Every year, more tourists are visiting Greece than the entire Greek population. This fact might give you an idea of the popularity of Athens, Greece’s capital. I went to Athens in January and, even though it was the low season, the streets were packed with tourists. It was mostly busy in the Acropolis (center of Athens). There are so many things for you to do in Athens. Here are 7 of the best things to do in the city to help you plan your time there.
- Acropolis of Athens – Parthenon
- Ancient Agora
- Monastiraki (flea market)
- Watch the sunset
- Walk at Piraeus
- Votsalakia Beach
- Eat at Little Kook (a café inspired by fairy tales)
Acropolis of Athens – Parthenon
The Acropolis is the hill the Parthenon is located on. The Parthenon is a marble temple built between 447 and 432 B.C. Dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, it dominates the Acropolis. If you only have time to visit one site in Athens, this is the one to see.
During the summer (high season), there are a lot of tourists. The site opens at 8 am. I highly suggest you get there at the opening to enjoy the activity without the site being packed with tourists.
A ticket for the Acropolis gives you access to monuments such as the Parthenon and Erechteion. During the summer (April 1 to October 31), the ticket for the Acropolis is 20 euros (30$ CAD). During the winter (November 1st to March 31), the ticket is 10 euros (15$ CAD).
Ancient Agora
The Ancient Agora was the gathering place of the Ancient city. The ticket includes access to the Ancient Agora and the Agora Museum. This site is my favorite one since it is the biggest one and therefore there is so much to see. The Temple Of Hephaestus (located inside the Ancient Agora) is one of the only temples in Greece remaining intact and standing from its time.
During the summer (April 1 to October 31), a ticket for the Agora is 10 euros (15$ CAD). During the winter (November 1st to March 31), the ticket is 5 euros (8$ CAD).
There is so much to see and it’s really worth the price.
*In total, there are 6 sites you can visit in Athens: Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Agora, The Temple of Olympian Zeus, Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Aristotle’s Lyceum, Kerameikos archeological site. I only suggested 2 of them, because I find they are the most important and nice ones to visit. However, if you wish to visit all 6 of them, you should buy a combined ticket that gives you access to all sites for only 30 euros (44$ CAD). It’s the same price during the summer and the winter for the combined ticket.
Monastiraki (flea market)
Monastiraki is a flea market worth a visit during daytime as much as nighttime. During the day, the market is filled with shops and sellers. I really enjoyed walking in the streets and visiting different shops.
*This photo was taken in the middle of the day in January. As you can see, it is packed with people even during the low season. *
My boyfriend bought a chess game. That’s why I am recommending you to ALWAYS negotiate. Trust me when I say the price you see on the tag is not the final price. You might be able to save some money.
During the night, the market is filled with music and a great atmosphere. People meet up there to spend time with friends. It’s a great place if you want to meet new people!
Watch the sunset
The best spot I found to watch the sunset in Athens is Sunset Panoramic, Deme of Melite (this is the name you need to put in Google Maps to find the point of view). It was gorgeous. The access to this spot is free.
Walk at Piraeus
Piraeus is the main port of Athens. It’s the largest and one of the most important ports in Greece. Walking around the port and the streets close to it is totally worth it. It can be nice to feel the breeze beside the waters during a hot day in the summer. My favorite street was Sotiros Dios. It’s a pedestrian street with shops and a great atmosphere.
Votsalakia Beach
There are a couple of beaches in Athens. This is the one I went to in January. People were swimming in the water, so I suppose the water isn’t too cold even in the winter. The water is clean and blue. The beach is really big so there are a lot of places for people to settle. This is a pebble beach. Free access!
I recommend going to the beach in Athens if you are not visiting an island. However, if you are, you can skip this activity because you will find much nicer beaches on every island.
Eat at Little Kook (a café inspired by fairy tales)
I found this café randomly, but it was such a nice experience. Everything inside and outside is decorated based on fairy tales. It was like entering another world. Even the workers have costumes on. They only serve desserts based, once again, on fairy tales. I highly suggest splitting plates with someone else because the portions are big and very sweet. The prices are a bit high, but it’s worth the experience!
*My friend and I shared the “Mad Hatters Oreo Cup” and it was 13.50 euros (20$ CAD).
