From unmissable hilltop temples to secret skinny-dipping coves, Athens, the capital of Greece, is a superb mishmash of historical traditions and trendy mischief. Ruminate over the day with the radicals of Exarcheia, wander again in time within the metropolis’s many museums, and discover your beachy paradise alongside the Athens Riviera. Listed below are one of the best issues to do in Athens, Greece.
Uncover the secrets and techniques of the Acropolis
No journey to the “Cradle of Western Civilization” is full with out a glimpse of the Acropolis, one of the well-known historic websites in Greece. This 2,500-year-old hilltop citadel, devoted to the goddess Athena, remains to be kicking it with the youth of Greece’s trendy capital. The construction appears to be like unbelievable for its age. Climb the marble steps to the Parthenon to totally admire the surprise of this classical icon.
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Research sculptures on the Acropolis Museum
Frieze, it’s sculpture time! Behind each nice wreck lies an important museum. Some artifacts are simply too dear to go away mendacity round within the Parthenon, so that they’ve been introduced inside for safekeeping, most notably the 161m-long (528 ft) part of the Parthenon frieze that is carved with gods, goddesses, musicians, chariots, and sacrificial animals. Created from weighty marble, it might have wrapped across the higher band of the Parthenon to type what appeared like a steady procession.
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Ponder the traditional world within the Agora
As soon as a vigorous assembly place for robed politicians, retailers, and philosophers, the Agora is now a shaded retreat for vacationers and metropolis dwellers. Wander the crumbly paths to Hephaestus Temple, a mini Parthenon constructed to honour the gods of blacksmithing and pottery. Over time, it has been a competition website for artisans and a spot of worship. There’s additionally an Eleventh-century Byzantine church, nonetheless splendidly intact and stuffed with tales from the previous.
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Discover treasures at Monastiraki Flea Market
For those who love a cut price, then Saturday’s flea market at Monastiraki is effectively value a go to. Set between two of the oldest districts of Athens, the stalls are positive to be hiding loads of secondhand Greek treasures, together with classic clothes, oddities, and bric-a-brac. When you have the time, you can lose an entire day on this fantastically chaotic neighbourhood.
The rooftop cocktail bars in Monastiraki additionally make it certainly one of Athens’ greatest nightlife spots. Order a stiff drink from Baba au Rum or 360 Cocktail Bar and benefit from the panorama. Different nice districts for an evening out embrace Koukaki for stay music and a extra laid-back really feel, Psirri for stylish boutique bars, and Gazi for the dance-all-night mega golf equipment.
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See the Nationwide Archaeological Museum
To forestall you from falling over all the traditional treasures, Athens has kindly boxed them up into one handy museum. Admire jewelry, sculptures, pottery, frescoes, and artifacts spanning the centuries, from the Neolithic to the Classical eras. One of many largest attracts is the golden demise masks of Agamemnon. There’s additionally the colossal portrait head of Emperor Hadrian, confirming rumours that the Roman ruler was certainly extremely big-headed.
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Carry a picnic blanket to Filopappou Hill
Filopappou Hill, additionally referred to as the Hill of the Muses, is certainly one of Athens’ most-loved parks and picnic spots. It has a Byzantine chapel, an historical quarry, and a silver-domed observatory with an vintage telescope for stargazing. With beautiful views of the Acropolis, it’s the right place to place down a blanket and watch the sundown after a protracted day exploring. Fill your picnic basket with Greek meals and drinks. For a handy finger-picky choice, go for dolmades, stuffed grape leaves with rice, pine nuts, cheese, and floor meat. Or hunt down souvlaki, a fast-food staple of grilled meat wrapped in pita and doused in tzatziki. For dessert, deal with your self to a choice of baklava. Wash all of it down with ouzo and lemonade. Don’t neglect the olive bread!

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Watch opera at Stavros Niarchos
Seems modern-day Greece may produce architectural gems. It’s of their blood. The spectacular, architecturally acclaimed Stavros Niarchos Basis Cultural Middle is dwelling to the Nationwide Opera and the Nationwide Library of Greece. The encircling gardens, full with playgrounds, cafés, and a man-made river, present the right add-on for households.
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Wander across the graves of Kerameikos
Kerameikos is Athens’ historical necropolis. The 4.5-hectare (11-acre) cemetery is the ultimate resting place for prime priestesses, noble households, adorned athletes, and warriors who died in battle. Lots of the graves and monumental tombstones are carved with vivid scenes that inform the story of those previous lives. To get the total format of the positioning, head to the small museum, which additionally homes an important marble bull and a really obedient stone mountain canine.
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Marvel on the Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Temple of Olympian Zeus took 700 years to construct. Emperor Hadrian completed it in 131 AD and added a large statue of Zeus, together with a large statue of himself. In its prime, it was Greece’s largest and most imposing temple. In the present day, it has misplaced a couple of legs, and solely 15 of the 104 columns stay, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a mighty sight.

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Catch a film by moonlight at Cine Thisio
With about 60 open-air cinemas, Athens should be the world capital of alfresco film nights. Some are in-built Roman aqueducts, whereas others disguise in lush gardens. After which there’s Cine Thisio. Designed in 1935, this cult basic has essentially the most romantic setting of all of them. Overlooking the moonlit Acropolis, it would not actually matter what film you go to see; you received’t be watching it anyway.
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Dip into paradise on the Athens Riviera
Seems you may have all of the enjoyable of the Greek islands with out straying too removed from town. The Athens Riviera runs from the southern suburbs of Athens to the tip of Attica, the place the Temple of Poseidon gazes out onto the Aegean Sea. The seashores right here include good meals, loads of bars, and crystal-clear swimming spots.
Head to Faliro to mingle with the yacht-owning marina crowd, Glyfada for boutiques and bars, Voula for family-friendly seashore golf equipment, Vouliagmeni for lake swimming, or Varkiza for watersports and seafood. Away from the coastal resorts, you’ll discover loads of hidden coves the place bronzed our bodies fling themselves off the rocks, a favorite pastime of younger Athenians. For those who just like the quieter life, then one of the best of Athens’ seashores must be Vamvakousi Seashore, hidden behind a bakery. Take the path by means of the tamarisk bushes and oleanders till you attain a gap. The waters listed below are calm and well-loved by locals.

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Stroll like royalty in Athens’ Nationwide Backyard
A good looking inexperienced retreat within the coronary heart of Athens, the Nationwide Backyard was as soon as a part of a royal residence designed by Queen Amalia in 1838. It has let itself go a bit because the regal days, however being overgrown really fits its prime function as a relaxing escape from town warmth. Meander by means of 6.5 hectares (16 acres) of shaded paths, picnic by the ponds, and peek on the peacocks. With a playground and a tiny zoo, this inexperienced area can also be nice for households.
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Catch a present at Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Sitting subserviently on the base of Acropolis Hill, this historical theatre is likely one of the greatest preserved efficiency areas on the earth. It was in-built 161 AD by Herodes Atticus in reminiscence of his spouse after which lovingly restored within the Fifties. Like many Greek antiquities, this memorial for everlasting love is so effectively constructed that it’s nonetheless used for concert events and occasions. For those who’re visiting in the summertime or through the Epidaurus Competition, you should definitely e-book an evening of Greek drama within the 5,000-seat area. You don’t should be a thespian to understand the magic of this place.

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Discover hipster Athens in Exarcheia
Exarcheia is the hipster hangout of Athens, dwelling to college students, artists, migrants, and musicians. Outdated bookbinders and bouzouki (conventional instrument) makers stand alongside trendy artwork outlets and sustainable streetwear shops. The sandwiches listed below are messy, the ceramics wonky and the residents rebellious. It’s a spot the place vinyl by no means went out of style, the place group and custom are nonetheless necessary, and the place rents are nonetheless affordable, making it engaging to creatives. Stare at native artwork within the again room of a espresso store, catch a band at a transformed warehouse, or rub shoulders with the radicals in central sq., reminiscing of the riots in days previous.
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Convene with espresso drinkers in Kypseli
Kypseli is a cultural melting pot, an eclectic mixture of architectural kinds, eating places, and residents. Kurdish kebab homes combine with conventional ouzeries, crumbling mansions have change into exhibition areas, and domino duels kick off in curbside cafés. Kypseli is definitely dwelling to Athens’ first artist residency, which has been the jumping-off level for a lot of creatives within the Greek capital. For those who’re a espresso home hound, then Fokionos Negri Boulevard has a number of the greatest cafés in Athens. It’s the place old-world Greece meets new world. Seize a desk by the left fountains and watch town move by. Lots of the bars and cafés are open previous midnight, so don’t begin on the ouzo too early!
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