Are you getting ready for your first Athens adventure? If so, you're probably feeling overwhelmed with excitement and a bit of anxiety as well. How can you ensure that your visit to Athens will be memorable and enjoyable? The good news is that this experience doesn't have to be stressful! With the right preparation, visiting Athens could be one of your life's most exciting and enlightening experiences. In this article, you will discover the best tips for navigating Athens like a local and ensuring you have a memorable time sans the usual stress that comes with figuring out things to do on vacation!
Located on a limestone hill overlooking the city, the Acropolis is home to several ancient monuments and temples, including the iconic Parthenon, making it a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city for the first time. A visit to the Acropolis is an awe-inspiring experience you cannot fully appreciate from a single viewpoint. From every vantage point, there are sights to behold, sweeping views across the city, intricate sculptures and marble columns carved centuries and even sometimes millennia ago, and grand temples rising up into the ancient sky. However, if you want to get the most out of the experience, you should consider checking out various Acropolis tours, which will provide a local tour guide knowledgeable about the history and curated itineraries that guide you around the most important sites. Moreover, when planning your visit, take into account other attractions in Athens too, such as Ancient Agora or Temple of Zeus, which are only minutes away from Acropolis Hill and equally as captivating.
The Plaka district of Athens is one of the city's oldest and most charming areas. It's a great place to wander, as it has winding cobblestone streets lined with lovely old buildings sporting colorful blooms that are ideal for taking photos (there might be a theme here!) With its shops, restaurants, traditional Greek taverns, refreshing stands, and fantastic street art, this quarter of downtown Athens has a vibrancy and energy that takes you back in time. As you explore the area, take your time and make sure to sample some delicious Greek delicacies along the way. Additionally, you can take advantage of day tours that run through pink-tiled neoclassical buildings, visit tiny churches within ancient monuments or look out over the rooftops from The Acropolis. Then finish off your trip to Plaka with an evening stroll to enjoy sunset views over the Parthenon temple…all things considered, this might be the best part of your entire trip!
A museum like this might not appeal to everyone, but those with an interest in history and culture will find it captivating. This museum houses some of the world's most iconic artifacts from ancient Greece and is one of the largest collections in Europe (unsurprising, given the extent of history they have to work with). The museum is home to magnificent statues and treasures, including The Mask of Agamemnon (of Troy fame), dating from around 1550 to 1500 BC. As well as the more famous additions, there are sections dedicated to vases, sculptures, pottery, and other everyday items from the daily lives of the Ancient Greeks, making for a fascinating walk through time. The building has been standing tall since 1889 and is quite an intriguing piece of neo-classical architecture all by itself.
One of the most memorable activities when visiting Athens for the first time is climbing Lycabettus Hill. The hill rises 908 feet above sea level and offers an impressive view overlooking Athens and the Saronic Gulf. It's a great place to take panoramic photographs, watch the sunset, or simply enjoy some fresh air. As you ascend to the top of Lycabettus Hill, you'll be able to admire Athen's stunning ancient architecture in all its glory. You can also pop into one of the hill's many restaurants or cafes for coffee or lunch while enjoying spectacular views across Greece's capital. It's certainly an experience you won't want to miss out on during your stay in Athens! Plus, it's only a short ride from downtown Athens, and you merely need to hop on the funicular near Kolonaki Square!
Greece, in general, is a foodie's paradise, but Athens contains a bit of everything from around the ancient state. However, one dish is synonymous with the country, and no trip to Athens is complete without a meal at a Souvlaki restaurant. Souvlaki consists of grilled pieces of pork, chicken, or lamb served with bright tomato, lettuce, and onion with crunchy pita bread. You can find this delight at one of the many popular Souvlaki shops across the city, many of which offer an atmosphere that blends traditional Greek charm with retro decor and lively chat amongst regular customers.
Experiencing Athens's many cultural and architectural sites is a breathtaking, educational, and ultimately unforgettable experience. The city offers a unique mix of modernity and antiquity, captivating visitors from all over the world. With careful planning and a few insider tips in mind, your trip can be made even more enjoyable by opting for things to do that you won't easily find elsewhere. Whether savoring fine cuisine or visiting hidden corners of ancient ruins, Athens has something for everyone to take advantage of!
