Trifter

If you are planning a holiday of discovery and knowledge visiting Athens will not disappoint you. So bring your wife, girlfriend or husband to one of the oldest cities of Europe for a week holiday and she/he will be grateful to you for a long time; only if is the adventurer kind.

The ticket prices for flights from anywhere in Europe are very cheap (120€-350€ year period), even from America you can get decent prices (from 350$-800$ east/west coast), so booking is essential. For a full experience I don’t recommend a travel agency because from safety point of view the Greek capital Athens is one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. The only exception is the unregulated taxi association, so watch the meter and check the price per Km rates. The compensation for that is the low cost of the metro system/ bus system, which are very efficient and modern and cover all areas of the city.

Accommodation is very easy to get at a competitive price, because all the hotels and motels they are very close to the city centre and the main tourist attractions, and about 90% of them they have prices and booking options on the Internet. The price of booking is always paid in advance in full and very strict to the 2 weeks cancellation policy, so plan your holiday careful.

Now, let’s start your Holiday. What to see first?

Suggestions

(All main 5 historic sites whey can be visited with a all entry ticket 14€ p.p for a week)

What about:

National Archaeological Museum is 5 min. walk from Victoria Metro Station (line 1) and is displaying the vastest archaeological collection of ancient civilisations around Greece (Mycenaean/ Hellenistic/ Mycenaean/ Cycladic), including artefact’s from Egypt brought or found in Greece. Expect to spend at least 3 hour to visit to visit all the galleries and entry fee is 5€ (2008). Good news “it has air-conditioned all around”.

Temple of Olympian Zeus is 10 min. walk from Syntagma Metro Station (line2) and is an open archaeological site containing the ruins of one of the 7 wanders of the ancient world “Statue of Zeus” and the focus point of ancient Greece. Is very hot during the day and without any water is no way of escape. Ticket entry 5€ and the water is not included.

Acropolis is the main attraction and big. Very close to Thissio Metro Station (line 1), 5 min. if you are fresh, and 15/20 min. up the hill if to worn-out. Gear to have with you: water, some extra bottles of water and comfy shoes (the last optional). To visit the whole complex expects to spend at least 4/5 hour to see everything and take pictures. That if you lucky and is cloudy. Lots to see indeed: 3 museums, 4 temples, 2 theatres, + Parthenon and Erechtheum. All of this will take you a full day including the eating and resting time, what is extra is the fun seeing with your own eyes all this ancient history and life style.

Likavittos Hill you have to see it if you come all the way to Athens. Is 10 min. from Evangelismos Metro Station and reserve couple of hours for going at the top of it to see the panoramic view over city and visit the orthodox chapel St. Giorgio the highest altitude building in Athens. You can get there walking up the hill (20 min. optional), take the cable cart every 30 min. (3€ up/down) or taxi (it’s not worth it). On the top you have Restaurant, outside terrace and you can visit the Likavittos Theatre open on the summer for shows and concerts.

Benaki Museum, Byzantine Museum, War Museum, Botanical Museum, National Historical Museum

The rest of them and many others you’ll find them by yourself if you still have some time. My wife and I we manage to see most of them but we really like to go back, soon.

Oh, and to not forget about food, very important:

Not recommended to eat at restaurants around Acropolis quay; food quit expensive and tourist orientated. For more original traditional Greek flavours go as far from the city centre is possible. Most Hotel Restaurants they have a very good selection of traditional and European food (no complains there). Plus the most accommodation is offers breakfast included so you good to go in the morning.

Have a Great Holiday