Acropolis
A trip to Athens would be incomplete without a visit to the most iconic of all the structures of the ancient world – The Acropolis. Its always great to have a guide along to feed you with minute details of this majestic place. It's a good thing to have comfortable footwear as the climb up is quite arduous, but absolutely worth it. The Acropolis of Athens contains the remains of several ancient structures, the most famous being the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to Goddess Athena. Believed to have been constructed around 447 BC, it has withstood several destructions. Even though it's in part ruins, it still stands strong after all these centuries. It also offers a great panoramic view of this gorgeous city.
Panathenaic Stadium
Panathenaic Stadium. Image by Getty Images
Another absolutely stunning historical site that should not be missed is the Panathenaic Stadium. It is said that it was built in 566 BC and rebuilt in marble in 329 BC. It hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Entrance fees is around Euros 3; do not miss out on the free audio guide available at the entrance–it is a great guide that covers the history and design of this unique stadium. You might want to be a little careful as you climb these steps as the second level is a bit steep. But once on the top, you have a breathtaking view of the entire stadium as well as The Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis. You can even run on the track, stand on the podium, sit on the Throne seats reserved only for VIPs and have your own Olympic moments captured. Don't forget to explore the tunnel as well, which houses all the Olympic torches and has posters of the previous Olympics games. Whether or not you're a sports enthusuast, this is a must-see attraction.
Shop till you drop
Athens is definitely a shopper's paradise. For a complete shopping experience walk down Ermou Street for a wide range of clothes, shoes, jewellery and other gift items. The end of this street leads to the Monastiraki shopping area which has more original labels for the urban look. Plaka District is great for its souvenir shops–dont forget to get a bar of olive soap which is very famous in Greece. Also lots of shops sell absolutely elegant and beautiful white crochet dresses, table cloths and runners. A little on the expensive side, but very gorgeous. You will also find great traditional art and craft shops, which is worth a visit. For an absolutely local feel, a visit to the Monasteraki Flea Market and the Athens Central Market is a must.
For the foodies
Plaka. Image by Getty Images
Authentic food is on any traveller's mind, when they visit a new country and the Greek cuisine will definitely not disappoint you. Hit the streets of Monastiraki and Plaka for some yummy and inexpensive Greek food like Moussaka (oven-baked casserole of layered eggplant and spiced meat filling topped with a creamy bechamel); Fresh Greek Bread with Tzatziki (creamy cucumber, garlic and yogurt dip) and Tiropites (finger food made with phyllo pastry sheets and filled with a delicious mixture of Greek cheeses). Chicken Soup Avgolemono is the ultimate comfort food, which is had in every household; Souvlaki, Gyros and Pastitsio (pasta, meat filling, and a creamy bechamel sauce which are layered in a pan and baked to golden perfection). A very famous place called Falafells which is a five-minute walk from Monastiraki offers delicious falafel sandwiches.
Dancing the night away
Athens during the day is all about history, architecture and heritage sites, but when the sun sets this city's nightlife can totally match up to that of New York, London and even Las Vegas. The centre of Athens nightlife is in the district of Gazi. The energy, spirits and music can keep you going till the wee hours of the morning. This entire district bursts with a number of bars, pubs, lounges, restaurants. Another area that can be explored is Psyrri which is a ten minute walk from Monasteraki and Plaka. You have a plethora of options to let your hair down in this city!
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