Athens must do and other tips
 

Inching closer to our first ever trip to Greece, excited doesn't even begin to describe our anticipation level. anyway we've got two full days at the front end of out trip in Athens.
Of course we've got the Acropolis on our itinerary but would appreciate any other spots that you think we should make it a point to see.
Any tips to touring the Acropolis/parthenon?

lol, yes I've picked up a guide book but I do like hearing from the folks here. Our full trip itinerary is 2 days in Athens, 3 days Santorini, 3 days Mykonos and 1 day at the end in Athens.

Thanks for your help.

E

You didn't say when you are going which can make a difference on recommendations.

When going to the Acropolis get there are opening time, 8 a.m. to avoid tour groups and hordes of tourists. If going in the summer it will be a lot cooler. You may want to consider the multi-site ticket which includes many other archeological sites at 30 euros a ticket.

There is more to Athens than just the tourist sites. Check out the Central Markets on Athinas St. plus all the other small local shops off the street. It's more where locals go than tourists.

Anafiotika on the north side of the Acropolis will give you an idea of what a Greek Village is like on the Cyclades Islands.

Psiri District is not as touristy as the main tourist areas of Monistiraki, Syntagma and Plaka.

Here's a nice website about Athens:
https://www.athensguide.com/


You picked two of the most popular and heavily touristed (and expensive) of the Greek Islands to go to. If you go during High Season they will be jam packed.

Have you looked into other islands or drop one and pick another to give you less-touristy island?

Lots of options for islands.

Eat seafood! Take photos!

Apologies. we leave September 13th.
thanks for the link.

Absolutely!!!

We went to the Byzantine museum and LOVED it but may not be for everyone. Icons, icons and more icons plus other Christian vestaments and such. In a lovely old home. I saw the most amazing non-traditional IMO icons - a wooden panel maybe 2ft X 3ft painstakingly painted with maybe 30 scenes from the OT. I could have stood in front of just that one item for at least 30 minutes.

Sept. 17 will be off season so you'll have less tourists around, lower costs for accommodations and the weather comfortable without the summer heat. However, Athens is a city of millions and they'll still be a good tourist presence but certainly not like summer.

One of the best reasons to go to Athens or anywhere in Greece is Greek Food!

Check out some of my photos of various meals and tavernas including Athens. Just hover over a photo to get a description.

I'll be in Greece early October and all I've been thinking about is Greek Food and alcohol, of course!
https://tinyurl.com/y7lqwv66

If you haven't already seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report. The section on Athens starts with post # 181:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...reece-1460735/

I think I am seriously in love with you now. lol, thank you so much for the awesome pictures. My friends and I are getting together (there are 4 of us going) to nail down a few things and I will definitely be showing them this slide show.

E

Thank you so much kja.

Eliza

You'll be overwhelmed with options for where to eat. One favorite area of mine is the Psiri District. Not as touristy as the tavernas off of Monistiraki Square and a bit more of an edge to it. If you can find Atlantiko in Psiri in a small alley go there. Great seafood at reasonable prices and since it's in an alley no traffic and more laid back.

Check out Psiri Tavernas here:
https://www.athensguide.com/restaurants.html#Psiri

For the rest of Athens here:
https://www.athensguide.com/restaurants.html#Psiri

It's fun just walking around and getting lost! Aside from all of the must see sights and museums, we did take a few hours riding up the funicular to Mount Lycabettus which, at the top, has absolutely spectacular views of the City, the Acropolis, and a café to have a drink and admire the views.

I agree with Suerfergirl . . . just wandering around, especially the numerous side streets can be a lot of fun. And there are numerous side streets. In fact, side streets off of side streets! Most accommodations will have a map of the city which will come in handy. But sometimes it's just a lot of fun taking an unknown street or lane and see where it goes.

Most of Athens is safe, even at night, but there are a couple areas to avoid especially the Omonia area which is fine during the day but a bit dodgy at night.

Watch an Ancient theater performance. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles a script of 2500 years old. Fimonoitheater every Thursday with English and French overtitles

I was in Greece in November 2018 (9 months ago) for the second time and loved it even more than my first visit! We did a cruise around the islands which allowed us to see more of the islands off the beaten path - including Rhodes, Patmos and Crete - within our trip time frame. We were in Athens for several days at the beginning and end of our cruise. We stayed at 2 properties: the Adrian Hotel and the Electra Metropolis. Both hotels were wonderful and centrally located in the Plaka / Agora area and included breakfast with the rate. A couple restaurants we loved were O Thanasis, Mitropoleos 69 Monastiraki, Athens (Plaka area); The Old Tavern of Psarras, Erechtheos 16 Erotokritou 12, Plaka, Athens; The Greco's Project, Mitropoleos 5, Nikis, Athens (in Monastraki). While at the Acropolis, make sure you visit the adjacent Acropolis Museum. Many of the sculptures and artifacts (not taken by the English) are in this wonderful modern museum. Also recommend going to the top of Mt. Lycabettus in the middle of Athens, across town from the Acropolis. We took the funicular up to the top and walked around, the views were breathtaking! The location is higher than the Acropolis area, so you can see beyond there and to the sea. We took lots of panoramic photos! There was a great cafe and a restaurant that served local Greek cuisine at very reasonable prices. Mt. Lycabettus is definitely worth seeing when you come to Athens! We ventured further outside Athens to the Peloponnese and saw Ancient Corinth, Corinth Canal; Mycenae, Nafplion and Epidaurus – we did an all day tour (10 hours) with PK Tours that included an 8 am pick up from hotel with a 6 pm drop off. We were in a comfortable mini van with an informed driver who gave us the historical background on each of the sites. Totally worth the 250€ price - cost can be split with your other travel companions! Our overall impression of Greece after their economic collapse was a very favorable one: the people are friendly, the sites are magnificent and the food is delicious and not overly expensive. Greece is on my favorites list and I hope to return again next year! Have a great time!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...202c1dd60.jpeg
Acropolis views from Electra Metropolis hotel terrace

Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, National Archaeological Museum, Temple Of poseidon Sounion, Ancient Agora, Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma Square, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Zeus are the best of Athens. if you organize it well you can see them all but you will be exhausted.