Things to do In Athens
What to do in Athens? What are the best things to do in Athens? Where can I buy tickets to beat the queues to the busiest places in Athens? Over the years, I’ve been asked these same questions many times.
Thankfully, almost everything that most people want to see is located in the centre and within walking distance. Whether your plan to visit Athens for a day, a weekend or an extended holiday, my travel guide answers those questions and a lot more for your holiday plans.
Of course, almost everyone visiting the oldest city in Europe wants to walk up the Acropolis of Athens to see the Parthenon. But there is so much more to this ancient city and so many things to do in Athens that I want to show you.
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Athens has the best collection in the world if your interests are ancient sites. How about the Temple of Hephaestus, the best-preserved temple in the world? Or, walk the same paths and places as Socrates, St. Paul and Plato around the Ancient Agora of Athens, the heart of Ancient Athens and the centre of Athenian democracy.
Take your time at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest temple in Greece, or how about visiting the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, just as it was almost 2000 years ago, is still used today for performances for up to 5,000 spectators.
Visit the Panathenaic Stadium, the home of the first modern Olympic games, and go for a run around the very same track those ancient athletes competed on.
For all you museum lovers, you have over 100 to visit, including many world-class recognised. Of course, there’s the number one museum choice for things to do in Athens: the Acropolis Museum.
Museums in Athens are devoted to everything, including ancient Greek art and technology, illusions and magic, the history of cars, the most important archaeological finds globally, sports and recreation, and more.
How about the National Archaeological Museum, which contains Greece’s most important archaeological artefacts. Perhaps a trip to the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology Athens to get your hands on the hi-tech inventions of the ancient greeks.Â
Or, whether you’re interested in cars or not, I would recommend visiting the Hellenic Motor Museum. The museum’s collection consists of 300 cars, from the early 1900s to the present day.
Fancy a walk along some of the oldest streets in Athens and Europe? Then stroll the very same the ancient greeks did more than 2500 years ago. Or how about the famous streets of Plaka and Monastiraki?
For all you shopaholics out there, you’ll be glad to know that Athens is a shopper’s paradise, with a wide range of options to suit every taste. From flea markets to artsy squares and upscale districts to modern malls, there’s something for everyone in this lively city.
Of course, no visit to Athens is complete without one of the most unusual things to do in Athens: a visit to the Central Municipal Athens Market. As you step inside, all your senses will be engaged at once. A mix of delicious aromas and a rainbow of colourful fresh produce and fish are interestingly displayed, stuck vertically in ice.Â
When you need a rest, stop by the historic coffee roastery for a classic hovoli coffee brewed on hot sand – an experience not to be missed.
Athens has it all, whether you’re looking for a bargain or a luxurious shopping experience. You’ll find traditional Greek products like dried spices and nuts, together with local handicrafts and souvenirs. For fashion, you’ll find vintage apparel and international designer brands.
And you mustn’t forget the seven hills of Athens. They are not only a fantastic opportunity to escape the city, but they will provide you with the best views and photo opportunities.
Seek out Pnyx Hill; It is where democracy was born and provides the exact spot where noted politicians, generals, and philosophers, including Pericles, Socrates, Pythagoras, Themistocles, and Aristides, spoke to the crowds.
Or, how about the highest hill in Athens, Lycabettus Hill. Take a leisurely stroll on foot or ride the funicular. Once at the top, the views over Athens are amazing. Whilst there, pay a visit to the Holy Church of Saint George.
Another must-visit hill is Areopagus Hill, one of the most popular places where locals and tourists gather to watch Athens’s incredible sunrises, sunsets, and views.
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