13 Best Photo Locations in Athens (2024) (2024)

Athens is a city steeped in ancient history and boastsa contagious energy, amazing food and iconic sights – a perfect mix for any photographer! From its breathtaking ancient ruins to its thriving street scene Athens is full of incredible photo locations just waiting to be captured. We’ve put together this list of the best photo locations in Athens: it’sour guide on where to take the best pictures of Athens.

13 Best Photo Locations in Athens (2024) (1)Pin

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Best Photo Locations in Athens

We’ve been to Athens a number of times and had a lot of fun exploring the city and all of the amazing photography locations dotted around the city. We’re included a map of all the best photo locations in Athens at the end of the post with detailed locations of all the spots.

1|Mount Lycabettus

Mount Lycabettus was one of our favourite photo location in Athens and the best place for views across the city. It is a limestone hill that rises above Athens and provides uninterrupted views across the city including the Acropolis and most of the major sites. It’s the highest point in the city and you can walk to the top of the hill, however, we recommend getting the funicular to the top and walking down to save some energy! The sunset is incredible from the viewpoint at the top of Mount Lycabettus.

When to visit: late afternoon/sunset

Best Photo Locations Athens tip: Make sure to grab a drink in the restaurant at the top before you leave – the views are incredible.

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2| The Acropolis

It’s one of the world’s greatest treasures and the Acropolis is an Athens iconic. The city sits under the watchful eye of theParthenon, the ancient temple, the Erechtion, has beautiful stonework and the stunning theatre, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, are all photo worthy.

When to visit:Athens is very busy during peak season with the Acropolis being the city’s most visited site. To avoid really long queues and the midday sun try andaim to visit the Acropolis early in the morning.

Best Photo Locations Athens tip:the Acropolis is likely to be covered in scaffaolding so be ready to try out some unique angles to try and capture it!

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3|Street art in Exarcheia

Originally known as the home for Greek anarchists, the super chill district of Exarcheia is full of street art.The streets of this now residential area are jammed packed with local eateries,relaxed coffee shops and incredible street art. You’ll have take time to explore the streets as the murals are dotted throughout the area so the only way to find the interesting pieces is to walk the streets!

When to go: Early morning

Best Photo Locations Athens Tip: When you’re finished taking in the views at Mount Lycabettus you can easily walk down the hill to Exarcheia to explore the streetart.

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4|A For Athens Rooftop

There are many places which offer a good view of the Acropolis but for the best head to the rooftop bar of the A For Athens hotel. The view is extra special after dark when the Acropolis is lit up with Monastiraki Square in the foreground. Grab a seat overlooking the square, enjoy a delicious hot chocolate and photograph one of the best views in Athens.

When to visit:The rooftop is open all day, however, for the best views go here after dark and grab a seat overlookingMonastiraki Square.

Click to book your stay in A for Athens

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5 | The Plaka

The winding streets of the Plaka which surround the base of the Acropolis is a haven for street photography. The oldest part of the city, the Plaka is the heart of Athens. Our best advice is just to get lost in the colourful maze of streets, grab a coffee at one of the relaxed restaurants which dot the area and continue to wander.

When to visit: Early morning or early evening is best for exploring the Plaka – when it’s not too busy with tourists!

Getting aroundAthens

Athens is huge and sprawling city and the sights arespread out across its neighbourhoods. To get around we used a combination ofthe city metro and theAthens hop-on hop-off bus tourwhich is a great way to get between the sights and see thecity as you go. If you’re feeling bravecheck out this tour of Athensby scooter, we did one in Budapest and it was incredible!

6|Syntagma Square

The central square of Athens, Syntagma (or Constitution) Square is the most important square in the city, if not the country and is a hub of social, commercial and political life.

When to visit: Changing of the guard takes place on Sundays at 11 am so this is a great time to capture some interesting shots.

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7|Hadrian’s Arch

Hadrian’s Arch is named after the Roman emperor Hadrian who had a great admiration for the city of Athens. The beautiful marble arch of Hadrian is located close to another unmissable Athenssite, the Temple of Zeus.

Hadrian’s Arch is located at the entrance to another unmissable Athenssite, the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The Roman emperor Hadrian dedicated the Temple to Zeus, the king of the Gods. It’s amazing that 15 of the 16 original columns are still surviving after 2,000 years.

When to visit: go at sunset and combine with a visit to the Temple of Zeus.

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Where to stayin Athens

  • Pallas Athena Grecotel: We stayed in a suite atthe quirkyPallas Athena Grecotel Boutique Hotel. whichis a 10minute walk fromMonastiraki and incorporates local street art into the room design – check prices here
  • A for Athens: If you like to be right in the heart of the action check outA for Athensis perfectly locatedon Monastiraki square and the beautiful panoramic rooftop deckfor breakfast and evening drinks make this one of our favourite hotels in Athens – check prices here
  • Plaka Hotel: ThePlaka Hotelis areal hidden gem in Athens. This comfy hotel is located just offMonastiraki square and is a perfect base from which to explore Athens. Make sure to checkout the amazing views of the Acropolis from the rooftop bar – check prices here

Click here for the latest Athens hotel prices

8 |Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the best places in Athens for watching the sunset. The temple is relatively quiet in the evenings and there is a beautiful view of the setting against the backdrop of the Acropolis on the hill in the background.

When to visit:The site is beautiful at any time but for the best photo conditions head to the temple for sunset.

Athens best photo locations tip:There’s a small entrance fee of €2 which is really worth it for one of the best sunset views the city has to offer.

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9|Panathenaic Stadium

The site of the ancient Olympic games, the Panathenaic stadium is the only stadium in the world made entirely of marble. The bright white marble of this huge stadium is truly stunning. Make sure to walk to the end of the stadium and climb to the top of the steps for a fantastic view back across the stadium and the Athens skyline.

When to go:late afternoon/evening

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10 | Monastiraki Square

One of the main shopping districts and main hubs of Athens, Monastiraki Square is a great location for street photography and capturing the essence of Athens. Strolling through the flea market is great for some unique photos and also has some beautiful sites such as Hadrian’s Library and the Ancient Agora

When to go: late morning or early evening when the Square is most alive with people

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11 | Central Agora Market

We love photographing food markets and the Central Agora is a great option in Athens. The market is located around 10 minutes walk from the Plaka and is open Monday through Saturday from around 8am to 8pm. The market has great opportunities for photography and the selection of meat, fish and produces on display is one of the best we’ve seen in Europe.

When to visit: Try to visit during the morning when the market is full of locals and is really alive

Best Photo Locations Athens tip:Central Agora is an authentic working market so be respectful and try not to get in the way of the vendors and their customers.

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12|Temple Of Poseidon at Sounion

While technically not in Athens city, we highly recommend making the trip to the Temple of Poseidon at Sonion. The restored acropolis at the Temple of Poseidon is one of the most beautiful places we visited in all of Greece. Located around an hour’s drive south of Athens, the trip to the Temple of Poseidon is definitely worth it and is easily accessible from Athens via a rental car or half day trip from the city. We rented a car in Greece for our roadtrip and our time in Athens and it was well worth it for the flexibility and options to explore the country.

When to visit: Try to visit the Temple of Poseidon for sunset, when the golden Greek sunset illuminates the white marble columns of the Acropolis.

Best Photo Locations Athens tip: weused our rental car to get to the Temple of Poseidon as we were in Athens during our Greek road trip. There are alsobusandboat tripsfrom the city to the Temple of Poseidon.

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13 | Byzantine Churches

The dozen Byzantine Churches of Athens were built in the 11th and 12th century and some houseremarkable frescos. The churches are in various states of disrepair and photography beautifully with the contrast of old and new city. The recently restored UNESCO listed Daphne Monastery is also worth the trip across town to the outskirts of the city.

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Map of Athens Photo Locations

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Click here for a link to the map of all locations

For more Greece photography inspiration:

  • the best photo locations in Meteora
  • a round up of the best photo spots in Santorini
  • our Peloponesse road trip itinerary
13 Best Photo Locations in Athens (2024) (2024)

FAQs

Where to take the best photos in Athens? ›

  • Temple of Olympian Zeus (Naós tou Olympíou Diós)
  • Olympic Stadium (OAKA)
  • Plaka.
  • Erechtheion.
  • Agora of Athens.
  • Academy of Athens (Akadimía Athinón)
  • Panathenaic Stadium (Panathinaiko Stadio)
  • Meteora.

What is the most photographed place in Greece? ›

What is the most photographed place in Greece? The Parthenon, located atop the Acropolis in Athens, is one of the most photographed places in Greece.

What is the number one thing to do in Athens? ›

1. The Acropolis. Rising up from the center of Athens is the Acropolis, a fortified limestone plateau that is topped with the Parthenon and several other historical monuments.

What is the most beautiful part of Athens? ›

Top 10 most beautiful places for pictures in Athens
  • Sounio. Cape Sounion is a world-renowned archaeological site. ...
  • Plaka. It is the ultimate athenian neighborhood. ...
  • Penteli. Penteli is situated on the southern slopes of the limestone Penteli mountains. ...
  • Lycabettus. ...
  • Ano Petralona. ...
  • Hymettus. ...
  • Parnitha. ...
  • Anafiotika.

What is the nicest area of Athens? ›

In brief, the most popular and historical neighborhoods of Athens are located in the city center: Plaka, Syntagma, Monastiraki, Acropolis & Thissio are the most tourist places to walk around and include most sightseeing. Some beautiful residential areas in the center include Koukaki, Mets and Kolonaki.

How do I choose a photo location? ›

1. Prioritise photoshoot locations with flattering lighting
  1. Choose a photo shoot location that suits the style and purpose of your project. ...
  2. Follow the weather forecast and consider finding backup locations. ...
  3. Choose a location that can be photographed from a variety of angles. ...
  4. Consider the accessibility of your location.
Apr 12, 2022

What is the most photographed place? ›

1. New York City. First on our list and it's no surprise that New York tops our list as one of the most photographed places in the world. This popular tourist destination attracts about 53 million tourists from around the world every year!

Where not to cut photos? ›

Here's a few tips to keep in mind: Don't chop limbs at the joints. Chopping between the joints can be much less disruptive to the viewer. When cropping the head, crop above the hairline or far enough below the hairline that the viewer is not left wondering where the hair is.

Can you take photos at the Acropolis? ›

Is photography allowed in the Museum? Amateur photography and filming is permitted in all areas of the Museum, except the Archaic Acropolis Gallery. The use of flash and additional professional equipment such as portable lights and tripod, is not allowed inside the Museum.

Is street photography legal in Greece? ›

It is perfectly legal to photograph people in public without their consent: An adult person in public space. People at work in public space (e.g. policemen) Groups or assemblies of people (celebrations, demonstrations etc.)

Where do celebrities hang out in Athens? ›

Celebrity Spotting Restaurants
  • Sabri Cuisine & Cafe. Address: Ethnikis Antistasios 79, Athens, 15231. ...
  • Keros Seafood Restaurant. Address: Leof. ...
  • Σέσουλα Καλαμάκι Address: 119 Achilleos, Paleo Faliro, 17563. ...
  • Don Corleone - Alimos. ...
  • NOS Restaurant. ...
  • Felicita - Aperitivo & Wine Bar. ...
  • Mezzo MidDay Bouzoukia. ...
  • Menteni.

What part of Athens is sketchy? ›

The most dangerous place in Athens is Omonoia Square which has become the battleground where Afghan, Pakistani, Syrian, Georgian, Kurdish, Iranian and Albanian gangs are fighting for the lucrative drug and cigarette trade.

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