You’ve came to Athens
prepared. You made a list with the must see attractions, so you ticked off
the Acropolis; done Plaka and
visited the Greek Parliament. So what now? We ve got you covered!
Here’s a checklist of some
must-visit places to see, trips to take and things to do. (Hint: you will
experience life like a local!)
Find the Greek
islands in Anafiotika
Just below the Parthenon, the neighborhood of Anafiotika, resembles a
serene Cycladic village in the city centre. Built in the mid-19th century these
flower-framed cottages are an essential element of Athens’ architectural
heritage. A perfect escape for those who don’t have time to hit the Greek
islands, Anafiotika is Insta-heaven. Getting lost in its narrow, quirky little
streets is half the joy of this picturesque neighborhood.
Watch the sunset
Athenian sunsets never
grow old. The higher you go, the more impressive the show. So join the stream
of locals racing up to Areopagus Hill as dusk approaches. Right
opposite Parthenon, this rocky outcrop was where the ancient city elders
presided. It later served as a court where trials took place. These days, it’s
a popular spot for anyone who wants to soak in the magical hour of sunset.
Enjoy a concert at
a Roman Amphitheatre
There are music venues
and then there’s the Odeon of Herod Atticus. Having hosted some pretty well known names, this
iconic 2,000-year-old arena can be found on the southern slopes of the
Acropolis. Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Liza Minnelli, and, of
course, Maria Callas have performed in this historical landmark. From May to
October, it’s the main open-air venue for
the Athens Festival, an international bonanza of arts and culture.
Tickle your
tastebuds with a souvlaki
Leaving Athens without
sampling our finest street food? We don’t think so. With a history dating back
centuries, these skewers of char-grilled meat are Athens’ answer to the
American hot dog or the British fish and chips. You even have vegetarian or
vegan options wrapped in pita bread and drizzled with mouthwatering sauces. You
really can’t go wrong, especially if you go to one of the locals’ favourite souvlaki joints.
Catch a movie under
the moonlight
For Athenians, it
wouldn’t be summer without an evening at one of the city’s open-air cinemas. Bougainvillea-draped screens and the light breeze of the night air. Two
downtown classics are Cine Thision and Ciné Paris,
both with mesmerising views of the Parthenon. Summer cinemas in Athens are usually open from
May until late September, depending on the weather.
See the city from
above
There’s nowhere better
to enjoy a city, than its rooftop bars. All year round, hit the city’s rooftop
bars for some of the best Parthenon views. The capital’s red-hot bar scene has some amazing gems where the cocktails
are as mind-blowing as the views. From five-star hotels to secret haunts hidden
in grungy arcades, there are vantage points and vibes to suit everyone in the rooftop bars of Athens. Many of these high-level hideaways also
serve coffee and brunch with that eternally inspiring view.
Dance till dawn
You might want to take
your multi-vitamins and a quick nap before this one. When Greeks go out to
the bouzoukia, the fun rarely kicks off before 1 am. These
live Greek music venues are the epitome of table-top dancing and throwing flower
petals. No self-respecting Greek goes home before dawn—and certainly not before
making a pit-stop at an all-night souvlaki joint or a 24-hour restaurant for a bowl of their favourite hangover
remedy, patsas (tripe soup).
Train like an
Olympic athlete
There are plenty of
scenic running routes in Athens but the most heart-racing one is the
500-metre, pine-shaded track that runs above the Panathenaic marble
stadium on Ardittos Hill. Grab your sneakers and slip through the
green gate on Archimidous Street (just behind the stadium in Pangrati) to
access this hidden running track with rousing Acropolis views. It’s free to use
and overlooks the gleaming stadium that kicked off the modern Olympic Games in
1896, the world’s only athletic arena built entirely of marble. There’s a
running track inside the stadium too, if you really want to really feel like an
Olympian.
Holy Athens
Strolling through
Athens you ll get to spot some of the cities picturesque churches . The
magical Byzantine churches of Athens are peppered among the city’s apartments
and squares. Step inside a Byzantine chapel any time of day or year and you’re
transported to medieval Athens. Light a candle, say a prayer, make a wish, or simply admire the architecture.
Sunday lunch by the
sea
Year-round, you’ll
find Athenians enjoying their Sunday lunch all along the Athenian Riviera, from the fancy seafood restaurants of
Mikrolimano, near Piraeus, to the
laid-back, seaside tavernas of Varkiza and Kavouri. Pro tip: Greeks are big on
sharing culture, so make sure you order lots of meze (appetizers) to
share.
