day.

How to visit Athens in 1 day?

To visit Athens in 1 day, you have several possibilities that allow you to discover the city as a whole:

What to visit in Athens?

When we think of Athens, we inevitably think of ancient Greece. Indeed, the majority of the sites to visit in Athens are vestiges of the time of ancient Greece which began 700 years before Jesus Christ. You can therefore visit many monuments from the 5th century BC because they are still well preserved in the heart of Athens.

But all these vestiges are very numerous and you have to make a choice when you only have 1 day to visit Athens. So I have listed all the must-see places in Athens to visit.

Visit Athens on foot – The essentials

To visit Athens in 1 day, I have therefore selected only the mythical and unmissable sites of the Greek capital:

  • Acropolis and the Parthenon
  • Temple of Zeus
  • Plaka district
  • Syntagma Square
  • Greek Parliament
  • Athens Cathedral
  • Monastiraki Square
  • The Ancient Agora
  • Psyri District
  • Temple of Hephaestus
  • Acropolis Museum

Visit Athens on foot – Itinerary map

Click on “More options” to follow the GPS pedestrian

https://goo.gl/maps/9Uetuv6q9GKDfzBd7

Visit Athens on foot – Program

My circuit for visit Athens on foot represents a little less than 4,3 kilometers of walking to be distributed over the day as follows:

  • Morning itinerary : from the Acropolis to Place Monastiraki, ideal for finding a good little restaurant for lunch (about a 3 kilometer walk).
  • Afternoon Itinerary : from Place Monastiraki to the Agora (about 1,3 kilometers walk). The Acropolis Museum remains an option if you still have some time at the end of the day.

Athens in 1 day – Morning stages

My Athens walking tour starts with the most visited site in Athens: the Acropolis. Indeed, I recommend that you be there at the opening at 8 am because the site attracts thousands of visitors every day. Moreover, if you can, consider booking combined Acropolis + Parthenon + Temple of Zeus skip-the-line tickets.

visit ACROPOLIS

Tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel whose origins date back to the 5th century BC. In the middle, is the Parthenon which is the most famous monument of the Acropolis. It is dedicated to the goddess Athena and was built during the era of Pericles.

After visiting the Parthenon, you can discover the other monuments that make up the Acropolis:

  • The Propylees: Gateways to the Acropolis.
  • The Erechtheion: Temple of Poseidon and its famous portico of the Caryatids.
  • Temple of Athena Nike: Temple dedicated to the goddess of Victory.
  • Theater of Hérode Atticus or Odeon of Hérode Atticus: Theater which accommodated up to 5000 spectators. With its 87 meters in external diameter, this theater was one of the most imposing in ancient Greece.
  • Theater of Dionysus (god of wine) which is located on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis. It is said that this theater was the cradle of Greek tragedy.

Visit Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Gate

The Olympiaion (Temple of Zeus) is located below the Acropolis and near the Zappeion Garden Park.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus was built in honor of Zeus (King of the gods and lord of Olympus) between the 6th and 2nd centuries BC. It had 104 Corinthian columns 15 meters high but today only 15 remain which are being restored.

On one side of the temple is Hadrian's Gate which is impressive in its dimensions (18 meters high). It separates the ancient city (city of Theseus) from the modern city (city of Hadrian).

Plaka district

Before reaching the Parliament, when you exit through Hadrian's Gate, you will be in the Plaka district. It is an emblematic district of Athens, the oldest in the city and probably the most charming and lively. It is a pleasure to walk there in its narrow streets with pretty and old houses where the walls are dotted with bougainvillea. Here you will find souvenir shops, taverns and cafes.

For those who wish to visit, there are in the Plaka district some historical sites to discover (Monument of Lysicrates, Byzantine Church of Agios Nikolaos Ragava, Museum of Folk Musical Instruments).

Syntagma Square

My tour then takes you to Syntagma Square which is also called Constitution Square. It was on this square that on September 3, 1843, the Greek people rose up to force King Otho to accept the constitution.

Visit of the Greek Parliament

Facing Syntagma Square, the Hellenic Parliament is a large building that was built between 1836 and 1842 to serve as the palace of Othon, the 1st king of Greece.

You will not have time to visit it but if you are in Athens for several days, you can request a visit by email at visits@parliament.gr.

Outside the Parliament, you will see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is guarded by the Evzones of the Hellenic Army. Every hour, you can watch the changing of the guards and on Sundays, you can also watch the raising of the flag at 10 a.m.

Step for the Changing of the Guard on my tour to visit Athens in 1 day

Athens Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Annunciation is the main and largest Cathedral in Athens and all of Greece. It is here that the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Athens sits. The beginning of its construction dates from 1842 and ended after 1862. The Cathedral shelters, among others, the tombs of two Saints (- Gregory V the Patriarch of Constantinople and Saint Philothei).

Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square is one of the busiest squares in Athens with its flea market, Hadrian's Library, stalls, shops, cafes and taverns.

It is in this pleasant setting that you can take your midday lunch break. You will not miss restaurants at your disposal.

Monastiraki Square stopover Athens tourist circuit

Athens in 1 day – Afternoon stages

Athens in 1 day – Ancient Agora

From Monastiraki Square, going to the left, you will reach Adrianou Street which will take you to the Ancient Agora. The Agora was the social heart of Athens. This is where the Athenians met to interact with the citizens, to talk, teach and debate. This is where Socrates spent time philosophizing and where democracy was initiated.

The Agora was also a place where a large market was held where the Athenians met to buy, sell or exchange.

Athens in 1 day – Psyri district

After the Agora, take Agiou Filippou Street and Karaiskaki Street to reach Iroon Square in the heart of the Psyri district. There you will discover a very lively district, where Greek culture is expressed in its artisan shops, restaurants, taverns and on the walls. Indeed, street art has developed in recent years in the streets of Psyri.

Athens in 1 day - Temple of Hephaestus

We will end the circuit with another emblematic monument of ancient Greece: the Temple of Hephaestus. Built on top of a hill under the aegis of Pericles, Hephaestus is a marble temple whose roof and columns are very well preserved.

Last stage of the tour to visit Athens on foot

The Acropolis Museum if you have time

It is one of the largest museums in the world so do not plan to visit it in half an hour. To see the official website of the Museum.


Where to stay to visit Athens on foot?

For a weekend or a short tourist stay in Athens, I recommend that you avoid choosing your accommodation in a sensitive area of ​​Athens.

Instead, I recommend that you choose a hotel whose location will be close to sites to visit and close to taverns, shops and restaurants.

The hotel Emporikon Athens Hotel that I recommend is in the pretty lively district of Monastiraki. Metro station 300 m away, its location is ideal for doing my walking tour. In addition, it has a shuttle service to the Airport!

View of the hotel recommended to visit Athens in 1 day.

Leave comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Back to top