Few days in Athens ?

[FoodieToo]

Hi everyone.
Just back from Rhodes and have booked Crete for next year . Have the option to fly through Athens and spend a few days there on the way .
Would people recommend it as a city?
We are a family with teens, would be willing to go to historical sites but wondering is there much else to do/see.
Was there 30 years ago but have little memory of it .
Many thanks for any advice.

Yes - it’s a lovely city and a lot to see. Easy to walk around and great food. We also spent a few days at Vougliameni Lake (I think we got there by tram once and metro and bus the other time).

If he is still there, I recommend the walking tours run by an eccentric Australian guy (Andrew). We met him outside the entrance to Athens Studios (Veikou is the Road name) - you don’t have to be staying there to join.

The start time to join the tour is 10:00!

Thank you so much ! Love the idea of a walking tour .

It was my first time (but we did end up doing two tours with him!). Others on the walk said they did similar tours whenever they were new to a city and that Andrew’s was the best one they’d experienced! We’re still dining out on his indiscretions!

Just got back from Greece holiday- 3 nights in Athens then island. Athens was my favourite part of the trip! I loved it. We stayed in Plaka, fabulous area right by Acropolis, amazing new Acropolis museum, Roman agora, ancient Agora, fab nightlife. Topped off by sunset tour of Temple of Poseidon, so worth it and absolutely stunning.

Ps used George's taxis to get around, brilliant service.

Thank you, Heinz. Did you have any teens with you by any chance ?

Have never been with teens. But I loved it when I wasn't much older than a teen! Gorgeous bars and restaurants, Parthenon incredible. Lovely vibes. Nice beach. Very hot though and there's a lot of walking involved.

Thanks so much for that .

We are also going to Crete next year but I hadn't thought about going to Athens as well. It sounds like a great idea! How do you plan to travel from Crete to Athens? I'm guessing a ferry but I don't know how easy that is!

No , we are going to fly ! The flight takes fifty minutes and starts at about 50 euro ! The ferry is between 8 and 17 hours .

We did exactly this, this year. It’s very hot so stay central (plaka area best). We stayed at Hotel Divani Acropolis, about 100m from Acropolis museum, and it also has a small pool so you can cool down after day sight seeing. Totally fantastic city! Flew with Aegean, very quick.

@FoodieToo yes 3 teens they loved it too. It was so incredibly beautiful and interesting they were really engaged. It helped having a few ice creams, gyros and buying leather sandals for everyone!

Thank you both ! Really sounds like a good idea . We are from Dublin and the flights to Athens are amazing value at the moment with Aer Lingus !

We went at Easter with teens (14,17 and 19). Stayed in an apartment near the cathedral so very central. Saw the Acropolis and the museum, the Ancient Agora. The Archaeological museum was good. Also the original Olympic stadium. We also hired electric bikes one day and went to the coast (there’s a bike path). There’s loads of restaurants with a rooftop area with a view of the Acropolis and all the monuments are floodlit at night.
Needs a bit of planning to avoid queues I think. Helps if your teens are interested in history as well!

Did it this year with teen. Loved Athens. Did main historical sites (go early to Acropolis etc.) and organised a couple of trips out of town - Delphi and Cape Sounion. Would happily have spent a few more days there.