My fiancé and I will be on our honeymoon soon… We will have a 5 hr layover in Athens during our flight from the Greek Islands to Rome. Is there time to check out the Parthenon and get back to our flight in that five hour period?

Thanks

Stephen

Always plan with the worst case scenario.
Let's say your flight is 20' late.
-Arrival: 00:20
-Go to Metro 00:40 (Metro arrives each 30')
-Metro arrives 1:10 (Ride takes ~40' to Syntagma)
-Syntagma arrival 2:00
-Acropolis arrival 2:30
-Acropolis finished 3:20
-Back to Syntagma 3:50
-Metro Arrival 4:20
-Airport Metro Arrival 5:00

The Answer is YES, you have time. This is the worst case scenario, with your flight being late, losing all metros on the last minute (30' wait), lots of time in the Acropolis, and extra minutes for each walk.

But please plan carefully and correctly, and everything will be ok!

You will be faster if you take a taxi.

Without congestions, the drive to the Acropolis takes 35 minutes. With usual traffic, it might take 45 minutes. During rush hour, it can take more.

Check Google Maps with actual traffic conditions before you decide whether to take a taxi or the Metro.

PetrosB3 gives a good "worst case" timeline, and the advantage of the metro is no traffic holdups. The fare is €10, or €18 for two persons. If you take the metro, don't carry anything in your pockets, and beware of pickpockets, especially around Monastiraki and Syntagma stations. When going back to the airport insure you board one of the special airport trains rather than others that use the same line.

The advantage of a taxi is you can find one right away, without the potential 30 minute wait, and don't have to worry about "sticky fingers". The fare for taxis from the airport to central Athens is €38.

That is awesome news… thank you all for the information… Although I am a huge fan of taking metros it seems as though the taxi might be the most efficient way to go. At least getting there… Perhaps the metro might be good for getting back.

The Acropolis is on a hill. The taxi drives halfway up the hill and drops you off in a roundabout at the end of the road. From there, it is a rather short walk up to the Acropolis. You may see the temples on top of the hill and at least the Roman theatre on the hill's flank. You may also climb the areopagus.

On the other side of the Acropolis is the Pnyx, the hill where the legislative assembly met. You can still see the rostrum, but otherwise it is a bleak square, just like it was 2,500 years ago.

You can walk down from the Acropolis through the Agora and have a look at the impressive temple of Hephaistos. Then walk through the colourful bazar to the next larger street and hail a taxi to drive back to the airport.

You have just five hours. Do not try to save money and end up late at the airport.

Good point 1959. Taxi it is both directions. Looking forward to our layover adventure

Thanks again
-Stephen