There are cities that count their age by years; then there’s Athens, which can tabulate its history by millenniums. From battles and setbacks this ancient metropolis has rebounded again and again, proving itself to be resilient like no other. Sitting on a parfait of civilizations, the Greek capital could easily float on its past glories. But recent additions like the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center prove that this city in the heart of the Mediterranean isn’t afraid to raise new monuments and leave a bold statement for posterity. With a dazzling culinary scene firmly grounded in the country’s traditions and soil — not to mention philoxenia, or the Greek notion of loving and welcoming strangers — it’s no surprise that Athens has greeted a record number of tourists this past year. Luckily for us visitors, there’s plenty to experience in this storied city.
Whether you are travelling to Greece this summer and visiting Athens even for a stop-over, or planning a ‘staycation’ in the city, get out of the trap of ‘been there done that’; keep reading.
#1 Visit the Acropolis Museum | Acropolis
The Acropolis Museum is consistently rated as one of the best museums in the world. Devoted to the Parthenon and its surrounding temples, it is cleverly perched above Athens like a luminous box. The large glass panes beautifully draw in the ancient and modern parts of the city, making it a truly evocative experience. Designed by New York’s, Bernard Tschumi, with local Greek architect Michael Photiadis, it is the perfect sanctuary for the ancient artefacts that were found in and around the Acropolis and successfully deconstructs how the Parthenon sculptures once looked to the citizens of ancient Athens. You can spend from one to three hours in the museum, depending on your pace and level of interest. Should you need a guided tour (to make the most of it) have a look at one of our hand-picked guided city walks.
Tip: Take a coffee or lunch break on the top floor of the Acropolis museum. Alternatively, enjoy a light lunch at the cute Athinai Bistrot just across the street with a view of the Acropolis and exciting people watching!
2 Sample (and buy) Greek produce | Monastiraki
Greece is a foodies’ paradise so don’t leave without sampling Greek food products such as honey, herbs and loads of goodies (olives, sweets, mastic, nuts… the list is endless!). If you get the chance to visit a local ‘laiki,’ open air produce market, in your neighbourhood don’t hold back on stocking up on fruit and veggies for healthy snacking. If you’re renting an AirBnB flat you can go a step further and buy fish and meat from the central market -Varvakeios Agora- so you can act like a local for a day!
Tip: Best herbs at ‘Bahar’ on Evripidou street – Best nuts and goodies at ‘Carpo’ and ‘Era nuts’ in Kolonaki. Don’t leave without buying Greek thyme and pine honey, ideally directly from the producer. Here is a list of the best souvenirs to buy from Greece before you head back home!
#3 Eat Greek gyros and souvlaki | Monastiraki
As cliché as it may sound, souvlaki and gyros are the ultimate Greek street food. We take our souvlaki so seriously that we have a dedicated guide only for that here.
Tip: Lunch early at Kostas in Syntagma Square.
#4 Stroll around Athens’ attractions | Acropolis and Plaka
Assuming you are ‘done’ with the Acropolis Museum and have visited ‘the holy rock’ (aka the Acropolis’ Erechtheion and the Parthenon) there is still plenty of interesting sightseeing and ‘instagram-worthy’ walking to do, around Plaka, Monastiraki and the Acropolis area, all in central Athens. A few ideas are the Roman Agora, the Temple of Hephaestus, Areopagus and Pnyx. For more off-the-beaten path walking and sightseeing (besides the Acropolis) read here.
Tip: Grab an ice cream to ‘cool down’ after the tzatziki from your rich souvlaki and take a stroll around Athens’ off-the-beaten path attractions to digest it all. Don’t forget to wear a hat!
5 Swim in the Athens Riviera | Varkiza, Vouliagmeni and Kavouri
One of the best things about Athens is that you can actually have a Greek vacation without leaving the country’s capital. The city has a number of organised and non-organised beach heavens that will make you feel you have escaped to a Greek island (weather permitting). So, our suggestion is to take a morning or afternoon swim at one of Athens’ organised beaches.
Tip: Yabanaki beach in Varkiza is the longest organised sandy beach in Athens and quite affordable. The beach features bars, restaurants, cafés, sports, even massage (!) to keep you there till late at night (have you ever considered a night swim?!)
#7 Enjoy Athens’ nightlife | Central Athens and Athens’ Riviera
Athens nightlife is legendary so do not leave the city without sipping at least a cocktail on a rooftop bar with an Acropolis’ view, a sunset drink in one of the city’s beach bars or a late night drink at one of Athens party spots (like Island in Varkiza by the Athens’ Riviera). If you want to experience what locals do, there’s a plethora of bars in the suburbs too.
#8 Catch a movie at an outdoor cinema | Syntagma and Thissio
It’s hard to watch a movie while the Acropolis stands right there in front of you all beautifully lit, we know… (!) This is pretty much what you should expect from the all-time-classic open-air Thision Cinema. Equally beautiful are the jasmine-scented gardens of the cinema in Dexameni in Kolonaki, Aegli in Zappeion, Ciné Paris (a gorgeous rooftop in Plaka) and Ria by the seaside in Varkiza. Either way, don’t leave the city without watching a movie under the stars; it is really a unique experience.
Tip: Movie (check) — stars (check) – beer (check) – popcorn (check) – smoke (possibly check). Tickets: EUR 8. Value for money…
#9 Eat Greek fish | Piraeus
The choices of Greek fish restaurants around the majestic Greek port are top notch. Starting from affordable options like vintage Margaro next to the Naval Academy (walking distance from the cruise ship port) for fried shrimp, crawfish, red mullet, horiatiki Greek salad and wine from the barrel (just that), Vassilenas on Aitolikou street for an elegant and affordable Greek menu and remarkable wine list (just opposite the cruise ship port), or jaw dropping celebrity Michelin starred Varoulko Seaside in Mikrolimano. The fish-master Yiannis is my father’s favourite for decades and Papaioannou in Mikrolimano is usually my hubby’s choice. That’s a (really) tough call….
Tip: If you’re visiting Piraeus on a cruise ship we suggest you try an alternative grilled sardine lunch in Yperokeanio, only a short walk from the cruise ship terminal in Piraeus. The Greek mezze choices are delicious…
#10 Watch a performance | Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Epidaurus ancient theatre
The Greek Festival is the country’s premier cultural event and has been organised for more than half a century, featuring top notch names from the local and international music and theatre scene. Performances in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus are a unique, once in a lifetime experience not to be missed.
With content from The Travel Porter & the New York Times.