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Wie man Athen als ersten Timer angeht

Die Akropolis auf einem Hügel, Bewertungen des Sonnenuntergangs am Kap Sounion, Kreuzfahrten in der Ägäis - Athen hat dem erstmaligen Besucher viel zu bieten.

A woman with a backpack in Athens for the first time takes in the view of the city from up high.
Hi, I'm Helen!

Helen is a freelance journalist and content marketing writer based in Athens, Greece. She writes about travel, lifestyle, sailing, yachting, food, sustainability, environmental conservation, fitness, and well-being for CNN Travel, National Geographic Travel, National Geographic Traveller (UK), Condé Nast Traveller, and The Telegraph (UK), among other outlets. Helen, an avid sailor, also contributes to Lonely Planet guidebooks.

Greece’s capital is bursting with must-see ancient attractions, notably the 5th-century BC Parthenon. But look beyond the archeological sites and museums filled with unearthed treasures, and you’ll find a bevy of lively neighborhoods and squares, art galleries, cafés, and welcoming wine bars. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to pick up handcrafted finds, either. Meanwhile, there’s a scintillating coastline nearby that’s worth exploring, ideally on a sailing yacht. To get your inaugural trip to Athens off on the right foot, start here with our insider tips.

1. Step back in time atop the Acropolis

The Acropolis in Athens in Greece with bright yellow flowers in the foreground.
The Acropolis is the icon of the city for a reason.Bildquelle: Tomas Marek / Shutterstock

Beat the crowds and skip the queue.

Athens’ star attraction is, undoubtedly, the Acropolis and its host of temples, the crowning glory being the Parthenon. Between April and October, you’ll want to jump the queue to get up close and personal with the ancient marvel that continues to baffle engineers. Book a skip-the-line tour in advance so you can photograph monuments such as the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylaia Gates glowing in the afternoon light. If you’ve got more time, opt for a more extensive tour, which stops at the Acropolis Museum.

2. Trace the city’s long history

An aerial view of the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens in Greece.
The Panathenaic Stadium is like nowhere else.Bildquelle: Aerial-motion / Shutterstock

Visit landmarks like the Panathenaic Stadium and Arch of Hadrian.

History buffs won’t want to miss ancient sites such as the Panathenaic Stadium, Kerameikos Cemetery, or Arch of Hadrian. See them while exploring the city by bike, tuk-tuk or Segway. For more privacy and flexibility, you can opt for a full-day, family-friendly private tour, or make mythology for the kids even more interesting on an interactive tour led by a guide who expertly brings Greek legends to life.

3. Neighborhood-hop through Athens

The pretty Monastiraki neighborhood of Athens in Greece.
Monastiraki is one of a host of lively Athens neighborhoods.Bildquelle: NAPA / Shutterstock

Check out street art, handcrafted leather, and vintage stores.

Beyond the archaic wonders, Athens comes alive with a surprisingly contrasting collection of neighborhoods. In the shadow of the Acropolis sits Monastiraki, teeming with historical monuments and shops for select Greek-designed mementoes and vintage finds, while adjacent Psiri is renowned for eye-popping street art and handcrafted leather goods. Upscale Kolonaki’s boutique-lined streets and galleries draw well-heeled shoppers and contemporary art aficionados. Bordering Kolonaki is non-conformist Exarchia, which is dotted with niche bookstores, punk bistros, and streetwear stores. If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's best to rely on a local to offer you the inside track on a half-day walking tour.

Related: 7 Must-See Neighborhoods in Athens and How To Visit

4. Catch sunset at Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion at sunset with the water below.
Cape Sounion is at its most beautiful at golden hour.Bildquelle: Cara-Foto / Shutterstock

Capture an ancient temple in its best light.

Witness a fiery sunset at Cape Sounion as you admire the marble Doric columns of the Temple of Poseidon, erected around 444 BC to honor the god of the sea. The ancient hilltop site not only served as a vantage point in 5th-century BC Athens but today affords wonderful views of the point where the Saronic Gulf meets the Aegean Sea. Legend has it that Athens’ King Aegeus threw himself off the cliff when he saw his son Theseus’ ship bearing black sails, mistakenly believing he had died.

5. Chill on the Athens Riviera

An aerial view of the Athens Riviera with it sunbathing beaches.
The Athens Riviera is the place to be when summer hits.Bildquelle: rawf8 / Shutterstock

Hoist the sails and head out on a catamaran.

A short drive southwest of the city center is the glittering Athens Riviera, a string of coastal suburbs and beaches stretching 37 miles (60 kilometers) from suburban Faliro down to Cape Sounion. Reserve a spot on a half-day luxury catamaran cruise and set off on a group sailing adventure in the Saronic Gulf. Cool off with a swim and snorkel (ideally between late May and October), then tuck into a hearty Greek barbecue on board. Choose between a morning and afternoon departure, the latter promising dazzling sunset views. Foodies, however, might instead opt for a gastronomy-focused monohull sailing experience.

6. Dig into Greek delights

Athens tavernas all lit up at twilight.
The Athens food scene is excellent.Bildquelle: Milan Gonda / Shutterstock

Socialize and savor flavors on the hoof.

Greeks take food seriously, so you won’t want to miss a tour of the city’s heady central markets, delis, old-school and modern cafés, laidback meze joints, tavernas, and street-food hangouts. Skip the hotel breakfast because you’ll need plenty of room to sample a seemingly endless array of goodies, from honey-dipped donut-like loukoumades and regional cheeses to olives and souvlaki. Alternatively, try your hand at preparing a Greek recipe or two in a cooking class, or consider an olive-tasting tour. By night, check out the city’s coolest bars or savor first-rate wines from the country’s foremost wine regions.

Related: 15 Traditional Greek Foods and Drinks To Try on Your Next Trip

7. Venture beyond Athens

The ruins of Delphi, outside Athens, and the surrounding mountains.
Delphi makes for a fascinating visit.Bildquelle: trabantos / Shutterstock

Make your pilgrimage to Delphi, Meteora, or Corinth.

While you’re in Athens, seize the opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage–listed sites on an informative day trip. Take a tour of the riveting ancient site of Delphi and its small yet notable museum with a licensed guide. Equally fascinating are the soaring stone pillars of Meteora, crowned by centuries-old Eastern Orthodox monasteries. If biblical history is more your vibe, trace the footsteps of St. Paul on a tour of ancient Corinth and the Corinth Canal, which encompasses a visit to the ancient marketplace where the hallowed figure addressed the Corinthians.

8. Experience Athens by night

The Acropolis lit up at night.
Athens' dramatic ancient temples come alive at night.Bildquelle: Agis Peterson / Shutterstock

Admire theatrically lit ruins and dip into the urban nightlife.

With its dramatic ancient temples and vibrant dining and drinking scene, Athens shows its best side once the sun dips below the horizon. Take in the Acropolis and views over the twinkling city lights from the top of Mt. Lycabettus on a night tour of Athens by car or by e-bike—some tours end with a rousing performance of traditional Greek music and dance at a neighborhood taverna. The city’s trendiest districts also beckon with restaurants and bars filled to the brim; evening food or drink tours are an ideal way to experience the local nightlife with an insider.

9. Travel back to the Bronze Age

The Theater of Epidaurus.
Visit Mycenae, once home to the powerful Mycenaean civilization.Bildquelle: Georgios Tsichlis / Shutterstock

Stroll through the prehistoric city of Mycenae.

Greece is most known for its classical art and architecture, but this land was inhabited centuries before the Greek Empire rose to power. Delve into prehistoric history at Mycenae, the UNESCO–listed seat of the powerful Mycenaean civilization as far back as 1500 BC. Follow streets where King Agamemnon is said to have walked, then jump ahead almost a millennium at the nearby Theater of Epidaurus, an ancient acoustical wonder that once seated 14,000 spectators. Some day trips from Athens also make a stop at the pretty resort town of Nafplio to break up the culture with a beach stop.

10. See where the Olympics were born

The exterior of the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
Olympia has impressive ruins and top-tier museums.Bildquelle: O.C Ritz / Shutterstock

Visit the site of the first Olympic games.

Ancient history buffs and sports enthusiasts alike delight in visiting ancient Olympia, home of the first Olympics. This massive site overflows with impressive ruins and top-tier museums, including the remains of the stadium, gymnasium, a number of temples, and the world-class Archaeological Museum of Olympia. The site sits more than three hours outside of the capital city, so book a tour that includes transportation to avoid the hassle of driving or navigating public transportation.

Insider tip: Pop into the unique Archimedes Museum while you’re there to learn about the seminal 3rd-century BC mathematician.

This article features additional content written by Rebecca Winke.

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