Athens is an amazing museum city, with cheerful people, amazing architecture, excellent service and low prices. Each district of the city lives in its own era – so walking around Athens is like traveling back in time. Temples dating back thousands of years stand next to markets and stadiums, while bars and restaurants surround medieval Turkish houses. The hills covered with olive trees offer stunning views of the Acropolis, the city, the sea and the mountains. Hundreds of beaches await travelers just nearby, on the coast.
During the velvet season, the summer heat, crowds of tourists, high prices for housing and tickets disappear. Therefore, we advise you to go to Athens this fall, because this is where you can:
1. Feel like a resident of Ancient Greece
The Acropolis of Athens, built in the 5th century BC, is the hallmark of Greece, which still amazes with the beauty and elegance of its architecture. In September, when the summer heat has gone and the sea breeze blows through the city, walks among the majestic temples are especially pleasant. The main temple of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, where the statue of Athena used to be located, still amazes with its simplicity and grace of lines. The Erechtheion houses statues of beautiful caryatids and perfectly preserved mosaics. Very close by is the temple of Nike, where there used to be a statue of the goddess with her wings cut off so that she could not leave the city and would always bring victory.
Interesting excursions from local residents in Athens
Temple of Olympian Zeus
From the Acropolis, a narrow path will lead you to the ancient cemetery of Ceramics, where turtles live among the tombstones, and then to the Agora, to the ruins of Olympian Zeus, the largest temple of Ancient Greece. You can stroll among the ruins at your leisure—the entrance ticket is valid for 4 days. Be sure to climb to the top of Philopappou Hill, which offers beautiful views of the city, port and Acropolis.
Monastiraki Square
2. Enjoy Greek cuisine and the vibrant energy of Plaka and Monastiraki
Athens is not only an open-air museum city, but also a cheerful city, where 40% of the population of Greece lives and life is in full swing, as it was thousands of years ago. We recommend heading to the Old Town areas for excellent restaurants in the labyrinthine streets, an amazing mixture of European and Oriental architecture and a relaxed holiday atmosphere.
Plaka District
The Monastiraki area is known for its huge market, where you can find everything from sweets to antiques, as well as an ancient mosque, narrow medieval streets and 18th-century mansions covered in ivy and graffiti. Plaka, the oldest district of the city, lying at the foot of the Acropolis, is similar to Montmartre – there are hundreds of restaurants and bars, art galleries and great views.
National Archaeological Museum
3. Explore Athens Museums
Athens is one of the oldest capitals in Europe. Almost all ancient sculptures found during excavations are replaced by models, and the originals have been moved to museums due to their age and fragility. Therefore, we advise all history and art lovers to go to the National Archaeological Museum, where masks, sculptures, mosaics, frescoes, furniture and clothing are stored.
Acropolis Museum
All sculptures and everyday objects found during excavations at the Acropolis are located in the modern building of the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill. At the Benake Museum you can see masterpieces of Greek art from antiquity to the 20th century. Athens also has excellent museums of contemporary art – the Cyclades Museum and the Frissiras Museum, as well as the Herakleidon Museum, which houses the works of the amazing Dutch artist Escher.
4. Relax on the beaches of the Attic coast
The sea is very close to Athens; many beaches can be reached by tram or bus in less than an hour. The best city beaches are Votsalakia, (9 kilometers from the city), Alimos (11 kilometers from Athens), and Glyfada (16 kilometers from the city center). At each of them you will find excellent service, restaurants, water attractions and… crowds of people.
If you prefer solitude, then you should go to one of the small wild beaches in the bays. The most beautiful of them are the pebble beach of Altea, Charakas beach, with fine sand and crystal clear water, and Cape beach, which is near Cape Sounion. This cape is famous for the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon, which offers magnificent views of the Aegean Sea and the Cyclades Islands.
5. See an unforgettable sunset and party all night in Psiri, Tessio and Gazi
Athens has amazingly beautiful sunsets—the huge sun slowly sinks into the sea, illuminating the snow-white city surrounded by mountains. You can enjoy the sunset and Greek cuisine at one of the many rooftop restaurants. But Athenians believe that the best view of the city and the sea opens from the top of Lykabettos Hill, which can be reached on foot or by cable car. The nearest metro station is Evangelismos, from which you can walk in a couple of minutes to the funicular station at the foot of the hill.
And when it gets dark, head down the hill and head to the trendy areas of Psirri, Tessio and Gazi, where Athens’ nightlife is vibrant. In Psiri, on the streets of Apostoli and Miaouli, there are the most fun nightclubs. Gizi has jazz bars and restaurants. The lowest prices and generous portions can be found in Exarzia Square, which is favored by students and anarchists.
