Athens

Explore the Timeless Wonders and Vibrant Culture of Athens

Athens is a captivating blend of ancient history and modern vibrance, where grand architecture meets lively streets. From the iconic Acropolis towering above the city to the stunning Parthenon, every corner is a snapshot of timeless beauty. Wander through the charming Plaka district with its winding streets, colorful buildings, and cozy cafes, while the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Ancient Agora showcase Greece’s rich past. Whether you're admiring the neoclassical architecture or soaking in the sunset over Mount Lycabettus, Athens offers endless Instagrammable moments at every turn!

Getting from Airport to City

The best option is to use the public transportation.

Bus X95 (Airport - Syntagma Square):

• This is the most popular option for reaching the city center, with direct service to Syntagma Square, one of the central hubs in Athens

• The journey takes around 40-60 minutes depending on traffic

• Ticket costs about 6 Euros for one way

• Ticket can be purchased at the ticket kiosk at the bus station which is right outside the airport

For a more comfortable, quicker journey, you could also consider taking the Metro or a taxi, but the bus is a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious travelers.

I decided to use bus till Syntagma Square and from there took the Uber cab

Must See Tourist Spots; Instagrammable

• The Acropolis & Parthenon

• Plaka District

• Syntagma Square - Guard Exchange

• Mount Lycabettus

• The Ancient Agora

• Monastiraki Square

• Anafiotika

• Philopappos Hill

• Areopagus Hill

• Little Kook - most instagrammable street full of cutes cafes

After dropping my bags at the hotel, headed for lunch as to a Indian restauarnt named, Jaipur Palace since that was just like walking distance from my hotel. The food was ok just ok. But by this time, I had already realized that it was too hot so I decided to go back to the hotel and take some rest before started exploring.

As the sun came a bit down, I was all ready to start exploring Athens. Took bus from the nearby bus stop and got down at Monstiraki Square. From there walked a bit to actually start the exploration.

Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments (137 m)

Roman Agora (138 m)

Hadrian's Library (140 m)

Ancient Agora of Athens (230 m)

Below is the map of all the nearby places.

Maroon locations - Day 1 & Purple locations - Day 2

The Ancient Agora was truly grand and stunning, and I couldn’t resist capturing a few Instagram-worthy shots from the outside.

Next, I stopped by Fresko, where I treated myself to some delicious ice cream. On my way there, I took a few more moments to snap some beautiful photos! And then the remaining spots mentioned above. All are at walking distance so just keep walking and enjoying some summer fresh drinks and icecreams on the way.

I came across a charming little stall where an elderly man was selling traditional coconut delicacies. It was such a cute setup! I couldn’t resist trying the chocolate coconut stick, which only cost 1 Euro. It was incredibly fresh and delicious—definitely a must-try!

As I made my way through, I finally reached Plaka, with the goal of finding the hidden streets of Anafiotika without getting lost. I highly recommend checking out the video by Greece Explained, which provides a perfect guide for navigating the beautiful streets and alleys that lead you to the charming Anafiotika neighborhood.

As I soaked in the breathtaking views from the top of the hill, I could already get a glimpse of the charming white alleys with their signature blue decor in Anafiotika. My excitement was at an all-time high!

Now, it was time for the much awaited Greek dessert, loukoumades

Day 2:

Started really early morning, went to Syntagma Square to watch the Guard exchange which happens every hour. The Guard Exchange at Syntagma Square in Athens is a must-see experience! Every hour, the Evzones, the ceremonial guards dressed in traditional uniforms, perform an impressive and synchronized changing of the guard in front of the Hellenic Parliament. The precision and grace of the ceremony, along with the striking uniforms, make for a captivating sight.

For breakfast, I decided to go to Holy Llama and again explored the streets of Athens making most of the early morning, since it was like little to no crowd. After few hours, tried some local pies and then back to hotel. Close to the sunset time, I went to Areopagus hill.

Hiking up Areopagus Hill was such a rewarding experience—it's a gentle climb that I’m so glad I decided to do! From the top, I was treated to an unforgettable view: on one side, the majestic Acropolis stood proudly, while the other offered a stunning sunset view over the entire city. The sight took my breath away—I've never seen anything like it before. I sat there for hours, soaking in the peaceful sunset and feeling incredibly grateful for the moment. Truly, it was one of those experiences that stays with you forever. 🌅✨

The next day, I had a flight to Santorini, super-duper excited. Keep reading about Santorini here.

Food & Drinks

• Jaipur Palace - Indian food, just ok

• Lukumades

• Warm Roasted Nuts - small stalls in the city

• Coconut treats - small stalls in the city

• Not Just Falafel

• Holy Llama - Vegan, perfect for breakfast, coffee. They had so many variety of vegan croissants

• Fillo - Take away sweet and savory pies, traditional one, must try

• Little Kook - Most instagrammable place, full of cafes, changing themes

• Momo Nepal Kitchen - Loved it, momos & chowmein

Getting Around

OASA is the official site where you can find all the details on the type of tickets and the price. I chose to buy a bundle pack - 10-ticket pack for around 12 Euros

Uber is easily available if you want to use cab service.

Where to Stay

I stayed at Athenaeum Grand Hotel Good 4-star hotel although the location was not very close to center but still with good connectivity of bus just outside the hotel. And the decor of the hotel was beautiful.

Time of Visit

September

Visited Athens in September when the temperature was still quite hot (a little more than I’d hoped for)! Since I’m not a fan of scorching weather, I spent some cozy hours at the hotel watching movies to cool off. I made sure to start my days early in the morning and explore closer to sunset—perfect timing to discover this stunning city. From its grand architecture and charming streets to the beautiful sunset views, delicious food, and irresistible desserts, Athens truly stole my heart! 💙🌅

Do checkout my Instagram for more inspiration

Do checkout my other blog on Santorini