We spent four days wandering the streets of Athens and it was simply not enough time to explore the wonders of the city that seems to continually be at odds with itself. Athens is concurrently gritty and majestical; lively and tranquil; amiable and aloof. Ancient architectural masterpieces intertwine with abandoned homes; beautiful cafes filled with boisterous music and delicious aromas sit next to walls of uninspired graffiti. The city is expansive, yet feels very small at the same time – a perfect spot to explore, fill up on gyros and greek salads, pet the lovely stray cats on every block, learn the history of the city and greek legends, shop for souvenirs, take a day trip to Thermopylae, visit myriad churches or simply wander through the shops.
WHERE TO STAY:
If you are traveling with kids, you’ll likely want to rent an apartment, as most European hotels allow a maximum of three people in a room and the rooms tend to be quite small compared to those in the United States. We rented an apartment from Marriott Homes and Villas, which was just south of the Plaka, a major tourist neighborhood. Our apartment was perfect with two bedrooms, a spacious kitchen and a large balcony that was perfect for having a glass of wine at sunset just before heading out for dinner.
If you don’t have kids, I would probably recommend staying at one of the lovely hotels in the Plaka, where you can walk to most of the historical sites, have a multitude of lovely restaurants and shop for pretty much anything from souvenirs, to Air Jordans to art to sex toys (my kids were very amused by those store fronts).
If you are planning to visit Athens, the Acropolis is a must-see attraction. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this iconic site is usually packed with visitors, especially during peak season. High temperatures during summer can also make it challenging to explore. To ensure a pleasant and successful trip, we advise planning ahead and taking some precautions to make the most of your visit. Make sure to add this iconic landmark to your itinerary and enjoy the beauty of Athens’ skyline while immersing yourself into Greece’s rich culture and history.
- Go early! It gets very crowded. Grab some coffee and be first in line.
- Buy the Acropolis Combo Pass, which gives you access to seven other monuments like the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Roman Agora and The National Archeological Museum. These all provide beautiful art and architecture without the crowds.
- Wear tennis shoes. The ground is loose gravel and dirt. Traction is your friend.
- Bring water – even at 78 degrees, it feels very hot and everyone was parched by the time we reached the top.
- Go to the Acropolis Museum the day before you go visit the site and check out the movie and history.
- Remember to bring a camera and an extra battery pack!
I ended up with a LOT of pictures of cats roaming around Athens. They are literally everywhere – in the ruins, at the cafes, lounging on the lower shelves in shops, sleeping in abandoned buildings and wandering the streets, looking for a pet or a bit of food. Tourists and residents alike take care of the cats and they are mostly in good shape and neatly groomed. We saw lots of kittens running around in our June visit.
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