Athens first time

Spend arrival day settling in and exploring your neighborhood. The next day visit the Acropolis and the museum. The day after that visit the Ancient Agora.

I would consider visiting the Acropolis the first day. We went about 4 pm and it was lovely. Otherwise, you really have to be there first thing to not have terrible crowds.

Take a taxi from the port. Save your energy for touring.

And won’t you have two full days? October 4 and 5. The archeological museum is wonderful (take a taxi) if you do.

Arriving on October 3rd and departing on the 6th, you will have 2.5 days, not 1.5 days.

You will be settled into your Airbnb early in the afternoon of October 3rd.

• Go to lunch!

From what you say, you will be in the Makrygianni neighborhood or south of Plaka. There are plenty of restaurants for all tastes and prices.

The activities/visits depend on your interests.

As Marypat suggests, walking around the neighborhood allows you to get to know this part of Athens.
For example, follow this route on foot.
It's 15 minutes, not including stops for window shopping (lots of souvenir shops) and photo opportunities. These are mostly pedestrian or semi-pedestrian streets.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bn8iL2zUZT7RdCL98

Since you'll be passing right by, it doesn't prevent you from visiting the Acropolis Museum, or the Ancient Agora if you're up for it.

I'll leave the return trip up to you, you're grown-ups!

Regarding the Acropolis, I assume you'll want to go there, save it for the next morning (before 9 am)

You'll still have the afternoon of the 4th (until late evening if you want to have fun) and the 5th of October free for your other activities/visits.

The choice is yours; I've listed a few places that might be suitable for three young ladies:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1OhGNGU1LUEgwFTul8u4YEe_tijF8Hqs&usp=sharing

Since October 5th is a Sunday, every Sunday at 11:00 am, there's the grand changing of the guard in front of the Parliament on Syntagma Square, a full ceremony with music and a parade. There will be a lot of people if you go, so be there well in advance.

And don't make fun of the Efzones with their costumes. They're elite soldiers.

We too are first timers to Athens (also over 75) ending a cruise there in mid-Sept. We will be staying for 4 nights. Only thing we have booked (other than the hotel) so far is a food tour on the day we arrive.

Lately I always wait until some other "Vets" give advice -- it saves me all tthat keyboarding. I'll just "footnote" their good ideas:

TRANSP from PORT - the "Taxi line" by ship may have some scammers who take you "long way around". . Instead, in advance, book a ttested car service (Welcome Pickup or City Cab well-reviewed here) - they use licensed Taxis working for service; drivers fluent in English, you know approx fare in advance & pay w credit card. They meet u at gangplank, right to apt bldg stress-free.

FIRST DAY LUNCH - as Jo-Lui says, if u are up for it, Acrop Museum is near your door... and it has lovely glassed-in terrace cafe w view up at Parthenon -- AND you can use cafe w.o. Museum fee if you dont want to tour it yet.

ACROPOLIS MUSEUM - IF you DO wish to tour it (some people find it useful to do it before the ruins), in October you can walk right in. An audio guide can be helpful but museum does not offer one (Dumb!). However, I've found a very useful free online audio for main museum items - https://mywowo.net/en/greece/athens/acropolis-museum You can read text on each. OR clilck to hear. Important: after hearing, click "ACropolis Museum" to return to layout. TIP - try this out while cruising, so you're adept during tour.

ACROPOLIS ITSELF - In October not a huge mob scene, large groups do arrive at 9 -- BUT it opens at 8, yay! The South Entry booth is right across from Acrop museum, so you can stop by in Day #1 afternoon & buy ticket for 8 or 8:30 entry. If touring on your own I recommend Rick Steves FREE audio download; On this page click "Watch Read Listen" & click Greece/Athens. Again, listen to it while on shipboard, so you'll be adept when up on "the Rock". NOTE: Rick also has FREE Audio guides to (1) Ancient Agora (which makes sense of ruins AND the beautiful "Stoa" building) and (2) Natl Arch. Museum (See below)

SUNDAY A.M. GUARD-CHANGE - what a treat! One precaution -- just like Buckingham Palace, crowds are enthralled - and pickpockets pounce! Do NOT carry passports or valuables in pocket, put credit-card or small amt €€ in safe place (I use a travel neck-pouch; or zip-pocket in cross-body purse w hand on clasp). NOTE: do not fret, this event, and Metro cars, are almost only Athens places targeted by pickpockets... Athens is very safe for us "ladies of a certain age."

OCTOBER 5 OPTIONS - If you DO want to atttempt Natl Arch Museum, taxi there & back, inquire est. fare before entering, should be no more than €8-10 (?? ask landlady). R. Steves audio guide "Top 10 must-sees" can show u highlights in 2 hrs & avoid getting lost in acres of pots pots pots. While walking around Plaka Area between 10 and 2 on Sat or Sunday Is the Museum of Greek Children's Art at 9 Kudrou street (IF it's open - check this website - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189400-d566825-Reviews-Museum_of_Greek_Children_s_Art-Athens_Attica.html). It has adorable child-created cards, posters etc.. very appealing non-touristic souvenirs. (prize-winning child poster painting of Athens is over my desk).

JUST FOR A SNACK -- In your neighborhood, right by the Lysikrates Monument, shaded by trees, is Diogenes Cafe... more greeks than tourists relax there in basket chairs, for a glass of wine or ice-cream. My favorite rest-stop

What wonderful tips and ideas. I am not sure how I came up with 1.5 days this morning when I posted this. I was rushing to head out to our food pantry stocking and bag packing and also put my shoes on the wrong feet. Lol. Till now I have been focused on Istanbul, our port of embarkation because we really do only have 1.5 days. As I put all this together I may have other questions. One to start is how much would we miss if we used age to access the elevator for the acropolis. Somehow it seems like cheating. I also like the idea of a food tour. Any recommendations? Thanks to all.

glad you like our asssortment of ideas for Athens. To see your options on a good map online, try this: https://tinyurl.com/ycd2mx83 (click & it gets huuuge, put acropolis in center & use side-slides to navigate). You'll see how handy your apt is!

NOTES on your new questions
(1) Acrop elevator -- 1st, lots of times its not running, also you really have to be somewhat mobility-challenged, not just old-achey. To help with this and all other steps on your cruise shore-excursions, highly recommend online FOLDING walk-stick called Earthtrek -- comes in 2 sizes (#1 shortens to 54 at 26$, #2 to 42" @30$). folds up like a W, size of a book, easy to pack. I've used it everywhere in greece in my 80s.
(2) You don't have time for food tour... just come back in separate email & ask for interesting restaurants, walkable from S. Side of Acropolis. one is Mani Mani, many others. Just having 3 good meals is better use of your time.

I have digested all the good tips and advice everyone has given and here is the rough itinerary. We dock at 8:00 and from what I can tell it’s possible to be ready to meet driver by 9:30. This is of course subject to change. So Day 1. Neighborhood walk, lunch, Acropolis museum, settle in to apartment and gather a few supplies. I would like some good Greek yogurt, Greek honey and fresh fruit for breakfast. There is an OK market nearby, world they have good stuff?
Day 2. Acropolis first thing. Then the ancient agora but will need a rest stop. Probably the Roman forum. There will be more time but maybe not more energy. Leisurely sit in a cafe or taverna maybe.
Day 3. (Sunday) tomb of unknown soldier/ changing of the guard. Maybe archaeological museum.

The only thing to still figure out is feeding ourselves. Mani Mani for one diner, just 3 minutes from apartment. If we have a big late lunch then drinks at an acropolis view bar/ restaurant near apartment and some take out mezze if that’s a thing at the apartment.

It’s still a work in progress.

I would like some good Greek yogurt, Greek honey, and fresh fruit for
breakfast. Is there an OK market nearby, do they have good stuff?

Since October 3rd will be a Friday, there's a farmers' market every Friday morning not far from where you'll be staying.
It's on Zakharista Street here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YusQoDwPoWZ8u86m7

It looks like this:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fXGmCaJJ5kaDjLmp8

There are fruits, vegetables, and fresh produce of all kinds. This is the perfect place and time to do your food shopping! (Bring cash)

Still in the area where you'll be staying, I recommend the Takis bakery and pastry shop at 14 Misaraliotou Street:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QgiDnatfgZpJXFsSA

And indeed, there's an OK Market supermarket right next to the bakery if you ever need other products (but I prefer AB Market; there's also one in the area.)

To find a normal Athenian lifestyle, just walk a few minutes south in the Koukaki neighborhood. It's where the locals do their shopping. There are several small grocery stores (including organic ones) and mini markets in the area. Just walk and you'll find them. Greek yogurt and honey... you'll find them everywhere, it'll be easy.

I know I'm going to get some critics, but I don't recommend Mani Mani. I often go to this neighborhood, and there are much better and cheaper options in this area.