What should i do in athens

Looking for some alternative things to do? Dance makes our hearts beat faster, improves our brain function, and cheers us up! Does it sound like your cup of tea? Being one of the most sun-filled cities in the world, going for a picnic in Athens is one of the best activities you can choose to experience, one that everyone is going to love!

Athens may be dominated by the cement-grey color, but there are still several places to enjoy greenery and sunshine. Lie on the grass and gaze at the sun, enjoying its warmth on your skin. Despite its proximity to the city center, however, not many people -not even the locals- know about this botanical oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle.

Alternatively, let us arrange a picnic adventure just for you! Are you looking for a gorgeous romantic spot to watch the sunset? Nothing compares to Vrahakia which translates to 'little rocks' at the top of the Areopagus hill , near the Acropolis. It's an ideal spot for relaxing and sorting out your thoughts, a must-visit place in Athens that will bewitch and inspire you. Greek Mythology is a set of fascinating tales you can now be a part of! Explore the Acropolis , the sacred hill that goes back to BC, with its ancient monuments fighting their stand on the area since the 5th century BC, the glorious Parthenon — a work of brilliance— and the Acropolis Museum, by setting on an interactive adventure of role-playing.

Let fate pick the Greek god you will become for the day and set on a mythical adventure to discover the divine formula that will help you find your way back to the famed mountain of the gods, Olympus. Following a number of fun and engaging clues, you will leave our country with a wealth of knowledge regarding the ancient Greek civilization. That one is among the classic things to do! Get to Syntagma Square and find an Evzone - a guard wearing the traditional Greek uniform.

Rakomelo - credits: www. While being in Athens , you definitely need to get a taste of the local spirits of Greece! Rakomelo is a Cretan alcoholic beverage made of raki, honey, clove, and cinnamon. It is mostly served warm to pair with dessert after a rich meal. This lending library consists of over 2, titles of both Greek and international graphic novels and comics that address a wide audience of all ages and tastes. You can also borrow comics as you would do in a regular lending library; all you need to do is sign up to become a member at no cost whatsoever!

Look at Athens bringing us closer to each other, awww! Being cultured is always cool and being a cinephile is only an asset for your trip to Athens. If you live and breathe cinematic excellence, you are guaranteed to fall in love with Irida, the university cinema club. The association organizes many cultural activities in regard to the art of cinematography, such as free screening and open workshops, bringing cinema-lovers together under the same roof.

Most of the year the mild weather of Athens qualifies for a visit to the beach! The coastal suburbs of the city bristle with wonderful clean beaches.

Breathe in the sea mist on a walk by the beach during the autumn and spring months; spend your time there with your family, playing around, sunbathing, and swimming under the glorious Athenian sun! When summertime comes, going to the beach for a cooling dive is not optional anymore, it's mandatory! You can also read our blog post about the best beaches in Athens , so you can make an educated decision about which Athenian beach fits your criteria best!

The youth of Athens has an unquenchable desire for partying! A long night out seems to be a must at the weekends and those exhausting all-nighters make street food necessary to keep the energy levels high all night long! Night-crawlers in Athens always gobble up something either in-between parties or just before their return home, which is the reason why street food in Athens is such a big part of modern Greek culture!

You can find burgers in Kolokotroni St , chicken nuggets in Mihalakopoulou St, crepes in Panormou St, and hot-dogs almost everywhere. If you want to get a comprehensive insight into Athens' street food scene, check out our ultimate guide to Athens' street food. There is a cool story behind this street. Back in the day, Pittaki street used to resemble an abandoned dirty alley.

Then, one day the people of Athens were encouraged to donate their old lighting fixtures, chandeliers, and all sorts of lighting materials, while painters transformed the walls along the street, leaving their creative mark to the art project. Now, Pittaki St is a beautiful homely alley ideal for romantic evening walks, and its new, photogenic look is popular among Instagrammers and photography-lovers that visit the city.

The round sesame bread which the Greeks call ' koulouri ', is ideal as breakfast or as a light snack during your wanderings around Athens.

Koulouri -or variations of it- can also be found all around the eastern part of the Mediterranean and the Balkan countries. In Greece , despite it being traditionally made in the region of Thessaloniki , you can find many street vendors with trolley stands full of different types of koulouri in central Athenian streets or outside Athens metro stations. Alternatively, you can buy one from any bakery you come across. Keep in mind that koulouri is one of the foods consumed during our Athens food tour.

Hence, if you want to taste koulouri , along with other traditional Greek flavors , don't hesitate to join us on a sense-provoking, 4-hour journey into Athens' culinary scene! There is no better place to indulge in a fun all-nighter than in the city of Athens! Athens by night is a must-do experience, especially if you are a night-owl looking for unique bars and nightly eateries!

Athens is full of fun and intriguing spots and dancing until the sun comes up is the best way to feel the local vibe of the city! Things to do in the evening: Taste delicious Greek mezes , drink special cocktails, meet the energetic locals, and when you see the first morning light, wolf down some street food and hit the bed! Athens Central Market Varvakeios Agora is one of the top places to visit if you're a foodie in Athens. It is the ideal place to feel the local vibe and browse through the richness of the Greek cuisine; from fresh vegetable and fruit produce to meat, fish, nuts, honey, and spices, Varvakeios Market is a colorful palette oozing with aromas of Greece!

You could also join our Greek cooking class and enjoy your own authentic Greek meal! Tip: Our Athens food tour enters the Central Market and one of our most favorite food stops takes place in one of its' restaurants! Familiarize yourself with Greek grape varieties and get an insight into the local wine production. If there is one time when you have a free pass to utter relaxation, it is during your vacations.

In the oldest neighborhood of Athens , the arresting Plaka , you can revel in leisure and pleasure in a traditional bathhouse, where you can enjoy a relaxing and therapeutic steam bath. Al Hammam , as it is called, follows ancient routines from Asia to come up with unique hammam and spa treatments with the highest-quality products on the market.

Without paying through the nose, you can also get your hair washed and your body massaged, or even take advantage of a special offer for couples. To top it all off, following your unwinding experience, you will be served a warm cup of tea.

How cool is that? Embark on a Greek cooking class adventure and taste the authentic nature of the locals, which is voiced through the flavors of their land. The rich bounty of Greece offers the optimum products to compose delicious dishes with simple ingredients. Fancy to discover how?

Join us for a Greek cooking lesson and stroll around Athens' Central Market to take a grasp of the goings-on of Greek food ; then fill your bags with the best of goodies in the city and meet an expert Greek cook to teach you the art of making signature Greek dishes! You might think that Athens is all about its history and its ancient glory, however, when you visit the city, you will soon easily realize that the richness of its culture is evident everywhere!

Although not as popular as in the rest of the world, vintage and second-hand shopping in Athens has become an exciting activity during recent years. In the context of the development of alternative shopping, Athens now has its own Kilo shop and the concept is pretty simple: you get to choose among a vast variety of vintage or second-hand clothes and pay by their weight.

Browse the shop and choose between jackets, skirts, shirts, coats, trousers, denim wear, furs, shoes, scarves, and all sorts of men, women, and kids wear! There are many scales in the shop that make it easier for you to know the price of the new piece of your wardrobe.

Vintage Love, Reset Thrift Shop and Hotsy Totsy Athens, are excellent thrift shop choices as well, giving you the opportunity to own previously loved clothes of excellent quality. Explore the National Garden of Athens and find a small oasis of greenery within the bustling city! Adjacent to the Greek Parliament Building in Syntagma Square , the National Garden boasts for its lush plantation and offers a quiet place to chill amidst the hustle and the bustle of the city.

You can also join our Athens tours and explore the National Garden among other marvels of Neoclassical architecture in the city! Visit Klafthmonos Square, a historic square that hides a world of ancient discoveries under its grounds: the remnants of the Themistoclean Wall.

The so-called Themistocles Wall was the wall that surrounded Ancient Athens, considered the largest fortification in the city. Established in , this well-curated collection of Greek artwork ranging from ancient to modern is set in the neoclassical family mansion of Antonis Benaki, who also donated over 35, pieces of his own art collection. Located in central Athens near Syntagma Square, across the street from the Parliament building and the National Garden.

Closed Tuesdays. The oldest of its kind in Greece, the National Historical Museum in Athens was founded in , and has found its permanent home in the building that housed the Greek Parliament from to Items on display include weapons, personal belongings and memorabilia from historical personalities such as Lord Byron, historical paintings by Greek and foreign artists, authentic manuscripts, and a large collection of traditional Greek costumes and jewelry from various regions of Greece.

Located one block northwest of Syntagma Square. Watch a movie in Plaka under the lights of the Acropolis at Cine Paris rooftop outdoor theater.

Films are typically American in english with Greek subtitles. Beer, wine, and light snacks are available. This is a highlight of summer in Greece.

Built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in A. Also known as Kallimarmaro, this stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games and was built on the site of the original stadium for the Panathenaic Games BC , which were held every 4 years in honor of the goddess Athena.

It is the only stadium in the world built entirely out of marble. The stadium continues to hold regular concerts in the summer, as well as hosting significant cultural, sporting, and ceremonial events. It is the finishing point for the annual Athens Classic Marathon, and during an Olympic Games year, the Olympic flame travels from Ancient Olympia throughout Greece, before finally arriving at the Panathenaic Stadium for the official hand-over ceremony to the new host country.

Impressive views of Mt. Lycabettus and the Acropolis by climbing to the top. Located in the district of Pangrati in central Athens, about a meter walk from the Temple of Olympian Zeus and about a 1km walk from Syntagma Square. Daily runs are held every morning from am to am.

Located in the Plaka neighborhood, the Benizelos Mansion is the oldest surviving house in Athens, built between the 16th and 17th centuries. Revoula was a philanthropist who built hospices, shelters and schools, and also fought for the freedom of Greek women enslaved into harems by the Ottomans.

The Benizelos Mansion is open limited hours, entrance fee is by donation and goes to charity. The highest point in Athens with dramatic panoramic views out over the entire city.

Located across Plaka and Syntagma Square from the Acropolis and shown here on the left , the meter hilltop can be reached by foot or via a funicular tram that travels in a tunnel inside the hill. This ancient site is an minute drive southeast of Athens.

This day tour to the Temple of Poseidon includes hotel pick-up from central Athens. Visit markets, top restaurants, specialty shops, and trendy neighborhoods. Athens is loaded with great restaurants , but for good cheap eats, nothing beats an authentic gyro from a local shop. Our favorites in central Athens include Kostas and O Thanasis.

The best restaurant in the Plaka area is Psarras Taverna. With a magical setting and great traditional Greek food, Psarras also known as The Old Tavern of Psaras has been around since — and for good reason.

If you only eat at one spot in Athens, make it this one. Reservations are recommended for dinner. Lively and fun Brettos Bar is my favorite place to get a drink in Plaka.

Go at sunset, but make a reservation in advance to secure a good table. La Greche in Syntagma is also really good. Dave Love your site If I am interested in the private Acropolis tour with skip the line, are entry tickets included? If not how do we get those? Yes, they are usually included in a private tour. I have read so much about Delphi and Meteora and would like to join a tour so it is easy for us.

Which is the best tour you would recommend and should I just do Meteora or both and should I do day or overnight trips? I looked and saw many tours are either large group or private tours only. Are there any that has a small group-small bus kind? If I could only do one it would be the Meteora. Absolutely stunning!

The Meteora tour I listed above is a private tour and very well done. Do you have another recommendation that tours good Greek food and restaurants in Athens? Taste of Athens also does a very good food tour of Athens. Try them. Hi Dave, We need your advice on how to go to Delphi from Kalambaka.

My plan is to stay 1 night in Kalambaka and the next day we will visit Delphi and back to Athens. Getting from Kalambaka the Meteora to Delphi involves taking the bus via Trikala. The route is different depending on the day but takes between 5 and 7 hours. The latest you can leave Kalambaka is 2pm. Is there a tour or event that we could see traditional Greek dancing and music in central Athens?

This is a good tour for Greek dancing. Your blog is very helpful. Thank you. I have a question. I have a spare day in Athens after covering the Parthenon, Plaka, and area and I really want to visit Meteora. I know it seems like overkill for one day. The other two options are the tour to Delphi or the 3 islands tour Hydra, Poros, Aigina. Let me know what you would think about the one day trip to Meteora. Thanks again! Athens is Athens, after all. The higgledy-piggledy streets of Athens pay homage to that oldest of travel cliches, the treasure trove city with surprises and excitement waiting around every corner.

The best things to do in Athens will take you on a journey through the very concept of Western culture with plenty of cosmopolitan charm mixed in for good measure. What is it? When you think of Athens, you think of these ancient buildings. Why go? The monuments here are considered the greatest architectural feats of Greek antiquity.

This is the temple you should visit first. He may be the god of oceans, but Poseidon's palace stands 60 metres above sea level on Cape Sounio. This marble temple was first built by ancient Athenians to honour Poseidon and guide sailors safely home. This space is filled with art that gets people talking. Expect exhibitions of Greek and international art across all media, from painting to video to experimental architecture.

Starting in the wee hours, Greek vendors bellow out their best deals in an attempt to sell fresh meat, fish, fruit, spices and products from around the country. The atmosphere is unlike any other as travellers and locals traverse the narrow aisles lined with hanging meat carcasses, stalls of Greek deli delights and fresh seafood iced down in vibrant displays.

Monastiraki is one of the oldest and busiest areas of the capital, packed with rooftop bars, ancient sights and huge markets. Try and catch its ceremonious changing of the guard. Two guards are always in residence here, dressed in traditional evzones costume, a tasseled fez hat, thick kilt and stockinged legs with pom-pom shoes. In summer, the customary get-up gets so hot that these guards have to be dabbed at with tissues, as they are unable to move from their positions protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Escaping the heat of the city is easy in Athens: Just head to the beach. In the sweltering summer months, take the A1 tram to the Palaio Faliro neighborhood for a palm tree-lined promenade and a soft, sandy beach. Further along the Apollo Coast are the more upmarket southern suburbs of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, with no shortage of luxury beach clubs should you want a full day off from sightseeing. Out of season, Vouliagmeni has a burgeoning surf scene. At the foot of Filopappou Hill, this 16th-century church may not be the oldest in Athens, but it is certainly one of the loveliest, with a heavy timber roof, marble floors and the permanent scent of incense.

A great fresco of St Dimitrios, astride his horse in a pose copied from ancient images of Alexander the Great, adorns the interior. The churchyard, with its wooden gate and bells, conjures Japan — a touch by modernist architect Dimitris Pikionis. Pikionis also applied his precise style to the restoration of the back exterior wall, a delightful piece of stonework. In , the church was the site of a reported miracle.

The Turks, ensconced on the Acropolis, prepared to fire a cannon on worshippers gathered in the church, but the gunner was killed by lightning, saving the congregation. Hence its name, Loumbardiaris 'of the cannon'. With its rows of white Pentelic marble seats built into a ravine next to Ardettos Hill, this ancient-turned-modern stadium is a draw both for lovers of classical architecture and sports fans who can imagine the roar of the crowds from millennia past.

A ticket gets you an audio tour, admission to a tiny exhibit on the modern Olympics mainly eye-candy games posters and the opportunity to take your photo on a winners' pedestal. The stadium — built in the 4th century BC and restored for the first modern Olympic games in — was first used as a venue for the Panathenaic athletic contests.

It's said that at Hadrian's inauguration in AD , a thousand wild animals were sacrificed in the arena.