Athens tips. 4 days.

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Going on Saturday next week. Any tips for what to do or not to do with the sights/eating etc.

With or without children?

Good question - forgot to say that.

It's for DD's 18th birthday, so she's just a few days away from being an adult - Eek!

We're going because she (and I) love sight seeing and ancient history.

Just her and me.

The Monastiraki Flea Market is pretty mind blowing, as is the Central Market. Worth taking an hour to stroll through and gape at everything. Its a mob scene but worth the experience even if you just sit in the cafes.
Do the Acropolis in the morning. For one, it’s a big open spot on a hill so on a hot day it’ll get hot pretty early and for two, the line starts to get massive after 10am. The Acropolis museum is worth going to, but the National Museum of Archeology is much better. Don’t miss the Anthikitera master piece. Also, explore the parks beyond the Acropolis.
We really enjoyed visiting Panathenaic Stadium. We even ran up the stairs and ran a lap around the whole track. They have free devices to listen to different points around the stadium.
If you are interested in ancient Greek history and philosophy, Aristotle’s Lyceum was almost empty when I went. It’s a location that likely changed the course of human history and it’s amazing to see it in person. It’s walkable from the Acropolis Museum and included in the ticket package you buy for the Acropolis and Agora for like 30-ish euro.
Take a walk around the Plaka especially in the early evening. There are hundreds of shops from kitschy tourist to artisan workshops. There are several good restaurants where you can sit outside almost year round. There are also some nice little ouzeries that are cosy when it is too cold to sit outside.
You can head out to the temple of Poseidon at Sounion There is a small beach below and a sea that looks and feels like the islands, as well as two small fish tavernas and many more on the way there and back. Go in the afternoon, have a swim and an ouzo and some mezedes and see the temple. There might be time to watch the sunset before going back to Athens for a quick shower before going out to dinner! You can use the bus or take one of the escorted coach trips. The bus to the temple via the coastal road leaves every hour from 07.05 until 17.05 from the main bus station. The bus is quite comfortable. You will probably sit on the bus with many (old) Greeks and maybe one or two fellow tourists. Make sure to get a seat on the right side of the bus to fully enjoy the beautiful coastal views. The Cape Sounion bus stop is located right next to the temple. It’s the last stop of the public bus. The buses leave every hour on the hour to return. Check what time the last bus is as it changes seasonally.

Watching with interest. Great advice rice.

I'm thinking of booking to go in July for 3-4 days in Athens and around a week on one of the islands. Would you recommend it in July or will it be unbearably hot and busy?

Any recommendations for lovely island or beach resorts within easy reach of Athens by ferry? Dd is 17 and a massive Percy Jackson and Mamma Mia fan.

DH says yes it will be unbearably hot and busy. Last year it was so hot it was on fire.

October is a pleasant time to visit.

I'm just hoping for mild and dry for next week. Glad were not going in the summer because I'm rubbish in the heat.

Thanks for the great suggestions,

Have a fantastic time DrMadeline. Please come back and add your tips afterwards. I might look at going in April instead.

Well I would definitely recommend staying in the Plaka district as it's busy with loads of places to eat and everywhere is walkable.
The view from our hotel roof is pretty fab too.

If you're bringing an under 18 year old it's well worth bringing their photo id if they are a teen.
Dr has got into every museum and monument for free.

Wow Dr! That view is incredible

I'll definitely take that advice. Did you stay in a hotel or an apartment? Any other tips on restaurants, museums, other places to go?

We're thinking of going in October.

Lycabettus hill is a must do, you can see all of Athens!

We're in a hotel called hotel Plaka, right in the middle. They have a rooftop with comfy seating and a tiny bar that's open in the evening. We haven't used the bar but did bask in the sun up there yesterday.

We have been to...
The ancient Agora
Hadrian's library
The Acropolis
The Acropolis museum.
The museum of archaeology. They have a beautiful garden area by their cafe on the basement.
And karameikos cemetery and museum.

Some others we would have fitted in aren't open on some days so if you come check on that and plan itinerary accordingly. We have seen everything dd wanted to see.

The square in Montastiraki had been the place to head for each evening and there are loads of restaurants. Dd was treated to the hard rock cafe for lunch one day and we didn't need dinner later! Last night we had authentic souvlaki and it was lovely.
For kids there's a waffle/sweet shop called hansel and Gretel that makes strange chimney cakes as well as bubble waffles.

Can't advise on bars as we isn't yet 18 and we've not bothered with any. Plenty of mini supermarkets if you were sc.

KickBishop if you want to combine Athens and Mamma Mia you can get a bus and ferry to Skiathos/Skopelos and do both. You could then fly back to the uk from Skiathos or jump on a ferry to Thessaloniki and fly back from there if you wanted more of an adventure! But yes, July will be hot!

Aegina is the closest island by ferry - day trip-able. Not Mamma Mia land though. Good fish market but that's not quite the same!

Personally I love the Acropolis Museum -cool amidst all the heat and a fabulous view of the sunset with drink in hand on the top floor in the cafe.

I second Plaka for pottering around and food, and lots of lovely restaurants in Monastiraki.

I love the Temple of Zeus. Actually, I just love Athens. Easy to navigate by metro. Buses will be hot and smelly in August. Look out for famous graffiti in Sounion, and again that's an amazing place for a sunset.

We've stayed in lots of different hotels but mainly quite businessy as dh was working out there for a while.

It will be hot!