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It has been awhile since I jetted off to another place. So this trip has been a long time coming! 
It has been since last April (bar the weekend trips to London which don’t count as much…) so the travel hiatus was definitely getting to me. 
So together with my family, I decided to transport back into Athens’ rich history while also taking out time for tranquillity and relaxation. As the summer months are technically over and the schools are back, it was much more enjoyable as it wasn’t as hot or packed with tourists! As usual I planned out our five days there and the prices worked out as such: 
  1. Return Flights with Ryanair from Dublin (Wed-Sun) – €265 
  2. Two-bedroom city centre Airbnb (5D/4N) for 4 – €252 
  3. Return airport taxi for 4 – €76  
  4. Cape Sounion half day trip for 4 – €160
  5. Taxis around Athens for 4 – €70 
  6. Return boat to Hydra Island – €56 
  7. Acropolis admission – €20 
  8. Acropolis Museum admission – €5 
  9. Panathenaic Stadium admission – €5 
  10. Glorious weather (25-30°C) – FREE
     Total: €490 per person 

     Since we wanted to make the most of it, we decided to splurge a little bit on travel comforts within the city (taking taxis instead). So you could easily make your trip cheaper by taking the local buses/trams/metro which is €1.40 for a 90-minute ticket. Also, a return bus to Sounion would be €14. 
    However if you’re gonna opt for the taxi option, download the app ‘Beat’ into your phone! It’s extremely convenient and a safer way of avoiding getting ripped off! 
     Not in any particular order of preference, here’s a summary of all the things you might like to check out if you were in the gorgeous capital.

     TEN THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS 

    1. Go back in time at the Acropolis (Ακρόπολη Αθήνας) and its surrounding grounds.

    Located right in in the middle of the city, soak in the mystical ambience of the Acropolis!

    We were especially lucky to also see live music performances at the theatre as a concert was happening that very night! We just got the sneak peek of a sound check which may or may not have resulted in me breaking into dance. 

    Tip: Go to the Acropolis in the evening to avoid the intense sun and catch this beautiful view at the end of it   

    2. Pop over to the Acropolis Museum (Μουσείο Ακρόπολις)

    Just a few steps away from the Acropolis is its relatively new modern museum which houses all its artefacts. You can learn more about both the variety of Greek mythology involving olive branches and seawater, and the historical past that the site had to endure. 

    Tip: You can also steal a great view of Mount Lycabettus through the glass windows.

    3. Admire the sunset at Cape Sounion (Σούνιο)

     Only an hour’s drive from Athens, the Temple of Poseidon (Ναός Ποσειδώνα) stands at the very edge of the southern peninsular. As the sun began to set, the warm reds and orange rays met the calm blue green waters while the cool sea breeze blew gently. 
    We got there by a private taxi through Welcome with the most fantastic driver, Marios. Complete with traditional Greek tunes, dancing and myth storytelling in the car, he brought us to multiple stops during our journey to Sounion from Athens to enjoy the panoramic beauty of the Greek coast. 
     Not to mention, it was great to have our own personal photographer with excellent food recommendations. 
    We dined by the sea just a stone’s throw away from the Temple of Poseidon! It was priceless enjoying the sand and crashing waves while tucking into the variety of fresh seafood at Acrogiali (Ακρογιάλι) 


     Tip: There’s a large naturally heated lake on the way called Vouliagmeni Lake (Λίμνη Βουλιαγμένη) if you fancy a warm dip all year round at about 25°C 😉 

    4. Explore Hydra Island (Ύδρα) 

     As Greece is famous for its gorgeous islands, it would have definitely been a shame to have not seen atleast one! As they can be pretty far from Piraeus Port in Athens, we chose to go to Hydra Island (pronounced ee-dra with the locals) as it was one of the shortest journeys at 90 or 120 minutes one-way, depending on the chosen boat. 
    We boarded the flying cat by Hellenic Seaways to the island. We were welcomed by cobbled streets, donkeys, and quaint little shops down every alley painted in white. It was just bursting with opportunity for exploration!

    The crystal clear waters by the pebbled beach, home-owned restaurants with locally caught seafood, and the endless amounts of possible ways to get lost. 
     Not a single car or bicycle was in sight so it was an absolute paradise way from the hustle and bustle of the city. 


     Tip: pre-booking boat seats and checking in online can save you time on the day for more memory making

    5. Sprint at the Panathenaic Stadium (Παναθηναϊκό Στάδιο) 

    Go back to where it all started in 1896. Listen to a complimentary 40 minute recorded audio tour as you walk around the first Olympic Stadium at your own pace. Sit where the king and queen used to get the best view, run down the track like the Olympian you are!

    You get to walk down the cave where the athletes used to wait in and see all the Olympics posters and torches over the decades.

    Then you can find the poster closest to when you were born! None in 1994 so decided to stand in the middle of the closest two.

    PS. Wear shorts if you wanna run around and have the craic like us.


     Tip: There’s a delicious little restaurant, Mavro Probato (Το μαύρο πρόβατο), just five minutes away with delicious meat and seafood options. Make a reservation though, it was fully booked when we went and we just about got a table!

      6. Browse the local markets 

     Right outside the metro station, the Monastiraki Flea Market is there for you to buy souvenirs, clothes, bags, random items, while also having a great selection of restaurants by the Agora Museum.

    For something less touristy, pop down to the local Central Municipal Athens Market (Κεντρική Δημοτική Αγορά Αθήνας) where you can see where the locals get their meat, fish, spices, and more! 

    Tip: Put your haggling skills to the test and you may walk away with some pretty sweet deals.

    7. Hike up Lycabettus Hill (Λόφος Λυκαβηττού) 

     It only took us about 15 minutes to get to the very top of the hill so it’s really not that bad. You get a little work out to burn off the tonnes of food you will eat (trust me) and also get a bird’s eye view of the capital!


     Tip: If you’re lazy and just want the view, there’s also a cable car option

      8. Get lost in Plaka (Πλάκα) 

     If you’re hungry for a bite after exploring the Acropolis and its museum, stroll down to the area of Plaka, filled with bars, restaurants, and cafes for your picking. There are rooftop bars on Mnisikleous Street which may sneak you a nice view of the Acropolis at night too!

     Tip: some restaurants like the Byzantine have happy hour rates – €1.70 for a pint of beer or €2 for a glass of wine

    9. Mingle with the locals at Gazi, Kerameikos, and Monastiraki. 

     At the end of the day, the people are what makes a city. Take a stab at mingling with the locals in the buzzing night life that Athens has to offer. Who knows, you may meet a random bunch of people that are pretty good fun – I did anyway! It may also amuse them when you try to speak Greek and fail so wonderfully.

     One of my favourite places was six d.o.g.s – a real chill outdoor bar with trees and lights towering above you – with an actual real dog who walks and lazes around wherever it pleases 😉

     I also spent my last night in Athens on an awesome rooftop bar in Kerameikos called Bios hidden in an apartment block. Decorated with aquamarine backlit cubes on the top, you can enjoy your drinks and chats while watching extremely strange animations projected on to the wall of a building. It definitely helps create an atmosphere of all sorts of random chats!

     Tip: Search Facebook and local events websites to find out if anything fun is happening while you’re planning to be in Athens!

    10. Stroll down the high streets of Kolonaki (Κολωνάκι)  

     Regardless of whether you can afford Longchamp, Gucci, or Prada, take a walk around the area to experience the high end of Athens.

     Tip: The area is right beside Lycabettus Hill so you can kill two birds with one stone if you’re already there.

     TEN THINGS TO EAT IN ATHENS 

     As you know, I’m a big lover of food and have documented it all at my Foodstagram – @chewsandeats But here are my top ten!

     1. Fresh Seafood (€10-15)

     Grilled octopus, mini fish fritters, fried squid, filleted sardines, mussels – you’ll be spoilt for choice if you love what the sea has to offer.

    Fav: Skoubri Σκουμπρί, 14 Drakou 

     2. Coffee (€2-3) 

    May it be a kick of a Greek coffee in the morning, a cold brew or a freddo cappuccino to cool you down during the day, the Greeks know their coffee.

     Fav: Coffee Lab

     3. Greek yoghurt (€2-4) 

     Take on that 10% fat Greek yoghurt in all its glory laced with sweet honey and a scatter of granola and nuts on top.

     Fav: Nova Gea

    4. Salads (€5-7)   

    Fav: To Pevkaki, Hydra Island

     5. Slouvlaki (€2-3)

     A perfect grab and go solution on a night out to fill those cravings.

     Fav: O Thanasis, Monastiraki (Ο Θανάσης κεμπάπ Μοναστηράκι)

     6. Pancakes with feta cheese, honey and walnuts (€7) 

     An unexpected plate of fluffy, sweet goodness went from the plate to my palate. Washing it down with a cold flat white was the cherry on top.

     Fav: Harbour cafe and bar

     7. Baklavas and cookies (€10/1kg) 

     For those with a slight sweet tooth after a good meal, munch on some baklava, almond thins, Greek macaroons, or an assortment of cookies available at the local bakeries!

     Fav: Takis Bakery (Αρτοποιότης Ο Τάκης)

     8. Barbecued corn (€2) 

     When you’re walking down the shopping streets of Athens, you never know how a hot barbecued corn on a cob may just hit the spot 😉

     Fav: Ermou Street opposite Syntagma Square

     9. Juicy Grill Burger (€6.5) 

     Thanks to the recommendation of a local at the Burger Festival, I had one of the juiciest and largest burgers that I’ve had in awhile!

     Fav: Donald Junk – burger battered in panko breadcrumbs, bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, tomatoes, chipotle mayo

    10. Filled savoury pastries (€2)

     Another easy grab and go option to satisfy the onset of peckishness. Nothing like a flaky warm pastry filled with tasty cheese and more.

     Fav: Feta and white cheese

     It was definitely an unbelievable getaway. An absolute paradise of a place which had so much to offer. From history to nightlife, from the beach to the mountains, from traditional delicacies to modern food explorations.

     I will be back Athens!
    Next time, it’ll be Mount Parnitha, island hopping, and possibly the ability to read Greek.