My husband & I will be in Athens this September for 4 days. Any advice on what not to miss?? Or what to miss. This is our first time in Greece. In fact, our first time to Europe. After Athens, we will be on a small sailboat visiting 5 of the smaller islands for 7 days. I want to make sure we do not miss something special. Help!

Hi Judy
you'll want to post this on the Europe forum for more efficient responses.

If you don't mind my asking, what made you pick Greece as your first stop in Europe? Just curious.

I was in Athens last year with my husband, sister and brother in law. We were there for 3 days and that was 2 days too many for me. I much prefer Italy and France. But there are other fodorites that LOVE Greece and have a lot of great advice to give regarding that subject. So I would suggest searching brotherleelove's posts to help you plan for Greece. He has a lot of experience in Greece, great advice and a real love for the place.

The islands are absolutely breathtaking - and very low key (which is good if you just want to relax and enjoy the view. We left Athens and spent the rest of our time in Oia, Santorini - which is gorgeous and sweet and postcard pretty. We visited three of the vineyards on Santorini so that was a fun way to spend the day (even though I was pregnant and did not participate in the wine tasting, the rest of my group enjoyed it and I just had fun exploring the island with them).

Anyway, enjoy your experience! Happy travels.

We chose Greece because we are on a cruise for 10 days. A 40 ft sailboat visiting 5 of the smaller islands. We are arriving in Athens early to see the sights. Most of the others have done this many times so they are arriving the day we get the boat.

That sounds great - especially the part about being on a sailboat with such a small group. Definitely on my to do list. FYI Many of the main sites & neighborhoods in Athens are very close to eachother so you'll be able to do lots in the time that you are there. We visited everything my sister wanted to see (she planned that part of the trip) and did it all on foot! Just one tip, visit the acropolis in the morning. It's a nice cool walk getting up there and pretty empty. By the time noon comes around it gets crowded with large groups and schools etc, and it can get pretty hot too. We got our tickets with no wait in line and then hired one of the tour guides by the entrance for 5e per person to give us a brief history of the Acropolis for an hour. That was nice.

Have been to Greece a number of times, both mainland and various islands. My first recommendation is in September make sure that you get a hotel with air conditioning as it is still very hot at the beginning of the month. If you would like to see the sights in Athens then book a 1/2 day tour. You can do this on the internet. From there look up the sights to determine what you would like to see. The Metro is an excellent method of transportation and the buses are not bad but driver probably not speak English to help you. Do NOT rent a car in Athens! Driving is worse than in Italy and Athens is very congested. Check out National Museum and Changing of the Guard( Sunday is best with orchestra and full dress uniforms).
Food is good pretty much wherever you go if you eat where the locals go. As long as you stay in the tourist areas English will be spoken. Night life starts very late in Athens and lasts til the wee hours of the morning. I am assuming you will be spending part of the four days checking in and out of the hotels. Have lunch at the Agora after seeing the Acropolis just to watch the people go by. The park by the Metro station is very nice and relaxing. If you are interested you can take a day trip to Corinth if Biblical sites are of interest to you. St. Paul was there and wrote the letters to the Corinthians. A half day trip to there and another stop is available on Grayline Tours. Greece is very expensive in the Athens. Be warned that many places do not take credit cards so ask first. In the villages finding people who speak English is sometimes difficult. Enjoy your trip. FYI, politics is the national sport and for the last 8 years the people have not thought kindly about us. They might be feeling better since the election so be careful not to engage if you disagree with their views on our current administration.

Judy, google Matt Barrett's website on Greece and read the Athen's Survival Guide. I was there in April and think you will have no problem filling 4 days based in Athens. List of general activities: ancient ruins; multiple musuems; national gardens; hiking; eating; drinking local wine and ouzo; shopping; day trip to Nafplio; day trip to Delphi; evening tour to Sounion; learn more about history; and many other activites. Yes Athens in a big city with big city issues of pollution and traffic congestion, but there is no shortage of things to experience, enjoy and learn about. People everywhere were pleasant and helpful. Nearly everyone I spoke to in Athens knew at least a few words of English. No one disliked me or was rude because I am from the U.S.A. Feel free to discuss politics even if you disagree but know the Greeks tend to be very dynamic and forcefull when they become engaged in conversation; and many Greeks like to debate everything and anything. Have a great time on your trip and delve right into your Athens experience.

you really should re-post this over on Europe. You will get tons more info when the Greece experts can find your questions.

I am a bit curious though - what did you see when you were in Athens for 4 days last year?

Ok, I clearly need to start checking the date on the original post before adding to a thread. Why do people on the Board keep topping such old threads?

<Why do people on the Board keep topping such old threads?>

Oh, that's just sour, grapes.