When you think of Greece, you think of Athens, Santorini, Mykonos and all the other greek Islands with sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and white and blue houses. Athens may not be the first choice if you’re looking for a tropical vacation, but if you’re looking for a cultural and historically rich vacation, keep reading to learn more.
Landmarks everywhere
Athens is a historically rich city, its regarded as the home of modern civilisation with sights of landmarks everywhere you look. Whether you visit the Acropolis or the Monastiraki Flea Market, you’re sure to find something interesting. The city has beautiful old buildings that are well-preserved and maintained. The city’s architecture is unique, and the museums are a real treat for history lovers like myself.
The Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis of athens is the most important historic site in Greece. It’s one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. It’s an incredible experience to visit this place as you see all the temples on top of a hill and take in the fantastic view of the city below. Getting to the top is steep, especially in the hot Greek weather. Be sure to bring light, airy clothing and water to stay hydrated.
Parthenon
When you visit the Acropolis, you’re bound to come across the Parthenon, one of the oldest buildings of the Acropolis. Built to honour the Goddess Athena, it’s made at the top of the Acropolis. It’s one of those sites that you can’t say you’ve been to Athens without seeing or taking a photo of.
Temple of Zeus
The temple of Zeus is one of the oldest and largest temples that stands today. I could see it from the viewpoint of the Acropolis and also went to see it up close, and it’s truly amazing to see. Standing almost 50 feet tall, it’s quite a sight to behold.
Monastraki flea market
The famous Monastiraki Flea Market sits at the corner of Vasilissis Amalias Avenue and Panepistimiou Street. This is the place to go if you want to buy gifts and souvenirs to bring home with you. Here you can find all sorts of goods, from clothes and jewellery to leather goods and art. There is something for everyone. This is a great place to haggle with the sellers to get the best value for your money.
Final thoughts on Athens
Athens is a pretty big city. There is so much to see and do that getting around the whole city on foot is challenging, especially in the Greek heat or if you only have a short amount of time available. The best option is to get a tour bus or use public transport to see most of the city’s main attractions in a relatively short period. Landmarks aside, there is a lot of great food at low prices throughout the city and plenty of bars and clubs to entertain you after the sun goes down.
Due to Athens being a historic city, some parts of the city are not so great to explore. There was pollution, litter and damaged buildings in certain areas. You’ll also want to be careful and avoid walking around certain areas alone at night.
All in all, I had a good time in Athens. I’m not sure if I will return as I saw the main landmarks you have to see. But I recommend going there if you haven’t already to explore and take in what is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Athens - Travel Review
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Walkability - 7.5/107.5/10
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Safety - 7/107/10
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Fun - 8.5/108.5/10
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Friendliness to tourists - 8/108/10
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English speaking - 8/108/10
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Cost - 9/109/10
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Cleanliness - 6/106/10
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Worth revisiting - 7.5/107.5/10
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Transport - 7.5/107.5/10
Summary
Athens is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the remnants of the home of modern civilisation. However, because of its rich history, parts of the city haven’t caught up with the modern world and, as a result, are poor in terms of infrastructure and cleanliness. However, If you’re someone into culturally rich and historic cities, I highly recommend visiting Athens.
