For centuries, Athens was the cradle of intellectual thought, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, science, medicine, athletics, law and justice and democracy. As the capital of Greece, Athens was home to the great minds of history such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Plato, to name just a few in what became a much longer list of greats over the centuries. It is staggering just how much Ancient Greece gave the world. The influence is evident in every aspect of our lives, and your visit to Athens will continue to awaken you to the extraordinary and enduring impacts of this city and its people.
But, by no means should we just focus on the classic wonders. Athens has a contemporary edge with an exciting arts scene, exceptional food experiences and happening after-dark scene for those who like to find new spaces to explore as they make their way into the vibrant neighbourhoods of the city.
From the Acropolis viewing platform, turn your gaze northeast and you look down on Plaka, the oldest and by far the most beautiful part of the city. So much so, that Plaka is often referred to as the Neighbourhood of the Gods. Its paved narrow alleyways are lined with yesteryear buildings characteristically painted in the colours of the region - Mediterranean blues, reds and yellows. Cloaking the facades masses of bougainvillaea that in the summertime, add bright splashes of pink and orange. The restaurants and shops are just as enthralling and provide plenty of daylight and nightlife entertainment to keep you coming back for more.
Speaking of nightlife, the anarchist neighbourhood of Exarchia definitely offers visitors an experience far removed from ancient relics. Rather than bougainvillaea draping the street walls, in Exarchia it’s street art, graffiti and political posters that cover the facades, crying out against repression and demanding social reform. Check out our tours of this precinct to make the most of your visit. In contrast to Exarchia’s colourful backdrop, this alternative part of town is also crowded with trendy restaurants, bars and beautiful people who come to play the night away. Psyrri, Koukaki, Gazi are other neighbourhoods you need to visit if you’re into live music, bars and clubs that will keep you going through the night. Each offer different experiences, for example, Gazi is known for its superclub venues while Psyrri keeps it real with live entertainment and restaurants and bars for the cool dudes who like to hang out.
You cannot go to any city in the world and miss the opportunity to check out its local food and flea markets. Marketplaces are drenched in authentic cultural experiences with everything from antiques to fresh local produce, hot food stands and handicrafts, they are a treat for every traveller. Athens is no different. Across the city, you’ll find farmers markets everywhere while larger and specialty markets are also in plentiful supply and offer very different experiences depending on what how long they’ve been running and Monastiraki Flea Market and Eleonas Flea Market are great places to pick up a bargain while you need to head to Avissinias Square if you’re after antiques. The Avissinias antique market has been in operation for a century and makes for some easy time spent mooching through the stalls. Varvakeios is the city’s largest and most popular fresh food and produce market with everything needed, including specialty food stores to make your Greek feast perfect. If you’re after a gift for someone who loves food and is in Athens or it’s in their travel plans, Gifting Owl has some brilliant food tours of the city as well as hosted home cooking experiences where your giftee can really sink their teeth into the local food culture. We also highly recommend the Culinary Experience At Yoleni's, Athens' Premier Gourmet Delicatessen.
For a magnificent blend of outdoor adventure and dining experiences, a hike up the terraced pathway of Lycabettus Hill leads walkers to views across the city, out to the Saronic Gulf and across to the mountain ranges of the Kesariani Vyronas Forest. Once at the top, you are at the highest point of the city and if you fancy making more of your time at the top, you can choose to dine indoors or on the terrace overlooking the city at the Orizontes Lycabettus restaurant. The Kesariani Vyronas Forest also offers hikers the chance of fantastic views over Athens from the summit.
Of course, as you might expect from this ancient metropolis, Athens is home to so many museum galleries and exhibitions bursting with antiquities and fascinating facts, it’s hard to cover them all. With so many on offer, it’s possible to find a museum to meet every taste, so if you have time up your sleeve to explore just a few, you’ll be well rewarded for the effort. The New Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum are the top attractions and draw huge visitor numbers each year. Don’t be put off though, these two museums are well worth the visit. For those with particular interests, there are specialist museums covering jewellery, music, theatre, religion, even pinball machines! and so much more. When it comes to museums and galleries, guided tours are often the best way to go deep and gain a much fuller experience.
Despite the economic woes that have dogged Greece in recent decades, Athenians are an exuberant lot and nothing can dampen spirits as the city presents some of the world’s exceptional attractions. Experience gifts from Gifting Owl enrich the time spent in this amazing part of the world, leaving you with unforgettable and treasured memories.
