The crowds are huge between April and October at the Acropolis. If you want to beat them I recommend that you visit the Acropolis at the opening time (8:00 am).
Close to Monastiraki Square, you will find the Psari neighborhood, which is well known for its vibrant street art, Varvakios Food Market, all types of shops, plenty of cheap tavernas with tasty cheap food, and trendy cafés.
If you are keen on cooling down and being in nature then one of the top things to do in Athens is to swim at Lake Vouliagmeni. The lake is located in the suburb of Athens called Vouliagmeni just 25 km from the center of Athens.
There are numerous stalls selling clothing, leather, and crafts as well as some selling second-hand trinkets too – it’s a great place to buy souvenirs!
Located at the foot of the Acropolis, it’s the oldest neighborhood in Athens. Plaka is a picturesque neighborhood with narrow streets, neoclassical houses, shops, restaurants, and ruins from the Roman era.