Top 10 things to do, see and eat in Athens

Europe

Feb 8

In September 2020, I went on a solo trip to Athens Greece. I made some amazing friends at the hostel I was staying in and I can honestly say it has become one of my favourite cities in the world!

I have always wanted to explore Athens and I knew there would be a few islands I could visit nearby to have my summer holiday fix. When Santorini had been taken off the UK's travel corridor list, I had to make a quick decision on where I would change my flights to. The good thing was mainland Greece hadn't been taken off the travel corridor list!

I booked my first 2 nights in the Bedbox hostel in Athens and I ended up staying there for the whole week. I wanted to spend a few nights at one of the islands nearby, for example; Naxos, Paros or Ios. But by the time I was ready to leave, the ferry times didn't match up with my plans (the ferry came back to Athens on the day of my flight home, leaving me with only 2 hours to get off the ferry & go to the airport) and I had made some pretty good friends at Bedbox hostel anyway!

I only had the chance to explore central Athens and there were a few things I didn't have time to see but I will definitely return to Greece one day and explore more of this beautiful country.

1. VISIT THE ACROPOLIS AND OTHER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

If you can't remember anything from school about ancient Greece, I suggest doing a little research beforehand and it will help you to appreciate and understand Athens more. I try my best to read a book about a place i'm visiting beforehand or while I’m there, (sometimes it will be a fictional story but based around real events). If you aren't into reading or you can't find a book that takes your fancy, a Youtube video is your next best thing!

You can buy a ticket for €20 which only includes the entry to the Acropolis or you can buy the €30 ticket which enables you to skip the line and covers six of the other archaeological sites.

I went at about 11 am and the line wasn't very long for me but I went in September 2020 during the Covd-19 pandemic. If you are visiting post pandemic make sure you get there early, as the line for the Acropolis can be long and you don't want to be walking around in the midday heat.

2. EAT THE LOCAL CUISINE

There are many different foods you need to try when you're in Athens and I would be here for forever if I told you about every single one. Here are a few of my favourites:

GYROS

Before I went to Athens, I made a long list of food I wanted to eat but I would say 50% of the food I ate in Athens was gyros. I could've easily eaten it for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I almost did! I did a lot of research on where to find the best gyros, and apparently it was a place called A Kostas. Unfortunately, every time I went there it was closed but I think I may have gone at awkward times.

The only place I went to my whole time in Athens was called Just Pita. I went there about 5 times due to it being the nearest gyros takeaway to my hostel. There may of been better places to try one but as a foreigner, it tasted better than any gyros I've had before. Their pork gyros are only €2.50 and they look small, but trust me, they’re loaded with meat!

(the only gyros photo I have from Athens!)

MOUSSAKA

Moussaka is similar to the Italian lasagne, it involves different layers of mince meat, aubergines and potatoes instead of pasta. I had one of these while I was in Athens at a place called Voliotiko Tsipouradiko, and it was delicious! This restaurant had a great atmosphere as well, we sat outside in the courtyard and they even had live music playing. You can try a couple of different traditional dishes here as well.

SEAFOOD

Fish, octopus & squid are the seafood dishes I sampled in Athens, and they were all fresh and tasty! Following on from my above point, the fish at Voliotiko Tsipouradiko Psir, restaurant was also great!

Amazing squid and chips from En Iordani (don’t let the pictures/photos outside the restaurant fool you - the food here is amazing and it rated very highly on Tripadvisor)

Delicious octopus at a random restaurant in Nafplio

DOUGH BALLS

There is a place in Athens called Lukumades and they sell delicious gooey dough balls with all different toppings. The photo speaks for it self!

Bougatsa filling with chocolate sauce and coconut flakes

BOAT SHAPED PIES

There is a great little place in Athens called Feyrouz and they make these delicious boat shaped pies filled with delicious levantine based recipes. Super filling, delicious and perfect for a quick lunch snack!

3. PEOPLE WATCH WHILE DRINKING FREDDO CAPPUCCINOS, BEER OR WINE.

It is important to sit back, relax and recharge when you are travelling. Grab yourself a drink and watch the world go by!

Brunch bagel and freddo cappuccino from Estrella Athens

4. DAY TRIP TO A NEARBY ISLAND OR A SAILING TRIP

There are at least over 10 islands you can explore on a day trip from Athens. Some of them are very similar to each other and some are more popular than others. I would google 'island day trips from Athens' as I don't know the ins and outs of all of them. You don't even need to go an organised tour to reach these islands, all you need to go is take a local ferry and it could be as cheap as €20 return. Check out the website ferryhopper to compare prices & islands.

Another option is to go on an organised sailing trip. I booked the Full Day Tour & Sailing to Agistri, Moni & Aegina on the website Get Your Guide for about £124, it included 3 different islands, lunch, unlimited alcohol & the opportunity to jump off the boat and swim in the sea. Even though it is definitely on the pricey side, we had a great time and we wouldn't of experienced something like this if we had caught a ferry to one island.

If you’re on a budget and/or you’re not fussed about going on a sailing boat, I would recommend booking a ferry to one or a couple of the islands, depending on how much time you have or how close they are to each other.

One of the islands I would recommend is Agistri Island. It has a beautiful beach, with the most clearest pool-like water. The island has a chilled atmosphere with a few quintessentially greek island restaurants on the main road; think - white and blue furnishings and wild vines with pink flowers taking over the restaurant. We only had time for a swim as we were only there for an hour but you can rent bikes and explore the rest of the small island. I suggested this idea to the guys I met in the hostel and they had a great time, chilling on the beach drinking mythos beer all day!

We went to Aegina island as well and it was full of quaint cafes and shops but as I mentioned earlier, I would suggest comparing all the different islands and see what suits you best. Think about what you would like to do on the island, eg; swim, sunbathe, shopping, eat, hike, adrenaline seeking water sports?

Freddo cappuccinos and grapes (Aegina Island)

5. EXPERIENCE THE SUNSET OVER ATHENS ON THE TOP OF LYCABETTUS HILL

Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to do this but the guys I made friends with in the hostel did. They said it was about a 15-20 minute walk up a very steep hill or you can take a taxi to the top. Once they made it to the top they were dripping in sweat and rewarded with the beautiful view of the sun setting over Athens. However, they did say It was very busy at this time and it was overcast which partially blocked the sun!

6. BAR HOPPING IN PSYRI

There is such a mix of character in this area. Traditional greek cafes mixed with hip cool trendy bars. Beautiful street art mixed with derelict abandoned buildings. I've never seen so many bars and restaurants in such a small area and you would never get bored!

7. SHOPPING AT MONASTIRAKI FLEA MARKET

These are some of the best markets and shops I have been to on my travels. There are many things you can buy here; from the expensive to the very tacky and touristy. I bought this leather backpack for €30 and they came in a variety of different sizes, colours and materials to choose from! If you're into antiques, there is also an antique market nearby as well.

8. TEMPLE OF POSEIDON AT SUNSET (CAPE SOUNION)

I didn't get the chance to experience this, but one of my friends did and she said it was really beautiful to witness the sun setting against the mountains and the temple.

It is about a four hour drive round trip from Athens. If you're not on a time limit, it would be easier if you stayed the night, otherwise you can catch a bus there and back. If you do miss the last bus and this did happen to my friend (they also don't run very often) you will need to catch a taxi back to Athens, which will be expensive if you are on your own. I would suggest making some friends in the hostel and going as a group. You will be able to split the cost of the taxi if you need to and you won't be on your own in a foreign area at night.

9. EXPLORE THE AREA OF PLAKA

Plaka is a very beautiful old area of Athens and is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited neighbourhoods. All you need to do is walk around, get lost and have a glass of wine in one of the quaint cafes or restaurants. Take someone with you, to be your personal photographer as there are so many hidden pretty little ‘instagram’corners.

10. DAY TRIP TO NAFPLIO

Nafplio is a beautiful port town located 2 hours drive from Athens. We took a bus from the Kifissos Bus Terminal. You will need to catch a local bus or metro and walk about 15 minutes to the bus terminal as it is located outside of central Athens.

Nafplio has a mammoth fortress that sits on the top of the hill over looking the town and the sea. If you’re up for the challenge walk to the top and enjoy the view. Or you can do what I did and walk to the top of the road where you can still enjoy a great view!

Akronauplía fortress is at the top of the mountain and Arvanitia Beach is behind the wall.

Once you have experienced the view, you will notice there is a little hidden beach called Arvanitia Beach on the other side of the hill. Make sure to pack your bathers and go for a swim!

There are loads of beautiful restaurants hidden in the streets and along the waterfront. If you would like to enjoy a relaxed waterfront bar vibe and an a delicious cocktail. I would recommend sitting in one of the lounge chairs in the bars along the waterfront.