As a baby, 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 blended 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 favored the town already at first sight – after we seemed over Athens on the roof terrace of our rented condo and noticed the Acropolis towering in entrance of us, it was simply unbelievable!
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 occasions, so it has some trendy influences. The trendy influences, although, are fairly totally 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 fascinating, various, and vibrant place.
Throughout the day, vacationers dominate the cityscape, squeezing via the slim streets from one sight to the subsequent within the blazing solar. Within the night, nevertheless, this image turns and the locals dwell their lives on the streets of Athens. Good music, nice conversations, and the most effective 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 actual Athens!
Associated learn: A Information to Athens, Greece
Go to the well-known Acropolis
The Acropolis is without doubt one of 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 most likely the most well-known metropolis fortress of Historic Greece, whose ruins on the citadel hill of Athens nonetheless watch over the town right now.
Your complete complicated consists of a number of buildings. Most certainly probably the most well-known amongst them is the Parthenon, the traditional temple complicated that offers 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 named 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 outdated.
Learn as nicely our journey tip about find out how to purchase tickets to the Acropolis.
Get pleasure from views over Athens
You’ll be able to’t get sufficient views over Athens. So, we have been particularly comfortable that our condo 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 take pleasure in an ideal view of Athens.
There are 100 addresses for that rooftop terrace feeling. One common one is the rooftop of Resort 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 common, particularly at sundown. No marvel as a result of it’s too stunning. However then it is usually crowded.
The view from Philopappos Hill is equally good. Right here it’s much less crowded. So if you wish to take pleasure in some peace and quiet whereas trying over Athens, then you might be on the proper handle.
Discover the streets alongside the Acropolis
The Acropolis is unquestionably price seeing, however don’t miss out on the neighborhoods of Anafiotika and Plaka beneath it. Each are identified for his or her cute, Greek-style alleyways.
Anafiotika is 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 outlets promoting Greek souvenirs, and so on. Plaka is actually probably the most touristy locations in Athens, however not with out good motive–vacationers are all the time interested in stunning locations.
Outdated buildings are a part of Athens
For those who’re as impressed by outdated buildings as I’m, you then’ll love the Athens Academy.
It’s the main establishment of non-university educational analysis in Greece, and its work is split into three sections: science, literature & nice arts, and moral & political sciences. There’s a good looking constructing for every part, they usually simply preserve getting higher.
Oh, and the Central Market of Athens will not be removed from the Academy. You should purchase every kind of meals there, from fish to fruit. It’s open every single day from 7 am to six pm, besides Sundays.
Information to the most effective avenue meals 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 encompassing streets.
On the one hand, you’ll stroll previous empty, run-down buildings. Alternatively you’ll uncover cool graffiti and bars. I might advocate you to go on slightly discovery tour via this very totally 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 observe within the footsteps of historical Greece.
Stroll via the Nationwide Backyard
The Nationwide Backyard and the encompassing space make for an ideal strolling tour. Along with the park’s stunning 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 Historic Greece, my fundamental purpose 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, right now you could find many well-preserved stays there.
Nonetheless, the complete complicated has extra to supply than simply the outdated market—it’s also possible to 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 outdated get in without cost!
Monastiraki – exploring the outdated city of Athens
Monastiraki is the aged quarter of Athens, abode to a few of its most famous points of interest.
Recalling Monastiraki brings one explicit imaginative and prescient that lingers in my thoughts – The Flea Market which meanders from Monastiraki Sq. into the adjoining lanes. There you could find a wide range of retailers peddling items apart from fleas merchandise reminiscent of soaps and oils made by hand, sandals and hats crafted with nice care, together with informal t-shirts plus souvenirs on your assortment.
I had an pleasurable time wandering via these streets whereas avoiding common style shops!
Not far-off lies Pittaki Road; this street was as soon as uncared for and used primarily as a public rest room however has now been reworked 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 implies a go to to its iconic sporting hub in Athens needs to be on the high of your record!
We have been excited to discover and hopped on a tram that took us straight there. The complicated was virtually abandoned apart from an occasional jogger right here or there but it surely nonetheless made for some pretty photographs.
A phrase of warning nevertheless – except you’re fortunate sufficient to catch a particular occasion happening, this spot could not supply a lot else than scenic views so don’t count on an excessive amount of out of your journey.
Be a part of the Historic Olympia non-public day tour.
Conclusion on issues to do in Athens
For those who’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 ambiance, which might be skilled in several 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 take pleasure in good music, nice conversations and scrumptious wine.
So, in the event you’re in quest of an unforgettable expertise, spend a while in Athens and revel in all it has to supply!
