GREECE
The oldest street in Europe
and the must-sees
of Athens
thens and I go way back but it’s a very strange relationship. The first time I’ve been to Athens I was probably 13 or 14 years old, did the whole sightseeing, Acropolis, Monastiraki etc. Later on I went back several times either as a small weekend break or as a stop between cruises and flights but I’ve never been back to experience the city in full. They say Athens is a city that never sleeps but it's also the go-to destination for museums, history and arts. In 2024 I decided it was time for that, I took advantage of a long weekend and there I was 20 or so years later for the full Athenian experience as a tourist, for a weekend.
Before we start, keep in mind that, for your transportation, the metro is your best option. Its well connect and can take you almost everywhere, with a few options for ticket bundles (5-day ticket, 24 hours ticket etc) but you can see everything in OASA.gr. So, if you’re interested in a similar trip, here’s what you can do during a weekend in Athens:
They say Athens is a city that never sleeps but it's also the go-to destination for museums, history and arts.
ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
This is your starting point if you’re looking to dive into the history of the city and the country. The Acropolis Museum is focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens, built to house every artifact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. Besides the artifacts and statues (of various sizes), you can walk through an area where you can see how they painted and how they had colors back then which is incredibly interesting. General admission is €10 but you should book your ticket online to avoid the (very) long queue. If you visited the site without pre-booking your ticket, there are QR codes that will lead you to the official website so you can buy them online on the spot.
ANAFIOTIKA & THE OLDEST STREET IN EUROPE
Anafiotika is a scenic (and tiny) neighborhood at the center of Athens, part of the old historical neighborhood called Plaka and its a charming walk up the hill towards Acropolis. You get to walk between coffee shops, cafes and colorful houses and you get beautiful views of the city while doing so. Right before you reach the entrance of Acropolis, there’s a view of the Temple of Hephaestus.
On your way up (or down), when you reach Plaka and if you like fun little trivia like me, you can walk on Tripodon which is (according to Guinness Book of Records) the oldest street in Europe. This street is 2,500 years old and its name comes from the bronze tripods that were placed on both sides of the road by sponsors, as prizes for the theatrical and musical performances that took place at the Theater of Dionysus. Today, you will find colorful houses, shops and restaurants, but its a nice walk either way.
ACROPOLIS
Parthenon (the temple dedicated to the goddess Athena) is without a doubt the most famous monument in Greece and among the most famous of the world, but Acropolis has so many more to see. The hill includes the Propylaea, the Erechtheion (with the caryatids, one of which was stolen and placed in the British Museum), Temple of Athena Nike and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. While you’re there, make sure you take a few moments to enjoy the view. Acropolis may not be the highest point of Athens but you sure are high enough to get an incredible view of the city below. Being the monument that it is, big crowds and long lines are almost guaranteed but they’re fast moving and controlled. From 1 April to 31 October (high season), an adult ticket to the Acropolis is €20. Between 1 November and 31 March (low season), all adults are entitled to the reduced price of €10.
MONASTIRAKI FLEA MARKET
In Monastiraki you can find iconic landmarks including the ruins of Hadrian’s Library, the Ancient Agora and the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos but it’s also a paradise for market goers. If you like antique shops, souvenir shops and, well, smaller, local business with every kind of handcrafted goodies, Monastiraki is the place for you. It’s a flea market packed with smaller stores with the surrounding streets having a plethora of cafes, restaurants and bars with terraces that give you an exceptional look of the city and Acropolis. However, if this idea excites you, you should be prepared for big crowds. Trademark, of course, is the beginning of the street where the Church of Pantanassa sits. The church was once known as the Great Monastery, and then later as monastiraki (Greek for “little monastery”), which eventually named of the whole area.
NATIONAL GARDEN
The short story is that the National Garden is an exceptionally beautiful place to walk, exercise or enjoy your free time, full of trees and plants and play areas for kids. The garden, called the Royal Garden until 1974, is a public park of 153,781 square meters in the center of Athens. It is located directly behind the Greek Parliament building (The Old Palace).
The long story is about its history and its quite interesting. The Royal Garden was commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838 and completed two years later. A part of the upper garden, behind the Old Palace, was fenced off and was the private refuge of the King and Queen. The garden was open to the public in the afternoons.In the 1920s the park was opened to the public and renamed “National Garden”. In honour of Amalia of Greece, the entrance was moved to the 12 palms she planted and the street in front was renamed Queen Amalia Avenue. Since then the National Garden, is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
STAVROS NIARCHOS FOUNDATION CULTURAL CENTER
This is a cultural complex which includes the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera as well as great big green area with olive trees, lavenders etc, the pond with the dancing waters among others. Even if you just want a casual walk in the park, this place is definitely worth a visit. Every corner of the garden is beautiful and relaxing (with even benches and chairs to enjoy the scenery) and every part of the whole structure is Instagrammable, for lovers of architecture but not exclusively. The roof of the library and the opera house looks like its emerging from the ground, like a dislodged piece of the Earth’s crust, following the vision of architect Renzo Piano for the building. The great gardens are located on the roof and its easily accessible either by the (fairly steep) staircase or the more relaxed uphill path. As I said, even if you don’t want to visit the library or the opera house, you have great views of the port, a relaxing scenery and various spots to enjoy the city from above, all without an entrance fee.
FOOD
You probably already know that when you go to Greece, you will eat a lot.
Athens has something for everyone whether you’re looking for cute brunch spots, traditional tavernas for a feast, homemade pastries or unique dessert places. Our days had gyros, custom made profiteroles, homemade millefeuille (made on the spot) and many more.
For brunch, we chose beggforegg, a tiny brunch spot that serves the softest and tastiest brioche filled with eggs and other ingredients of your choice. I had scrambled eggs with ham and mayonnaise and I was taken by surprise by how delicious and how light it was.
For a full, Greek meal you go to Proedros, which is an as-Greek-as-it-gets place. You see the must-try cheese pie topped with honey, Greek salad, freshly cut fries and kebab giaourtlou (warm grilled pita bread and grilled kebabs topped with Greek yogurt and a tomato sauce). Here, though, you will get the full Greek experience with a long list of exceptional dishes from the Greek cuisine in a place with very friendly and traditional vibes.
