Growing up, I loved reading Greek Mythology and even studied Ancient Greek in college. I dreamed of visiting and experiencing the culture, food, and history; so when I found out that I was going for my birthday, I was unbelievably excited. Athens is the heartbeat of Greece, full of so much history and has aged beautifully as one of the oldest civilizations in the world.
Getting to the city…
By Metro, take the blue line to to the Syntagma stop. To get to the Acropolis, switch to the red line at Syntagma and ride for 1 stop to Akropoli.
Cost: 8€
Hours: 0630 – 2330
By bus, find the terminal at the arrivals area in the airport. Take the X95 bus to Syntagma Square. This trip takes a bit longer than the metro.
Cost: 6€
Hours: Vary slightly by season
Where to stay…
Electra Metropolis Hotel is nothing short of stunning. Although it is a 5 star hotel, it is reasonably priced compared to outrageous prices I’ve seen for other 5 star hotels. If you’re able to splurge a bit, the hotel has everything you need and more for a treat yourself stay in Athens. The rooftop bar and restaurant has breathtaking views of the Acropolis where you can enjoy breakfast, dinner, a cocktail, or all of the above. Our room was spacious, clean, and had a refreshingly luxurious feel. The hotel also has a fantastic spa staffed with skilled masseuses who are experts in relaxation.
Where to go…
Plaka is filled with colorful buildings and cafes. These clusters of picturesque streets are amazing to get lost wandering through after visiting the Acropolis. The Plaka steps are the perfect place to grab a fresh greek salad for lunch!
Monastiraki is a great place to stop if you’re looking for souvenirs. You’ll find flea market every day here. Stalls have everything from art, pottery, antiques, and more to bring home a piece of Greece with you.
Going out for a drink…
Speakeasy:
A hidden underground prohibition era bar that plays swing and jazz and offers unique cocktails. To find it, look for a grey door on Lekka Street past the Rabbithole bar. Ring the door bell on the wall and walked down the dark staircase to the second door.
Bank Job
This bar is an old vault that was converted. It’s relatively small inside and gets packed quickly, but there are tables outside you can stand and enjoy your drink at. It gets crowded so you’ll need to be assertive to get a drink from the bar.
Drunk Sinatra
It was late when we strolled in, so there was hardly anyone there. The decor is an ode to Old Blue Eyes with a photo memoir wall and vines strung between lanterns dangling from the ceiling.
Where to eat…
Ella Greek Cooking
This was our favorite place to eat. This restaurant has a cozy outdoor patio with front row seating in the heart of Athens. The feta is unbelievably creamy, and the olive oil was so rich and silky. For dinner, I also had a beef sirloin with potatoes. it is also conveniently located across the street from the Electra Metropolis Hotel where we stayed.
Pricing is moderate.
The Acropolis is a MUST see in Athens. It’s over 4,000 years old for starters, and the very same Greek culture that existed then still influences present day life. You’ll definitely need to research the best times to visit depending on what time of year you go. I went in November, so we didn’t need to get up at the crack of dawn to go.
Don’t be lazy, climb your way up there. The views from the top are spectacular, and you can even slide down the smooth worn limestone on the way up. One thing to note is there are only bathrooms near the entrance, but there are water fountains by the Temple of Athena. The olive tree pictured above next to the temple is said to have been a gift from Athena to Athens.
Buy the combo ticket and save yourself the money. Even if you see 3/12 sites, it’s worth the cost.
After the Acropolis, make sure to wander the streets surrounding it. There are so many inadvertently picture perfect things to see.
The Dogs of Athens…
I always have to stop and pet the pups everywhere I travel.
Little did we know when we were washing our clothes at the laundromat the day before we left that we had started a tradition. We were bored waiting when we saw this tattoo shop sign and decided to check it out. Needless to say it was amazing and the artists there are so talented. We both got tattooed on the spot. I’ve loved Athena since I was little, so what more fitting to get tattooed than the mark of Athena in Athens, by an Athenian.
