1. National Archeological Museum
This is actually Greece’s biggest museum and certainly tops the list of the best things to do in Athens. It contains more than 11,000 artifacts recovered from all over the country, including pieces of art, sculptures, metalwork and vases. As a full collection they tell the story of Greece from its prehistoric origins in the 6th millennium BC, up to the Roman conquest.
Address: 28is Oktovriou 44Opening times: It’s open Mondays from 1pm – 8pm, Tuesdays through Sundays from 9am – 4pmTickets: Entry is €7 (Dh31)
2. The Acropolis
The Acropolis of Athens is a masterpiece of the Ancient Greeks and dates as far back as the 5th century BC. It’s actually a group of monuments and structures, the most famous being the Parthenon and the Propylaea. The Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, and the Propylaea is the grand gateway to the Acropolis and the huge Theater of Dionysos, a 17,000-seat venue that’s hosted masterpieces including Sophocles.
Address: Athens, 105 58Opening times: November to March: 8.30am – 3pm, April to October: Monday 11am – 7.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday 8am – 7.30pmTickets: Tickets cost €12 (Dh52) for adults and €6 (Dh26) for concessions
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3. Acropolis Museum
When this museum opened in 2009 it was immediately hailed as one of the best museums in Europe. Its 4,000-plus exhibits share the discoveries that have been made in the Acropolis over the years and are divided into five eras and focuses. A favorite is the Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, which has a glass floor over an excavation site so you can see how life was thousands of years ago. Don’t forget to check out the diary of temporary exhibitions and shows before your visit.
4. Mount Lycabettus
This pine covered limestone hill stands out on the Athens skyline like a sore thumb. It’s 300m high and the summit can be reached whether on foot on one of its many footpaths or on the Lycabettus Funicular train which costs around €7 and takes 10 minutes. You can catch it at Aristippou and Ploutarchou Streets). In the summer the amphitheater at the top hosts music concerts and other events, that really take advantage of they city’s beautiful sunsets and views.
Read more: Best places to visit in Greece
5. Astir Beach
While Athens is traditionally a European city break destination, just 13km south of the city center is the stunning Astir Beach which is a sort of mega beach club. It has restaurants, a huge stretch of sand with loungers and plenty of shade, WiFi, a spa, volleyball nets, jet-skis and plenty of other leisure facilities. It doesn’t come cheap though; it’s €28 at weekends in the summer, and €18 during the week. But if you fancy squeezing bit of beach time into your city break, then it’s perfect!
6. Ancient Agora of Athens
During the classical period this former marketplace and political center was at the heart of the city. It’s not a ruined site but still as grand. Key sites are the huge statues of Giants and Tritons, which were restored in the 19th century by the Greek Archaeological Society, the Temple of Hephaistos, and the Bouleuterion, the council meeting chamber.
Address: 24 Adrianou Street, AthensOpening times: November to March: daily 8am – 3pm. April to October: daily 8am – 8pmTickets: Entry is €8 (Dh35 ) for adults and €4 (Dh17) for concessions. Or buy a combination ticket for the Acropolis, the Agora and other ancient Athens sites.
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7. The National Gardens
This 15-acre park is a quiet and lush haven from the busy city streets, so a welcome rest-bite on the list of the best things to do in Athens. There are ancient ruins (what else do you expect in an Athens park?!), columns, mosaics, a turtle pond and a duck pond. If you want to do more than just relax, visit the Botanical Museum of the National Garden which explains the history of the gardens and exhibits dried plants. There’s also some botanical paintings by Greek artist P. Kantartzis.
Address: Cnr Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias & Leoforos Vasilissis AmaliasOpening times: Daily, 7am through duskTickets: Entry is free
8. Tour Athens’ Street Art
The street art on the streets of Athens is some of the best – and most plentiful – of any city in the world. Since the 1990s, hidden corners and public walls of the Gazi and Monastiraki neighborhoods have become artists’ canvases for social and political messages. There’s now more than 2,000 examples around the city. If you have any interest in art, a street art walking tour is one of the most unique and best things you can do in Athens.
9. Visit Psirri
Psirri is Athens’ Boho neighborhood, sitting between the Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus. It has oodles of Greek charm and is still relatively unspoiled by tourism. There’s typical Athenian coffee shops, quirky bars and independent stores. If you’re looking to enjoy a traditional Greek evening sipping a good coffee at an outdoor cafe, Psirri is the place to do it.
10. Thission Cinema
While catching a movie might not be on a typical vacation bucket list, this outdoor cinema in Thission is often billed as one of the best in the world. The seats come with the added treat of an Acropolis view, as well as some delicious cheese pies and other unusual movie snacks.
Address: 7 Apostolou Pavlou Street, ThissionOpening times: May to September (closed over the winter) Sunday through Saturday, 8pm – 1amTickets: Between €6 and €8 (Dh26 – Dh35)
11. Have Dinner in the Sky
It’s a concept that’s not entirely new to Dubai, but the most important thing about having dinner 50 meters in the air is the view. The concept of Dinner in the Sky is a sort of theme park ride/5-star restaurant hybrid! You strap yourself into your chair at the table, and then you’re lifted 50 meters in the air to enjoy your drinks and dinner as the table (very slowly) rotates. You need to book in advance; prices for the full 5-course menu start at €120 (Dh520) per person.
12. Spend time in Plaka
Some people consider this old quarter of the city too touristy, but we still think it’s one of the best things to do in Athens. It’s built on the slopes of the Acropolis rocks and the houses all have traditional red roofs with small balconies adorned with colorful bougainvillea. These houses sit alongside Neo-Classical mansions and you can while away a few hours wandering through the tangle of streets. There are lots of pottery, arts and crafts stores to catch your eye and while a lot of it is created for the tourist market, there are still some hidden gems and authentic street cafes and taverna to discover.
13. Go island-hopping
Ok, not strictly something for the city itself, but certainly worth considering if you’re in Athens for longer than a weekend. Hop on a metro to the port of Piraeus, which is just a short ride from the city center and is a gateway to some idyllic islands off the Athens coast. Aegina, an hour’s boat ride away, is a sort of home-away-from-home for lots of Athenians. Or there’s tiny Angistri, a pine-covered island enjoyed by hikers and a hideaway for people who want to visit local taverna and potter around quiet coves. Ask around for more suggestions and don’t think too hard before hopping on a boat to an island surprise!
14. Monastiraki Flea Market
Save this until the end of your trip when you know how much space you have left in your luggage! The Sunday market at Monastiraki Square is great for picking up small – and large – souvenirs but be prepared to really hunt for the treasures as it can sometimes feel like a yard sale. There’s everything from handmade musical instruments to old antiques – a feast for the eyes.
15. Get a real kebab
Birthplace of the late-night kebab snack, there’s nothing greasy about the authentic souvlakia served up in Athens. Make sure you know what you’re ordering though: a pitta-souvlaki is made with pork on a skewer, while the pitta-kebab contains minced beef or lamb, and the pitta-kotopoulo is chicken. They all come with tzatziki, onions and salad. Thanasis (Mitropoleos Street) boasts some of the best offerings but no harm in trying out a few to judge for yourself!
This article was adapted from a piece by writer Laura Gavin.
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*Published August 2017. Prices correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
