2007-02-12 19:15:02 · 15 answers · asked by green 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Greece
Ok, just follow my instructions:
Day 1. Go to the Acropolis, from metro station Acropolis. With the same ticket you can enter from the entrance of the theatre of Dionysus, see the theatre, then go to the Acropolis, and then get out through the ancient Agora, on the other site of the Acropolis hill. There you find yourselves in the area of Monastiraki, it is a picturesque area, but nearby Plaka is better, ask instructions how to get there or see on a map. Have a lovely walk in Plaka and arrange to stop every now and then (like once in Plaka and once in Monastiraki) for refreshments andd food. On Ermou street and Mitropoleos street you can visit 2 byzantine churches, Kapnikarea and Gorgoepikoos, do go and see them.
Day 2: Go to Evangelismos metro station, and from there visit the Byzantine museum, the Benaki museum (where you can also have coffee or lunch) and the Cycladic art museum, they are all 3 a must. From there, if you go uphill, you find yourselves in Kolonaki, the fanciest shopping area, but it is nice to walk a bit in Kolonaki (Patriarhou Ioakeim street) and perhaps have lunch there, just avoid seafood. On top of Kolonaki is Lycabettus hill, don't miss the opportunity at the sunset to take a taxi or the funicular railway and go up to the cafe on top of the hill, to enjoy a dessert and the view of Athens.Even if you don't go on the same day, definitely go on Lycabettus another day.
Day 3: Go to the archaeological museum from metro station Victoria. Then I leave you the day free, perhaps you can walk around Exarhia, the area behind the museum a bit, there are nice neoclassical houses there. And do pass from Panepistimiou street, to see the neoclassical monuments of the University, the Academy and the National Library. (Panepistimiou street links Omonoia square and Syntagma square, the most central square of Athens and I think on the map it may be called El. Venizelou)
Day 4: Go to Syntagma square, see the Parliament (the old palace), and have a walk into the national gardens, just beside the parliament. Then, you can have another walk in Plaka and take it easy.
Day 5: Go to Piraeus and take a ferry trip to Egina. The ferries leave every hour and the trip lasts an hour. Egina is a beautiful picturesque island, very close to Athens, and there you can also visit the ancient temple of Athina Afaia, do that, you'll enjoy the excursion.
Day 6. You can arrange for another day trip, to Nafplio, Epidavros and Mycenae or to Delphi and Hosios Lukas. Both are wonderful, if you do go to Delfi do go to Hosios Lukas Byzantine monastery too. You can arrange these with local travel agencies, mostly in Plaka.
Day 7: I will allow this for travelling and getting rest, or for doing things you may have missed from the previous days.
Just make sure you check with the museums' opening days and hours before you go! Also, make sure to visit all of the places I mentioned, these are definitely "must see"s, and there is nothing much more really.
Summary: Acropolis+Plaka, Lycabettus hill+Kolonaki+Benaki Museum +Byzantine Museum, Archaeological museum
2007-02-13 00:31:31 · answer #1 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If I was to go to Athens I would happily spend the whole time visiting the ancient monuments. The Parthenon on the Acropolis is one of the greatest feats of architecture ever achieved. It was built because of a man called Perikles who did many great services for the polis of Athens but eventually was exiled because people feared he had grown too popular.
There are many other fine temples there such as the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hephaestos. The agora was the ancient heart of the city where food, metalwork and foreign goods were traded people would meet each other. As well as the original agora there is a secong one that was built by the Romans which equaly should not be missed.
Finally the museum of archaeology is a must see for anyone interested in history. It is a large museum and pretty modern in it's layout inside.
Aside from monuments I would make sure to visit the nightlife in Athens because I have heard a lot of good things about the tavernas and restaurants. Many Greek dishes are delicious.
The Piraeus is the port of Athens and is well worth visiting. It has many modern shops and some beautiful boats. You can also travel from here to many Greek islands and beaches. The islands are suitable for sun bathing and enjoyable walks. Certain beaches are especially suitable for children and playing games, others are quieter and more suited to relaxing. Some beaches are topless or fully nude beaches for those who like an all over tan.
I hope you have a great time in Greece. Athens is a wonderful city.
2007-02-12 20:01:07 · answer #2 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Athens is beautiful dont miss the Carnival at Plaka and Syntagma on Sunday and then On Monday is Mardis Day you will find it very interesting.I reccomend you these places:
Acropolis
Plaka
Temple of Zeus
Temple of poseidon ( 1 hour from Athens) amazing at sunset time
Lycabbetous
Archaological Museum
Psiri area for night life
It could be interesting to go to greek live music to see how greeks enjoy
Go to taverna and try Mousaka,also you can try souvlaki very delicious (tell them "ena gyro apo'ola)
It couldbe nice also to visit Glyfada area just 30min by bus from center of Athens,take bus A3 or B3
Good enjoy
2007-02-14 10:06:34 · answer #3 · answered by free3yourmind 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would help to know your interests. It would also help to know the duration of your stay. This is an ancient city and packed to the gills with history both ancient and christian/Muslim.
I will mention a few musts.
The Acropolis compound and the museum.
The National Museum
The Plaka and the Thesio.
St. George Lycabettus(This is not ancient-it's a 300m+ hill in the middle of the city and the view of Athens the Acropolis and the Saronic gulf with it's islands is worth it)
The Benaki Museum.
there is more much more including monasteries churches temples excursions etc.
2007-02-12 19:31:21 · answer #4 · answered by The Stainless Steel Rat 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There are some great suggestions in these answers. All I would add is don't forget to take some time to sit in one of the squares and linger over a coffee while you people watch - Omonia square is Athens oldest. Also make sure you get to the Monastiraki flea market on Sunday. Add Kolonaki and Lykavittos to your list of places to see.
Athens is FAB!!
If you have time - hop on a Flying Dolphin to Poros or Hydra - wow!!
2007-02-12 20:52:53 · answer #5 · answered by CK 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't take the advise of t.Stud and enjoy the beautiful Athens. Not to miss the carnival festivities in Syntagma square, in Zapion garden and of course in Plaka area
2007-02-14 07:18:50 · answer #6 · answered by Tolis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the local bus and train network to see how the locals live . Very reasonably priced Catch narrow guage railway to pass over the corinth canal just for the experience. Travel on the underground out to piraeus and catch a dolphin-fast ferry over to aegina and or hydra. Eat good food, shop 'til you drop , have a blast.
2007-02-12 19:27:57 · answer #7 · answered by deepee 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is an interesting city with rich history. But not anytime soon. Things are not looking so well in Greece right now. I want to go someday though.
2016-05-24 04:28:00 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My favourites were:
Lykavitos Hill
Theatre of Dionysus
Acropolis
... my panoramic photos of all these can be seen here: http://www.360travelguide.com/results.asp?StartNum=1&CountrySelect=Greece&LocSelect=Athens
2007-02-15 05:14:46 · answer #9 · answered by conrade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are too many things to do but let me give you my choice.
I would go to the Philopapou Hill, right across the Acropolis and
have as perfect a view as you can dream.
2007-02-12 22:24:59 · answer #10 · answered by emiliosailez 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋