Editor's Trip: 24 Hours in Athens
It isn't all about the islands, here's the perfect day in Athens.
![](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2013/11/14/17/sara-portrait-wrapper.rend.hgtvcom.91.91.suffix/1491592350940.jpeg)
By:
Sara Gilliam
As first-timers, my group mostly stuck to Plaka, the oldest neighborhood – and arguably the most beautiful – in central Athens. The area is known for its labyrinth of streets (mostly closed to traffic) and whitewashed Neoclassical architecture (not dissimilar to the islands). Our day was spent strolling along the narrow, cobbled streets visiting historic monuments sandwiched between sidewalk cafes and kitschy souvenir shops -- and punctuated by breathtaking views of the ever-present Acropolis perched above the city.
Of course, Europe’s oldest city has a myriad of unique things to do and neighborhoods to explore that aren’t easily covered in a day or 2, but with a little planning you can still see some of Athens’ best sights even on a time crunch. Here’s the perfect day in Athens to get your bearings.
Plaka Hotel
![Plaka Hotel, Athens Plaka Hotel, Athens](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/07/25/f4/24-hours-in-athens-plaka-hotel-rooftop.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491584370401.jpeg)
Plaka Hotel Athens
Fresko Yogurt Bar
![Fresko Yogurt Bar Fresko Yogurt Bar](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/07/25/1c/24-hours-in-athens-fresko-yogurt-bar.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491584370392.jpeg)
Fresko Yogurt Bar
Acropolis
![Parthenon Parthenon](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/07/24/03/24-hours-in-athens-parthenon.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491584370806.jpeg)
Moment Open / Getty Images
Brettos Bar
![Brettos Bar Brettos Bar](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/07/24/1f/24-hours-in-athens-brettos-bar.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491584371034.jpeg)
Randy Connolly, flickr
Oroscopo
![Oroscopo Restaurant Oroscopo Restaurant](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/07/24/c8/24-hours-in-athens-oroscopo-restaurant.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491584370840.jpeg)
Oroscopo Restaurant
A for Athens
![A for Athens A for Athens](http://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullset/2014/07/24/8a/24-hours-in-athens-view-a-for-athens.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1491584370935.jpeg)
City of Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau
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