What You Shouldn't Miss in Athens, Greece (If You Only Have One Day)

Delicious food, centuries of history and insider tips: our reporter Sarah Hucal tells you how to see the best of Athens, in just one day.
In this video you will find tips for how to visit the main sites in the Greek capital like the Acropolis and Roman Agora. Taking you off the beaten tourist track, Sarah explores Greece's rich musical traditions and shows us an authentic side of Athens that most tourists don't see.
Did you miss something in our video? Let us know in the comments!
00:00 Intro
00:36 Filopappou Hill, Acropolis views
01:13 Monastiraki Square
01:44 Historic neighbourhood of Plaka
02:22 Hadrian's Library and the Roman Agora
02:42 How to save money and visit the Archaeological sites
03:02 Finding local souvenirs at the Kypseli farmers' market
04:35 Street band Sourloulou
05:37 The Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis
07:09 Greek Rebetiko music and dining at Skordópistē restaurant
CREDITS:
Report: Sarah Hucal
Camera and editing: Marco Borowski
Supervising Editor: Christina Deicke
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[@MichTheo]

I appreciate the fact that this video was obviously made by someone who is genuinely in love with Greece and greek culture. It's refreshing to see such presentations free of the usual cliche and stereotypes. Well done Sarah!

[@cyrusematz4787]

How are you @Mich theo

[@pantatetoiaband5008]

That's a bit more than any typical tourist video will show you.. Very cool!

[@FeliciaElsa]

You're a real one for telling us not to wear any skirts when visiting the Museum! I'm always in dresses! Thank you!

[@aCitizenJOSerased]

Now that's massive! You (and the whole crew) do a tremendous job at capturing and transfering the true feeling of a day in Athens! Well-deserved congatulations for pulling this through! Περιμένουμε να μας ξανάρθετε!

[@Godsknight]

Leaving from Florida to Athens in three weeks, soooo excited!!

[@DWTravel]

We wish you a very nice journey and a good time in Athens!

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

I hope you have time to visit a few Greek islands too

[@bobgrewe988]

Looks amazing. On my bucket list for sure.

[@byJessCh]

I want to go back to Athens now😂

[@johnmc3862]

Ryanair is your friend. 😂😂😂

[@olgamoraiti]

Thank you for loving my city and showing the beautiful things that offers 😊💗

[@mariehucal7789]

We might have to shift our plans and make a trip to visit Athens right away! I can’t believe how much there is to do in this historic city, can’t wait to experience it, such a great video!

[@wanderfulstops8488]

Earlier we thought Athens was all about ancient monuments and buildings, but in this video you have shown a completely cool side of the city. We would love to see similar videos of santorini and mykonoos

[@sarahhucal]

Thank you! I'll be doing a video of Santorini this June, so stay tuned :)

[@wanderfulstops8488]

@@sarahhucal that’s great! We will be looking forward to it 🙂

[@eleniasimop]

Mykonos and Santorini are the "tourist trap" islands. Try to vit some other Greek islands (Naxos, Ios etc)

[@sarahhucal]

I agree that there are so many islands more worth visiting than Mykonos and Santorini :) Stay tuned for our Santorini piece where we explore the "truth" about traveling to this island@@eleniasimop

[@user-re5pn3bk1t]

This was a wonderful video presentation of Athens. I felt like I was there again. It was professionally Narrated, Videoed, and Edited. Good Job. You should be proud of yourselves. I am ready to go back to Athens. I had a great time there last year. 🐸🐸🐸🐸

[@dinakossifaki9232]

Congratulations!! This video Is so amazing and shows to your viewers so many things to do in Athens. As a Greek so pleased to watching it. Thank you Sarah!!

[@marioclaudiosimoes4538]

If you only have a day, simply don't go! Athens is a world to know!

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

During my last day of my 3rd visit to Athens, i went to the hill across from the Acropolis, for the best view!!! I love Greece and Turkey, their history and food are so similar!!!

[@aloq7446]

Τώρα μου το χαλασες

[@dualampa]

I love Athens!!!!

[@BlueTravelHQ]

This should be on your bucket list. Awesome video indeed

[@whatsup-zh6qv]

Im impressed… a video that actually goes deeper in to the Athenian culture and not only touristic stuff. Nice

[@7r3v0rc]

I felt like I was able to visit Athens for a few minutes today via this video, thank you!

[@brucetnt3857]

You forgot some superb rooftop bars with Acopolis view.... such as 360

[@georgeg4784]

This video is so good! and I am loving Sarah's energy

[@kloatlanta]

The National Archeological Museum is the best.

[@didierbaudot]

I've been to crete and corfu and greece feels like the most exotic country of Europe because of the friendly people, the language dance and music. The many green island and healthy delicious food but i haven't been to Athens i will give it a try. Thanks for the nice video i'm subscribed 🙂

[@DWTravel]

Welcome to our channel!

[@drfjws1502]

Nice video, well done !! I miss my city these days …

[@icantthinkausername1136]

4:44 fun fact this is traditional music from Kozani in northern Greece

[@user-nw4ux5kx9l]

So interesting and funny! It’s a good idea for the next holiday. I’m looking forward to experiencing that vibrant atmosphere

[@courtalaneriz]

Will definitely keep these in mind for my trip to Greece this summer!

[@iasonrigas7754]

Thanks for that Sarah! Brilliant video showing the real facets of the city and the balance between antiquity and modern culture

[@TSUKNIDA]

The Cats reaction was the best !!!

[@tiusernamenabalw]

Well researched and immersed!

[@effiekeramyda]

It's really amazing!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@anamingote-zm4zd]

Genial !!! Me encanta la musica griega!!!

[@grigoriskarlos7073]

Amazing video! In almost 10' minutes you presented so many interesting sites!! Wonderful!

[@sequeiraa777]

I digress I would go to the old museum it has the most important treasures

[@NateFischer]

Well done, Sarah! Great pacing, awesome info, and you're a great host!

[@papertoyss]

I would probably add just one thing: the view from Lycabettus hill at night.

[@joseph40ninjas88]

Maybe next year!

[@user-oi4cn7rt8t]

🇬🇷💙🇬🇷💙🇬🇷💙🇬🇷💙🇬🇷💙🇬🇷💙🇬🇷

[@nikosprinianakis423]

Really nice video!

[@johnmarkhanson]

This video is so awesome Sarah! I love the impromptu music section! You da bes!

[@nickgreu4ever]

excellent video! do one for thessaloniki now!

[@someinteresting]

The Acropolis and the Acropolis museum. Here, solve it even before the video started.

[@user-qc6kz9jo9j]

Thessaloniki.....Crete....Santorini.....can be visited too.🎉🎉🎉🎉if you want😊

[@athnico01]

A great video. As an Athenian, just a big thank you❤

[@sethsoderman5152]

I know ethan's greece has a awesome metal scene over there too

[@TomaszFala-lo2jc]

Excellence DW Travel

[@sakisathan9176]

the Grappa is the Italian version of Tsipouro

[@MariaO22]

Amazing video, but you forgot to mention that you cannot actually enter the Odeon site outside of their event schedule.. you can only visit it when there is a concert or similar (if you have a ticket for that of course) PS: While walking up the acropolis you have a pretty good view on the whole Odeon tho, good enough to take a picture :)

[@skullandbones1832]

💙

[@user-lf7kf4nh1t]

Ελλάδα ❤❤

[@anthonyklein6530]

Would you recommend going on your own or taking the ship excursion again?

[@johnedwards315]

That's a good one. Well done. First time I do not feel like living in a zoo in my city to get observed from afar with all the naive and silly stereotypes that the international mind set denands a fit in. Μπράβο

[@user-wu9ce3og8e]

Sorry may I ask what are the stereotypes about Athens? Thanks

[@henryflanagan9605]

Where to buy the Archeological muti pass ticket?

[@BonginHuang]

I recently visited Athens. This video unfortunately shows mostly only Athens south of the Evripidou street, where all the tourists gather. If one goes north, to Omonia, one sees how much the city has struggled more than even a decade after the financial crisis--junkies and derelict buildings are everywhere. The Acropolis Museum is also disappointing, giving no clear routes that guide its visitors to understand the Hellenic history. Also, I think that Exacheria worth a mention in this video, given its counter culture and anarchist movements that stand out in a city more known for its ancient history. Overall, I felt sad seeing the cradle of western civilization now dominated by tourists, junkies and residents that don’t look too happy. I sincerely hope an even speedier recovery of the city from the economic woe!

[@DWTravel]

Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us! Don't forget that this is a travel report, rather than an investigation about social and economic difficulties. Perhaps tourism can also help the city to recover.

[@frbirdhouse3247]

Sweet baby Looks beautiful

[@BRN497]

🇬🇷

[@MizMundoAdventures]

Name of the singing group please? Did she say Skoutasmitarakis? Can someone confirm? Thank you. Love Greece 🇬🇷 ❤

[@DWTravel]

The name of the band is Sourloulou. Or do you mean the musicians in the tavern? That's Skoutas-Mitarakis .

[@MizMundoAdventures]

@@DWTravel yes I meant the duo. Thanks.

[@jasongray4517]

Thessaloniki next?

[@fionaokeefe1906]

home of Athena🏛️

[@laurentlaughlin]

Don't use Airbnb, it's killing the city!

[@user-wu9ce3og8e]

Why?

[@vinicmag]

Visiting Greece was a childhood dream of mine. I am leaving today. The trip was worth it but I am sincerely shocked at how rude and unwelcoming almost everyone was. The message is clear: even if you are nice and polite, greeks will hate you, because they hate tourists.

[@anlilou7900]

49 Athens experts recommend this video

[@MirMiran-]

🫡

[@Panis.1]

Warum kann man die Kommentare nicht übersetzen.?

[@Capitulum11]

KEKW

[@lg5569]

Η Σουρλουλου επαιζε Ελληνικη μουσικη δηλαδη ? Ρε πατε καλα ?

[@tomzamp8547]

I would avoid Greece and for sure Athens the crime rate in Greece is very high and last year my last visit I noticed Greece is more of a third world country then a European. There is no improvement one might say things are getting worse. Free advice see the Parthenon and look elsewhere for an exotic vacation

[@bbk452]

Even if the video is great, Athens is still one of the worst cities to live.

[@theoverlord1925]

I ve been to Athens.Other than a few ruins to see; it’s a dump.

[@Alexs.2599]

So is your attitude.

[@jasongray4517]

​@Alexs.2599 Large chunks of it are ugly and graffiti-strewn.The video doesn't reflect this fact. There is another, less attractive, Athens and that shouldn't be glossed over.

[@Alexs.2599]

​@@jasongray4517 Athens unfortunately over the centuries was not a growing thriving city. It didn't experience the renaissance and other eras that would be reflected in architecture. It was reduced to a small village during the centuries of Ottoman rule. In the 19th century it did have beautiful Neoclassical buildings that were sadly demolished in the 20th century. I do agree about the graffiti, I can't stand it either. It needs to be removed. But to simply dismiss Athens as just a dump without any redeeming value is unfair. I'm Greek and while I don't pretend to say Athens as a whole is a beautiful city it still has parts that are. So forgive me if I get a little miffed when someone makes a comment in a rude manner. You don't like Athens fine no one is forcing to go there.

[@jasongray4517]

@@Alexs.2599 I didn't say Athens was a dump. I said parts of it (often the post-war parts) are ugly and graffiti-strewn, which is undeniably true. Parts of it are also breathtakingly beautiful. The video was superficial as it only focused on one side of this extraordinary city.

[@Alexs.2599]

@@jasongray4517 No was I referring to the guy above. When I say 'you' I mean in general not actually you. I just thought he was being a bit of a jerk. Yes I agree parts of the city are dumpy yes. Hopefully that will change someday.

[@sofula1992]

Our city suffers from over-tourism! We don’t need more tourists..

[@SashaMonsteraki]

Tourism was fine before Airbnb. I wish we could go back.

[@fionaokeefe1906]

The whole country suffers from a migrant crisis!

[@milanfras4934]

All made with German money,like always when we talk about Greece.

[@dzhungosu]

Athens is as old as Xi'an and Luoyang in my country, however the ancient architecture is obviously attractive