Curator’s statement
Athens, Greece, is a beautiful city known for its rich history and amazing food. If you are planning your travel to Greece, Athens is an absolute must. Not only can you visit the city’s beautiful attractions, but you can easily access other Greek islands for a day trip or extended vacation.
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Where to stay in Athens, Greece
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Things to do in Athens, Greece
Acropolis
Of course, a trip to Athens would not be complete without hiking up to the Acropolis. Located above the city of Athens, it contains many archaeological findings, such as the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechthelon, and the Temple of Athena Nike, as well as the Theater of Dionysus on the way up to the top. Be prepared for a hike up the mountain, but there are many places to stop and rest on the way. Just remember to bring your own water. You can easily make the visit on your own, but a trip with a tour guide will provide you with extra information on the sites. You can also download the app called Cosmote Chronos, which will allow you to see how the sites looked in the past using AI. It’s truly amazing!
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum contains ruins from the Acropolis that need extra protection and allow visitors to see more of the history of the city. The first floor contains finds from the Acropolis slopes. You can also see ancient artifacts from the distant past, including items over 2700 years old. You can also view many statues, sculptures, pottery, and pieces from the ruins. Under the museum, you can visit the area of excavation of roads, houses, baths, workshops, and tombs from 400 BC to 1200 AD. It’s breathtaking! Head up to the rooftop restaurant for unimpeded views of the Acropolis.
Day Trips
There are some amazing day trips you can take from Athens, including cultural tours to places like Ancient Olympia and Corinth, Meteora Monasteries, and Delphi, or boat trips to islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Hydra, and many others. Athens is also located in a terrific area to depart to other islands for an extended vacation by ferry – check it out! There are thousands of island options to enjoy paradise!
Places to eat & drink in Athens, Greece
Diva Pizza
As my children were wanting pizza, we ventured to Diva Pizza Plus for some authentic Italian cuisine, and it did not disappoint! Not only was the pizza outstanding, but the pasta was fresh and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the tagliolini carbonara (I am still thinking about this dish!), tortelloni a la parmigiano, and peppercorn pork with cream sauce.
Kalamaki Bar
Our first meal in Athens had to be authentic Greek food, and Kalamaki Bar was perfect. The atmosphere was homey and you could also eat outside on the terrace, and the food was perfect for sharing. We ordered a variety of dishes to share, including kebabs, pita, hummus, tzatziki, Greek salad, and skewers. I highly recommend this restaurant for a terrific Greek meal!
Romatella
Romatella has a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, and for good reason! Did I mention that my kids love pizza? With both simple margaritas and creative options to choose from, you can order by the slice and choose several varieties to try. I am typically very traditional in my pizza choices but decided to venture out and try something different, and I am glad I did! My favorites were the eggplant pesto and guanciale with pecorino cheese. Yummmmm!!!
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Kristi Martin
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Athens. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, 5 Days in Dublin.