Last Updated on July 2, 2022
Athens is not only the capital of Greece, it’s also the largest city in the country, and throughout it you’ll find some amazingly Instagrammable places. Athens is a very photogenic city given its natural beauty and the iconic historical landmarks that can be found on virtually every street corner. We’ve put together this list of the Top 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Athens to be a resource for anyone who plans to visit the city. This guide to the best photo spots in Athens is perfect for professional and amateur photographers alike who want to score some amazing photos for their Instagram or portfolio!
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Map of the Most Instagrammable Places in Athens
We’ve put together this map of the top 10 most Instagrammable places in Athens to help you plan your vacation here and explore the city. If you’re unsure how to plan your days in Athens, check out our Athens 2 Day Itinerary to help you make the most of your trip!
Top 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Athens
We’ve compiled the 10 most Instagrammable places in Athens so that you can easily find the best photo spots in Athens to take amazing photos and memories of your trip to this iconic city.
Propylaea at the Acropolis
First up on this list of the most Instagrammable places in Athens is the Propylaea at the Acropolis. In Greek, the word “propylaea” is used to refer to monumental gates or entrances to a significant place, such as a temple. With this in mind, it seems fitting that this particular propylaea was once the main entrance to the Acropolis, an ancient citadel. The Propylaea at the Acropolis was originally built in 432 BC, making it an incredibly historic spot. It features massive columns made of marble and limestone, and the whole structure is a beautiful reminder of what Athens may have looked like in its prime.
The Acropolis is an amazing destination to visit during your trip to Athens because it’s home to a large number of well-known historical landmarks all in one centralized location. That’s also why we included the Acropolis on our Ultimate 2 Days in Athens Itinerary, which you can read right here!
Location: Propylaea at the Acropolis
Hours: The Propylaea at the Acropolis is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the summer months, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the winter months.
Cost: From April 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022, entry to the Propylaea at the Acropolis costs €20 ($21 USD). From November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, tickets for the Propylaea cost €10 ($10.50 USD).
Best Time for Photos: Try to visit the Propylaea at the Acropolis early in the day or later in the evening to avoid crowds.
Tips: This is an extremely popular photo spot in Athens because all visitors have to pass through the Propylaea to enter the Acropolis and see the Parthenon. Be prepared for lots of crowds!
Herodion at the Acropolis
The Herodion, also located at the Acropolis, is another location that we consider one of the best photo spots in Athens. The Herodion, also known as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, is a massive open-air theater. The theater is made of stone and was originally built for the purpose of musical performances. The Herodion features distinctive Roman architecture and can seat over 4,500 people. Performances and festivals are still held in the Herodion to this day, and it is considered one of the best outdoor theaters in the world.
Location: Herodion at the Acropolis
Hours: The Acropolis is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the summer months, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the winter months.
Cost: From April 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022, entry to the Acropolis costs €20 ($21 USD). From November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, tickets for the Acropolis cost €10 ($10.50 USD).
Best Time for Photos: The Acropolis is one of the most-visited Athens Instagram spots, so try to plan your visit for the morning or evening. This location is one of the least visited areas in the Acropolis so it will be one of the easier locations to snap a great Athens Instagram photo.
Tips: Although you can photograph the Herodion from a viewpoint at the top of the structure while visiting the Acropolis, you can’t actually enter the theater unless you have tickets to see a performance there.
Parthenon at the Acropolis – Up Close at Corners
The Parthenon at the Acropolis is one of the most well-known landmarks in not just Athens, but the whole country of Greece. The Parthenon was originally built as a temple for the goddess Athena, who was considered to be the patroness of the Athenian people. The Parthenon is one of the most significant buildings that is still standing from Classical Greece, a 200-year period of time in Ancient Greece.
The Parthenon attracts visitors from around the world with its historical significance and beautiful architecture, making it a must-visit spot on this list of the most Instagrammable places in Athens. The Parthenon photographs beautifully from all angles, and we suggest standing close to the monument at the corners to capture some amazing photos using the architecture to create some interesting angles to your Instagram photo.
Location: Parthenon at the Acropolis
Hours: You can visit the Parthenon at the Acropolis from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the summer months, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the winter months.
Cost: From April 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022, entry to the Acropolis costs €20 ($21 USD). From November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, tickets for the Acropolis cost €10 ($10.50 USD).
Best Time for Photos: The Parthenon is a world-renowned historical landmark, so try to visit in the morning or evening to avoid large afternoon crowds.
Tips: This Athens Instagram spot gets very busy during the high season, which is typically June through August. Unless you arrive within the first hour of opening, you can usually expect to have large crowds.
Parthenon at the Acropolis – Straight-On View
The Parthenon is such an iconic photo spot that we had to include it twice on our list of Athens Instagram spots! What makes the Parthenon one of the most Instagrammable places in Athens is the amazing variety of angles and perspectives that you can capture at just one location. After you’ve taken some close-up photos from the corners of the Parthenon, experiment with stepping back and photographing the monument from straight-on. A straight-on view of the Parthenon is an excellent way to capture the true majesty of this landmark and its distinct architecture and also capture its impressive size!
Location: Parthenon at the Acropolis
Hours: You can visit the Parthenon at the Acropolis from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the summer months, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the winter months.
Cost: From April 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022, entry to the Acropolis costs €20 ($21 USD). From November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, tickets for the Acropolis cost €10 ($10.50 USD).
Best Time for Photos: As one of the best photo spots in Athens, the Parthenon tends to get very busy. Try to visit in the morning or early evening when crowds are typically smaller.
Tips: By stepping back away from the Parthenon, you can still create some amazing Athens Instagram photos, but you will have less problems battling with the crowds to get your perfect shot.
Erechtheion at the Acropolis
Next up on our list of the most Instagrammable places in Athens is the Erechtheion, also located at the Acropolis. Similar to the Parthenon, the Erechtheion was also a temple built to honor the goddess Athena. The Erechtheion differs from the Parthenon in that it is a much smaller temple, and its architecture is more irregular than you would typically find in other classically Greek temples and buildings.
While the Parthenon is a symmetrical building, the Erechtheion is asymmetrical, leading some historians to believe it was part of a much larger structure that was either not constructed or damaged beyond repair. The uniqueness of the Erechtheion’s architecture distinguishes it as one of the best photo spots in Athens.
Location: Erechtheion at the Acropolis
Hours: The Erechtheion, located inside the Acropolis, can be visited from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the summer months, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the winter months.
Cost: From April 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022, entry to the Acropolis costs €20 ($21 USD). From November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, tickets for the Acropolis cost €10 ($10.50 USD).
Best Time for Photos: The Erechtheion is less popular than other locations at the Acropolis, but early morning or in the evening is still the best time for creating photos here.
Tips: Use a wide-angle lens to include the full perspective of this beautiful temple!
Plaka Neighborhood
Right around the corner from the Acropolis you can find Plaka Neighborhood. Plaka is home to some beautiful streets and hidden gems that easily make it one of the best photo spots in Athens. One of the best parts about photographing Plaka is it’s completely free to visit, and you can capture beautiful photos by simply wandering around and exploring everything that it has to offer.
You’ll find winding cobblestone roads and historic shops and cafes on every block, giving you plenty of opportunities to snap some Instagram-worthy content. Plaka truly feels like a quiet oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of Athens, and you’re sure to enjoy a stroll through this beautiful neighborhood.
Location: Plaka Neighborhood
Hours: Another perk of this Athens Instagram spot is you can visit any time of day!
Best Time for Photos: Plaka doesn’t get as busy as some other areas in Athens, but you’ll still want to visit earlier in the day for photos, and return in the afternoon or evening to take in the lively
Tips: Take your time wandering through this quaint neighborhood and enjoy the beautiful sights you stumble upon! The wonder of this neighborhood is to just wander, and stop for coffee, ice cream, a light snack, or a drink as your stumble across a cute shop.
Monastiraki Square
This next Athens Instagram spot is Monastiraki Square, the most well-known square in the entire city of Athens. Monastiraki Square is located right in the heart of Athens, making it a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike. The square is home to some beautiful buildings, including the incredibly well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the ruins of Hadrian’s Library. Monastiraki Square is a hub for history, art, food, and classic Athenian culture, making it a great addition to our list of the most Instagrammable places in Athens.
Location: Monastiraki Square
Hours: Monastiraki Square is open 24 hours, giving you a lot of flexibility as you plan your visit.
Best Time for Photos: As the most popular square in Athens, Monastiraki Square can get very busy. Morning and late afternoon or early evening are the best times to visit for taking photos.
Tips: Monastiraki Square is a great photo spot because it’s in a central location to a lot of beautiful historic buildings. Take the time to appreciate the wide variety of structures and buildings as you explore the square.
Little Kook Café
For a café experience like no other, you must plan a visit to Little Kook Café. Little Kook Café has earned its place on our list of the best photo spots in Athens thanks to its quirky, one-of-a-kind décor. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairytale when you visit Little Kook Café. Every inch of Little Kook Café is stuffed to the brim with paintings, statues, and props that make this one of the most unique dining experiences in the city of Athens.
Little Kook Café is beautiful from the outside as well, giving you an amazing variety of backdrops for your Instagram photos. Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat during your visit as well! Little Kook Café is also known for serving up delicious crepes and pastries.
Location: Little Kook Café
Hours: You can pay a visit to this Athens Instagram spot from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM every day of the week.
Best Time for Photos: Try to visit Little Kook Café outside of normal dining hours, when the café is not as busy. A weekday visit will also help ensure there are fewer crowds.
Tips: Little Kook Café is a very popular spot in Athens, so be prepared for long lines on the weekends in particular, as everyone is looking to add this location to their Instagram photos of Athens.
Syntagma Square
If you loved your visit to Monastiraki Square, be sure to make time for a stop at Syntagma Square as well. Syntagma Square is another public square that is a popular tourist destination in Athens. As the central square of Athens, Syntagma Square is well-known for its significance in the commercial and political realms of the city.
Syntagma Square is one of the more unique locations on our list of most Instagrammable places in Athens because its modern appearance differs significantly from Monastiraki Square and other public spaces that consist of ancient buildings and ruins. On one side of Syntagma Square you have the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, and on the other side you have the pedestrian shopping street of Ermou.
Location: Syntagma Square
Hours: As a public square, this Athens Instagram spot can be visited any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: The best time for photos at Syntagma Square is late afternoon when the sun shines straight down Ermou street, a popular pedestrian street in the area. You can create some spectacular and dramatic photos here.
Tips: Syntagma Square is located directly in front of Old Royal Palace which houses the Greek Parliament. A zoom lens is great to use here to bring the background closer to the subject in your Athens Instagram photo.
Mount Lycabettus
Last, but certainly not least, on our list of the best photo spots in Athens is Mount Lycabettus, the highest point in Athens. Despite the name, Mount Lycabettus is considered a hill, and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of Athens from the top. As the highest point in Athens, Mount Lycabettus is visited by thousands of locals and tourists every year who conquer the climb to experience jaw-dropping views of the city. Be prepared to get a solid workout in: although the walk to the summit of Mount Lycabettus isn’t long, it is quite steep.
Location: Mount Lycabettus
Hours: One way to experience Mount Lycabettus is by a cable car that runs every 30 minutes from 9:00 AM to 2:30 AM.
Cost: Walking up to the summit of Mount Lycabettus is totally free! If you want to ride the cable car, the cost is 7 EUR ($7.40 USD) for a roundtrip ticket.
Best Time for Photos: Late afternoon is a beautiful time to experience Mount Lycabettus, as the whole city of Athens will be bathed in warm, golden light.
Tips: Make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes for the trek up if you choose to access the summit via the trail!
How to Get Around Athens
One of the best and easiest ways to experience Athens is by walking. Athens is an incredibly pedestrian-friendly city, and you can access many of the main sights by foot. Alternatively, if your feet get tired or you need to travel a bit further away, Uber is a very popular and convenient option. Athens also has a great public transportation system consisting of a metro, tram, railway, and buses. You can use all of these forms of public transportation with the same ticket, which costs €1.20 ($1.30 USD) and is valid for an hour and a half.
Top 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Athens Summary
Athens is an amazing destination that everyone should take the time to visit. The city is so full of history and amazing architecture that you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time when you wander the streets of Athens.
We hope you found this guide to the Top 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Athens helpful as you plan your visit. What are some of your favorite Athens Instagram spots? Let us know in the comments! Also be sure to pin this post to your Greece travel board to be ready for your next trip to Athens!
