Tips For Your First Visit to Athens. Tips For Your First Visit to Athens.
10 Tips For Your First Visit to Athens
First time in Athens, Greece? Not to worry. This bustling city is filled with sites to see, friendly locals and great prices. Here’s a few things to keep in mind- prepare to be blown away by incredible history and a vibrant modern city!
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1. Go to the Acropolis first thing in the morning
Be there before the gates even open! Trust me, you do not want to try and wade through the throngs of tourists at mid day. Depending on the season, you can go up to the Parthenon at either 8am or 8:30am. Check the schedule ahead of time so you know exactly which hours they are running.
Pro tip: Buy your ticket the day before so you’re ready to skip the line and head up first thing in the morning!
We were some of the first people up to the top but by 9:30am, the place was so packed you could hardly move. Trust me- don’t over sleep this day, you’ll want to beat the crowds. Even an hour after opening, it will be crowded.
2. Join a free walking tour to better appreciate the ruins
Athens offers a number of fantastic free walking tours! Why not join one the first day to help you understand the importance behind the ruins? Without all the juicy details and historical significance, the ruins might come across as just a scenic pile of rocks. Pretty bland considering the rich history of politics, war, murder and brilliance that Athens holds.
Trust me, you can’t fully appreciate the Parthenon without hearing about the golden ratio! Just be ready to tip your guide cash as a courtesy.
3. Skip the hotel, go with Airbnb
Scroll the the Airbnb site and you’ll see just how many gorgeous Airbnbs are located right in the heart of Athens. We stayed at a lovely penthouse with two terraces and a stunning view of the Acropolis from the bed.
Get $40 off your first Airbnb booking!
4. Hike Mount Lycabettus, skip the cable car
An easy, scenic hike with walking paths gives you a glorious view of Athens! For €7.50 you can ride the cable car one way to the top, but truthfully the hike isn’t difficult, save your money and climb the hill! It will only take you 15-20 minutes. The entire way is paved and when you reach the top, there is a restaurant if you want to stay and enjoy the view over Athens.
5. Athens International Airport is far from the city center but easily accessible by a €10 one-way metro
Once you’re in downtown Athens. you’ll be able to walk most places! But the airport isn’t near the city center. The metro is easy to locate when leaving the airport but allow over an hour to get into the city. A single ticket costs €10.
6. Watch the sunset from Areopagus – “Ares Rock”
The Acropolis is beautiful lit up at night. Be sure to catch a sunset over Athens from Ares Rock and soak up the view. Bring up a picnic or a few drinks and enjoy this totally free evening! Ares Rock is just a short walk from downtown, you can’t miss it. This large rock outcropping is just northwest of the Acropolis.
7. Try the street food
Athens is full of delicious places to try a variety of falafel dishes, pita wraps and moussaka- a potato or egg-plant based dish similar to lasagna! Affordable and delicious, Athens is a great place for street food!
My favorite: Falafellas
8. Stay downtown, you’ll be within walking distance to most places
Downtown Athens puts you within walking distance of most sites you’ll be wanting to visit! We stayed in an Airbnb just a few blocks from the Acropolis and never needed to take the metro after the initial trip in from the airport. We were just a short walk from museums, restaurants, shopping and a ton of historical sites.
9. Be ready for a quick change in weather! Pack a jacket and umbrella
A beautiful sunny day can quickly turn into a downpour in Athens. And evenings will be chilly!
Pack a light jacket and be ready for a quick switch in the weather.
Two days in a row I was caught in surprise showers without a jacket. And if you catch the sunset in the evening, you’ll be glad you have a warm outer layer.
10. Find a variety of activities to mix up your days and avoid “burnout” over ruins
Take a day trip to one of the islands, join a pub crawl or spend an afternoon shopping in the flea markets to mix up the historical sites. Your brain can only take some many museums, monuments and historical details back to back.
Athens has so much to offer both historical and modern!
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