Athens is a must, either at the beginning or end of the trip (because of the airport). If you are planning on visiting a few archeological sites and museums, it is recommended to get a combo-ticket for museums and archeological sites beforehand, online or even just booking online saves so much time. Keep in mind the hottest hours of the day are between 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Make sure you have/purchase a high SPF sunscreen and apply before wandering around the city or maybe carry an aerosol SPF and the Neutrogena face stick (looks like deodorant) for quick touch ups throughout the day. Finding a hat you feel confident wearing will not only make you look like a celebrity but it will also help under the hot Athenian Sun. It’s just so helpful to have a few things on your mind or even packed to save yourself time. Linen is perfect for visiting these types of sites because there is NO shade.
Combo tickets:
** This isn’t where we have purchased from, but there are deals to be had—we bought a set of tickets at the acropolis museum, but that was back in ‘15
- Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon. YOU MUST VISIT THE MUSEUM. Highly recommended to visit the ruins, and after that, the museum. The museum is located right across from the ruins, at the bottom of the hill.
- Syntagma Square – see the Parliament try and fit this in, the guards wear traditional garb and do a really neat “shift change”
- National Garden ( Ethnikòs Kipos) next to the Parliament (free entry)
- Shop at Ermou Street
- Visit the flea market at Monastiraki (extra careful for pickpocketers and people approaching you-act like you live there and never speak to anyone. Treat it like Times Square, we all know what a tourist looks like and now that is you. We often duck into a nearby store to recalibrate our directions.)
- Explore Plaka/Anafiotika on foot
- Take a stroll down Dionisiou Areopagitou Street (Akropolis metro station) and take paths that lead to either Pnyx hill or “Vrahakia” to get a view of Athens and the Parthenon National Archaeological Museum
- Hike up or take the cable car to Lycabettus Hill
- Take the bus to Sounio (outside of Athens) and visit the Temple of Poseidon
- Islands for day trips or longer stays near Athens:
Our Favorite Museums
- National Archeological Museum
- Benaki Museum
- Numismatic Museum of Athens (Coin Museum)
- National Museum of Contemporary Art
- The Acropolis and The Acropolis Museum ** book online- lines are very long especially in the summer, backpacks need to get checked at the door at the museum
- If you want to have a really cool Athenian experience you can watch a movie at an open-air cinema at Cine Paris (see if they have something in English or with subtitles beforehand)
Favorites for Food & Drinks
- Lokali
- Gastone Athens
- ERGON
- Yiasemi
- Melina Mercouri Cafe
- The Clumsies
- TAF
- Brettos
- Baba Au Rum
- Kostas Souvlaki
- A for Athens
- 42 Barstronomy Athens
- Drunk Sinatra
- Six d.o.g.s
Where to stay in Athens
- Monastiraki (Center)
- Plaka (Center)
- Kolonaki (equivalent to 5th Avenue, in New York City, like a 1–minute walk to the center)
- Koukaki (a little boogey, but super nice and safe)