Things to Do in Athens

As a toddler, I used to be all the time fascinated by historical Greece and dying to go to Athens. The place may you be nearer to the ancients than in Athens. In any case, a few of their buildings or ruins are nonetheless standing! With so many issues to do in Athens, I used to be dying to go to this metropolis for the longest time.

However simply earlier than my long-awaited journey, my brother put a damper on my anticipation. “Athens is the dirtiest capital I’ve ever seen!” he mentioned. And my brother has seen loads of capitals.

So I flew to Athens with combined emotions. Wouldn’t it actually be that soiled? Or, like Naples, does the town have allure at second look? Or would my infantile notions of antiquity be confirmed?

Athens is a metropolis that’s much less soiled than marketed. I preferred the town already at first sight – once we regarded over Athens on the roof terrace of our rented condominium and noticed the Acropolis towering in entrance of us, it was simply unimaginable!

However even my infantile concepts of such an historical metropolis weren’t 100% met. Due to course, Athens has many historical buildings that actually blew me away.

Nonetheless, the town has understandably additionally gone with the instances, so it has some trendy influences. The fashionable influences, although, are fairly completely different from what I keep in mind from Northern Europe. Partially, the construction jogged my memory of Spanish cities; partially, Amman in Jordan. Not shocking given Greece’s very southeastern location inside Europe.

I used to be pleasantly shocked by my first impression of Athens and much more impressed by the second!

I actually loved my time within the metropolis, each through the day and at night time. It’s an attention-grabbing, various, and vibrant place.

Throughout the day, vacationers dominate the cityscape, squeezing via the slim streets from one sight to the following within the blazing solar. Within the night, nevertheless, this image turns and the locals stay their lives on the streets of Athens. Good music, nice conversations, and the very best wine are preprogrammed.

So take your time in Athens for each: the vacationer days to get to know all of the sights; and the colourful nights to expertise the true Athens!

Associated learn: A Guide to Athens, Greece

Go to the well-known Acropolis

The Acropolis is among the most well-known landmarks of Athens, so a visit here’s a should! However what is definitely behind it?

The Acropolis is not only a constructing, however in all probability the most well-known metropolis fortress of Historical Greece, whose ruins on the fort hill of Athens nonetheless watch over the town in the present day.

The whole advanced contains a number of buildings. Most certainly probably the most well-known amongst them is the Parthenon, the traditional temple advanced that provides the Acropolis its face. As well as, nevertheless, there are a number of different historical buildings such because the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia and the Dionysus Theater. These will all make you dream of an historical time.

For the well-known view of the Acropolis, you also needs to go to Areopagus Hill. The hill is called a “vacationer mountain”, however the view of the Acropolis from right here is unmistakable.

By the way in which, the doorway is free for EU residents underneath 25 years previous.

Learn as effectively our travel tip about how to buy tickets to the Acropolis.

Get pleasure from views over Athens

You possibly can’t get sufficient views over Athens. So, we have been particularly completely happy that our condominium had a rooftop terrace with a terrific view of the Acropolis. Nonetheless, don’t fret! In case your lodging doesn’t have a rooftop terrace, there are many choices so that you can get pleasure from an important view of Athens.

There are 100 addresses for that rooftop terrace feeling. One in style one is the rooftop of Hotel A for Athens. My favourite by way of views, nevertheless, is the view from Lycabettus Hill, as you possibly can look over the Acropolis to the ocean from right here. The hill may be very in style, particularly at sundown. No marvel as a result of it’s too lovely. However then it’s also crowded.

The view from Philopappos Hill is equally good. Right here it’s much less crowded. So if you wish to get pleasure from some peace and quiet whereas trying over Athens, then you might be on the proper tackle.

Discover the streets alongside the Acropolis

The Acropolis is certainly price seeing, however don’t miss out on the neighborhoods of Anafiotika and Plaka under it. Each are recognized for his or her cute, Greek-style alleyways.

Anafiotika known as “Little Mykonos” for a motive. You’ll really feel such as you’ve escaped the town for a second and are on a Greek island. The streets are so picturesque that it’s enjoyable simply to walk via right here.

Equally picturesque, however a lot busier, are the streets of Plaka. Along with some eateries, there are primarily small retailers promoting Greek souvenirs, and many others. Plaka is actually some of the touristy locations in Athens, however not with out good motive–vacationers are all the time drawn to lovely locations.

Outdated buildings are a part of Athens

In the event you’re as impressed by previous buildings as I’m, you then’ll love the Athens Academy.

It’s the main establishment of non-university tutorial analysis in Greece, and its work is split into three sections: science, literature & tremendous arts, and moral & political sciences. There’s a phenomenal constructing for every part, they usually simply preserve getting higher.

Oh, and the Central Market of Athens shouldn’t be removed from the Academy. You should purchase every kind of meals there, from fish to fruit. It’s open day-after-day from 7 am to six pm, besides Sundays.

Guide to the best street food in athens

Off the overwhelmed monitor in Exarchia

Exarchia is the various neighborhood in Athens. The hub of the neighborhood is Exarchia Sq.. From right here you possibly can discover the encircling streets.

On the one hand, you’ll stroll previous empty, run-down buildings. Alternatively you’ll uncover cool graffiti and bars. I might suggest you to go on slightly discovery tour via this very completely different quarter of Athens after which sit down in one of many eating places.

After slightly relaxation you possibly can go to the Archaeological Museum of Athens, which is only a stone’s throw away. Right here it is possible for you to to comply with within the footsteps of historical Greece.

Stroll via the Nationwide Backyard

The Nationwide Backyard and the encircling space make for an important strolling tour. Along with the park’s lovely greenery, you’ll additionally get to see a few of Athens’ most well-known sights, just like the Zappeion, the Olympic Stadium, and the Greek Parliament. The Zappeion is a historic congress constructing from 1888 that was initially constructed to be the positioning of the Committee of the Olympics.

The Panathenaic Stadium, the place the primary trendy Olympic Video games have been held in 1896, and the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus are additionally close by.

On the path of antiquity

To be taught extra about Historical Greece, my principal aim was to go to the positioning of the traditional Agora of Athens on my trip. As a result of the central market was as soon as the financial and political middle of Athens, in the present day you will discover many well-preserved stays there.

Nonetheless, your entire advanced has extra to supply than simply the previous market—you may as well admire the temple of Hephaestus with its spectacular view over the town. You’ll really feel transported again in time.

By EU residents underneath 25 years previous get in at no cost!

Monastiraki – exploring the previous city of Athens

Monastiraki is the aged quarter of Athens, abode to a few of its most famed sights.

Recalling Monastiraki brings one specific imaginative and prescient that lingers in my thoughts – The Flea Market which meanders from Monastiraki Sq. into the adjoining lanes. There you will discover a wide range of retailers peddling items aside from fleas merchandise equivalent to soaps and oils made by hand, sandals and hats crafted with nice care, together with informal t-shirts plus souvenirs to your assortment.

I had an gratifying time wandering via these streets whereas avoiding in style vogue shops!

Not distant lies Pittaki Avenue; this street was as soon as uncared for and used primarily as a public rest room however has now been remodeled past recognition after designers gave it an beautiful makeover!

The house of the Olympic Video games

Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Video games, which suggests a go to to its iconic sporting hub in Athens ought to be on the high of your listing!

We have been excited to discover and hopped on a tram that took us straight there. The advanced was virtually abandoned apart from an occasional jogger right here or there however it nonetheless made for some beautiful pictures.

A phrase of warning nevertheless – until you’re fortunate sufficient to catch a particular occasion happening, this spot might not provide a lot else than scenic views so don’t count on an excessive amount of out of your journey.

Be a part of the Ancient Olympia private day tour.

Conclusion on issues to do in Athens

In the event you’re on the lookout for a metropolis that has one thing to supply throughout each the day and night time, then Athens is the place for you. It’s a metropolis with a singular and vibrant environment, which might be skilled in numerous methods relying on the time of day.

Throughout the day, vacationers can discover the wealth of historic websites, whereas within the night the locals come out to get pleasure from good music, nice conversations and scrumptious wine.

So, for those who’re in quest of an unforgettable expertise, spend a while in Athens and luxuriate in all it has to supply!