Let me set the scene. Earlier than January this 12 months I had by no means as soon as considered visiting Athens on a European metropolis break. It hasn’t been a long-standing competitor of my bucket record, and past the well-known Acropolis, I didn’t know a lot in any respect in regards to the Greek capital metropolis. Quick ahead to March and it’s a complete totally different story. After a suggestion from a part-Greek good friend, I made a decision to go to Athens for myself to take a look at the town she spoke so extremely of – and guess what? The town exceeded each single certainly one of my expectations. Listed here are 15 causes to go to Athens.
Athens isn’t one of many first locations that springs to thoughts once you consider metropolis break locations. However for those who’re keen to suppose exterior the field with me, you’ll be rewarded with a sun-soaked, culture-filled and effortlessly cool metropolis break. Let me clarify…
Causes to Go to Athens on a Metropolis Break
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The Acropolis
It might be against the law to begin this record with something apart from The Acropolis of Athens; the rugged hilltop citadel, which dramatically towers above the town. Essentially the most iconic a part of The Acropolis is The Parthenon, which was initially a temple constructed as a spot to worship Athen’s ruler, the Goddess Athena. Relationship all the best way again to 447 BC, the historical past of this place is mind-bending. However even for those who’re not that into the info, it’s value arising right here for the breath-taking 360 diploma views of Athens. This needs to be one of many greatest causes to go to Athens.
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The Rooftop Bars
What isn’t instantly obvious about Athens is its unbelievable rooftop bar scene. They’re scattered across the metropolis, each offering a special perspective of the spectacular Acropolis. Go to by day to take in the sunshine or arrive at evening to hearken to DJs and see The Acropolis lit up in all its glory. Typically hidden away, the rooftop bars of Athens make up a secret social scene that solely the locals and savvy travellers find out about. A go to to some rooftop bars is a should on any metropolis break to Athens.
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The Pleasant Locals
I’ve all the time thought that the Greeks are very pleasant as a nation of individuals, however I didn’t know if this friendliness would transcend into its bustling capital metropolis. However the locals in Athens appear simply as pleasant, chatty and simply as keen to assist as these within the sleepy Greek islands.
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The Previous City of Plaka
No European metropolis break can be full with no stroll by an enthralling Previous City, proper? Plaka is Athen’s Previous City and simply probably the most picturesque neighbourhood. Think about cobbled streets, historic structure, sun-drenched piazzas and eating places with white and blue table-cloths. Andrianou is the primary buying avenue in Plaka and is lined with boutique stalls and memento outlets. Enterprise to the tip of this avenue and also you’ll discover a strip of nice eating places too.
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The Flea Market
The flea market is likely one of the greatest causes to go to Athens for anybody that loves something on the quirky aspect. The strange choice of objects are as random as they arrive, lots of that are classic and antiques. If you wish to decide up a Greek memento that’s actually distinctive, the flea market is the place to return.
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The Scrumptious Greek Meals
The Greek meals alone is motive sufficient to plan a metropolis break to Athens. You’ll be feasting on recent Greek salads, succulent Souvlakis, recent calamari, grilled meats, tszaziki, mousakka and extra. The record of mouth-watering Greek dishes is infinite and the standard of produce in Athens is excessive. There’s additionally one thing within the air that make tomatoes in Greece 10 occasions extra scrumptious and flavoursome than something within the UK.
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The Espresso Tradition
The Greeks take their espresso severely and low tradition is part of the lifestyle in Athens. As an alternative of a beer, pals meet up for espresso and may spend hours in one of many many artisan espresso outlets. It’s a pleasure to be loved slowly. No journey to Athens is full with out ordering the Freddo Cappucinno, an iced espresso with sweetened milk and foam on prime. Heaven!
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Anafiotika
Till latest years the sleepy hillside village of Anafiotika glided by unnoticed by vacationers, however now the key is out. Positioned just under The Acropolis hill, this tiny village is extra harking back to a rural Greek island than a capital metropolis. Get misplaced amongst the labyrinth of slim alleyways that join the whitewashed homes.
High Tip: Locals reside in Anafiotika and the rise in visiting vacationers has brought on a difficulty with noise air pollution. Be a aware traveller and attempt to preserve the noise down as you discover this stunning village.
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The Souvlaki Retailers
The Souvlaki outlets in Athens want no introduction. They’re Greece’s reply to a kebab, however much more tasty and recent. Succulent grilled meat is served up with salad in a heat toasted pitta. Excellent for on the go, extremely low-cost (about 3 euros) and totally scrumptious. The outlets keep open late so for those who’re want of a late evening snack that is the place to go. I might write a separate weblog publish about all of the foodie causes to go to Athens too!
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The Al Fresco Tradition
Inside Athens’ many piazzas and squares you’ll discover an infinite alternative of al-fresco cafes and eating places. Out of doors dwelling is the lifestyle in Athens and also you’ll by no means be wanting locations to cease for a drink on a metropolis break in Athens.
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The Historical Historical past
Athens is likely one of the oldest cities on earth. It’s the place historical civilisation started and the place democracy was born. It’s the house of the Greek gods and goddesses you discovered about in class and each monument and spoil performs a component within the metropolis’s fascinating historical past. If Athens can’t seize your historic creativeness, nowhere can.
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The Gelato
Though gelato could also be synonymous to Italy, the Greeks do a reasonably good job of it too. Head to Plaka for your best option of Gelato outlets the place you’ll be able to select from an extremely artistic choice of gelato flavours.
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The Strolling Excursions
Athens is greatest explored on foot, so pack your comfiest footwear and ebook your self on to a strolling tour. My sister and I did a bespoke strolling tour with Athens Insiders and it was doubtless a spotlight of the journey. All of their excursions are tailored to you so that they’ll theme their tour round your pursuits e.g. historical past, gastronomy or trend. Our native information confirmed us the entire hidden gems of Athens together with Anafiotika, which we wouldn’t have discovered on our personal.
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The Open High Buses
It’s not significantly cool or distinctive, however an open bus tour of Athens is a lot enjoyable! In case your ft begin to tire from all of the strolling, an open prime bus tour is the right strategy to spend the ultimate day of your metropolis break in Athens. That is what my sister and I did and we acquired to see some further sights together with the Panathenaic Stadium.
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The Museums
Should you’re a tradition vulture, then Athens is a dream vacation spot for you. There are such a lot of museums it could be not possible to get round all of them in only one journey. Make it possible for The Acropolis Museum, The Museum of Gastronomy, The Museum of Cycladic Artwork and The Nationwide Archaeology Museum are all excessive in your record. However actually, it’s all down to private curiosity.
From the traditional historical past to fashionable rooftop bars and low tradition, Athens is a thriving metropolis that has all the correct attributes for a dream metropolis break. I can’t imagine it took me so lengthy to find this vibrant, pleasant and culture-filled metropolis. I’m so glad I discovered it, and I’d return in a heartbeat.
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What did you consider these 15 causes to go to Athens on a metropolis break? Are you pondering of visiting Athens or has this publish impressed you to take action? Should you loved studying this, please depart me a remark within the field under. X
Wish to learn extra on Athens? Look out for my Athens Metropolis Information.
For extra on data on Greece, go to DiscoverGreece.com
Try Aegean Airline’s low fare finder for his or her lowest accessible air fares to Athens.
Disclaimer: My journey to Greece was offered complimentary on behalf of Uncover Greece. All views are my very own.
