A day, or 24 hours, isn’t really enough to experience any city in the world, let alone Athens, one of the world’s most historic and diverse cities.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. If you’ve only got 24 hours, a quick stopover between flights, or just want to get away for the weekend, you can make the most of this fantastic city and grab a snapshot of everything it has to offer.

Luckily, the Greek culture in Athens lends itself to long days.

How to plan your trip to Athens

The first thing to do (ideally a week before) is to book tickets for the Acropolis and Parthenon. If you’re planning on visiting these UNESCO World Heritage sites (and let’s be honest, that’s usually the main reason people visit Athens), booking a ticket to skip the line is essential. Shell out for the museum and audio guide, too.

Tickets are sold in one-or two-hour slots, letting you skip the line (although you’ll still have to queue, since everyone buys the tickets). Still, they guarantee a time slot, giving a anchor to plan the rest of the day, although it’s probably best not to try and squeeze in too much around the main event; you can get a flavour of the city with a few key sights.

What to see

The best way to see a city, any city, is to get right at it. Grab a pastry and coffee from a local bakery for breakfast. You’ll almost certainly discover something along the way.

Then jump on the metro. Greek traffic can be atrocious at best and you don’t want to waste 20 minutes stuck in a traffic jam on a 15-minute journey. The Metro takes contactless cards, or you can buy a 24-hour pass, which will get you across the city, or at least to the major sites, with relative ease.

Aside from the Acropolis, the Panathenaic Stadium is one of the city’s best landmarks. Dating back to the 4th century BC, it was originally built for the Panathenaic Games festival and entirely rebuilt in 1895 for the first modern Olympic Games of 1896. Buying a ticket should be considered optional – unless you’ve never been in a stadium before.

On the way from the stadium to the Acropolis, visitors can swing by the ruins of the Temple of Zeus – once the largest temple in Greece, dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods – and the Arch of Hadrian (Hadrian’s Gate), both wonders of this ancient city. Before or after the main event, it’s also worth visiting Hadrian’s Library, just north of the Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museum, a 15-minute metro ride away.

A whistle-stop tour of Athens wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Greek Parliament building on Syntagma Square. The changing of the guard ceremony is widely regarded as one of the best things to do in Athens, doesn’t require a ticket, and, because it takes place on the hour every hour, is often uncrowded.

Where to eat in Athens

Ending your sightseeing tour at Syntagma Square puts you in the heart of the city, and it’s the perfect place to hunt for dinner.

You’ll find the usual tourist fare, gyros, Greek salad, and Souvlaki, in most eateries around the square. But walk a few roads back, and you’ll uncover hidden wine bars, local restaurants and fine dining spots.

For upmarket souvlaki, there’s Meat the Greek, a ten-minute walk away from the Square. Heterclito next door, or Cherchez La Femme, also next door, are both open late are perfect spots for after-dinner drinks (or dinner and drinks at the same time).

For something a bit more upmarket, and a bit further away, there’s Thes. Billed as “Greek Creative Cuisine” it’s worth booking ahead. Then for the best ice cream in the city, Le Greche Syntagma, once again near the Square, has some of the most innovative and traditionally Greek flavours around.

Athens Hotels: Where to stay

Conrad Athens The Ilisian has transformed an iconic 1960s landmark into a world-class urban resort, combining luxury hospitality, private residences, and the exclusive House of NYNN club.

Located near, and with views of, the Acropolis and the National Gallery, the property features restored mid-century art, including Yannis Moralis’s signature marble façade.

Culinary experiences, led by two-Michelin-starred Executive Chef Angelos Lantos, feature Byzantino Grande Brasserie, Onuki, and the rooftop Galaxy Supper Club. Guests can enjoy the city centre’s largest outdoor pool, a 700-metre Green Roof running track, and curated retail spaces.

Rates at Conrad Athens start from €640 per night and include breakfast.