Map of Athens Metro system

What Can Athens Offer?

I believe Athens is one of the greatest European cities out there and it’s the perfect destination for a city break. This city is magnificent! With great street art, incredible food, colourful neighbourhoods, and so much history, there really is something for everybody.

Athens, founded in 508 BC, is a gigantic city that sprawls over 1,131 square miles (2,929 square kilometres) and is home to over 3 million people. There are over 5,000 years of history in Athens and you’ll find some of the largest collections in the world of Greek ruins and artefacts here.

TIP: You can visit all the ancient ruins individually on a pay-per-visit basis but to get some real value from a ticket I strongly advise to purchase a combined pass for €30 (GB£26). This gives you access to the Acropolis and Slopes, Temple of Zeus, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Olympieion, Kerameikos, Aristotle’s School. The Acropolis alone is €20!

The Acropolis

The Acropolis is a 5th Century BC citadel overlooking Athens. The hilltop complex includes ancient buildings and ruins like Propylaea, the temple to Athena, and the famous Parthenon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site it’s undoubtedly one of the best historical spots in the city. Lots of plays are hosted in the Odeon of Herodes here in the summer too. Arrive super early to avoid the crowds. I arrived at 9am and it was crowded. I strongly suggest arriving at opening time or wait until early evening.

There is an element of fitness required to ascend the hill by foot but there is now a glass sided lift to also take visitors with special requests to the summit. Admission to the Acropolis is €20 (GB£17.30). This site will take between 1-2 hours.

Hadrian’s Library

Hadrian’s Library was built in 132 AD by Emperor Hadrian and was the largest library of Athens. It’s now just ruins and a collection of columns. This site takes around 30 minutes to see and is included in the combined ticket. Otherwise, a separate fee of €6 (GB£5.20) is charged.

Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus

Shadowed under the Acropolis the Agora was the focal point of Athenian democracy where the city’s most important political powers were exercised. The Ancient Agora was built in the 6th Century BC and was once the centre of life in ancient Athens. Used as a marketplace and gathering spot, this was where you’d have found people like Socrates, Aristotle and Plato casually wandering around town. Almost all of the commercial, political, and social activity took place in the ancient Agora.

The ruins of the ancient Agora additionally house the exceptionally well preserved temple of Hephaestus, built in 415 BC.

Again, if you purchase the combined ticket this is included, otherwise there is an admission fee of €10 (GB£8.90).

Temple of Zeus

Dating from the 6th century BC the Temple of Olympian Zeus was once the largest temple in Greece (it took almost 700 years to build). Peisistratos, the son of Hippocrates and ruler of Athens from 561-527 BC started its construction and then abandoned it after funds ran dry. It was finished in 131BC by Hadrian and then built an enormous statue of Zeus.

Sadly, there are only a few Corinthian columns still standing. The combined ticket includes admission, however a single admission is €6 (GB£5.20). There is very little left of this ruin and is actually quite underwhelming considering Zeus was the mightiest of all the Greek Titans. If you can take a photo from the gates instead then do it.

Acropolis Museum

The museum is housed in a modern building that brings together archaeological treasures with an ancient settlement. One of the highlights is the glass floor where you can walk over the ruins of an ancient neighbourhood. The museum becomes pretty busy so be prepared to wait to read any information plaques. once you’ve finished inside make your way back outside and to a turnstile to walk around the ancient village beneath the museum. Admission is €15 (GB£13).

Panathenaic Olympic Stadium

Built entirely of marble the Panathenaic Stadium is the birthplace of the Olympic Games in the 4th Century BC and is directly connected to the revival of those Games in 1896. It’s were the Olympic flame is delivered every four years. At the top end of the stadium is a small entrance that leads beneath to a small museum displaying Olympic torches from various hosts from over the years. Admission is €6 (GB£5.20).

Monstariaki Square

Opposite the Monastiraki metro station is Monastiraki Square. Head here for some ruins, architecture, shopping and fruit stalls. If you’re looking for tat souvenirs this is the place to come. It also hosts a Flea Market that’s open on Sundays. It does become extremely busy.

Lycabettus Hill

Head to Lycabettus Hill to get the best views of Athens. Legend has it that the mythological goddess Athena created Mount Lycabettus when she dropped a limestone mountain on the spot. You can walk the hill if you wish using the hiking trial otherwise you can pay €10 (GB£8.65) for a return trip on the funicular train.

Plaka District

Plaka is all about clean colourful streets, bustling cafes and great places to eat. It’s popular with visitors but you’ll still love spending an afternoon cafe hopping through the picturesque streets and taking photos of all of the colours. This is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Athens and couldn’t help but stop for a cold drink people watching as they pass.

Syntagma Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Head to Syntagma Square to observe the changing of the guard. This takes place every hour on the hour so attempt to time your visit perfectly. The guards wear fun outfits, march around in unison and generally make for interesting photos. They additionally guard what is known as ‘the Tomb of the Unknown soldier’.

Athens Metropolitan Cathedral

Built in 1842 it’s located between Syntagma and Monstaraki Squares. The architecture is beautiful but very much ‘take a photo and move on’ whilst you’re wondering the streets.

Benizelou Mansion

The Benizelou Mansion or the House of St Philothei is the oldest house of Athens. Visitors can see the amazing architectural elements of this house built in the 17th century. I didn’t pay to enter but there is a window in order to take a photo.

Food in Athens

Greek cuisine has to probably be one of my favourite foods in the world. It’s fresh, plentiful, filling and always delicious. When in Athens do what the Athenians do… Eat out and try the local delicacies.

Koulouri

This is a ring shaped bread roll covered with sesame or sunflower seeds, often sold on the streets of Greece at stalls or at bakeries. I tend to find the bakery Koulouri’s are often softer where the street stalls are often harder and dry. Either way they’re cheap at 50 cents and offer some sustenance as you wonder the city.

Saganaki

Saganaki is usually served as an appetiser. It’s often prepared in a small frying pan with Gouda and Feta cheese. It’s delicious.

Greek Salad

Other than a Caesar salad Greek salad has to be one of my favourites. You’ll find cut tomato’s, olives, sliced onion, sliced cucumber, sliced red preppers drizzled with Greek oregano and salt, topped with a block of Feta cheese.

Moussaka and Pastitsio

Moussaka is an eggplant or potato based dish often including ground meat, either beef or lamb. Pastitsio is a Greek lasagne using tubular Pastitsio pasta with ground meat and bechamel sauce. Both are filling and very tasty.

Gyro Wraps

Gyro wraps are one of the most popular in Greece. Traditional Gyro wrap is made with Gyro meat, fresh vegetables, feta cheese, sometimes stuffed with chips, often topped with Tzatziki yoghurt sauce and wrapped in pita bread. They are extremely filling and great for lunch.

Chicken Souvlaki

Another great food to eat is chicken Souvlaki. It’s a Greek street food type dish made with chicken marinated in herbs. The word ‘Souvlaki’ means ‘meat on skewers’. The chicken is threaded onto skewers and grilled. Sometimes you’ll see vegetables added onto the skewers.

Athens is not shy of places to eat and drink. There is so much choice. Obviously nearer the hot tourist spots you look the more expensive they become. Why not try some of the below suggestions.

To Kati Allo

Located at Chatzichristou 12, Athina 117 near to the Acropolis museum is a bistro style restaurant offering all kinds of delicious Greek food and local ales at very reasonable prices. It’s so good it was listed in Athens top restaurants and features by Rick Steves.

Barrus

Located at Aiolou 27, Athina 105 60. This is a great bar in a busy square great for having a drink and people watching. The staff are friendly, the drink in greet supply and the décor is stylish. If you just purchase drinks you are served a bowl of mixed nuts or crisps. The bar additionally serves full table meals too.

Lukumades

Located at Sokratous 59, Athina 104 31 is a great spot to stop for a sweet treat. The venue serves a variety of soft dough balls served and stuffed with all kinds of flavours and toppings. Very tasty and very much worth a visit.

Tylixto

If you wish to try those Gyro wraps then seriously consider Tylixto located a few doors down from Lukumades. It’s Greek street food at its best. They offer a huge variety of stuffing’s and flavours. The chicken Gyro stuffed with vegetables, chips and drizzled in Greek yoghurt is delicious.

Little Kook

Located at Karaiskaki 17, Athina 105 54 near to Monastiraki Square is a place like nothing else. It’s pure fantasy. It’s Alice in Wonderland. It serves tea’s and cake at tourist prices. If nothing else it’s a great place to take a photo and move on.

Yiasemi Cafe

You’ll find Yiasemi in the quaint Plaka district of Athens at Mnisikleous 23, Athina 105. It becomes tremendously busy. The cafe sits on a cobbled staircase that connects two streets up a hill. The entire staircase is brimmed with little independent coffee shops and bistro’s.

My Final Thought

I have always wanted to visit Athens at some point but other flights and cities always seemed to gain my attention. Finally, I made some time to actually visit the capital. The primary reason was to visit the Greek ancient ruins. Athens surpassed my expectations in every way. Yes, the ancient ruins are a must see but I didn’t expect the city to be so vibrant, exciting, safe and friendly. Athens, for me, is a real eye-opener. The food is great, the people lovely, the city has everything a tourist would want. Give Athens a try. I was extremely surprised. I think you would be too.