TOP THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS

Including attractions and landmarks  in Athens 

Among all capitals of ancient civilizations of the world, there is no city which existed for over 15 centuries, like Athens.  Athens is not only the capital of Greece, but its cultural center of the country; a city in which the past is inextricably linked with the present, so I decided to complete a usuful list of top things to do in Athens. 

The influence of Athens on European and World culture cannot be overestimated.  Literature, religion, philosophy, poetry, theater, architecture, sculpture are the direct heirs of Greek culture.  Such global notions of humanity as democracy, the constitution is also of Greek origin.  Athens is the capital of contrasts; here the ancient cultural monuments coexist with modern buildings painted with graffiti.

In order to “feel” Athens better, to fall in love with this ancient capital, it is not enough to stroll around the old town and visit the Acropolis,  besides that there are so many things to do in Athens. 

Explore the Athenian Riviera, stroll through the National Park, take a grand shopping tour, visit the ancient Greek theater, dance sirtaki, try the most delicious traditional dishes in a local tavern, chat with original Greeks, get a cup of fresh Greek coffee and don’t hurry anywhere – it’s only a few small pieces that make up the real Athens.

Having lived in Greece for more than ten years, and having worked at a travel agency for about eight years, I have compiled my exclusive list of things to do in Athens and top places to visit.  Staying in the capital a day, three days, or even a week – this list will make your trip more saturated and exciting.

 

 

   THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS

The Acropolis is a real pearl of Athens, a place about which many tourists have heard or known from the early school years.   The “Acropolis” in translation from ancient Greek is “upper city”.  The Acropolis is located in the heart of the city and is easily visible from the whole center of Athens, as well as from the surrounding hills.  The entrance to the Acropolis begins with the famous Propylaea, on the right is the Hellenistic pedestal and the small Temple of Niki.  In the center of the site is the famous Parthenon – the Temple of Athena.  Below the Acropolis is the magnificently preserved Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and to the south part, you can see the ruins of an ancient open theater, built in honor of the god Dionysus.

 

You can get to the Acropolis by metro (red line), station “Acropolis”.  By the way, the Acropolis has several entrances and exits.

The opening hours of the Acropolis depends on the season and can vary also depending on the month.  So, during the summer season the Acropolis is open to visitors from 8:00 to 7:30 pm, during the winter months, the Acropolis may close at 15:00.

In the summer  the Acropolis is better (the most comfortable time) to visit early, around 8:00 am when there are fewer tourists, and it is not so hot.

The Acropolis does not usually open on the following days: January 1, March 25, May 1, on Easter (Sunday), December 25 and 26.

The full price of a single ticket for the Acropolis is 20 EURO; reduced price is 10 EURO.  It is noteworthy that in the period from November 1 to March 31, the discount price is valid for all categories of visitors.  Children under 18 yo  & international students get free access (ID is required).

In addition,  I advise you to get a multi-site ticket – Athens City Pass, which is valid for five days and allows you to visit not only the Acropolis but also other sights of Athens, including the Ancient Athenian Agora, the Roman Agora, the Library of Adriana and others.  The total price of a package ticket is 30 Euro; there is no winter discount.

Please note, there are dates when everyone can visit the Acropolis for free:

March 6 (in memory of Melina Mercury)

April 18 – International Monuments Day

May 18 – International Museum Day

Last weekend of September – European Heritage Days

October 28 – Ochi Day

Every first Sunday of the month from November 1 to March 31

You have a chance to book  an electronic ticket in advance and skip the line with some extra fee, but I advise to check some group excursions, which will be more exciting and informative.

 

PLAKA IN ATHENS (THE OLD TOWN)

One of the most favorite things to do in Athens for tourists is taking a stroll in Plaka; here you can spend almost a whole day.  The limits of Plaka,  on the one hand,  defines the Acropolis, and on the other – the central square of Syntagma.  In addition to the busy trade shops around, Plaka is famous for its numerous architectural monuments which were witnesses of fateful historical events.  The Mosque of Suleiman the Great is located near the exit of the Monastiraki metro station, and nearby is part of the facade of  Hadrian’s Library.  The Roman Forum is also located here.  The famous Tower of the Winds is also can be seen on Plaka, the oldest meteorological monument.  Another of the memorable monuments of antiquity is the monument of Lysicrates.

The central square of Plaka got its name from the Society of Muses Fans – Filomousos Eterias.  At the square, there are cafes, restaurants, bars with views of the Acropolis, souvenir shops. Here you will also find the most famous open-air cinema – Cine Paris.

If you want to feel like you are one of the Cycladic islands, be sure to visit the Anafiotika neighborhood, at the foot of the Acropolis.  This is a small but very picturesque area with narrow streets, traditional white-painted houses with blue doors and windows.  If you come here early, you can get  amazing divine photos.

Philopappos Hill is located west of the Acropolis.  Favorite walking place of both tourists and locals.  This place is famous for yoga and jogging along the paths.  From the hill, there are wonderful views of the whole city, the neighboring Acropolis, the port, the sea, etc.  You can get there almost from all sides.  The main path is on the east side, from the parking of tourist buses at the Acropolis.  It’s free, so don’t miss, a good alternative if you don’t want to pay the Acropolis entrance.

One of the most famous streets on Plaka is Adrianou Street, where there are numerous tourist shops and taverns.  Following it, you can go down to sights like the Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

The Arch of Hadrian was built in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD.  It is located on the line of the ancient road leading from the Acropolis and the Athenian Agora to the southeast of Athens.  The inscriptions on the west side of the arch (opposite the Acropolis) said: “This is Athens, the former city of Theseus,” and the inscription on its eastern side (in front of the Temple of Zeus) said: “This is the city of Hadrian, not the city of Theseus.”  Everyone can admire the arch for free, and especially it looks charmingly after the rain, reflected in the puddles.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as Olympion, is an ancient temple (now it’s ruins) in the center of Athens.  The temple was built of marble.  It was a monumental and truly impressive temple of the gods Zeus.  The Temple had one hundred and four 17-meter-tall Corinthian columns but only fifteen of them remained standing to our days.  The 16th Column fell to the ground during the storm of 1852 and still lies there. 

Operation hours 08:00 – 20:00 (summer season) & 20:00 – 15:00 ( winter season).

The ticket price – 6 EURO & reduced 3 EURO , children under 18 yo – free.

  By ordering Athens City Pass, you have free access.

 

NATIONAL GARDEN ATHENS AND ZAPPEION

The National Garden in Athens, well known as the Royal Garden, is a park founded by the first queen of independent Greece, Amalie Oldenburg, wife of King Otton, covers an area of 15.5 hectares in the heart of Athens.  We call this park –  “the lungs of Athens”.  The Royal Gardens amazes with its rich flora and fauna, and especially here it is pleasant to walk during the hot summer season .  This place is perfect for families with children, and here you can also see turtles, ducks, goats, and fluffy rabbits.

The main entrance was moved to 12 palm trees, which the Queen herself planted here in 1842, here you will also find a sundial.  In addition to the main, the park has five more entrances, two from the south and east and one from the north.  The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

The Palace Zappeion located right behind the park.  This magnificent complex, immersed in greenery, is an example of classical architecture, harmoniously merged with modernity.  It took 14 years for the Athenians to see the Palace of Zappeion in all its glory: in 1888, construction was officially completed.  The building was named in honor of the Greek patriot, philanthropist,  and patron of the arts, Evangelos Zappas, who devoted his life to restoring the glorious tradition of the Olympic Games.  Now there are congresses and symposia, scientific conferences and major trade fairs.

 

GREEK  PARLIAMENT AND EVZONES CHANGING OF THE GUARD

The building of the Greek Parliament, located in the heart of Athens, right in front of Syntagma Square.  This is a three-story peach-colored building with a triangular porch and columns.  The building of the Greek Parliament originally served as the residence of King Otto’s family.  By the way, its architect,  Friedrich von Gärtner,  later became the director of the Munich Academy of Fine Arts and even participated in the creation of the Hermitage complex in St. Petersburg.  The second king of Greece, George II, also settled here.

 

The bas–relief of a fallen Greek warrior is depicted on the marble plinth of  Greek Parliament.  The inscriptions on the right and left are the quotes from the speech of the Athenian ruler Pericles at the funeral of the victims of the Peloponnesian War in the 1st century BC.  The names of the cities where Greek warriors fought are also on the wall here.

The changing of the guard at the Parliament repeats every hour (starts five minutes to every hour).  These soldiers we call in Greece – the Evzones. They are dressed in rather heavy clothing, in double woolen stockings, massive shoes weighing 3 kg each, lined with sixty steel nails.  This is how the Greek rebels dressed to fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire. In funny pompoms, they used to hide knives and unexpectedly hit the enemy.  Four hundred folds on the skirt mean 400 years of the Turkish yoke.  To put on a uniform, the Evzone is given 45 minutes. 

Do not miss the grand changing of the guard, which takes place every Sunday at 11 am with a live orchestra and could be one of the most unforgettable things to do in Athens. 

 

ATHENIAN TRILOGY:  NATIONAL LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS AND ATHENS ACADEMY

 

The famous “neoclassical trilogy” of Athens is one of the leading architectural attractions, located near the metro station “Panepistimio”.

The University of Athens was built the first, in 1839.  The author is a Danish architect, Hans Christian Hansen, who skillfully combined classic lines, characteristic Greek motifs, and modern trends in one building.  I should note that it turned out very grand and impressive – the University building is supplemented with marble columns and statues, as well as neat avenues and squares.

It was decided to complete the “Temple of Science” with the construction of the Academy and the Library, located on both sides of the University.  The National Library and the Athens Academy were built with the help of sponsors and philanthropists who were inspired by the trilogy project. The ensemble has turned out very beautiful and personable. Three snow-white marble buildings with the statues of  Athena in the center of Athens immediately gained a reputation as the city’s advanced architectural structures.

On the two Ionic columns of the Academy building, there are statues of Athena and Apollo, symbols of wisdom, while at the entrance there are statues of two famous philosophers – Socrates and Plato.

The National Library project was financed by Panagis Valliana, a monument to which is located in front of it.  The Library has 1.200.000 volumes of which about 700.000 titles, 250.000 periodicals, 10.000 maps, and 4.500 manuscripts, from the 9th to the 19th centuries.

The buildings of the University, the Academy and the Library are functioning, so if you have the opportunity, you can take a look inside.

 

PANATHENAIC STADIUM IN ATHENS

The Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaro (in Greek- beautiful marble), is the largest stadium in the world completely constructed of white marble.  In ancient times, it was used to hold the Panathenaic games in honor of the goddess Athena.  In ancient times, the stadium had wooden tribunes.

In 1895, with the financial support of magnate George Averof (whose marble statue now stands at the entrance), it was completely restored  to hold the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

In the arena of Stadium hundreds of famous musicians gave concerts, in particular, R.E.M., Jose Carreras, Depeche Mode, Scorpions (which I have been to 🙂 ) and others stars have come through.  

Entrance to the Stadium is possible from March to October from 8:00 to 19:00, from November to February from 8:00 to 17:00.

Entrance fee: 5 EURO for adults, 2,50 EURO for students and pensioners, free of charge for schoolchildren with teachers and children up to 6 years.

Each guest at the stadium is given a special sound device – an audio guide. It tells about the main facts from the history of the stadium, bright events, and prospects. The exhibition of historical photographs dedicated to the first Olympics operates permanently in the indoor stadium.

The pedestal is the most honorable place in the stadium, a favorite not only by athletes but also by tourists. Take here a beautiful memorable photo.

You can take  part in the Сlassic Marathon Race, which takes place every November in Athens and the finish is located inside this stadium.

 

ATHENS MOUNT LYCABETTUS (HILL)

The Lycabettus Hill, this is the highest hill in Athens, even higher than the Acropolis.  The name of the hill is translated as the “wolf mountain”.  Indeed, in ancient centuries the Lyсabettus hill was covered with thick pine forest, which inundated wolves until the Athenians built the temple of Zeus at the top of the hill.

The Byzantine emperors decided to build a church of St. Sideria on the site of the sanctuary, but in 1930 it was destroyed by fire.  However, a year later the building was restored and, along with the new look, it acquired a new name.  Now, on top of the Lycabettus, there is a white chapel of St. George.

 

Travelers should climb the Lycabettus hills at least for the panorama that opens from their peaks because it towers over the Athens of 277 meters. 

You can get there by the funicular (7 EURO roundtrip), which will allow you to admire the views below.  The hardiest tourists choose the trails of the ancient Greeks and get to the top on foot.  However, if you are limited in time, you can get a taxi.

At the top of the hill, there is also a cozy restaurant and cafe where you can have a cup of coffee, have dinner and admire the views of the white streets of the city and the Acropolis.

In summer, an open-air theater is located on a large platform at the foot of the mountain, in which performances and concerts are held.

 

BEST MUSEUMS IN ATHENS

Athens can boast a large number of various museums for every taste. They are: a numismatic museum, a historical museum, a military museum, a museum of Cycladic art, a children’s museum, a museum of musical instruments, a museum of ancient technologies, a museum of illusion and many others.

From my side, I want you to advise the following three of my favorite and best museums in Athens:

THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM IN ATHENS

 

After several decades of planning and construction, on June 20, 2009, the Athens Acropolis Museum opened its doors.  It is located in an ultra-modern building at the foot of the Acropolis.  The museum collection includes statues, reliefs, and artifacts collected from the Parthenon and other parts of the Acropolis complex.  The new museum is ten times bigger than  the old one and is 226,000 square meters.  The authentic caryatids are exhibited in the New Acropolis Museum (statues of women replacing columns), preserved from the Erechtheon  Temple, and today there are copies on the site of the temple itself.

This year opened a unique underground exhibition of excavations.

The New Museum of the Acropolis is open every day; the schedule can be checked on their website.

It closed: January 1 , Easter Sunday, May 1 , December 25  & 26.

Free entrance: March 6 , March 25 , May 18 , October 28 .

Don’t miss August Full Moon and European Night of Museums when the museum operates until  midnight.

General admission (April – October) – 10 EURO and reduced – 5 EURO

General admission (November – March) – 5 EURO and reduced – 3 EURO

There is available also e-ticketing service on their website.

NATIONAL ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM IN ATHENS

The National Archaeological Museum is the largest museum in Greece.  It was built to store artifacts found in Athens during the significant excavations of the 19th century, however, over time, exhibits were collected from all over Greece.  The museum has more than 11,000 exhibits that relate to the period from prehistoric to late antiquity.  In the National Archaeological Museum, you can see the famous golden mask of Agamemnon.

The most convenient way to get to the museum is from “Omonia” metro station on foot ( 7-10 minutes)

The museum is open every day: the schedule can be checked on their website.

General admission (April – October) – 10 EURO

General admission (November – March) – 5 EURO

Sometimes the Archaeological museum holds temporary exclusive exhibitions, all the information you will find on their website.

BENAKI MUSEUM IN ATHENS

The Benaki Museum in Athens is the oldest private museums in Greece, founded back in 1930 by Antonis Benakis in honor of his father, Emmanuel. The museum exposition was placed in the family mansion of neoclassical style, built in 1867.  The basis of the collection was collected over 35 years by Antonis Benakis.  He handed it over to the state on condition that it will be displayed in a separate museum.

The main essence of the museum is to reveal Greek art from the most recent times to our modern times.  But as the collections expanded, other items that were not directly related to Greece began to enter here.  For example, you can find a large collection of art belonging to the Asian part of the world, the Islamic religion, etc.

The museum is open every day except Tuesday. 

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:  10:00 – 18:00

Thursday: 10:00 – 00:00 – FREE ADMISSION,  DON’T MISS!

Sunday: 10:00 – 00:00

Before visiting the museum check dates (holidays) when it’s closed on their website.

Ticket price – 9 EURO/ temporary exhibition – 7 EURO

Reduced price – 7 EURO/ temporary exhibition – 5 euro

The museum is located near Syntagma Square and Parliament.

 

 

THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS FOR FAMILIES: ZOO IN ATHENS, AMUSEMENT PARK IN ATHENS AND ATHENS WATER PARK

If you are traveling with children, you should visit  an amusement park “Allou! Fun Park” and a zoo.

The Attica Zoo is located in the suburbs of Athens, and it is the only one in Greece.  It occupies 20 hectares, which is inhabited by more than 2,000 animals belonging to 400 species.

By the way, the bird park is the third largest in the world.  At certain times you can observe how animals are fed.  In the Athens zoo there are also shows of dolphins, you can find on their  website the schedule.

 

To get to the zoo by transport, you need to take the blue metro line and get off at the station  “Doukissis Plakentias” and take bus 319 or a taxi.  On the Attico Zoo website check also tickets prices for families and reductions.

Allou! Fun Park is the largest amusement park in Athens.  Here you can ride on the 40-meter Ferris wheel and the 72-meter Star Flyer carousel, try free fall on a special “Falling Tower” and gain adrenaline on a roller coaster.

For the youngest guests (3–8 years old) they have a separate Kidom pavilion with carousels and performances with fairy-tale characters.

You can have  lunch or dinner in one of their fast food spots: there are plenty of them in the park.

It is better to buy a ticket for the whole day; the schedule and prices could be checked on their website.

You can get to the Allou! Fun Park from Omonia Square by buses B18 & G18, stop “Kan Kan”, since it’s only 8 km from the center of Athens, I suggest  you to take a taxi.

If you are in Athens with your children during your summer holidays, then you have the opportunity to visit renovated (July 2019) Athens Water Park – “AQUA FUN PARK”.

The Athens Water Park has 17 water slides, a huge central pool for adults, a children’s pool, a mini-market, cafe, and a beach bar.

The general ticket price is 20 euros, children under 3 years old are free. The family rates are also available.

You can get to the Water park by metro (blue line), station “Agia Marina” and then get the bus 866 or 876, bus stop “Afeas”. From the city center of Athens by taxi it is about 20 – 25 minutes. 

 

STAVROS NIARCHOS FOUNDATION CULTURAL CENTER

The cultural center was named after the famous Greek ship owner and patron of the arts Stavros Niarchos.  Nowadays it is one of the most beautiful places in Athens, especially in the winter period during the Christmas holidays, when the cultural center glitters with bright lights.

The modern building of the cultural center of Stavros Niarhos strikes at first sight.  This architectural marvel is located at the intersection of Syggrou and Poseidonos streets, in the direction of the port of Piraeus.  You can get there from the center of Athens by taxi (15 minutes) or buses A2 & B2.

Near the entrance to the cultural center there is a reservoir along which are beautiful trees . There are also bicycle lanes (you can rent a bicycle on the spot) and a pedestrian zone around the canal.  Sailing events are held here in which anyone can take part.

On the right side of the canal is the main building of the cultural center, where the National Library, the Opera House, exhibition hall, computer class, recreation areas, and much more.  Every day there are various events, seminars and concerts with free admission.  You can find their schedule on the website.

 

ATHENIAN RIVIERA

If you are tired of Athenian bustle, be sure to go for a walk to the Athenian Riviera.  A walk through the southern suburbs begins in Paleo Faliro and ends at Cape Sounion  but in order to have a walk on the promenade, it is enough the several areas of Paleo Faliro and Alimos. 

 

You can get there by buses (Α2 & B2) or a taxi from the central square of Syntagma, the tram station is not yet operational (2019).  In these areas, you can spend hours strolling around and admiring the marinas with white-washed yachts and the calming Aegean Sea.

Marina Flisvos (Paleo Faliro) has a delightful bay, famous for its cosmopolitan character, while Flisvos Park is perfect for relaxing walks or cycling.  From early morning to late evening, locals and its visitors are offered a variety of entertainment – from the beautiful promenade, recreation parks and playgrounds to shopping stores and cafes, restaurants, which extend the feeling of summer holidays until the end of September. Marina Flisvos  has a pretty good variety of restaurants, such as seafood restaurant, meat restaurant, Chinese restaurant,  Italian restaurant, fast food, and several cafes.

A little further is the area Glyfada.  It is one of the most beautiful suburbs of Athens; there are quite a lot of hotels and apartments, several beaches, shopping centers, and a vibrant nightlife.

 

BEACHES IN ATHENS

Although the center of Athens is not located on the beach, it is very easy to reach the main Athenian beaches.  I personally do not advise swimming in the closest areas to Athens, although there you will see a lot of swimming people both in paid and free beaches.

One of my favorite areas is Vouliagmeni.  Here you will find clean and calm bays. Mostly there are organized beaches with umbrellas, sunbeds, cafes, taverns, but you can also find some free spots.

To get to the area of Vouliagmeni, you will need to take the red line of the metro  to the final metro station “Elliniko”, and then get the bus No 122, bus station “Panteleimon” or “Limni”.  It will take you around one hour.  The faster way is to take a taxi (30 minutes).

The most popular beach is the Vouliagmeni Beach.  The beach is quite wide and long. You have to pay for the entrance and separately on the spot for sunbeds (approximately about 10 -12  euros per person alltogether).

My favourite one is Zen Beach.  The beach is located in a small bay with sunbeds (20 – 30 euro per set), umbrellas and a tavern.  You can sunbathe and swim for free nearby.

Astir Palace Beach. One of the popular and expensive beaches. They have special water purification, water sports, DJ’s, sunbeds, restaurants, and cafes.  Price starts from 25 euro per person for entrance.

If time allows you, it is better to visit the beaches on weekdays.  Prices are much better and fewer people.  There are also discounts in May and September. 

 

TOURS AND EXCURSIONS FROM ATHENS

If you have stayed in Athens for a week or more, you have an exellent opportunity to visit many one- day or multi-day excursions.  The excellent location of Athens is perfect for exploring the whole of Greece.  You can find both individual and group tours in almost all languages of the world.

If you want not only to explore Athens but also “to taste” it, then the best option for you the Athens walking food tour. By the way, during the Christmas holidays, you have the great opportunity to visit a special holiday tour: evening Christmas market & holiday traditions tour in Athens. At the same time, you will not only get acquainted with the festive traditions of Greece but also you will find out a few “Christmas secret places” that only the locals know about.

Some of the most popular tours and things to do from Athens are:

–  Argolida tour (Corinth Canal, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Mycenae)

– Delphi tour (an archaeological site, the navel of the earth, the Delphic Museum, the oracle).

–Meteora tour (one of the wonders of the world, soaring monasteries in the sky)

– Cape Sounion and Lake Vouliagmeni (the temple of Poseidon and the famous radon lake with a spa fish)

– Ancient Corinth and the wine tasting (archaeological site and wine tasting in Nemea)

–Ancient Olympia and the city of Patras (the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the city where  there is the temple of St. Andrew)

This is an incomplete list of all the exciting places you can visit from Athens.  You can also rent a car and explore Greece on your own.

Athens can be considered as a convenient travel hub to go to the islands by ferry or plane. My advise is to combine Athens with two or more islands hopping.

READ MORE: “TIPS FOR TRAVELING BY FERRY IN GREECE”

 

SHOPPING IN ATHENS

Probably only girls will understand me! How not to go for shopping while being in Athens?  This is especially nice in the season of discounts and sales. In winter, sales begin approximately after the main holidays from January 15 to the end of February.  In summer, the sales season starts around July 15 and until the end of August.  At the same time, the discounts can grow up to 80%.

By the way, there are also inter-season sales ( October and April), the discounts are not so big, but also pleasant. Don’t forget about Black Friday sales !

As a rule, all shops, boutiques, supermarkets, and malls are closed on Sunday.  Some shops have short working hours on Monday and Wednesday until 3:00 pm.  If you are in Athens during the big holidays, such as Easter and Christmas, then all the shops  work on Sunday before the holiday.  On the first Sunday before big sales start, shops are also open.

Where to go shopping in Athens:

– ERMOU STREET.  It is the most famous shopping street in Greece.  Here you will find shops for every taste with a wide world-famous and modern Greek  brands.  Prices are average, so they are suitable for the ordinary buyer.

– ATTICA MALL.  This mall is in the heart of Athens is also one of the most popular shopping spots.  Here are mostly expensive and well-known brands, but during sales, they have very “affordable” propositions.

– KOLONAKI AREA.  One of the most fashionable areas of Athens and here you will find the boutiques of famous Greek designers, as well as the most expensive international boutiques, such as Louis Vuitton, Channel, Dior, Hermes (Voukourestou street),etc.

 – PLAKA.  If you are a fan of handmade shoes and clothes, go to Andrianou Street.  Natable, the workshops for the production of Greek leather sandals deserve special attention.

– MONASTURAKI SQUARE.  Here are the famous flea market and souvenir shops,  and near the metro station, you will find fresh and inexpensive seasonal fruits.

– McARTHUR GLEN DESIGNER OUTLET. This is a real village with many shops, boutiques , cafes, snack bars, restaurants and playgrounds for children. So, here you can spend the whole day.  Especially, I like this place during the Christmas holidays with sparkling decorations and a big Christmas tree.  In the central building,  there are brand boutiques that sell  the previous collections with big discounts all year round.  

To get here you need to take a blue line metro, station “Doukissis Plakentias” and get the bus No 319 or a shuttle bus, or a taxi.

THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS

NIGHTLIFE IN ATHENS

In Athens, the nightlife is in full swing all year round. It seems like a city waking up only after 10 p.m.  At this time all the tables in the restaurants and taverns are already occupied, and some clients, after a hearty dinner, leave the tavern at 3 a.m.

In the center of Athens, there are a lot of good restaurants and taverns, which, in addition to tourists, are visited by locals. But if you want to enjoy fresh seafood and fish, then it is better to visit the Athenian Riviera or the Mikralimano area.

In the center of Athens, there are numerous bars.  Some of them are among the most famous in the world (the Clumsies, Baba au rum).  Roof bars are also trendy, with a magnificent view of the Acropolis.

Traditional taverns with Greek cuisine and a folklore program are open almost every day for tourist.  Take a look at Neos Rigas tavern. 

A lot of nightclubs are located in the area of  Gazi, and in summer they move to the seaside.  If you want to listen to modern Greek artists and dance on the tables, be sure to visit the famous Greek live clubs – Bouzoukia.  They open after midnight until the early morning.

Do you still think that three days is enough to explore Athens?  Any questions? I will be glad to help you with finding the best things to do in Athens in your near future trip to Greece. 

 

SHOP MY STYLE FOR ATHENS

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