Things to do in Athens
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Acropolis
The magnificent Acropolis defines and dominates Athens. Unlike other cities where the main attractions are on the outskirts of town, the sacred rock on which the ancient Greek temples were built rises spectacularly above the centre of the city. The main entrance is from Dionysiou Areopagitou near the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, or from Theorias if you’re coming from Plaka (there’s another entrance near the Kanellopoulos Museum). Large bags must be left at the main entrance cloakroom.
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Hydra, Poros and Egina Day Cruise from Athens
11 hours (Departs Athens, Greece)
by Viator
Visit three gorgeous Greek Islands in one day on an island-hopping cruise from Athens! Visiting the Saronic Islands of Hydra, Poros and Egina, this independent…Not LP reviewed
from USD$128.66 -
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Paradosiako
For great traditional fare at very fair prices you can't beat this inconspicuous, no-frills taverna on the periphery of Plaka, with a few tables on the footpath. There's a basic menu but it's best to choose from the daily specials, which include fresh and delicious seafood. Get there early before the locals arrive.
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Varsos
This huge patisserie has been making traditional sweets and dairy products since 1892. Dine in the old-style café, or sit outside in the courtyard and sample the famous rice pudding, honey pastries, honey or scrumptious cheese pies.
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Delphi Day Trip from Athens
10 hours (Departs Athens, Greece)
by Viator
Visit Delphi – one of the most important archeological sites in Greek history – on this full-day trip from Athens! Traveling with an expert guide, you’ll…Not LP reviewed
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Kanellopoulos Museum
The imposing 1884 mansion on the northern slope of the Acropolis houses the Kanellopoulos family’s extensive collection, donated to the state in 1976. After a major refurbishment and expansion, it was due to open in late 2008. The collection includes jewellery, clay-and-stone vases and figurines, weapons, Byzantine icons, bronzes and objets d’art dating from every period of Greek history.
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7-Day Greece Grand Tour: Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Lefkadia
by Viator
Take a seven-day tour of the essential sites of classical Greece: Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki and Lefkadia. You'll visit famous archaeological sites…Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,189.16 -
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Diporto Agoras
Near the Athens Central Market, there’s no signage, only two doors leading to a rustic cellar taverna where the handful of dishes hasn’t changed in years. The staples are delicious chickpea soup, grilled fish, fried potatoes and salad, washed down with mandatory wine (they don’t ask) from the barrels lining the wall. The often-erratic service is part of the appeal.
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Booze Cooperativa
By day, this laid-back arty hangout is full of hip young Athenians playing chess and backgammon and working on their Macs (with free wi-fi) on the 6m-long table; later it transforms into a happening bar that rocks till late. The basement hosts art exhibitions and there’s a theatre upstairs.
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Kalipateira
In a neoclassic building overlooking an archaeological dig, young Athenians gather for long sessions over carafes of ouzo, snacking on one of the pikilies (mixed mezedhes). There are acoustic rembetika (Greek blues) and Cretan live music Thursday to Sunday.
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Bios
A multifaceted venue popular with an alternative arty crowd and with a lively café and bar. At times you’ll find videos screening, performances on the rooftop, films in the tiny cinema, live bands and exhibitions in various spaces in the rambling former paint factory.
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To Pantopoleion
From Santorini capers to boutique olive oils and rusks from Crete, this excellent store has traditional food products from around Greece. There are jars of sweets, a large selection of Greek wines and spirits, and a fresh deli if you can’t wait until you get home.
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Brettos
A Plaka landmark, this quaint bar has a stunning backlit wall of coloured bottles, old wine barrels and an authentic old-fashioned character. It’s a quiet spot for a night- (or day-) cap, with a tempting range of homemade brews to imbibe or take away.
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Bartessera
Tucked at the end of a narrow arcade off Kolokotroni, with a quirky central courtyard, this friendly place is a little oasis by day and a lively bar at night, with a hip 30-something crowd, guest DJs and art exhibitions.
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Strofi
This charming old-style taverna’s rooftop terrace has superb Acropolis views, and a reasonable array of taverna classics. It used to be a hang-out for theatre performers, as the photos of its famous guests attest.
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Athens Municipal Art Gallery
The municipality’s rich collection includes more than 2300 works from leading 19th- and 20th-century Greek artists, including works from the acclaimed ‘30s generation, as well as a fine collection of engravings.
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Koukos
A great collection of Italian pewter picture frames, platters, jugs, replicas of Greek monk’s hip flasks and other items. Koukos also stocks a range of antique ceramics and original silver handcrafted jewellery.
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Skoufaki
One of the first to open on Kolonaki’s popular bar strip, heading away from the square, Skoufaki is a cosy, arty hangout with good coffee and a friendly upbeat evening crowd.
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Thission
Across from the Acropolis, this is a lovely old-style cinema in a garden setting. Sit towards the back if you want to catch a glimpse of the glowing edifice.
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Magaze
With tables on the pedestrian strip near Plateia Agias Irinis looking up to the Acropolis, this gay-friendly place is popular day and night. If you’re lost you can check out the large-scale Athens map on the wall.
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Plaka & Anafiotika
The historic neighbourhood under the Acropolis retains its charm despite being overrun by tourists in summer. Head beyond the tourist drag, however, and you'll find the Anafiotika quarter, one of the most picturesque and quiet pockets of the city. In this village-like labyrinth of quiet, narrow, windy streets, bougainvillea cascade over whitewashed Cycladic-style cube houses while bright pots of colour decorate the balconies and rooftops.
Apart from the forever-reclining cats, washing hanging in the breeze is often the only evidence of habitation. The houses were built by tradesmen from the small island of Anafi, brought in to build the king's palace during the renovation…
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Temple of Olympian Zeus
The colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus (or Olympeion) is the largest in Greece and took more than 700 years to build. Fifteen of the original 104 massive (17m-high) Corinthian columns survive, along with the one that toppled over in a gale in 1852. Peisistratos began building the temple in the 6th century BC on the western bank of the Ilissos River, at the site of a smaller temple (590–560 BC) dedicated to the cult of Olympian Zeus (its foundations can be seen on the site), but construction stalled due to lack of funds. A succession of leaders tried to finish the job, making adjustments along the way, which explains inconsistencies in the temple. Hadrian finally finished…
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Statue of Athena Promachos
Along the Panathenaic Way, which cuts across the middle of the Acropolis, you will see the foundations of pedestals for the statues that once lined the path, including one that held Pheidias' 9m-high statue of Athena Promachos (promachos means 'champion'). Symbolising Athenian invincibility against the Persians, the helmeted goddess held a shield in her left hand and a spear in her right. The statue was carted off to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius in AD 426.
By 1204 it had lost its spear, so the hand appeared to be gesturing. This led the inhabitants to believe that the statue had beckoned the crusaders to the city, so they smashed it to pieces.
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3-Day Classical Greece Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi
3 days (Departs Athens, Greece)
by Viator
Visit the three most important archaeological sites from the Classical Greece period on this 3-day tour of Greece from Athens! Traveling with a knowledgeable…Not LP reviewed
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Theatre of Dionysos
The original 6th-century timber theatre was built on the site of the Festival of the Great Dionysia. During Athens’ golden age, the theatre hosted productions of the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. Reconstructed in stone and marble between 342 and 326 BC, the theatre had seating for more than 17,000 spectators (spread over 64 tiers, of which only about 20 tiers survive) and an altar to Dionysos in the orchestra pit. The Pentelic marble thrones on the lower levels were for dignitaries and priests – including a grand one in the centre for the Priest of Dionysos, identifiable by the lions’ paws, satyrs and griffins carved on the back.
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