The capital of modern and ancient Greece, Athens preserved the culture of ancient Greeks, boasting its Acropolis and other majestic monuments. If you want to travel back in time or just enjoy the present, Athens is a place for you.
The arrival to the port was quite the opposite from Santorini — from small port to one of the bigest ports we have seen in our lives. After disemberkation we found a way to the closest metro station where we were surprised by affordable public trasport offered (90 min ticket for all transport costs 1,20 €). Opposed to the public transport on Cyclades, the one here is reliable and fast.
We booked out guest house outside the center of Athens. The location wasvery good as we were just 4 min of walk from closest bus station, 11 min from closest metro station and 3 min of walk from the Lidl supermarket.
We would definetely recommend you to use the public transport in Athens and in case of you staying more than few days making a presonalised card for it as well (especially for students as it is the only way to get reduced tickets). We managed to sightsee all of the famous Athens sites in two days but would recommend you to take more time maybe if you are more of archeological type.
Standing still since ancient Greece, most of ancient buildings are concentrated on the hill in the middle of Athens. A variety of temples, mostly praising the goddess Athina, who liberated and protected the city, are combined with the Amphitheatre of Dionises.
The Parthenon
The Erechteum
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Although very urbanised, Athens still allows you to take a deep breath in calmness of National Garden or a similar park. 50 shades of trees ensure cooler tempretures and a shade for more than 30 turtles. The complex contains a playground for children, a small zoo and toilet areas as well.
Leaving the park through one exit, you will bump into a President Palace, guarded by soldiers with a unique choreography. Exit it on the other end, and you will stumble upon the Town Hall.
National Garden
With ruins from Greek and Roman era, agoras will give you a feeling of times before counting. This is where public life took place. An interesting monument is the so-called water clock which used the power of gravity to measure time as the water flowed out of a tank.
You will also find a temple there which was transformed into something you would call a shopping mall today around 1st century, into a church later on, and is now home for various statues (originals as well as Roman copies).
Stoa of Attalos
Originally built by antient and later rebuilt by modern Greeks, the only marble stadium in the world holds the story of the Olympic Games. The running track is 1 stadium long (125 m); that's where it got its name. Here, the first modern Olympic Games were hosted and every four years, in this very place, the Olympic Torch is lit.
With the 2,5 € reduced entrance fee you also receive a complementary audio guide which walks you through the whole story of the area.
Panathematic Stadium
Although no-one really knows what it is for, it poses the entry point of the walking path towards the top of the hill which offers an exceptional view of sthe whole Athens area, including the elevated Acropolis.
Take a breath and enjoy the moment.
View onto Acropolis
Opened only 10 years ago, this museum is the pride of the Municipality of Athens. Sizing through 3 levels and also an excavation site under the museum, it leads you along the rises and pluges of the Athens. Housing dozens and dozens of statues, mainly restored, it is a heaven for archeologists and historians.
We visited it after the Acropolis, but would recommend you to do it in the reverse order, despite it being a pleasant visit at the hottest hours of the day.
Acropolis museum
If you are only staying in Athens for a few days but would like to try as much food variety as possible, there's one last place you have to visit. There's a restaurant named Φ5 half-an-hour walk off center.
For as little as 10 € you will get an unforgetable tasting experience of local Greek food, new meals getting delivered to your table for as long as you can eat. A glass of house wine is included. The dishes available are said to differ daily.
Greek salad
How our table looked like
"Dessert" (we meant)