Athens is the capital and the biggest city in Greece. It is also one of the oldest cities in the world with a history of 3,400 years. When you think about Athens, you immediately think about its history, philosophers, and beautiful architecture. The city is thought of as the birthplace of democracy, which set the standards for every modern democratic state around the world. If you decide to visit Greece we can recommend to you what to do in Athens and especially 4 things you can’t miss when you’re there.
Before you plan your trip though, consider what the weather will be like when you arrive. Athens is one of the hottest cities in Europe. During the summer months, the temperature can be as high as 34°C on a regular day. Athens also has some of the highest recorded temperatures in Europe that can be around 45°C. So, if you’re not a fan of very hot and dry weather, visiting Athens in the summer will most likely not be for you.
On the other hand, the weather during the winter months can be pretty mild. December can be a quite cold month, but not as cold as in other northern European capitals. During the morning, the temperature is around 12°C, and 9°C during the night. In terms of rain, Athens has an average of 11 days of rain in December while the sun can be felt for around 3 hours per day.
1. First Thing You Can’t Miss in Athens: The Acropolis hill.
The Acropolis is the most popular place to visit in Athens. You cannot visit Athens without going there. So plan ahead and dedicate a whole morning of your vacation just for the hill.. During midday it can be actually very crowded, so we recommend you go earlier in the morning. After you walk to the top of the hill, you get to experience the reality of ancient Greece. There you will find The Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the Theater of Dionysus. This is the place where, in ancient years, Greeks honoured their gods, philosophers questioned the universe, and democracy and freedom of speech were born.
The best time to visit the Acropolis as mentioned before is at opening time in order to avoid crowds of tourists. If you also want to avoid the sun and the high temperatures, you can also schedule your visit for the last hours before closing. As far as tickets go, we recommend you book your tickets online and in advance. You can also book combination tickets. In this way, you can see the sights of the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Keramiekos, and Aristotle’s School. The prices fluctuate from 10 to 20 euros depending on the time of the year.
2. Second Thing You Can’t Miss in Athens: The Acropolis Museum.
If you loved the Acropolis hill, you cannot miss the chance to visit the Acropolis museum. If you wish to find even more about the history of ancient Greece the museum is an absolute must. The building itself is located just ten minutes away on foot from the hill. It is also brand new and was completed in 2009. In the same year, it first opened its doors to its visitors. The Acropolis Museum was specifically designed to present the artefacts discovered on the archaeological site of the Acropolis. Every single finding is handled with care and has found its place in this amazing building.
From the moment you step in, you will feel like you have time travelled to the ancient world. There are three levels on the museum. Going from the first to the last one, you take a trip through the centuries. At first, you will see the discoveries of the hill in a large hall that also has findings from the Erechtheion, the Propylaea gateway and the Temple of Athena Nike. Then you move up to admire the marbles from the frieze and the pediments of the Parthenon. All this time, the windows of the museum are strategically placed. In this way, you can see the Parthenon on the hill in front of you. Your visit then ends back down, where you can experience Athens through Roman and early Christian years.
3. Plaka
If you desperately want to escape the traffic and of the modern city, we have a solution for you. You should absolutely visit the district of Plaka. Right in the shadow of the Acropolis, Plaka is nothing like the quiet ancient temples we’ve recommended so far. It is full of small alleys, colourful houses and plenty of flowers on every wall in the summer months. You can walk around for hours, admire the beautiful view and escape from the big city.
Plaka is also full of family-run shops, which are very typical in Greece. In each of them, you will discover something different and unique. From ceramics, musical instruments, handmade jewellery to traditional food, everyone can find something they’ll like. If you get hungry pick up a gyro or choose one of the countless restaurants to enjoy traditional specialities.
4.Lycabettus Hill
Last but certainly not least, be sure to visit another hill in Athens. This one, Lycabettus Hill, is one of the favourite places for local Athenians. It is free to climb on foot, but you can also take a funicular to avoid being tired. The cost for the funicular is €7.50 return or €5 for a one-way ticket. You can find the hill on the northeast of the city. We recommend you don’t visit the hill during the warmer months, as it tends to be very hot on the top. Maybe go there in the afternoon, or to see the sunset which is also amazing.
The bottom of the part is full of pine trees, which become fewer as you climb up. Being one of the highest peaks in Athens, the view is definitely worth it. From the top, you can spot the most well-known places in the centre of Athens. The Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Piraeus Coast are visible from Lycabettus Hill day and night.
