The memory of that night is like a vivid painting in my mind and will be impossible to forget. The embrace of the warm summer air wrapped around me. My hair, always rebellious in nature, attempted to sway in that gentle humid breeze. We walked with no destination in mind, surrendering to the whims of the city, allowing the spirit of Athens to lead us to unexpected delights.
I had to look down while walking on those narrow old footpaths as some of them were uneven, broken, and water dripped down from the ACs of the hotel buildings above. On one side, there were shopping centers that stood silent, the lights were off but I could still see the lovely dresses close to the glass doors on display. On the other side, a cafe served coffee and gyros and played melodiously Greek music. Further down the road, we came across a hub of restaurants and pubs jostling with people and music. I’m telling you, this city never sleeps! Even though we were done with our dinner, we stopped at a crowded pretty-looking restaurant that had tables on the cobblestoned streets with a menu on display for our consideration. We looked at the prices and noticed that the most popular dish on the menu was pizza! It was awarded the tastiest and best pizza in Athens. Right then, we decided what we would be eating for lunch the next day. (We didn’t go back there since we couldn’t get enough of moussakas, souvlakis and gyros!) Our impromptu stroll led us to a magnificent cathedral, it was nestled in an open square where a talented musician played under the comforting shade of a tree surrounded again by more restaurants. There were also benches in front of the cathedral. It was like a mini-park in which a group of friends sat laughing and chatting, a couple sat holding hands, and another was making out behind a pillar. We were delighted to have found this place by ourselves without following any map. (Which we always do, we always head in the direction that’s already planned).
We spent quite a while at the square excitedly taking selfies in front of the church. Then again continued our walk. We ended up on the streets of Plaka and right ahead of us was a sight that I will never forget, the Parthenon lit up in all its glory! It looked stunning even in the night with the warm yellow lights making it look surreal. My heart just dropped and I knew that I had fallen in love with the city of Athens.
Hello reader, I went traveling again last month and this time it was to Greece for seventeen days. On this trip, my husband and I visited a city and two islands: Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos.
Athens has a rich cultural history that dates back to more than 2000 years. The Parthenon Temple is the most important and gorgeous monument. A glimpse of it from the streets of Plaka, Monastraki, or Psyrri, be it night or day always left me in awe. Athens has a personality of being old, charming, lively, and welcoming and the people are extremely friendly. Their traditional food is incredible and the weather was HOT in the month of June.
Top places to visit when in Athens:
1. Acropolis: It has to be the number one thing you do when you are in Athens. It takes effort to get there but if you want to fall in love with this city then this has to be the first place you add to your list. I said it takes effort NOT because you need to do a 20-minute hike up the hill, it’s because the heat saps your energy. Carry water, sunscreen, and hats, and be ready to be squashed by all the other tourists who are there with the same enthusiasm as yours.
Once you make it to the top, low and behold the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea. These ancient broken structures that stand atop the rocky steep hill are more than 3000 years old. I cannot imagine how ancient civilization could construct something so incredible and magnanimous in those days. It’s the precision and the intricate artwork of the marble sculptures that blew my mind. I could sense an air of mystery and untold stories. I wish I could explore the place with a little more peace. Unfortunately, the crowd takes a lot away from the whole experience as all they do is click pictures and take selfies for their social media accounts, not to forget the guides with their large group of people that take up all the space, sigh! My two cents, I really wish that they allowed only a specific number of people to enter the Acropolis, like a time-based admission. That way everyone has a wholesome experience of the Acropolis.
Anyway, coming back to the Acropolis. The iconic marble temple Parthenon was built by the Greek empire as a dedication to the Goddess of Athena. The temples are adorned with inscriptions, intricate columns, and impressive sculptures highlighting how exceptionally artistic the period might have been.
Since these ancient masterpieces had to endure the natural forces of time, the damaged architecture may not look as spectacular as it did in the old times yet it evokes tremendous awe. However, if you wish to explore all the archaeological treasures, marble sculptures, and statues of the Acropolis, then your next stop has to be the Acropolis Museum.
2. Acropolis Museum: Here you will find a large collection of findings and artifacts from the archaeological site of the Acropolis. The museum is around a 5-8 minute walk from the south slope of the Acropolis. It is worth visiting as you can see the pedimental sculptures of the Parthenon and imagine how the ancient structure might have looked when all this came together. Taking pictures was prohibited in the museum, I do not have pictures to share of the sculptures displayed in the museum.
3. Ancient Agora: This is another historical site at the northwest slope of the Acropolis which was more like a marketplace or a gathering of people back in those days. You can see the Parthenon from below. I loved Ancient Agora as much as the Acropolis, in fact, I liked it more because it had a larger area to cover, there was less crowd, and the best part – I was listening to the audio guide by Rick Steves. This audio guide was great to listen to and walk around the Ancient Agora as my imagination made the entire place come to life.
At the Agora, there is the Stoa of Attalos which is a long covered building with rows of columns and an Agora museum. It used to be a market and a resting place for laborers back in the old times. Then there are the ruins of Tholos, the temple of Hephaestus which is incredibly well-preserved, the Corinthian Capital, the Great Drain, the Statue of Hadrian, the Church of Holy Apostles, and more. You will also find many cats for your entertainment over here and they were another reason for me to fall more in love with the ruins. It is definitely worth visiting.
It is closest to Monastiraki so it has lots of amazing places to eat. You can come here after a hearty meal and spend an hour or two admiring the ancient ruins at your own pace.
4. Roman Agora: This one is smaller compared to Agora, there is not much to see except the Tower of Winds. We were here in the afternoon, the scorching heat left us dehydrated, weak, and tired until we climbed the ancient steps and stopped by the temple of winds. It is called the temple of winds for a reason! It was unbelievable! Just a few steps down the temple is blazing hell but when you are at the temple the cold breeze and shade of the temple is like a blessing. You have to experience the wind of this temple after walking on the empty shadeless grounds, it will make you realize how it feels to find joy in the most basic and simple things of life. 😀
5. Plaka: It has to be one of my most favorite and beautiful neighborhoods to spend time relaxing, eating amazing Greek food, and absorbing the vibe of Athens. Plaka is famous for its winding narrow cobble-stoned streets filled with shopping stores and restaurants. Musicians are playing melodious songs on the pavements and artists painting on their canvases at some corners. It is lovely, you can walk up and down the streets relishing a frozen yogurt, or ice cream, or gulp down a cold glass of juice while admiring the old and new architecture of Plaka. Once your feet give up, sit down at one of the traditional Greek restaurants or tavernas and enjoy a delicious souvlaki or moussaka with a glass of wine.
6. Monastiraki Square: I just love the sound of the word Monastiraaki!! Monastiraki is the heart of Athens as it is centrally located to all the places that we have just covered and others that I will talk about further on.
You can walk on foot to Monastiraki Square from Roman Agora, Plaka, Pyssri, and Syntagma Square. It also has a metro station that you can conveniently take to explore this old, traditional, culturally rich market square. However, all the signs in the metro station were in Greek. We had a hard time figuring out which direction to head towards but eventually, you will figure it out and that’s what makes it fun.
Monastiraki is famous for its flea markets, fruit, and vegetable vendors standing with carts loaded with fresh produce, cafes, restaurants, and the lively atmosphere. There are very old buildings, bookstores, and pubs where you can stop to drink a beer or two.
7. Syntagma Square: This is another square where we spent a lot of time sitting on one of the benches by the fountain trying to kill time waiting for the temperature to drop just a little so we could continue exploring the city. And let me tell you, it is a great place to spend time chatting with your partner/friend, reading a book, or listening to music while people-watching. It is an entertaining place that’s always busy with a lot of people walking across the square. If you are lucky, you will find musicians showcasing their talents. There is also the view of the 5-star hotels looming in the background, King George and Hotel Grande Bretagne, in which President Obama happened to be residing while we were there. So every time I spent time resting at Syntagma Square I was hoping I would get to see Mr. Obama or just getting a glimpse of him from the window or balcony would suffice, sadly as expected it didn’t happen.
8. Changing of the guards: Right across the street from Syntagma Square, you can see the changing of guards that happens every hour in front of the Parliament and at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The ceremonial change of guards lasts no more than 10 minutes and is a unique experience. The slow graceful motion of the guards in their uniforms is quite captivating. Once that’s done, the guards stand perfectly still and motionless for an hour. There is a grander ceremony that takes place every Sunday at 11 AM where the guards are dressed in their official dresses.
9. Varvakeios Central Market: It is a large market that sells fresh meat, seafood, and vegetables. It’s huge! All meat lovers and curious souls can head here to get a feel of this market and to also buy the finest cut of meat as they chop where you are! It’s also a great place to shop for fresh local produce. There are also many restaurants right beside the butcher shops. However, it’s not for weak-hearted people like me who cannot see or stand the smell of raw meat.
10. Psyri: Psyri/Psiri is another fancy neighborhood with a lot of street art and elaborately pretty cafes. When I say elaborate, I mean they take prettiness and decoration to a whole new level. Like the Fairytale Cafe, Little Kook, and Ellys. There are also many tavernas, bars, restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques that you can explore. It is quite close to Monastiraki and Plaka, you can revel in the lively and artistic atmosphere of this place as it is also famous for its nightlife.
11. National Archaeological Museum: The museum is an amazing place to look at the extensive collection of ancient Greek art and artifacts. It has the famous mask of Agamemnon which used to be a funeral gold mask of a Mycenaean king. There’s the stunning bronze statue of Pose
- Bronze Statue of Poseidon: This stunning bronze statue of the god of the sea showcases the artistic skill of ancient Greek sculptors. It was found in the sea off Cape Artemision.
- Jockey of Artemision: Another remarkable bronze sculpture, this piece depicts a young jockey on horseback. Its dynamic and lifelike depiction captures the essence of ancient Greek artistry.
- Statues from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia: The museum houses several sculptures from the Temple of Zeus, including the famous statue of Hermes holding the infant Dionysus.
- Frescoes from Akrotiri: These well-preserved frescoes were discovered on the island of Santorini (Thera) and provide insights into the life and culture of the Minoan civilization.
- Sculptures from the Parthenon: While many sculptures from the Parthenon are displayed in the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum also has a collection of Parthenon friezes and metopes.
The museum’s exhibits are organized in chronological order, allowing visitors to journey through the various epochs of Greek history. It’s a treasure trove for history enthusiasts, art lovers, and anyone interested in exploring the roots of Western civilization.
Before visiting, it’s a good idea to check the museum’s official website for the latest information on opening hours, ticket prices, and any special exhibitions that might be taking place.
These are the top ten places that I often visited during my stay in Athens. There is also Hadrian’s library that we walked across a gazillion times. We did not enter it but could clearly see the ruins through the bars while heading to Monastiraki from Plaka. Another famous street is Ermou Street which is a pedestrian-only street, it has many cafes and the oldest church called the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea and it looks remarkable from the inside and outside.
Nuraine Sadaf 