There are many reasons why we love Athens. Maybe is not as beautiful as other European cities, some people find it gritty and polluted, but it has a great energy… It’s like you can feel in the air all those 7000 years of civilization…
Whether you are planning to come to Athens for the first time, you have come many times, or even if you live here, check out my list with the best, not-to-be-missed of Athens…
BEST MONUMENT: THE ACROPOLIS
If you do only one thing while staying in Athens, undoubtedly this should be this unique masterpiece, “the symbol of World Heritage”, as UNESCO named it. Go up to the Sacred Rock, marvel at the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, imagine Athens in the time democracy was born…
BEST MUSEUM: THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
Admire timeless beauty at one of the best museums in the world.…Its impressive architecture, the sublime collections and the breathtaking views of the Acropolis will leave you speechless…
BEST CONCERT VENUE: THE ODEON OF HERODES ATTICUS
If you are lucky enough to come to Athens between June and September, don’t miss the opportunity to see a concert at the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus…. Every year, as a part of the Athens & Epidaurus festival, many acclaimed Greek and international artists perform here. The astounding acoustics, the Parthenon as a background, its amazing architecture will add up for a one in a lifetime experience…
BEST PLACE FOR A STROLL: PLAKA
You may spend hours wandering the narrow streets of Plaka…This atmospheric neighbourhood located at the foot of the Acropolis is plenty of restaurants, gift shops, art galleries and ancient monuments…
BEST PLACE TO STAY: HOTEL GRAND BRETAGNE
You will feel like royalty at this emblematic hotel, considered to be one the World’s Best Hotels. Style and luxury, high standard services and the amazing view will make your stay in Athens unforgettable. But even if you don’t stay at the hotel, a meal at the GB Roof Garden is a must, with breathtaking views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, the Parliament and Syntagma Square…
BEST DINING EXPERIENCE: FUNKY GOURMET
Located in a charming neoclassical house in downtown Athens, this restaurant, awarded with 2 Stars Michelin is featured among the best restaurants worldwide. Innovative dishes and unusual combinations, presented in a creative and theatrical way, will provide you a unique dining experience….
BEST PLACE TO BUY ONE-OF-A-KIND CURIOS: MONASTIRAKI FLEA MARKET
On Sunday morning, head to Avissynias Square in Monastiraki where the flea market takes place. There you can find the most amazing stuff, from clothes, books, painting to antiques. And while you take a break, you can grab a bite at Avissinia Cafe.
BEST GREEK FAST FOOD: SOUVLAKI!
Unless you are vegetarian -too bad for you!- indulge yourself with this traditional greek fast food. There are plenty of souvlaki places (they got really ubiquitous after the crisis), many of them way too touristic, especially around Monastiraki. You may try at these more “local” places in the center of Athens: Kosta’s Souvlaki and Lefteris o Politis.
BEST PANORAMIC VIEW: LYCABETTUS HILL
Climbing up to Lycabettus hill is like going to the top of the Eiffel Tower to see Paris, or to the Empire State Building to see New York City… This beautiful hill is the highest point of the city (277m) and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Attica basin up to the Aegean Sea. It can be reached by car, by foot (take the path that starts at the end of Aristippou Street in Kolonaki), but also by a funicular leaving from Ploutarchou and Aristippou Streets… The best time of the day to venture there is around sunset…
BEST PLACE FOR A COCKTAIL: A FOR ATHENS
Photo courtesy of alexinwanderland.com
Just across the Acropolis and above Monastiraki Square, the rooftop of this design hotel offers astounding views of Athens’ historical center. But the view is not the only reason to visit to A for Athens Cocktail Bar. Its head bartender, award-winning Thodoris Pyrillos, prepares most of the classical cocktails, but also his own signature ones. A for Amazing…
BEST COFFEE BREAK SPOT: BLACK DUCK GARDEN- ATHENS CITY MUSEUM BISTROT
This atmospheric, well hidden cafe is a true oasis in the center of the city. Located in the garden of the Museum of the City of Athens, is exactly what you need to chill out after been exploring the city…
A FEW MORE NOT-TO-BE-MISSED SPOTS
Changing of the Guard at the Parliament
Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Photo credits
Acropolis: Wikimedia commons; Acropolis museum: theacropolismuseum.gr, yatzer.com; Herodium: all-athens-hotels.com; Plaka: bluetravelstories.com, Wikimedia commons; Hotel Grande Bretagne: grandebretagne.gr; Funky Gourmet: funkygourmet.com, athenspotlighted.gr; Monastiraki: sites.google.com, Wikimedia commons; Souvlaki: kalamatian.gr; Lycabettus Hill: Wikimedia commons, taxi-apollon.gr; A for Athens: alexinwanderland.com; Black Duck Garden-Athens city museum bistrot: athinorama.gr, blackduckgarden.gr; Change of guard: athenstourgreece.com; Panathenaic Stadium: tvxs.gr; Ancient Agora: Jorge Lascar Flickr.com; Hadrian’s Arch and Temple of Olympian Zeus: todayifoundout.com
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