We flew from Singapore to Athens with Turkish Airline, transit in Istanbul for 2 hours then to Athens. We spent 3 nights in Athens and then flying to Rome for 4 nights.
Now the first questions is how to get to your hotel when you arrived in Athens airport? The easy answer is by taxi. Since we had a bad experience when we were in Baku Azerbaijan, so this time we have online pick up service to send us to our hotel. We booked with Welcome pick up, the price is 43 Euro. The driver meet us once we came out from the airport. It is a normal taxi not private car. Unlike the one we had in Baku, it was a private car.
Where to stay in Athens?
We didn’t stay in the busy city. The hotel we stayed is President Hotel, it is about 15 to 20 mins away from the city center.
Top places to visit in Athens
There are a number of ancient sites to visit and if you are here only for 3 nights, then you have to choose which one to visit. The Acropolis is the number 1 site that you can’t miss. Followed by Ancient Agora. The rest of the sites are quite small and scatter around. Unless you are an archaeologist, you don’t need to visit all of them. I think in total there are 8 sites altogether. You can choose Acropolis and Ancient Agora. Both places are located nearby. You can visit Acropolis in the morning and after lunch you can visit Ancient Agora. There are a number of combination for tickets, some are with guided tour, it all depends what you need. We prefer to visit on our own, so we gotten the Acropolis + 6 Archaeological Sites Multipass Tickets 36 Euro. It is always better to buy the ticket online and decide the date you want to visit these sites.
Acropolis:
Dominating the Athens skyline, the Acropolis is an ancient citadel perched atop a rocky outcrop. It’s home to several iconic structures, including the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike. The views from here are breathtaking, especially at sunset. We went early in the morning because we knew that there will be lot of people. I think if you want to avoid the crowd, coming in first thing in the morning like 9 am is better. The peak hour start from 10 am plus. It was very windy up at the top.
Parthenon:
A symbol of classical architecture and ancient Greece, the Parthenon is the most famous temple on the Acropolis. Its stunning marble columns and intricate carvings are a must-see for any visitor to Athens. You get to see the Parthenon at the top of the Acropolis.
Ancient Agora:
This is another site which is worth to visit.
This was the heart of ancient Athens, where citizens gathered for social, political, and commercial activities. Highlights include the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos.
National Archaeological Museum:
One of the world’s greatest museums, it houses an extensive collection of artifacts from ancient Greece, including sculptures, pottery, and jewelry. The queue to get in the museum is long, we have waited for about 20 mins to get in. You can’t purchase ticket online so there is a line. It is quite hot in April, so please get an umbrella.
Plaka:
This picturesque neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis is filled with narrow, winding streets, neoclassical architecture, charming cafes, and shops selling souvenirs and traditional Greek goods. Once you finish visiting the Acropolis, you can walk around this neighborhood.
Monastiraki:
A bustling area near the Acropolis known for its flea market, where you can find everything from antiques to handmade crafts. Don’t miss the Monastiraki Square and the vibrant atmosphere.
Syntagma Square:
The central square of Athens, where you can witness the changing of the guard ceremony at the Hellenic Parliament building. Nearby, you’ll find upscale shopping, restaurants, and cafes. The timing of change of guards start from 11 am and every hour everyday.
Panathenaic Stadium:
Built entirely of marble, this ancient stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Visitors can walk on the track and explore the museum inside.
Mount Lycabettus:
For panoramic views of Athens, head to this hill in the city center. You can hike to the top or take a funicular railway for a more leisurely ascent. We took a taxi to the funicular to go up. The funicular cost 10 euro for return and one way is 7 euro. In my opinion the cost of ticket is very expensive because the ride is very short, about 3 mins only and the funicular is only has 2 carriages. Also you won’t be able to see anything when the funicular moves because it moves under a tunnel.
Top places to stay in Athens
Plaka: Known as the “neighborhood of the gods,” Plaka is one of the oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods in Athens. It’s filled with narrow cobblestone streets, charming cafes, and traditional Greek tavernas. Staying here puts you within walking distance of the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and other major attractions.
Syntagma Square: This central square is surrounded by upscale hotels, shops, restaurants, and cafes. It’s a convenient location for exploring the city, with easy access to public transportation, including the metro and buses. Syntagma Square is also where you can witness the changing of the guard ceremony at the Hellenic Parliament building.
Kolonaki: Situated at the foot of Mount Lycabettus, Kolonaki is an affluent neighborhood known for its high-end boutiques, art galleries, and chic cafes. It offers a more upscale and cosmopolitan atmosphere compared to other areas of Athens.
Monastiraki: If you want to be in the heart of the action, consider staying in Monastiraki. This lively neighborhood is famous for its flea market, vibrant street art, and bustling nightlife. It’s also a great base for exploring the historic center of Athens.
Thissio: Located just south of the Acropolis, Thissio is a charming neighborhood with a laid-back vibe. It’s home to several archaeological sites, including the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus. Thissio offers a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the busier areas of the city.
Ultimately, the best place to stay in Athens depends on your preferences and what you want to experience during your visit. Whether you prefer a central location, a historic neighborhood, or a more upscale area, Athens has a variety of accommodations to suit every taste and budget.
Where I stay in Athen: President Hotel Athens
If you are looking for a place that is away from the busy city, this is a good choice. The breakfast spread was good and hotel is decent.
Top Food to eat
Souvlaki: Perhaps one of the most iconic Greek street foods, souvlaki consists of grilled skewers of meat (usually pork, chicken, or lamb) served with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and sometimes french fries. It’s simple yet incredibly flavorful.
Moussaka: A classic Greek dish made with layers of eggplant, minced meat (often beef or lamb), potatoes, and a creamy béchamel sauce. It’s baked until golden and delicious.
Greek Salad (Horiatiki): A refreshing and colorful salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers, olives, and feta cheese, dressed with olive oil and oregano. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Spanakopita: A savory pastry filled with spinach, feta cheese, onions, and herbs, all encased in crispy, flaky phyllo dough. It’s a popular snack or appetizer in Greece.
Tzatziki: A creamy dip made with strained yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, and dill or mint. It’s often served alongside grilled meats, souvlaki, or as a dip for bread.
Dolmades: Grape leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, pine nuts, herbs, and sometimes ground meat, then simmered in a lemony broth. They’re typically served as an appetizer or part of a meze platter.
Fava: Not to be confused with fava beans, Greek fava is a creamy dip made from yellow split peas, cooked with onions, garlic, and olive oil, then pureed until smooth. It’s often garnished with capers and red onions.
Octopus (Octapodi): Grilled or braised octopus marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. It’s tender, flavorful, and a seafood lover’s delight.
Baklava: A sweet and indulgent dessert made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts (usually walnuts or pistachios), spices, and honey syrup. It’s rich, sticky, and utterly irresistible.
Loukoumades: Deep-fried dough balls soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and crushed walnuts. They’re crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and absolutely delicious.
Chinese Food in Athens
If you looking for Asian food such as Chinese and Japanese, there are plenty in Athens city center.
Tofu shrimp with pepper
Sweet and sour pork
Mongolian Lamb
Mangoes coconut milk bought in bubble tea shop. There are a few bubble tea in Athens city center which are operated by Chinese. The price is about 5.50 to 6 euro.
Other food we eat, authentic Greek restaurant
Greek Food in city center
Western food in our hotel, President Hotel
Final thoughts:
There are quite a lot of Chinese or Asian restaurants in Athens city center and the pricing is quite reasonable. However the restaurants usually operate at around 12 or 1pm. The bubble tea drink is yummy and I highly recommended if you are craving for some Asian taste.
We usually took Uber from one place to another to save time, the price is not cheap about 10 to 20 Euro depending on the distance, since we have a number of pax to share, I think the pricing is pretty alright for us.
When we are flying to Rome, we too prebook the online taxi service which bring us to the airport. The taxi driver is kind and fluent in English and point to us some of the important marble mountains that surrounded Athens city. It was a smooth and 20 mins ride to the airport.