As a baby, I used to be at all times fascinated by historic Greece and dying to go to Athens. The place might 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. Would it not 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 appeared over Athens on the roof terrace of our rented condominium and noticed the Acropolis towering in entrance of us, it was simply unbelievable!
However even my infantile concepts of such an historic metropolis weren’t 100% met. Due to course, Athens has many historic buildings that basically blew me away.
Nonetheless, the town has understandably additionally gone with the instances, so it has some fashionable 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 stunned by my first impression of Athens and much more impressed by the second!
I actually loved my time within the metropolis, each throughout the day and at evening. It’s an attention-grabbing, various, and vibrant place.
Through 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 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 Information to Athens, Greece
Go to the well-known Acropolis
The Acropolis is likely 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 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 at the moment.
All the complicated contains a number of buildings. Probably essentially 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 historic 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 historic time.
For the well-known view of the Acropolis, you must also go to Areopagus Hill. The hill is named a “vacationer mountain”, however the view of the Acropolis from right here is unmistakable.
By the best way, the doorway is free for EU residents beneath 25 years previous.
Learn as nicely our journey tip about easy methods 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 had been particularly glad 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 excellent 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 when it comes to 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 surprise 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 get pleasure from 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 certainly value 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 is known as “Little Mykonos” for a cause. 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 so forth. Plaka is definitely probably the most touristy locations in Athens, however not with out good cause–vacationers are at all times drawn to stunning locations.
Previous buildings are a part of Athens
Should you’re as impressed by previous buildings as I’m, then you definitely’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 & fantastic arts, and moral & political sciences. There’s an attractive constructing for every part, and so they simply preserve getting higher.
Oh, and the Central Market of Athens isn’t removed from the Academy. You should purchase all types of meals there, from fish to fruit. It’s open day-after-day from 7 am to six pm, besides Sundays.
Information to the very best avenue meals in athens
Off the crushed observe in Exarchia
Exarchia is the different 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 advocate you to go on somewhat discovery tour via this very totally different quarter of Athens after which sit down in one of many eating places.
After somewhat 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 historic Greece.
Stroll via the Nationwide Backyard
The Nationwide Backyard and the encircling space make for an excellent 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 location of the Committee of the Olympics.
The Panathenaic Stadium, the place the primary fashionable Olympic Video games had been held in 1896, and the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus are additionally close by.
On the path of antiquity
To study extra about Historical Greece, my principal aim was to go to the location 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, at the moment yow will discover many well-preserved stays there.
Nonetheless, the complete complicated has extra to supply than simply the previous market—you may also admire the temple of Hephaestus with its spectacular view over the town. You’ll really feel transported again in time.
By EU residents beneath 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 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 yow will discover quite a lot of retailers peddling items aside from fleas merchandise similar to soaps and oils made by hand, sandals and hats crafted with nice care, together with informal t-shirts plus souvenirs in your assortment.
I had an pleasing time wandering via these streets whereas avoiding common trend shops!
Not distant lies Pittaki Avenue; this highway 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 suggests a go to to its iconic sporting hub in Athens needs to be on the high of your listing!
We had been excited to discover and hopped on a tram that took us straight there. The complicated was nearly abandoned apart from an occasional jogger right here or there however it nonetheless made for some beautiful images.
A phrase of warning nevertheless – except 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 part of the Historical Olympia personal day tour.
Conclusion on issues to do in Athens
Should you’re in search of a metropolis that has one thing to supply throughout each the day and evening, then Athens is the place for you. It’s a metropolis with a singular and vibrant environment, which could be skilled in numerous methods relying on the time of day.
Through 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, if you happen to’re in quest of an unforgettable expertise, spend a while in Athens and revel in all it has to supply!
