Are there more than 10 things to do in Athens? Certainly. But are there some bucket list items that shouldn’t be missed? Absolutely! Here are the top 10 essentials to get you started!

Acropolis

This is first on the list for a reason! It’s the #1 thing on absolutely everyone’s list when in Athens. Is it home to the most famous ruins in the world? Could be. 

The Acropolis itself is the hill. You can see it from practically any rooftop in the city, thanks to building codes that restrict the height of buildings in Athens. The ruins on top of the Acropolis include the Temple of Athena Nike, and the famed Parthenon. 

Some things to Note: Everyone and their brother goes to the Acropolis, so it’ll be crowded practically any time of day. If you happen to be unwittingly shuffled along with a large group (perhaps from a bus or cruise ship), just wait a few minutes to let them finish shuffling through. You’ll have a better experience behind. It’s also windy up there, and in fact the Acropolis will sometimes close for wind! Be prepared, and hold on to your hat.

Read on: What to Know Before You Visit Greece

Acropolis Museum

While you may find yourself disappointed to learn that this is a separate site and not included in your Acropolis ticket, this museum is well worth your time and the cost to visit. Inside you’ll find literally thousands of artifacts on display, all from excavations at the Acropolis over the years. You can also visit a current excavation happening beneath the Acropolis Museum while you’re here!

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Athens National Gardens

Formerly called the “Royal Garden,” this vast green space is in the middle of Athens. Queen Amalia commissioned a Royal Garden in 1838, so the designer traveled the world to find over 500 species of plants, plus exotic animals. It was once only open to the public in the afternoons, but is now open to all from dawn to dusk and well worth a stroll. Be sure to look for the turtles, ducks, geese, and more while you’re there.

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Ancient Agora and Museum

In ancient Greece, the agora was the primary market and meeting place for the city. The Ancient Agora or Athens dates to the 6th century B.C., so a stroll through here will give you the chance to walk in the footsteps of Socrates, Plato, and even the Apostle Paul. It’s a must-visit for visitors to Athens. And while you’re here, don’t miss the Agora Museum, which is not only home to some impressive archaeological finds, it’s included in the ticket price to the Ancient Agora!

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Hadrian’s Library

Yes, named for that Hadrian, the Roman Emperor. Built in 132 A.D., it housed papyrus books as well as a variety of reading rooms and lecture halls. It sustained severe damage during a 267 A.D. invasion, and was eventually repaired and ruined again. Three Byzantine churches were built on this site over the years as well. Ruins of all the eras can be seen here, truly showing off Athens’s amazing place in world history.

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Eat!

The food in Greece is the most amazing in the world, and no one can change my mind. It’s not like the Greek food you get in the States, even if it’s made by a Greek Grandma. The ingredients are fresher here, the seasonings are more heavy-handed (yet, somehow, not over-the-top), and even the textures are a little different. 

Some authentic Greek foods to try include feta (I will not touch what passes for feta anywhere but Greece), moussaka, tzatziki, tomatoes (how does a tomato taste more like a tomato here?), gyro, souvlaki, stuffed vine leaves, zucchini balls, and yogurt with honey. You will be ruined on food from anywhere else forevermore, but it’ll be worth it. 

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Visit the Panathenaic Stadium and Museum

This is where history and modern times meet! This stadium was constructed for the 2004 Athens Olympics, but it’s made in the style of ancient Greek stadiums, complete with marble stands. If you happen to be a runner, you can run the track here and scratch it off your running bucket list!

Aside from the stadium itself, don’t miss the museum inside. It’s small, but packed with information. My favorite part, though, was seeing the torches and photos from Olympics past. 

Read on: How to Have the Best Morning Run in Athens: The Panathenaic Stadium

Christian and Byzantine Museum

I learned basically nothing about the Byzantines in school, so I learned a lot in this museum. The Byzantines ruled Greece from the 4th century A.D. to the 15th. That’s an incredibly long time! Greece is one of the first places where Christianity spread in the first century, so there is so much history and culture to learn here. You will hear about the Byzantine Empire and see the ruins of its churches throughout your visit to Greece, so this museum will give you much-needed context! It’s 100% worth a visit, and should only take about an hour to go through, maybe less. 

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Mt. Lycabettus

Love a good view? Take a short hike (or cable car) up Mount Lycabettus. The hike is only half a mile, and you’ll be rewarded with a visit to a church at the top, as well as sweeping views of Athens down below. If you’re here mid-day or around dinner time, you can also have a snack or a meal up there at one of several restaurants while you’re at it. 

Read next: What to Know Before You Visit Athens, Greece

Watch the Changing of the Guard

Every hour, on the hour, even through the night, you can watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. And in extreme heat, rain, or cold, they change every half hour. Spectators are always there watching, but a special guard is always watching spectators as well, to ensure safety and respect for the guards.

You can find this event at Syntagma Square, in front of the Parliament building. And on Sundays at 10:50am, there is a special parade in addition to the Changing of the Guard. We were able to see this on our most recent trip, and we thought it was certainly worth our time!

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