Athens Recommendations

Athens is an incredibly scenic and interesting city with volumes of history and incredible ruins peppered throughout the otherwise bustling, modern metropolis. It’s compact and easy to get around, yet without feeling small. Plenty of time can be spent just wandering it’s bevy of eclectic and attractive neighborhoods. Or, as the Greeks do more often than not, you can while away you day at one of the hundreds of characterful cafes that fill the sidewalks of Greece’s capital city.

The following are a few of the things that kept me occupied in Athens:

• The Acropolis (The Pantheon) - the centerpiece of Athens and one of the most important monuments in western civilization. It's under renovation and probably will be for many more years, but still definitely worth a visit to check out the remarkable construction as well as the excellent views of the Athens metropolis.
• Ancient Agora - an interesting and wide spread of ancient Greek ruins that were once a large market place, temples, churches and other buildings that sits just below the Acropolis' east face.
• Temple of Olympian Zeus - just outside the Plaka neighborhood, a collection of a handful of impressive columns that once numbered 100. About ten or so still stand which are impressive enough and one that sits fallen on the ground shows how the columns were sectioned together.
• Roman Stadium - the site of the first Olympics of the modern era in 1896, but built hundreds of years before by the Romans to host similar games featuring tests of strength and endurance for hundreds of years.
• Syntagma Square - the heart of Athens formed by a large square surrounded by upmarket hotels, restaurants, shops and Greek Parliament . The roads to all the key sights and neighborhoods emanate from this square.
• Plaka - the old part of Athen, which consisted of most of Athens up to a few decades ago, sitting at the base of the Acropolis with narrow, cobblestone streets and plenty of restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars as well as numerous Greek and Roman ruins scattered throughout the area.
• Kolonaki - the modern, chic neighborhood of Athens with boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Great for walking around and getting lunch or dinner.
• Lykavittos Hill - the second largest hill around Athens and opposite of the Acropolis with great views of the Acropolis and central Athens from the top. You can walk to the top up a series of paths that ring the hill or take the funicular to the top.
• Olivio’s - a great cafe-style restaurant with comfortable patio seating, good food and good service on the main plaza in the heart of Plaka.
• Flocafe - Athens' answer to Starbucks, which is also in Athens, with multiple locations around the city and good, simple food as well as coffees, teas, and alcoholic drinks. Most locations are good places to hang out and people watch.
• Plaka Laundrette - right off the main square in Plaka and good place to get laundry done well and quickly.