5-Day Foodie Itinerary for Athens

  • Day 1: Monastiraki Flea Market
    10 minutes (2 km) from Syntagma Square

    The Monastiraki Flea Market is a vibrant and colorful bazaar where you can find pretty much anything from antiques to souvenirs to spices. You’ll enjoy exploring the winding alleys of the market while snacking on Greek sweets and street food.

  • Day 2: Acropolis and Plaka Neighborhood
    15 minutes (3.2 km) from Monastiraki Flea Market

    Elevate your foodie experience by exploring the magnificent Acropolis and then wandering around the charming Plaka neighborhood. Plaka’s streets are full of traditional tavernas and coffee shops where you can try mouthwatering Greek dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, spanakopita, and baklava.

  • Day 3: Central Athens Food Tour
    10 minutes (2.5 km) from Acropolis

    In this gastronomic walking tour of Athens, you’ll visit some of the city’s most historic food establishments and taste a variety of traditional Greek foods. You’ll savor regional cuisine and learn about Greek culinary history and traditions.

  • Day 4: National Archaeological Museum and Exarchia Neighborhood
    20 minutes (4.6 km) from Central Athens Food Tour

    The National Archaeological Museum houses some of the finest art and antiquities from ancient Greece. After the museum, you can head to the anarchist neighborhood of Exarchia where you’ll find numerous hip cafes, bars, and eateries. You’ll savor fusion cuisine and drinks with a laid-back atmosphere.

  • Day 5: Pireaus Fish Market and Mikrolimano Harbor
    25 minutes (14.3 km) from Exarchia Neighborhood

    Pireaus is a large port city in Athens that’s famous for its seafood market where fishermen sell the freshest catch of the day. Nearby, Mikrolimano Harbor is a picturesque marina with many waterfront seafood restaurants. You’ll savor grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and fish meze with a beautiful sea view.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Monastiraki Flea Market (2-3 hours, €-€€)
  • Acropolis and Plaka Neighborhood (3-4 hours, €-€€€)
  • Central Athens Food Tour (4 hours, €€€)
  • National Archaeological Museum and Exarchia Neighborhood (3-4 hours, €-€€)
  • Pireaus Fish Market and Mikrolimano Harbor (4-5 hours, €€-€€€)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €€€-€€€€

Transportation

It’s easy to get around Athens by public transport, especially the metro, which is reliable, cheap, and air-conditioned. You can purchase single or multi-day tickets from kiosks, stations, or online. Taxis are also available but more expensive than the metro. The cost of a taxi from the airport to the city center is about €35-50, and the journey takes 30-45 minutes.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit other foodie spots in Athens, such as the Varvakios Central Market, Gazi neighborhood, or Kifisia suburb. If you have less time, you can combine some of the above places or skip some of the museums or markets. However, it’s recommended to prioritize the Acropolis and the Central Athens Food Tour as must-see and must-do activities in Athens.

Airports

Athens International Airport (ATH) is located 33 km east of Athens city center. It is the largest airport in Greece and a hub for Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air. You can reach the city center by metro, bus, taxi, or private transfer. The metro line runs every 30 minutes, and the journey takes 40-50 minutes. The taxi fare is fixed at €38 from the airport to the center between 5:00 am to midnight and €54 from midnight to 5:00 am.

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