With so many “Top Cities” in Europe these days, it’s become almost impossible to decide on which one you should visit when a 4-day weekend comes up.
Would it be better to take a city break and walk the streets of Rome? Or should you camp at the base of the Alps and hike to that incredible lake you saw on Instagram last week?
Side note, if either of those sound fun, click the links above and see how I did it :).
But, let’s be real: you worked hard all week, and you’re not about to throw away your hard-earned money on an experience that could fall flat.
And to go a little further, I’d even dare to say that if you finally did land on that perfect destination, you’d want to ensure that experience is nothing short of memorable, right?
Well, I can tell you from experience that Athens is one of those cities that is well worth your time and money. With so many experiences to be had, there really is something for everyone! The food, the islands, the people, the history, and again, the food!
So, if you’re looking for a destination to spend your next 4-day weekend, then read on; see if the stories of my Greece-y visit entice you enough to make this city onto your European bucket list.
Day One – The Parthenon, The Olympieion, and Ancient Agora
Let’s be real, you knew this adventure would start off with the most iconic structure in the entire city lol. Sure, it might seem cliche to start an Athens tour with the Acropolis but, this is one tourist trap that had surprises at almost every turn.
I’ll admit that I thought the Acropolis was basically just another word for the Parthenon or, something like that. I thought that you went to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon or vice versa and that would be that. Turns out, the word Acropolis is a combination of two Greek words: Akron and polis, meaning edge and city respectively.
As I awoke from my cozy little Air BnB and pounded a cup of coffee, I was full of anticipation to finally gaze my eyes on what is considered one of the most iconic stone structures in the world: The Parthenon. Next to the Roman Colosseum, it’s hard to pick a more dramatic architectural statement from this time in human history.
Acropolis Hill
As I hopped off the metro and made my way to the Acropolis, I could make out the outline of a faint structure on top of hill in the distance that stirred a wealth of anxiousness within me. Much like my Roman excursion a few months prior, I was finally going to behold something that I had only ever realised in the architecture books I studied throughout college.
Once through the turnstiles, I meandered along a graceful path that led upwards. I passed ancient theatre members and Roman icons immortalised in stone thousands of years ago. Before long, I was resting at the Theatre of Dionysus, the oldest theatre in the world!
I thought of the ancient tragedies that would’ve been performed here, and the applause from the 17,000 people that would’ve been packed in its stands. Today, only the first 5 or 6 front rows have been preserved over time but, my imagination knows no bounds 😉
Continuing up the dusty, olive tree-lined path, the sounds of my shoes crunching rocks beneath them was being slowly overtaken by music. At first annoyed that perhaps a tourist was playing a small Bose speaker while they toured the grounds, my assumptions were quickly corrected by the source of the music coming from the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
My first thought as I gazed upon the incredible amphitheatre was that of disbelief. It wasn’t that I couldn’t believe that this amazing venue was still standing because, after all, the Ancient Greeks were well-ahead of their time.
Rather, I couldn’t believe I was witnessing a stage crew set up scaffolding, seemingly preparing for a concert! Sure enough, I overheard a tour guide mention that a concert was to be performed right here, in this theatre, later that night. I instantly went online and bought tickets; more on that experience later lol.
Well over an hour into my self-guided tour, my mind was quickly filling with awe and inspiration; and I hadn’t even reached the pinnacle of the Acropolis yet! I turned and pressed on from the music-filled theatre, my dusty path subtly converting into a cobblestone road and my Nikon loading two hundred new photos around my neck.
The Temple of Athena Nike
Before long, I was joined by what had to be over 50-60 tourists on a narrow, Grand Staircase leading up to the top of the Acropolis. As I switch-backed a few times at a rather crawl-like pace, I was forced to notice the incredible scenery all around; just what the designer had intended.
I was in what one might consider the best traffic jam you could ever hope to find yourself in!
The sparkling Aegean sea to the southwest and the lush Tatoi Forest to the north; it’s no wonder such an amazing monument was constructed in this location. Not only was this a prime defensive location, it offered remarkably beautiful, 360-degree views!
Passing by the Temple of Athena Nike, I noticed the lack of structures on the opposite side of this Grand Staircase. Later, I learned that this was by design, and it represented the defensive role of the Acropolis.
Ancient Greeks fought holding their weapon in their right hand, and their shield in their left, hence why the Temple of Athena Nike was positioned on the hill’s “left” bastion. Amazing!
The Parthenon
Then, like the time I passed through the threshold that led to the Sistine Chapel, I walked through The Propylaea and was greeted by a massive, ~2,400-year-old marble temple that gave me the same feeling as Christmas morning; sheer joy. An ear-to-ear grin creeped across my face, and I couldn’t care less who saw it.
The iconic columns, the horizontal lines, the symmetry, the symbolism; it all came together in a symphony of perfection. As my self-guided tour beckoned me to proceed left to the Erechtheion, I decided instead, to head straight to the Parthenon for some iconic photos; I’m such a rebel lol.
I began imagining the 35-foot tall Athenian goddess that would have stood in the center of the magnificent structure. Her skin fashioned out of pure ivory and her clothes made of pure gold. Then, my mind populated the temple with dozens of Ancient Greeks, walking about the smooth, marble floors in their wooden sandals as they discussed philosophy, arts, and politics.
Ultimately, I thought about how life might have been in the B.C. era, and how amazing it would have been to behold this masterpiece in its prime.
The Porch of the Caryatids
As my mind slowly retreated from its dream state, I decided to return to the cobblestone path that intended to lead visitors around the Erechtheion. From every angle, I was continually drawn to The Porch of the Caryatids; the draped female figures used instead of columns for the southern porch. I also couldn’t help but notice the ingenious construction of the Erechtheion which spanned three different levels of bedrock for which it was situated; an absolute feat for its time!
With my thirst for imagination and inspiration completely full, I checked my watch and was pleasantly surprised; it wasn’t even noon yet! I snapped a few more photos, took one last look at the ancient monuments, and then pressed on down the Grand Staircase to the exit.
The Olympieion
After all the walking required to fully visit the Acropolis, I had sufficiently worked up a proper appetite. Needless to say, it was time for lunch! Using my Happy Cow app, I found an amazing vegan restaurant that served a completely plant-based version of the widely popular Greek dish known as Moussaka (eggplant, potatoes, and ground beef in a layered dish). After inhaling the entire plate like a starved ally cat, I paid my tab and was back on the street in no time, ready to explore!
My next stop was The Olympieion, the temple dedicated to Zeus. You can’t truly say you experienced Ancient Greece without at least a little mythology, amiright? And since I had purchased a self-guided tour of the Acropolis, I got all the surrounding attractions for free!
With my belly full of veggies, I strolled up to the entrance of the Olympieion grounds and stopped at Hadrian’s Arch. Not the most iconic structure in all of Greece but, astounding nonetheless. When you really think of all the different wars, floods, earthquakes, and hurricane force winds, you can’t help but wonder how these things remain standing.
As I passed The Arch of Hadrian and moved on to the Temple of Zeus, I’ll be honest: I wasn’t feeling the same sense of awe and wonder I had on top of the Acropolis lol.
The stories behind the structures were amazing but, there just wasn’t very much of the actual structure left, you know? Nevertheless, I snapped a few pictures and moved on to something I thought would be a bit more exciting — The Ancient Agora.
The Ancient Agora
Feeling a bit let down at the lack of structures in the Olympieion grounds, I was hopeful that the Ancient Agora would be a bit more intriguing. After all, I had already hit my 10,000 step goal according to my Fitbit and was in need of something to lift my adventure spirits a little.
I dialed in my walking directions from Hadrian’s Arch to the Ancient Agora and began walking west at about the same time the sun began making its initial descent.
As I passed by the tiny mom-and-pop restaurants and tourist traps, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the city. The quaint nature of this iconic destination, despite how large it is, is unremarkable. Hospitality rang from every direction and light-hearted conversations filled the air. Everyone I passed by gave off this friendly, contagious energy that positively charged my soul with energy and happiness.
Temple of Hephaestus
Before long, I had successfully arrived at the final attraction of the day: The Ancient Agora. While not initially on my list of things to visit in Greece, it was thrown in for free on the Acropolis pass I had purchased earlier in the day. Nevertheless, I was elated to get inside and visit the location where thousands of years ago, Ancient Greeks gathered to socialize and learn of news from around the world.
With over 30 attractions in this one area, I noted the increasing decline of sunlight and picked the top few things I’d be able view before the gates closed. My first stop was the Temple of Hephaestus, the best preserved of all Greek Doric temples. While I was infatuated by the largely intact temple, I was also blow away by astonishing view of the Parthenon and the Plaka neighborhood below.
As I pressed on around the Agora, I couldn’t help but hear a noisy bird making all kinds sounds as they tried eating something grasped between their toes. Not sure of what it was, I got a little closer for a look…it was a parrot!
I have seen all kinds of large, wild animals throughout my journeys like Ibexes in Switzerland and Elk in Colorado but, this was the first time I’d seen an exotic bird up close and personal in the wild! As he sat there munching on an olive, I took quite the fascination of this green little beauty but, before I knew it, he took off out of sight.
At about that time, the sun went down below the horizon and my first day in Athens had come to an end…well almost. Remember those tickets I bought as I heard music coming from the Odeon of Herodes Atticus? Well, I only had about 3 hours until showtime. So, I headed back to my Airbnb, got changed, and then came right back to the Acropolis.
Having never actually been to a symphony concert, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But, as with everything I had encountered during the day, the show was nothing short of spectacular. My night ended with my butt plopped on the ancient concrete steps of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, listening to and enjoying the amazing performance as the sounds echoed off the stone facades.
If you ever find yourself in Athens, and there’s any sort of show being performed at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, do it; go. You won’t be disappointed!
Day Two – Aegina Island (My Favorite Day)
As with all mornings on my trips abroad, I start by seeking out the coziest coffee shop where I can to plan my adventures. This morning was no different as I started my day by stumbling into Taresso cafe, a nice little coffee house at the bottom of the hill from my Airbnb.
As the delicious smell of the pour over teased my nose, my eyes wandered downwards from the cup being prepared in front of me and began focusing on my phone. I had pulled up Google Maps and was looking for anything that looked intriguing nearby.
Being that I had already done a significant number of “touristy” things the day prior, I scoured the map for anything outside of the city; something a little more remote or a-typical. While there was a forest to the north, I hadn’t really packed for hiking and, to be honest, wasn’t in the mood given the slight hangover from too much craft beer and mastiha the night prior.
Somehow, my sense of adventure became fixated on the small islands surrounding Greece’s southern shoreline. I thought, “how cool would it be to go to one of these islands and just, ‘hang’ for the day?”.
And this is how I stumbled upon the island of Aegina lol.
After a quick Google search, I had discovered a ferry was to depart from the nearby town of Pireas in about an hour! I took a final swig of my perfectly roasted coffee, paid my tab, and began walking to the nearest bus stop to catch a ride to the ferry port.
Aegina by Ferry
Yes, heading to Aegina Island was a 100%, last minute decision lol. However, that choice led me to the most exciting parts of my entire trip. Before long, I was seated in what looked (and smelled) like a 1970s oversized speed boat headed to Aegina island. The interior of this ‘ferry’ was less than desirable so, I headed out to the viewing deck for some fresh air.
As we pulled away from Pireas, dozens of small sailing boats could be seen out on the water, each enjoying the beautiful weather and calm seas. Passing by, I’d excitedly wave at the passengers like a younger version of Forrest Gump waving to Lt Dan from his boat. I mean after all, I was going to go spend my day on a beautiful Greek island, how could I not be excited!
As the ferry docked and the passengers unloaded, the salty, humid air greeted us with a warm embrace. It’s as though it was signaling to us that it was time to relax and let your hair down, so that’s exactly what I did. My shoulders dropped a little, I put my sunglasses on, and began making my way to the main drag filled with dozens of boutique shopping stores, gelato buckets, and pistachio stands.
I must have had the ultimate appearance of a tourist because a local vendor immediately approached me and asked if I’d like to visit his stand and buy some snacks. Reluctantly, because I was still fasting, I turned him away with a nod and a smile. However, I didn’t stand a chance against the next vendor lol.
This guy, with his incredible aviators, white fedora-style hat, and board shorts, was selling something that resonated with my soul: a small, 50cc vespa rental with unlimited miles, oh, and a bitchin’ helmet lol.
And that is how I ended up renting a scooter to buzz around the island of Aegina folks!
Keys in hand and the open road in front of me, my mind quickly shifted from “what all can I see on this island today?” to “what can’t I see on this island today?”. And just like that, I set off down the two lane road.
Temple of Aphaia
Winding through the olive tree groves on a narrow street barely wide enough for two cars, I felt like I had just earned my driver’s license all over again. The sense of freedom that small little moped afforded me was something I wanted to bottle up in a jar and take with me so I could revisit it the same way a child returns to their favorite swing on a swing set.
After each turn I leaned through on that twisted road peppered with potholes and shotty construction attempts to repair them, I would gaze over my shoulder and spot the mighty Aegean sea reflecting the sun high above it. Needless to say, my cheeks began cramping as my face showcased a smile that could easily land in a toothpaste advertisement.
Before long, I pulled up to a quaint little restaurant that offered small bites, coffee, and ocean views. Still beaming from my vespa ride, I sat down and ordered a small Greek salad. As the waiter placed the delicious mix of vegetables in front of me, I could no longer tell which was more impressive; the taste of this iconic meal or the view from which I was enjoying it.
After shoring up with the waiter, I walked across the street and paid the few euros required to enter the grounds on which the Temple of Aphaia rested. As I crested the hill, I felt a similar feeling I had experienced the day prior at the Parthenon; one of smallness.
I felt minuscule as I stood in the (literal) shadow created by this monolith masterpiece erected thousands of years ago. The tall stone columns, strong in their foundations, made me think of all the wars and naval fights fought over the millennia since this temple’s inception; and somehow it was still here. Maybe not 100%, but still here, nonetheless.
What I remember most though, was the lack all noise around me. No other visitors kicking up rocks and dust, no horns, squeaky brakes, or car engines revving from cars passing by, and not even sounds from birds carrying on throughout their day; just silence. It was a welcomed retreat from the big city of Athens. So, I sat on a nearby rock, and soaked in all the goodness around me alongside the memory of the ancient gods.
My sense of adventure quickly kicked back into gear, pulling me from my comfortable rock and sitting me back into the saddle of my 50cc adventure machine. Winding along the streets again, that same comfortable smile grew across my face and I thought, “This. This is exactly what I pictured this assignment being filled with”.
I was so, effing happy.
I followed the road from the Temple of Aphaia to the small town of Agia Marina. As I slowly cruised through the beach town, I remembered that I had packed a bathing suit in my backpack on the off chance that I’d end up on the beach. Well, here was my chance! I banked hard left on the scooter, shot down a steep hill, and landed at Agia Marina Beach.
Without hesitation, I quickly parked the scooter, killed the engine, dove into a small changing shack near a beach-front bar, and threw on my swimsuit. The sand felt exquisite against my feet, and I could only imagine how soft my skin was going to feel after walking around and exfoliating the dead skin off my soles.
And then, just like a little kid at a water park, I was diving into the beautiful blue-green waters of the Aegean Sea.
It. Was. Heaven. And at once, any worries I had, were melted away.
I paddled around for a bit before ordering a draft beer at the beach-front bar, enjoying it in the shallow waters of the cove while watching the small waves lap against the shoreline.
Holy Church of Saint Nectarios of Aegina
After taking a small siesta on the shore, I arose to the sun making its initial decent over the west side of the island. Not wanting the adventure to end just yet, I hopped back on to my steel (miniature) horse and made my way to the west side of the island in anticipation of a sunset over the sea.
As I meandered the roads to the west, I was stopped by the beauty of the Holy Church of Saint Nectarios’ architecture. Though Gothic architecture is my absolute favorite style of design because of what it represents, Byzantine style monastery designs are a close second because of the memories I have regarding them.
When you think of the islands of Greece, and you think of Santorini with all the white walls and blue roofs, you’re really thinking of the Byzantine style monasteries.
Sure, from what I’ve seen about Santorini, I’ve definitely been enticed to make a trek out there but, I’m telling you, the Holy Church of Saint Nectarios of Aegina is equally as beautiful
With about 100 new photos in my pocket, I hopped back on my little scoot scoot and continued my journey west in search of that beautiful sunset.
Before long, I spotted the masts of several dozen boats in a beautiful little marina; the Perdika marina to be exact. The coolest part of having the scooter was that it could literally take me anywhere lol so, I drove right down onto the docks just as the sun began setting behind the hills in the distance.
There’s something magical about spending the fleeting moments of a day from a single place; in stillness. Whether you’re high above the world on a mountain or by a campfire in a valley with your arm around your sweetheart, I believe sunsets can be best appreciated by stopping and fixating your eyes on the watercolors painted across the sky.
So, to the tune of small waves breaking against dozens of boat hulls rocking against the wooden piles of the pier they were fastened to, that’s exactly what I did. And then I took a photo lol, you know me!
Looking down at my watch, I grew a little nervous that I might not make it back to town in time to return my trusty, 50cc steed. So, reluctantly, like a kid leaving the toy aisle, I left my newly-discovered paradise and headed back to the main city of Aegina.
The ride back to the rental store was like something out of a man’s version of Eat, Pray, Love; just a guy, his backpack, a shoreline cruise on a motorcycle (just go with it), and the sun setting over his left shoulder. It was by far the most memorable thing I think I’ve done in decades, and it was the epitome of what I had hoped being stationed in Europe would be like.
With my keys turned in, I said one final farewell to my one-seat adventure machine and made off towards the main drag. Seeing that I still had about 45 minutes until my ferry was scheduled to depart, I decided to have some delicious pistachio gelato on a park bench and people watch.
It was the perfect ending to the single best day of the entire trip, hands down.
Day Three – My Own Walking Tour!
It really is incredible how you can see so much of an area, but seemingly miss out on so much simultaneously. You know what I mean? Like you spend an entire day walking around, exploring the famous tourist traps or the downtown areas, but as you head back to your hotel for the night, you find a cool ally that leads to a small wine bar or a local hidden relic.
The more I explore the various cities and landmarks of our beautiful planet, the more I’m reminded of this simple fact: there’s just not enough time in one lifetime to see everything. Couple that with the fact that we don’t know how much time we have on this planet and that thought can lead to some serious FOMO (fear of missing out) lol. Nevertheless, the silver lining to these unfortunate truths is the insatiable fire that ignites within me and compels me to continually explore the world.
Clearly I’m digressing lol back to Greece!
Stop One: Syntagma Square
After a delicious cup of coffee from the cafe near my Airbnb, I took the subway to Syntagma Square to begin my walking tour. The sun was out and thankfully, it was a weekday. This meant most people were leisurely transiting to their jobs instead of flooding the sidewalks with selfie sticks lol.
I sat on the stone ledges of one of the fountains within the Syntagma Square and took in the surroundings. A street performer’s saxophone filled the air with a beautifully soothing tune, pigeons gathered around (and annoyed) a handful of people eating their breakfast pastries, and the water from the fountains delivered a calming white noise that made it serene.
Stop Two: Monument to the Unknown Soldier (Parliament House)
The real reason I walked across the street from the Syntagma Square to the Parliament House wasn’t because of the architecture or some grandiose gesture. It was the incredible symmetry and precision timing showcased by the guards at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.
While the outfits are slightly bizarre, the individuals wearing them clearly commanded respect. Equally as impressive is the monument itself, which is comprised of a dead, naked soldier grasping the mighty circular shield and wearing a Greek helmet.
Stop Three: The Academy of Athens
The Academy is interesting because of the three neoclassical buildings that make it up. The one on the right is the actual Academy of Athens and is flanked by pedimented sculptures depicting the birth of Athena, and the historical philosophers Plato and Socrates
The middle building is the University of Athens, showcasing a painting in the Propylaea (i.e., monumental gateway) which depicts King Otto of Greece but, seated on a throne as Zeus.
The building on the left is the National Library of Greece, arguably the most photogenic of the trilogy. As I left the University building, I stopped in the middle of this small grassy path to take some fun photos of the awesome stone staircase leading to the entry way.
Stop Four: Lunch at The Falafellas
After a solid couple of hours on my feet, my dogs were pretty tired as you can imagine. Additionally, I could hear my stomach rumbling thanks to the delicious smells floating along on the light breeze in the air. In all my travels, my nose has guided me to some pretty damn good food spots. So, I stayed true to my gut (no pun intended) and landed at this amazing falafel place called The Falafellas.
Hands down, this was the best falafel I had in Greece, and probably in the entire time I’ve been in Europe. The outer shell of the chickpeas was perfectly crisp, the temperature and texture within each ball was perfect, and the spicy sauce covering this delicious thing was just the right amount of heat to spice my mouth up, but not send me into a sweat lol.
Stop Five: Church of Panagia Kapnikarea
After lunch, I noticed an eye-catching byzantine structure right in the middle of a rather modern street so, I headed in its direction to investigate. What I had discovered was the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, dating back to the early 11th century.
Turns out the church’s destruction was considered an attractive idea when city planners wanted to make Ermou street a straight-through corridor but, King Otto’s sun Ludwig I prevented it. Oh, and the stone blocks that make up the church are made of seashells. Pretty cool!
Stop Six: Aperol Spritz at Monastiraki
Ok, what’s a vacation without a little day drinking amiright? I mean after all, I only had like two beers on Aegina Island; I needed to step my game up!
As I drifted away from the church and made my way back towards the crowds amassed in Monastiraki Square, I felt that I needed an Aperol Spritz: the iconic drink of choice among Europeans in the warmer months. So, I found this incredible little bar/cafe on top of the A is for Athens hotel and had the BEST view of Athens while I sipped down on a few Spritzes; it was the perfect break!
Stop Seven: Hadrian’s Library
Now that I had a slight afternoon buzz, I was ready to stop reading historical signposts and just enjoy the sights lol. My next stop: Hadrian’s Library.
I’ll admit, the buzz from the multiple Spritzes was pretty strong, and I don’t remember all the details about this stop…but I can at least say I did it lol. Moving on!
Stop Eight: Instagram Photos on Kidathineon
Kidathineon is a picture perfect neighborhood, especially around sunset. I happened upon this amazing little district right as the sun began to set. Around every corner, the pictures just kept getting better and better!
Not only was the area great for Instagram photo ops, it was also a great little spot to do some shopping. Within just one block, one could easily find handmade leather sandals, olive oil soaps, pottery inspired by ancient art, hand-crafted jewelry and more!
Stop Nine: Catch a Sunset at the Tower of the Winds
Originally built as a clock tower, the eight sides of the Tower of the Winds monument showcase the eight principal winds on the friezes, each figure carrying its symbol. It’s a seemingly benign statue in the heart of Athens but, definitely worth a quick visit, especially around sunset.
When my mind drifts back to the Tower of the Winds, I’ll always remember it by the crazy sunset I was afforded alongside it. After walking around the fun shops and streets of the Kidathineon area, the Tower of the Winds felt like the perfect place to relax for a moment and simply marvel.
Stop Ten: Admire the Parthenon (at night) from Areopagus Hill
Finished with my marvel sesh lol, I wanted to end my final night in Athens with the Parthenon in my sights. I had seen pictures of the Parthenon at night and now I wanted to see it with my own to eyes. So, I made my way over to an incredible viewing location just west of the Acropolis.
Standing on Areopagus Hill in Athens and staring at the Parthenon as it became illuminated by lights from below, I wasn’t sure what was more impressive: the sights, or where I was standing.
Yes, the Parthenon at night truly was everything I had pictured however, the location I was viewing it from (Areopagus Hill) was, in my opinion, even better. I say that because about two thousand years before I stood on Areopagus Hill, one of the first Christians ever had already done so.
Yep! In Acts 17:22-31, Paul preached to the men of Athens from the very spot I found myself as I ended my amazing self-guided tour of Athens; it was surreal!
Walking in the historical footsteps of my faith was as magical as it was humbling.
Final Stop: Craft Beer at Nomads Athens
My self-guided tour was absolutely epic, and I struggled with having such high levels of inspiration and fatigue simultaneously. Thus, I did what every weary traveler does: I found the nearest tap room and ordered a drink lol.
Nomads Athens is a great little gem right on the north side of the city. From craft IPAs to imports, this fun little bar at the end of a main street north of the Acropolis served as the perfect resting place for me to take a load off and reflect on my day.
As I scrolled through my camera and looked at the hundreds of photos I had taken that day, I also took inventory of my blessings. Travelling throughout the ancient city of Greece was never really on my bucket list; not sure why. But now, as I reflect on my travels, I can’t believe I hadn’t discovered this gem sooner!
Day Four – The Acropolis Museum
I’m sure you’re wondering how I made it this far into touring Athens without having stopped at arguably the second-most visited attraction in Athens. Short answer: I’m not much of a museum guy lol
However, I wouldn’t be doing you (or myself) any favors by not checking out Athens’ most attractive museum. So, first thing Monday morning, I had another coffee, packed my backpack up, left my Airbnb, and made my way to the Acropolis Museum.
I’m not going to go into detail about why you need to visit the Acropolis Museum other than to say that I was pretty bummed I didn’t visit earlier. However, with all the beautiful weather and sunshine (compared to Stuttgart), my soul begged me to spend as much time outside as possible lol.
Because my return flight was in the early afternoon, I didn’t have much time to do any further city exploring so, I made the most of my time learning about the iconic monolithic site I toured just a few days prior. I’d say that touring the Acropolis first and then visiting the museum makes about as much sense as doing it the other way around; it’s all about what you’re into!
In conclusion…
Athens proper is an amazing city break for those needing a change in literally every aspect of their lives; food, culture, smells, prices, people, pace, etc. If it’s not on your bucket list, you’re surely missing out on what could be one of the most welcoming city in the Mediterranean.
I would also say you have to get outside the city, at least for a day. Take the ferry to Aegina island and jump into the sea or head north into the Tatoi Forest and do some hiking. The areas surrounding Athens have so much to offer, I guarantee it!
As for me: touring the uncrowded streets of Aegina island on a 50cc scooter with nothing but a backpack and a smile was the highlight of my trip, and it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.