96 hours in Athens: Our Inner Circle Picks
A four-day itinerary blending culture, coastlines, and contemporary Athenian charm.
Athens is a city that thrives on contrasts - where antiquity meets avant-garde, and lazy seaside afternoons follow mornings among marble and myth. For a long weekend, base yourself at the Four Seasons Astir Palace in Vouliagmeni, and let the city unfold in layers of history, flavour, and sunlit sophistication.
Day 1: Arrival and Aperitif by the Lake
Check into the Four Seasons Astir Palace, where the Aegean shimmers below your terrace. Ease into the rhythm of the Riviera with an aperitif at Lake Vouliagmeni, a thermal lake framed by limestone cliffs. The mineral waters invite a dip, but the real draw is the golden light at dusk.
Day 2: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Strolls
Begin your day with a private guided visit to the Acropolis Museum for its permanent collection and intriguing exhibition programme, as well as the nearby archaeological sites, including the Ancient Agora. There’s little left standing, yet every column and stone whispers of an age when philosophy and politics were born here. Spend your afternoon in Kolonaki, browsing galleries and design boutiques, and linger over dinner at Papadakis Restaurant, where chef Argiro Barbarigou brings a refined twist to traditional Greek seafood.
Day 3: Sea Air and Athenian Chic
If the weather’s kind, head to Krabo Beach for an early, leisurely lunch on the sand. Warning: in this kind of place, lunch stretches well into the afternoon. Later, wander through the National Botanical Garden and visit the Botanical Garden in the ancient city’s green lung. As evening falls, discover Greek culture at the Benaki Museum, followed by dinner at Chez Michel in Kolonaki - a favourite among locals for its delicious food and understated elegance.
Day 4: Hellenic Wellness and Yassas
Begin your final morning at the Four Seasons gym, followed by a spa session inspired by Hellenic wellness rituals - a rejuvenating nod to Greece’s ancient traditions of body and soul care. Take time to enjoy the serenity of the property before heading to Papaioannou Restaurant in Vouliagmeni for a seafood lunch with sea views. In the afternoon, wander through Astir Marina, where yachts gleam under the Aegean sun, then return to the Four Seasons Avra Bar for an aperitif - the perfect final toast to a city that balances heritage with hedonism.
Travel with The Betesh Group and experience Athens as it was meant to be: effortlessly, exclusively, and entirely yours. Ready to plan your own 96 hours in Athens? Our travel specialists will handle the rest.