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Athens is one of those places that I had on my list to visit for a loooong time. Everyone I asked recommended visiting the Greek Islands, but no one recommended the capital of Greece. That only made me want to go EVEN more 😉 and I am so glad that I went.

Athens feels like stepping into a real-life version of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (a video game), where history, culture, and stunning architecture bring the past to life. In general, I found that early mornings are the best time to explore the city (as with most places). Locals are super friendly, and almost everyone speaks English. Athens, being a Mediterranean destination, enjoys mild winters, making it a great all-year-round destination 🇬🇷

A few fun facts about Athens:

• It’s the oldest Capital in Europe and one of the world’s oldest cities.
• The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896.
• The city is named after Athena, the Goddess of wisdom and courage. 
• On Oxi day, entrances to several museums and sites are FREE, including the Acropolis 🏛️
• The city has 148 theaters – that’s more than NYC.
• It’s paradise for cat-lovers as Athens has a large population of friendly stray cats 🐈

HOW TO GET AROUND?

I mostly walked around in Athens, which easily made me reach my 10.000+ steps a day 👟The beautiful thing about walking around and getting lost (sometimes not on purpose 🤷‍♀️) is that you see all of the cute streets, interesting café’s, urban art and ancient monuments (of course). 

As any other big city, Athens has a metro, taking you around the city. Despite what some might think, the metro is fairly easy and the maps are all in both Greek and English. 

A 90 minute ticket is €1,20. A return ticket from the Airport to the centre is €16 as it has a special add-on for going to/from the airport.  

If you want to visit any of the Greek Islands, from Piraeus Port you can easily catch a ferry or even a cruise ship ⛴️

WHAT TO SEE?

Athens is one of those beautiful places where, wherever you look you’ll see a little piece of ancient history. This is one of those cities, which is perfect for wandering around and getting lost on purpose to just explore and imagine what was once. Here goes a few highlights from my trip 😉

The Monastiraki area is a mix of history and energy, with beautiful streets and stunning views of the Acropolis around every corner. It’s a great area for a walk to explore ancient streets (you’ll find heaps of ruins from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods), rooftop bars and Latin American places buzzing with live music.

If your phone is running out of juice (because you want to capture everything with a picture), no need to worry. Stop by Xymopoieio Juice bar and get some juice for you AND your phone 😉

Taking the cable car 🚡 up Lycabettus Hill (€10 roundtrip) is a fun way to reach the top, but if you’re up for a short walk, the uphill climb is a great way to get your lungs working. Along the walk up, you’ll spot plenty of cats and heaps of yellow butterflies 🦋 The top offers stunning panoramic views – you can even see the islands on a clear day  😍 

📸 Instagrammable spot (without people): Right next to the Church of Saint George of Lycabettus there’s a small path heading down – head down the stairs about 20 meters and you’ll have a beautiful view of Athens and Acropolis.

The Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the city’s most famous landmark, home to the iconic Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and other ancient structures. Located on a rocky hill offering breathtaking views of Athens 😍

Nearby you’ll find the Acropolis Museum with an impressive collection of sculptures and artifacts. When it’s time for a break, head to the top floor of the museum, where you’ll find charging points with a stunning view. To make the most of your visit, start early exploring the Acropolis, then the museum! 😉

The Panathenaic Stadium, also known as the Kallimarmaro hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Originally built in ancient times for the Panathenaic Games. Today, it is a major landmark where you can walk on the Olympic track and experience the legacy of the Games.

❓Did you know that it’s the ONLY stadium in the world made entirely of marble ❓

Stoa of Attalos is a beautifully reconstructed building which served as a marketplace and gathering space. Today, it houses the Agora Museum, displaying artifacts that reveal daily life in ancient Athens. 

The Temple of Hephaestus, also known as the Hephaestion, is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples. 

Hadrian’s Arch is a striking marble gateway that once marked the boundary between ancient and Roman Athens. 

The National Garden of Athens features exotic plants, ancient ruins, and small ponds. It’s a peaceful place to enjoy a scenic walk among rare flora.

Syntagma Square is the heart of Athens, home to the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument honoring fallen Greek soldiers. Pass by on Sundays at 11:00 to witness traditionally dressed soldiers perform a synchronised Changing of the Guard ceremony 🇬🇷

The National Library of Greece, is one of the stunning buildings designed by Danish architect Theophil Hansen. It is home to an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, historical documents, and over two million books 📚

If you’re into markets, make sure to visit Athens on a Sunday. You’ll be able to find everything from books to lamps to jewelry on every street you pass. 

THE PISTACHIO ISLAND

Having a long weekend in Athens, I decided to visit one of the small islands in front of Athens; Aegina, which is also known as the Pistachio Island. It’s a “short” ferry ride (€18 roundtrip).

This islands, known as the first producer of pistachio nuts in Greece, has everything pistachio that you can think of; pistachio butter, pesto, crepes, ice cream, milkshakes – you name it 😍 I spent about 4 hours on this cosy island trying everything pistachio I could find.

Would I go back to Aegina? Yes, no doubt about it. But I would also do a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site; Meteora.

WHAT TO EAT? (AND WHERE)

Athens has some great food spots – seriously! Make sure to get a classic gyros (anywhere in the city), try one of the charming restaurants with stairway seating on one of the small cosy streets. Get a meal with a view (Ciel Athens is a great lunch spot for that and if you want a unique surprise, even the toilet has a view! 😉).

Here goes 3 places that stood out to me in Athens 😉

BREAKFAST AT THE BRUNCH FACTORY

First of all, I’m a BIG fan of brunch 😍 so no need to say that I was off to a good start stepping into The Brunch Factory 😉

Images: courtesy of The Brunch Factory

Being a lover of Greek yoghurt, my choice was obvious – with a topping of tahini (the peanut butter of the Eastern Mediterranean). Sidenote: they have a good selection of natural juices as well. One thing I really appreciated was the bottle of water placed on the table as soon as you sit down—a small but thoughtful touch (and a bonus for keeping up with those 2 liters a day 😉).

The cozy atmosphere + great location + good service + yummy food = It’s a great spot to start your day. Plus, every dish that comes out of the kitchen looks absolutely amazing! 😋

FAIRYTALE ATHENS

Stepping into this instagrammable fairytale restaurant feels like entering another world – three uniquely decorated spaces, each more enchanting than the last. The over-the-top decor is playful and magical, right down to the bathroom. The staff are super friendly and full of energy, making the experience even more fun. And the Rabbit Hole dessert? Absolutely delicious! 🍰🐇

LITTLE KOOK

Imagine a place with over-the-top decorations that change with the seasons, where every corner is bursting with colours, lights, magical details and desserts that look absolutely incredible. That’s Little Kook for you. This is a dessert café straight out of a fairy tale, making it one of the must-visit spots in Athens. It doesn’t matter if you’re there for the sweet treats or just to soak in the whimsical atmosphere, it’s an experience you won’t forget!

As you’ve probably realised by now, Athens has its fair share of sweet escapes. I could add many more to the list, like the Mona Lisa Shop with its tempting chocolate wall or the whimsical Hansel & Gretel fairytale candy shop 🍭, but way better is to just take a stroll through the streets of Athens and explore the culinary scene on your own 😉