
3 Days in Athens: Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2026)
Three days in Athens is the sweet spot — enough time to see the highlights, explore beyond the Acropolis, and absorb the city’s energy without feeling rushed.
Here’s your perfect 3-day Athens itinerary, designed for first-time visitors who want to see the best of ancient and modern Athens.
Itinerary Overview # Day Focus Highlights Day 1 Ancient Athens Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Plaka Day 2 Neighborhoods & Culture Monastiraki, Psyrri, museums, rooftop sunset Day 3 Day Trip or Deeper Exploration Delphi/Sounion OR local neighborhoods Day 1: Ancient Athens # Focus: The Acropolis and surrounding archaeological sites