October is when Athens feels more human again. The heat fades, the crowds disappear, and the city slows to a rhythm that actually makes sense. Mornings are cool, afternoons are golden, and nights belong on rooftops. Locals are out, music floats from every corner, and it’s also Halloween — which means costumes, chaos, and cocktails with a view.

Rooftop Drinks & Halloween 

I check in at YellowSquare Athens in the afternoon, drop my bag, and go straight up to the Aura Rooftop Bar (@aurarooftop_athens). The place always feels alive — travelers, locals, music, and that ridiculous Acropolis view.

On Halloween weekend, it’s all about the Frankenslay Party at the Hostel. Check the calendar here

• Place: Aura Rooftop Bar (inside YellowSquare Athens)
• Price: Cocktails €10–12
• Address: Pl. Theatrou 18, Athina 105 52, Grecia

Instagram page: aurarooftop_athens/

What to do in Athens in  2 days:
Saturday — The Acropolis, the Olympian and Panathenaic Stadium

Saturday starts early with an almond cappuccino (Best thing about Athens in my opinion: the ALWAYS have almond milk with no sugar). Going to Acropolis around 8:00 AM would be a good idea, before the tour groups. The walk up is quiet, the air still cool, and the view from the top never disappoints.

• Place: Acropolis of Athens
• Price: €20 (standard entry) – Try to find discounted passes for all attractions.
• Tip: Good shoes — marble gets slippery. Bring water.

Afterward, cross to the Acropolis Museum for coffee and a slow wander through centuries of marble and myth. It’s sleek, smart, and one of the best-curated museums in Europe — my Athens friends recommend it as spot to slow down.

• Place: Acropolis Museum
• Price: €10
• Tip: Café terrace for espresso with the Parthenon view.

A short walk away stands the Temple of Olympian Zeus — huge columns from what was once the largest temple in Greece. Quieter than the Acropolis but powerful in scale.

• Place: Temple of Olympian Zeus
• Price: ~€8
• Tip: Midday light hits the Corinthian columns beautifully.

Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)

• Close to: Temple of Olympian Zeus, National Garden & Zappeion (central; ~10–15 min walk from Syntagma/Akropoli).
• Price: ~€12 (reduced ~€6).
• Tip: Go late morning or late afternoon; climb the upper rows for the skyline. Audio guide included; you can step on the track.

Afternoon means easy wandering: Anafiotika and Plaka for whitewashed corners, balconies, and cats. I stop for pistachio gelato at Le Greche, then walk to Filopappou Hill for the sunset over the city.

Dinner is Klimataria, a traditional Greek taverna where everything tastes homemade and there’s often live bouzouki.

• Price: €20–25
  
• Tip: Slow-cooked lamb + house wine. Simple and perfect.

Sunday — Ancient Agora and Quiet Museums

Sunday mornings are slower. I start at the Ancient Agora — green, peaceful, and full of stories. Then I walk to the Roman Agora and Hadrian’s Library. Layers on layers of history, all a few minutes apart.

• Place: Ancient Agora of Athens
• Price: ~€10
• Tip: Don’t skip the Temple of Hephaestus — one of the best-preserved temples in Greece.
  

• Place: Roman Agora & Hadrian’s Library
• Price: ~€6 each (seasonal pricing may vary)
• Address: Roman Agora: Epameinonda & Areos • Hadrian’s Library: Areos 3
• Tip: Short visits but worth it — look for inscriptions and reused marble blocks.

Lunch is something light at Avocado, a vegetarian spot near Syntagma Square.

• Price: €12–15
• Address: Nikis 30
• Tip: Falafel wrap with tahini, or a smoothie if you’ve been walking all morning.

Close the weekend at the National Archaeological Museum — statues, gold masks, pottery, and a quiet that feels good.

• Place: National Archaeological Museum
• Price: ~€12
• Tip: Give it at least 90 minutes; late afternoon is calmer.

Athens Classics: What to eat when in Athens.

Street & quick bites

• Souvlaki (kalamaki) / Pita Gyros
  What: Pork or chicken skewers (kalamaki) / shaved meat in pita with tomato, onion, tzatziki.
  Price: €3–4 (pita), €2–3 (skewer).
  Tip: Ask “pita gyro xoirino/ kotopoulo” (pork/chicken). If you don’t want fries inside, say “xoris patates”.
  
• Spanakopita / Tiropita
  What: Spinach-feta pie / cheese pie.
  Price: €2–4.
  Tip: Bakeries sell them warm all day; good “healthy-ish” snack if you split one.
• Feta saganaki with honey
  or feta in phyllo with honey & sesame
  What: A thick slab of feta, either pan-fried (crisp outside, creamy-salty inside) or wrapped in phyllo and fried/baked, then drizzled with honey and usually sesame seeds.
  Price:€6–9 (phyllo version often €7–10).
  Tip: Eat it hot so the outside stays crisp. Ask for “more sesame” or “less honey” if you prefer it less sweet. Pair with a horiatiki (Greek salad) or horta (boiled greens) to balance the richness.
  

Meze (small plates) that always work

• Tzatziki
  What: Yogurt, cucumber, garlic.
  Price: €3–5.
  Tip: Use it as a dip for grilled meat or veggies.
  
• Fava (Santorini)
  What: Silky yellow split-pea purée with olive oil, onion, capers.
  Price: €4–6.
  Tip: Great vegetarian protein; add lemon.
  
• Kolokithokeftedes
  What: Zucchini fritters with herbs and cheese.
  Price: €5–7.
  Tip: Share one portion; they’re rich.
  
• Dolmadakia
  What: Vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs.
  Price: €5–7.
  Tip: Ask if they’re ladera (cooked in olive oil) for a lighter version.
• Horiatiki (Greek salad)
  What: Tomato, cucumber, onion, olives, feta, oregano, olive oil.
  Price: €6–9.
  Tip: No lettuce in the real thing; ask for extra capers if they have them.
  

Classic mains (taverna staples)

• Moussaka
  What: Layers of eggplant, minced meat, béchamel.
  Price: €8–12.
  Tip: Best at tavernas with a daily menu; avoid reheated slabs late at night.
  
• Pastitsio
  What: Baked pasta with minced meat and béchamel.
  Price: €8–11.
  Tip: If choosing between this and moussaka, pick the one the kitchen recommends that day.
  
• Paidakia (lamb chops)
  What: Grilled, lemon-oregano.
  Price: €12–20 (by weight/portion).
  Tip: Order horiatiki (Greek salad) on the side instead of fries.
  
• Grilled Octopus / Fresh Fish
  What: Charred octopus or whole fish (sea bream/sea bass).
  Price: Octopus €12–18; fish usually by kilo.
  Tip: Keep it simple: lemon, olive oil, oregano. Ask what’s fresh today.
  
  

Bakery & sweets (worth the calories)

• Bougatsa
  What: Flaky pastry with custard (or cheese), dusted with sugar & cinnamon.
  Price: €2.50–4.
  Tip: Eat it warm; share if you don’t want a sugar crash.
  
• Galaktoboureko
  What: Semolina custard in syrupy filo.
  Price: €3–5.
  Tip: Ask for a small piece; it’s sweet.
  
• Loukoumades
  What: Honey-soaked dough bites.
  Price: €3–5.
  Tip: Classic topping is honey + cinnamon; skip heavy sauces if you want it lighter.
  

How I keep it balanced to not overeat

• Go mezze style: 2–3 small plates + salad instead of one heavy main.
  
• Swap fries for horta (boiled wild greens) with lemon & olive oil.
  
• Share desserts. Two bites are perfect.
  
• Ask for grilled over fried; most tavernas do it well.
  
• Bread basket is automatic; you can return it if you’re not eating it.

5 Tips for Athens in 2 Days

Do:

1. Buy Acropolis tickets online to avoid the line.
2. Talk to locals; especially if you stay in a hostel, talk to the staff members — they’ll tell you what not to miss.

Don’t:

1. Don’t rush it. Athens rewards slow travelers.
2. Don’t forget sunscreen — even in October, the sun is real.
3. The sunset in autumn is amazing, take a time to see it from a rooftop 

Have a good one =)