Athens in 1 Day
 

Hello All,

I have 1 full day to spend me in Athens and would like to cover all the places the most effective way. Do you suggest it is better to buy a local transport card for 4 EUR and then go to the popular places or take the Hop-in Hop-Off bus from Syntagma?

Thanks in advance for all your suggestions :)

"all the places"? <i>all</i> Ain't gonna happen, dude.

Ok all might be a overstatement :) Atleast the main destinations - Acropolis, Thissio, Syntagma Sqaure, Flea Market

Athens is the 7th largest city of Europe. It is simply impossible seeing it in a day, you can barely scratch the surface. As an Athenian myself, I think I can help you.

Start your morning by relaxing in a central café, I suggest you "Tailor Made". You then go to the Acropolis of Athens, make sure you go early to escape the crowds and rough sun. Then continue to the Acropolis Museum. After seeing the museum, continue to the Ancient Agora which was the heart of the ancient city. Then go to get lunch at "Diporto", a classic Athenian taverna since 1887. After lunch, just walk around. A nice idea is going to Anafiotika district, and then Plaka. And also somewhere in between get a coffee in "Yiasemi" which is one of the most atmospheric cafés in Plaka.
For dinner go to Mavro Provato, trust me it's excellent.

Skip the Flea Market ... it used to be something, now largely tourist ticky-tacky. Any worthwhile true flea-market items are mostly household goods & furniture, not suitable for travelers.

Petros has a very good check-list for you. Take his word for it.

Thissio is not much to see but a long row of trendy coffee-shops & cafes filled with chic Athens youth in designer sunglasses... unless that's what you're looking for.

Thank you...in that case it makes more sense to take the public transport rather than the hop in hop off?

How can we advise on transport when you give us no info on where you are staying?? I truly hope that with Only One day in Athens, you are staying within walking distance of Acropolis -- then everything you'll want to see will be within walking distance as well. If you are staying far out, cancel your res, and get something in one of the folllowing districts: Plaka, Monastiraki, Thissio (a bit far) Koukaki, Makrogiani (really the south part of Plaka) Here's a map http://www.orangesmile.com/destinati...ns-map-big.jpg (click & it gts huuuge & you use side-sliders to move around) ... it shows very clearly that the historic things are surroundd by many "no-cars" lanes (which are greenish-checked).

For that reason, the local transit card makes no sense nor does the hop on/off bus. you are limited to big streets with lots of traffic and you spend time just stuck at red lilghts, looking at ugly office buildings. I once took that on-off bus just to find out what it did, and learned to advise against it. The only thing that's a bit far off that it reachs is the National Archeological Museum ... and it's easier just to get a €5 taxi there. (and you don't have time for that anyway with just 1 day).

If you cannot cancel a far-away hotel booking, then just get a Metro to the central part & spend the day there, then return to get your luggage and leave.. for Seaport or airport, whatever.