Athens - stay in city vs by beach?

[Fluffywithteeth]

Would do love your advice. Taking the kids for 5 days over Easter to Athens. I’m thinking be good to stay at the beach and travel in for 1 day to visit key ancient sites and then rest of time hang out by the beach.

what do you think? Reviews I’ve read of the city are that it’s quite busy and quite spread out. Kids are 12 and 14. They’re into stories of ancient gods but they - and I - also really need some
rest after a demanding few months.

If you think the beach is a good plan where might you recommend? Or do you think we’ll regret not taking probably our only opportunity to immerse ourselves in the city?

all advice very gratefully received!!

I’d stay in the city then go to islands for day trips. Aegina is easy and quick. The beaches won’t really be open at Easter near Athens.

Also one day in Athens isn’t enough.

Soak up Athens as a city. We stayed last April in the Attalos hotel which had fabulous views of the acropolis from the balcony and rooftop bar! Next to the Monasteraki underground stations d square so lots going on. No noise b room though! The easy to get down to cost. We went to the cost and not all was open including Lake Vouaglemieni which was a disappointment. Still beautiful to see from a distance!

Undoubtedly by the beach. Subject to where you stay, the centre (and the sights) can be a 15-30 mins taxi ride away. With teenagers that age, I would stay in one of the Gyfada hotels that has many shops, bars, restaurants, lounge bars, beach bars etc. You can be at the Acropolis by taxi in about 20 mins.

You could get the flying dolphin over to the nearby island of Aegina. The Athenians go across on their days off too.

These are brilliant suggestions, thank you! @hampsteadmum do you think the gyfada will be I full swing at Easter time?

rhanks @LittleBearPad and @airfryerandelectricblanket for the aegina island tip - that sounds lovely

offing to google attalos hotel now @jocktamsonsbairn !

You need more than a day in Athens. We stayed in the city for a week, and it was great.

@Fluffywithteeth Of course Glyfada will in full swing at Easter. It's like asking whether South Kensington or Hampstead in London will in full swing at Easter. 😃 It's a part of Athens. Athens doesn't "close" or sleep. 😂 Well, in August, like Paris, it gets less busy, but it is always open. Over the Bank holidays however of the Orthodox Easter (Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday) the shops (but not restaurants) will be closed.

There are also green, parky areas in the centre of Athens if you need to chill. Lycabettos Hill, the ancient Agora, and the area to the NE (I think) of the Acropolis are all good.

I'd second Aegina- it seems remarkably unspoilt given that it's Athens's back yard. Are you going to be there for Greek Easter? I seem to remember that they throw quite a party there!

Glad to hear that Aegina is still a lovely place. I went there in the mid-80s as part of a package deal and also did a boat trip to Poros and Hydra from there.

The season doesn’t begin that early and Glyfada still is likely to be largely shut in April. Greek Easter is later - 24th April not the 9th.

@LittleBearPad As someone who visits Athens 3-4 times a year and in fact spent 3 weeks there at Christmas I can confirm thar Glyfada was and will very much remain in full swing... 😂😂😂😂

Good. When I lived there the beaches were basically closed at Easter. I’m glad things have changed.