To be honest, I didn’t really expect much from Athens. It’s the city that connects all of Greece’s flights, so we had to fly in there, plus we felt a little obligated since it’s basically the heart of Greece. However, we were VERY happily surprised by how great of a time we had. It will probably remain one of our favorite cities. Here are our tips for your next visit to Athens:
Where to stay
I’m pretty sure where we stayed was a huge reason why we loved Athens so much. We stayed a bit outside of the center of town in Kifisia. It was PERFECT. As soon as we drove down the streets, we fell in love. It was exactly how you’d picture a European city with tiny cobblestone streets, but it also had upscale shops and restaurants and was clean and just plain pretty.
As for hotels, you cannot beat Kefalari Suites. The rooms were large with lots of charm. You could tell each piece of furniture was picked to complement one another and to give an antique vibe, but it also had wonderful upgrades like the bathroom (my favorite part of a hotel room). Highly recommend!
Where to eat
Athens really did have some great food, something we didn’t really expect! I suggest trying a bunch of different restaurants throughout the city with the plan to eat multiple small meals. This will allow you to try out so many different kinds!
We had our first meal at a local restaurant in Kifisia and it was DELICIOUS. A great start to the trip. I also really recommend finding a Greek frozen yogurt place. So good on a hot day!
What to do
There are so many great ruins to check out in Athens! They are truly impressive and throughout the city. That’s why I definitely recommend getting the ticket package that allows you to visit multiple sites for a much better price. Also, make sure you buy your tickets online… We made the mistake of NOT doing that which meant waiting in an hour long line at Acropolis. Thankfully, Acropolis was absolutely amazing – from the ruins themselves to the views of the city.
When going around the city, make sure to check out the Roman Agora ruins and the ones nearby. Not only are the ruins cool (albeit much smaller), but there are a ton of shops and restaurants that line the alleyways for you to explore. Make sure to leave some time to just wander and enjoy the sights. Just walk around and take it all in.
Random tips
- Avoid the gypsies! They are all over the place and if you even make eye contact they will continuously pester you.
- Wear comfortable shoes, not sandals. Lesson learned…
