Greece

Athens (Jan 2025)

Athens neighbourhood:

• Anafiotika
• Plaka
• Psyri
• Gazi District
  • Explore this trendy area with art galleries and cafes.
• walking Dionysiou Areopagitou street

Day 1 - Thu Jan 9

• 12 AM arrive at Athens
• Afternoon (PM)
• Go around Plaka neighborhood
• Eat at “Sifka” (the bee) located on Kontouli street is very pleasant and friendly: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BJiQTMqxi7GwGqKq6

Day 2 - Fri Jan 10

• Acropolis & Museum (8AM) - Need to buy Acropolis Museum Tickets!
  • do the Rick Steves guided tour
  • 2-3 hours
  • Download Smartify app
• Try some food:
  • freddo (iced) cappuccino
  • spanakopita (a savoury pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese) or tiropita (a filo pastry and cheese pie)
• historic neighbourhood of Plaka
  • a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets lined with bougainvillaea flowers and traditional tavernas. Plaka is one of Athens’ most beautiful districts so spend some time exploring, strolling past neoclassical buildings, art galleries, boutiques and souvenir shops.
• Afternoon (PM)
• Roman Agora
  • located just north of the Acropolis. It’s one of those historic sites you can appreciate from afar, but if you want to go in for a closer look, it costs €8 per adult during the peak season (concessions available).
  • It is also included in the Athena’s Combined Ticket.
• Tower of the Winds clocktower
  • built in the 1st century BC. It was a multi-purpose building, used as a clock, weather station and astrological guide.
• Hadrian’s Library
  • (€6 full-price ticket, also included in the Athena’s Combined Ticket). Roman Emperor Hadrian was a well-known Grecophile who adored Greek culture, history, literature and fashion so much he was nicknamed Graecula (‘The Little Greek’). He poured money into the city, commissioning the construction of many public buildings including this large library.
• Anafiotika
  • a picturesque neighbourhood nestled beneath the slopes of the Acropolis. I was utterly charmed by the small, whitewashed cottages and narrow alleyways lined with flowers. It has a dreamy, almost Greek-island vibe, along with some very cool street art.
• Dionysiou Areopagitou
  • which is lined by neoclassical mansions, Art Deco architecture, monuments and street performers. Choose a cozy taverna for a memorable first dinner, indulging in some traditional Greek dishes paired with local wines.

Day 3 - Sat Jan 11

• Morning (AM)
• Syntagma Square
  • the central hub of Athens. Syntagma means “constitution” and it is the site where the citizens of Greece were offered a democratic constitution by King Otto. This square remains an important political and cultural spot.
• Changing of the Guard - Monument to the Unknown Soldier??????
  • Five minutes before each hour (e.g. 9.55am, 10.55am) you can watch the ceremonial at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located in front of the Greek Parliament building. The guards are called Evzone (an elite unit of the Greek army) and you can watch them perform their choreographed routine every hour whilst dressed in white britches, pleated kilts and shoes with pom-poms. On Sundays at 11am, the ceremony is extra spectacular as the Evzones are accompanied by a marching band.
• Archaeological Site of Lyceum of Aristotle (Aristotle’s School) ?????
  • According to ancient testimonies, Lykeion was an idyllic grove, lying east of the city. The sanctuary of Apollo Lykeios seems to have given its name to the area. The foundations of the Lykeion palaestra, where athletes trained in wrestling, boxing and pankration were laid in the second half of the 4th century BC. The complex was preserved with repairs, for some seven hundred years, until the early 4th century AD.
  • Aristotle founded his own School in the Lykeion in 335 BC and taught there over a period of about twelve years, the most productive period of his life.
• From Syntagma Square, walk along Ermou Street, the main shopping street in the city. This pedestrianised street is full of well-known brands and high street shops.
• Go to Panagia Kapnikarea,
  • a beautiful Eastern Orthodox church built in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was built in the classic Orthodox style, with typical features like a wooden pulpit, tall arches, a central dome and beautiful wall paintings.
• Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary (Athens Cathedral)
  • Built in 1842, it is lavishly designed with a grand facade and colourful paintings and icons. It is the seat of the Archbishop (the head of the Greek Orthodox church), which explains the splendour. For €3 you can go into the lower vault of the church, where all sorts of treasures are on display, dating back 400 years.
• Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos and Saint Eleutheriu
  • This small, spartan church was built on the ruins of a temple, and is made almost entirely from reused stones. It has almost one hundred carved crosses adorning the exterior, which belonged to ancient temples from different time periods. During the Ottoman period, this church served as Athens’ cathedral and is an intriguing example of Byzantine architecture.
• Head towards the West Monastiraki Square
  • a bustling neighbourhood known for its vibrant flea market. The main square – Monastiraki Square – is a great spot for people-watching, buying fresh fruit from street vendors or grabbing a coffee. Browse through stalls selling antiques, jewellery, clothing, handmade crafts, and souvenirs, looking for bargains. If you’re a seafood fan, stop for lunch at one of my favourite restaurants in Athens – Atlantikos. The quality of the fish here is incredible and it’s excellent value for money.
  • If you’re craving a sweet treat after, cross Ermou Street for a delicious ice cream at the Italian gelateria Gelato di nonna.
• Afternoon (PM)
• Ancient Agora
  • Meaning “gathering place”, it was once the heart of Athenian life. It served as a marketplace, a meeting place, and the social, political, and commercial hub of the city. People came here to shop, socialise, network, do business deals, pass laws, and hold philosophical debates. On this site, there were once gleaming white marble buildings, statues, fountains, altars, and temples. Nowadays, in the Ancient Agora you can find:
    • The Stoa of Attalos (a large, reconstructed building that once served as a shopping arcade, which now houses a small, well-curated museum – entrance is included in your Agora ticket)
    • The Temple of Hephaestus (Built in the fifth century BC, this stunning Doric temple is one of the best-preserved temples in Greece and was dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of metalworking and craftsmanship)
    • The Church of the Holy Apostles (built in the year 1000 while Athens was under the protection of the Byzantine Empire)
    • The Odeon of Agrippa (a huge theatre where some of Athens’ earliest plays were performed)
    • The Statue of Hadrian (The Roman Emperor and well-known Grecophile whose library we saw the day before)
  • Tickets included in the combo!
• For dinner, go to the trendy neighbourhood of Psiri, known for its vibrant nightlife and bohemian vibes.
  • Here you can find a variety of restaurants offering both traditional Greek and international cuisine, and as the night goes on, you can move on to one of Psiri’s clubs or bars, enjoying live Greek bands and DJs.

Day 4 - Sun Jan 12

• Morning (AM)
• Panathenaic Stadium
  • the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble. This is where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 (Athens also hosted the Olympics more recently in 2004). The Panathenaic stadium has space for 80,000 spectators, and you can pay to enter and walk around it. You can read about ticket prices and entry hours here.
  • Student 5 euro, General admission 10 Euro
• Temple of Olympian Zeus
  • walk there, it is one of the largest ancient temples in Greece, dating back to the 6th century BC. It was finally completed 700 years later by Emperor Hadrian. In its heyday, it had over a hundred huge Corinthian columns and a 40-foot statue of Zeus, but nowadays only 15 of the original 104 columns remain and it looks quite neglected. Due to this, I don’t suggest going inside (unless you have the Athena’s Combined ticket), but you can view it free of charge through the fence.
• Arc of Hadrian
  • built 2000 years ago for Emperor Hadrian. It was designed in the classic Roman style, and is made of Pentelic marble (same as the Parthenon). It was built to draw a clear line between Greek Athens and the new Roman city Hadrian envisioned called Hadrianopolis. One side of the arch is inscribed with the message: “This is Athens, ancient city of Theseus” and on the other side “This is the city of Hadrian, and not of Theseus”.
• Varvakeios Central Market.
  • If you didn’t visit the market the day before during a tour, take some time to wander through the stalls. You will find some incredibly fresh fish and seafood, and all kinds of meat on sale. You can also find budget-friendly restaurants around the market, so it’s a good place to stop for lunch. You might also want to pick up some souvenirs and gifts to take home with you, such as olives (which can be vacuum-packed), cured meat, locally-produced honey, feta cheese, herbs, spices and loose leaf tea. The market is open daily from 8am to 6pm (closed on Sundays)
• Afternoon (PM)
• After lunch, visit National Archaeological Museum of Athens
  • It has an incredible collection of art and artefacts from all corners of Greece. You can find pottery, gold and silver jewellery, sculptures, weapons, household items and ancient bronze tools. Highlights include the gold death Mask of Agamemnon, the Bronze Statue Of Zeus Or Poseidon, the Marble Statue Of Poseidon, and the Bronze Statue Of Emperor Augustus. Again my trusted friend Rick Steves has a great free audio guide for you. Can buy etickets in advance
  • Reduced tickets available onsite for 65+ EU citizens, and young Citizen (6-25) from non-European countries (upon current ID to prove age).
  • 6 Euro (From November 1st until March 31st)
  • November 1st – March 31st
    • Tuesday: 13:00 – 20:00
    • From Wednesday until Monday: 08:30 – 15:30
• Evening
• visit Mount Lycabettus
  • Rising 300m above the city, you can hike up or take the funicular in the Kolonaki neighbourhood to the top (€8 one-way or €10 return). It is the highest point in the city, offering panoramic views of Athens. Time it right and you might see one of Athens’ gorgeous sunsets.

Tips for Athens

• Athens Combined Tickets
  • Includes: Acropolis & Slopes, Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Kerameikos, Aristotle’s School (Lyceum), Olympieion, Roman Agora
  • Your ticket will work on day 1 to access other sites.
  • The combo pass is valid for 5 consecutive days starting the day you first use it. The acropolis visit needs to be within that window, and it can be on day 2 (or any of the other 5 days). For acropolis, you can only use it on the date and time you selected in advanced.
  • 
  • Bought it and reserved visit for Jan 10 2025 @ 8-9 AM
• Acropolis Museum Tickets (To buy on site!)
  • 10 Euro: Children and young people aged between 6 and 25 years, from non-EU countries, upon presentation of their passport for verification of their age and country of origin.
    • Reduced admission and free admission tickets can be obtained exclusively from the Museum Ticket Desk, provided that visitors present the necessary eligibility documents. Tickets allow access to all exhibition areas and the archaeological excavation beneath the Museum. The excavation is accessible from the Museum’s entrance courtyard.
  • 20 Euro General Admission
• Panathenaic Stadium Tickets (To buy on site!)
  • bring passport for 5 Euro
• National Archaeological Museum of Athens Tickets (To buy on site!)
• 6 Euro for everyone

Galaxidi Jan 20 - 21

Nafplio Jan 21 - 23

Delphi

Delphi day trip: One of the most popular day trips from Athens is Delphi, located approximately 120 miles northwest of the city. You can visit Delphi independently via public bus or car, but it’s easiest to join a group tour like I did. I used Key Tours who provided a well-organised guided tour of the archaeological site and Delphi museum (home to an impressive collection of artefacts unearthed from the site). The tour felt a bit rushed but I had time to see everything and didn’t have to worry about getting there and back (it’s about 3hrs from Athens each way). The tour also includes the Temple of Apollo and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, and a lunch stop at a local restaurant. If Key Tours isn’t available on your chosen date, here are some alternative providers: Ammon Express and Sights of Athens.