How to Plan an Unforgettable Weeklong Stay in Athens, Greece

By AAA Editors

With its romantic and mysterious history, stunning views and delicious food, it’s no wonder Athens is a popular tourist destination, but what if you only have a week to enjoy this delightful Greek city? Add these activities to your itinerary so you can see the best of Athens during your seven-day stay.

Days 1-2: Explore the Ancient Greek Ruins

You may need at least two full days to properly explore all that ancient Athens has to offer.

If you prefer to see some of the most memorable sites in one day, sign up for the Athens Full Day Private Tour. Enjoy an eight-hour exploration of some of Athens’ breathtaking ruins while traveling in a private, air-conditioned car. Your driver will also act as your tour guide, sharing compelling facts and insights with each stop.

During this tour, you’ll stop by the Acropolis, where you can see the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaea (monumental gateway) and the Erechtheion. Your next stop is at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, one of the largest ancient temples ever built.

You’ll also get to see the Panathenaic Stadium, which is made entirely of marble and hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. As you move toward the historical center of Athens, you’ll get a gorgeous panoramic view of the city and the Aegean Sea on Mount Lycabettus and walk around the Ancient Agora of Athens.

After passing by the historical neighborhood of Monastiraki, you’ll stop at the Acropolis Museum, where you can see the mesmerizing ruins of an ancient neighborhood beneath the plexiglass floor. Lastly, you’ll spend an hour at the National Archaeological Museum — home to some of the most prized artifacts in Greece.

Tickets for the Athens Full Day Private Tour start at around $119 per person. This price doesn’t include pickup or lunch. You can purchase lunch during the scheduled stop at a traditional Greek tavern in the Plaka.

On your second day, get a closer look at some of the sites you passed by during the tour, such as the Parthenon, the National Library of Greece, the Academy of Athens, the Temple of Hephaestus and the Museum of Ancient Agora.

These two days will be packed with adventure — so make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy up!

Day 3: Full-Day Trip to Delphi

The ancient Greeks viewed Delphi as the center of the world as it housed the Oracle of Delphi and priestess Pythia. The town is only a two-hour drive from Athens — and if you take the 10-hour Delphi English Day Trip From Athens, you can relax during the trip there and back.

After picking you up in Athens, your tour guide will share fascinating insights as you venture through the Delphi Archaeological Museum and the Temple of Apollo. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking on the tour.

For an English-speaking tour guide, prices in the summer cost around $95 per adult and $47 per child up to age 9 (infants can join free of charge). For a tour that includes lunch, prices are around $110 per adult and $55 per child. Prices may vary, depending on season and schedule; always confirm and reserve in advance.

Day 4: Luxury Cruise Down the Riviera

After several days of non-stop sightseeing, take some time to relax on the water. The Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Athens with Traditional Greek Meal and BBQ is a five-hour, semi-private cruise down the Athens Riviera.

Complete with transfer to and from your hotel, this cruise offers two swimming stops plus a traditional Greek meal featuring slow-cooked vegetables, shrimps saganaki, fresh Greek salad and award-winning olive oil.

Forgot your towels? The crew will provide you with fresh towels and snorkeling gear, so you can explore the sparkling blue sea. And if you choose the evening cruise, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the gorgeous orange, pink and purple hues as the sun sets over the water. 

Tickets cost around $160 per person, but you can bring infants free of charge. Be sure to reserve in advance.

Day 5: All About Greek Food

You can’t leave Greece without sampling its delicious local food! For a low-key tour of some of Athens’ best cuisine, take the Gourmet Food Walking Tour in Athens. This half-day tour takes you through Monastiraki Square and the central city market to teach you about the history of Greece’s specialty foods and drinks.

Indulge in local coffee, koulouri (sesame bread rings), souvlaki (grilled meat and vegetables on a skewer), yogurt with honey, local wine and tsipouro, loukoumades (honey-smothered fried dough) and more.

Tickets for this tour start at around $70 per adult and $50 per child up to 15 years old; confirm schedule and admission in advance.

Day 6: Tour Ancient Corinth

Spend the day visiting Corinth to see the city’s ancient sites in the eight-hour Private Biblical Tour of Ancient Corinth & Isthmus Canal from Athens & Corinth.

During this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the Corinth Canal, step through the entrance gates of the fortified citadel of Acrocorinth and snap photos of the ruins of ancient Corinth. Your tour guide will then lead you through the city’s museum and courtyard, the Temple of Apollo, the Glauke Fountain, the Sacred Spring, Peirene, the healing sanctuary of Asklepieion, the Odeon, the Bema and the Agora.

Solo travelers can expect to pay around $300 for a ticket, but there should be discounts for larger groups.

Day 7: Enjoy the Sights One Last Time

For your last day in Athens, consider one more slow walk through the city’s streets or sign up for the three-hour Athens Scenic Bike Tour. Ride at a relaxed pace through Athens’ quiet streets and narrow paths while getting one more look at ancient Athens, including the Ancient Agora, Roman Forum and the National Gardens.

Tickets start at $35.95 per adult and $31.96 per child up to age 15.

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