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Athens, Greece is a beautiful city, but like most cities, it can be hard to see a sunset with so many buildings in the way. Most of the sunsets in Athens are gorgeous, if you know where to go to get a good view of them.
After many trips to Athens, I have found some of the best places to watch the sunset in the city. From rooftop bars to hilltops to the Acropolis depending on the time of year.
Before you start chasing the sunset in Athens, there are a few things you need to know.
Before you go sunset chasing in Athens
The bright side of a sunset in Athens is that the weather is usually really good. That being said, there are definitely days when the weather isn’t perfect, so it’s important to plan ahead.
Before you plan to catch the sunset, make sure you check the weather and the sunset time.Most of the time, the weather is perfect for a sunset, but just in case, you should always double check.
If the weather looks alright, or you’re going to try to catch it anyways, then make sure you arrive early. Sometimes the best part of sunset is 30 minutes before or after the sun dips below the horizon.
The best way to plan a sunset in my experience is to bring some snacks, maybe a few drinks, and plan to stay a while.
Now that you’re prepared to find a good sunset, let’s talk about where in Athens is the best place to look.
1. Acropolis
If you want a seriously iconic choice, then you’ll choose the Acropolis. This one is super dependent on time of year, since the Acropolis closes before sunset during some of the peak seasons.
If you’re lucky enough to be there at the right time of year, then this is by far, the best place to catch the sunset in Athens.
Watching the sun set from the top of this ancient citadel is the most unique view you’ll get in Athens.
When it comes to time of year, keep in mind that the Acropolis closes at 8pm in the summer and 6pm in the winter, so try to see if your visit falls between one of these sweet spots.
Also, if you want a guided sunset Acropolis tour, they have options that include the sunset too. You can check out this Acropolis sunset tour to see if this is more your style!
2. On a Sunset Cruise
Now if you want a longer chance to see the sunset, then you should probably get on a boat. On the water, you get a beautiful, unobstructed view of the sunset without any buildings in the way.
There aren’t many sunset cruises in Athens, especially since sometimes it can set pretty late. Luckily, there are a few designated sunset cruises that are well worth it to do while you’re in Athens, especially in the summer. Sailing usually keeps the mosquitoes away too.
If you are looking for a good sunset cruise, I would recommend this catamaran sunset tour for the full experience.This Athens tour includes drinks, a meal, and a gorgeous view for a half day cruise. Plus, it’s a great value and takes place at the perfect time to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean sea.
Would you prefer to be driving the boat? Athens even has kayak tours to watch the sunset too which is a super unique way to see it. This tour also includes secret stops and snorkeling too.
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3. Philopappos Hill
Want to do a little sunset trip without a guide? Then let me tell you my favorite spot to catch it on my own. I love going up Philopappos Hill. This is a great hill to watch the sunset since you can see the Mediterranean sea and you’re on top of Athens.
This is a perfect place for sunset chasing, but since it is such a nice view, it can get a bit busy. Even visiting during shoulder season it can be difficult to find a good spot. I would recommend getting there early. Also, keep in mind that they don’t sell food or drinks up here so you need to bring your own.
If you’re looking for a free place to watch the sunset, and don’t mind a bit of a crowd, then this is a great spot for it!
4. Hilltop Sunset Picnic
If you are like me, you probably love to make your experience of watching the sun set super aesthetic. That’s why I was so excited to find a whole sunset picnic experience up on a hill in Athens.
When it comes to unique experiences, this is one of the coolest ones, since it’s both aesthetic and educational. Plus, it makes the whole experience much easier for you.
Not only does this experience include snacks, but you get to learn all about Greek history and mythology during the experience. The guide takes you to a great place to catch an incredible sunset over Athens. If you want to combine a great sunset with some extra knowledge of the area, this is the perfect plan.
The highest place to watch the sunset in Athens is Mount Lycabettus. This is a beautiful spot but it can take a bit longer to hike up there and it can be tough for some.
Mount Lycabettus is considered an iconic place to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, due to its distance and the hiking involved, it takes a lot more planning in advance to make it happen.
If you don’t want to walk to the top of this mountain, you can actually get a tour that will drive you there at the end. There is a great option that includes a great lake experience, a guide, and other cool spots on the way.
Want the easiest way to watch the sun set behind the Acropolis? Then you need to make your way to a rooftop bar. There are tons that overlook the Acropolis, but I have a few favorites that I’ll recommend.
The first one is Hyper Astro Bar, which is an uncovered rooftop (mostly) in the center of Athens. Try to get there early so you can get a table close to the Acropolis view.
The corner furthest from the door near the Acropolis is the best spot for watching the sun set.
Keep in mind here that this bar tends to keep their umbrellas up pretty late, which can block the sunset/acropolis view. That’s why it’s important to get there early to get a good seat. I’d recommend getting some fries from this bar too, they’re very tasty.
The other bar that I loved in the center of Athens for sunset is the Attic Urban Rooftop. This bar is right across from Hyper Astro Bar and has a little swing that you can get pictures on. The Attic Urban Rooftop bar is a bit fancier, but I would definitely prefer it.
The drinks at Attic Urban Rooftop are very fancy, so I would recommend getting a nice cocktail. If you are a drinks enthusiast though, then don’t expect this to be done by your standards.
The bartenders during our visit weren’t the best… Luckily the recipes tended to speak for themselves, and I came for the view anyways.
If you end up at a bar to watch the sunset, I hope you get a really good one. You can’t go wrong with these two spots.
Final thoughts
After quite a few visits to Athens, I have found tons of spots that are perfect to watch the sun set in the city. No matter which one you choose (weather permitting), you’re guaranteed a great sunset!
If you’re visiting beyond Athens and want some more tips, make sure you check out my Peloponnese guide.
Whether you are excited to catch the view from a rooftop, a famous hill, or on the water, there are plenty of options. Hope you get great weather during your trip, and enjoy your Athens sunset!
You can check out my see the sun page to figure out where in the world you want to watch the sun set next.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me a DM at @LizsGreatPerhaps.
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