Join our readers and get Glam Journeys exclusive travel tips, get priority access to new blog posts, and so much more!

Athens, Greece

Oct 17, 2019 | Europe, Greece | 0 comments

Updated: Mar 21, 2020

In the heart of Athens lies the most spectacular treasure trove of human history. This should definitely be the #1 spot on your travel destination, bucket list.

Man posing in front of ancient structure in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Where to Stay in Athens
Hotel

Hotel Grande Bretagne

This is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Athens and across the street from Parliament. It puts you just few steps from all the major ancient Greek sites.

View of the front of Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens.| Athens, Greece

We used our Chase Sapphire credit card points to stay at this pricy hotel.

View of the main lobby in Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Hotel room in Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens.| Athens, Greece

Get up to $1000 booking credit, up to 65% rack rates, and much more when you book now at Sandals Resorts!

Airbnb

My best friend stayed in this adorable condo in downtown Athens for 3 nights at $300.

Transportation From Airport to Hotel

To take a taxi to the airport and back is a flat rate of $38 Euros. Bring cash because most of the taxi drivers do not accept credit cards. You will notice that most taxis are not the typical NYC fords that Americans are used to, but a fancier Mercedes-Benz style. I need to buy a Mercedes-Benz in Europe, because they must get unbelievable deals. lol

Yellow taxi in Athens.| Athens, Greece

We did everything on foot and only took a taxi from the airport and back. Also, they drive on the right side of the road just like they do in America, so that’s a plus.

Parliament

Our hotel was across the street from Parliament. If you are there on a Sunday, you can also watch changing of the guards.

View of the front of the Parliament building in Athens.| Athens, Greece

Across the street from Parliament seemed to be a popular hang out spot in the evening time with the locals in front of the waterfall. People will hang out on the stairs while local musicians play music.

Water fountain at the Parliament building in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Breakfast/Lunch

We started off everyday with yummy street bread. I would say it’s equal to an American bagel. 2 for $1 Euro

Street Bread in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Shopping at the Monastiraki Flea Market

*** Do not let anyone put a bracelet on your wrist even if they say it’s free. They will try to make you buy it once you accept the bracelet. Nothing is free in life. My husband found out the hard way. He is just too damn nice. We are now proud owners of a “Jamaican” bracelet ***

We headed on foot to the local flea market in Greece. This is where you can find the best souvenirs for the best prices. Negotiate Negotiate Negotiate!

People shopping in Monastiraki Flea Market in Athens.| Athens, Greece

T-shirts for $5 Euros is the standard price.

T-shirt display in Monastiraki Flea Market in Athens.| Athens, Greece

These head bands can go for $5 Euros to $1.50 Euros. Keep searching until you find them for $1.50 deep within the market.

Head band display in Monastiraki Flea Market in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Woman holding head band in Monastiraki Flea Market in Athens.| Athens, Greece

Looking for an Instagram spot? Visit Little Kook

Street view of a little kook with umbrellas hanging from buildings in Athens.| Athens, Greece

It’s always fun to run into your best friend at the flea market.

Two women taking a selfie on the street in Athens.| Athens, Greece

In the main area there is 4 story toy store!

Storefront of the 4 Story Toy Store in Athens.| Athens, Greece

An entire floor is dedicated to boys.

Inside the 4 Story Toy Store in Athens.| Athens, Greece

An entire floor is dedicated to girls.

Inside the 4 Story Toy Store in Athens.| Athens, Greece

On the outside of the flea market they have typical stores we have in America. I’m sad to say, but the prices seem to be equal to American prices.

Storefront of H&M in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Storefront of NYX in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Mitropolis Athens Cathedral (Free)

Across the street is the most beautiful church. A lot of the churches in Athens do not allow pictures, but this church will let you take as many as you want. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

Outside view of Mitropolis Athens Cathedral in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Inside view of Mitropolis Athens Cathedral in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Inside view of Mitropolis Athens Cathedral in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Hadrian’s Library – (included in combo ticket)

This famous library was built in 132 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian and was named after him. This is located just a few steps from the flea market and shopping area.

This is where we bought the combination tickets for $30 euros, which includes a majority of the ancient sites in Athens for up to 5 days. You are only allowed into each ancient site one time. It’s the perfect package for all your site seeing needs.

Woman posing outside the Hadrian's Library in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Statues inside the Hadrian's Library in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Savvas -Gyros

Only a few steps from our hotel, this restaurant is on point. We asked around Athens and this place was hands down everyone’s favorite. After sharing a meal for two that could feed an army, I would have to say it’s my favorite spot in Athens. The only important thing missing from this picture was the pita bread that you eat with the meat. Delish.

Plate of food at Savvas Gyros restaurant in Athens.| Athens, Greece

You can even buy a bottle of Zoinos at the restaurant for $7 Euros. Let’s just say we were feeling really good when we left. This bottle goes for about $7 Euros in the flea market.

Woman posing with bottle of alcohol at Savvas restaurant in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Acropolis of Athens- (included in combo ticket)

This is the most famous ancient site in Athens. It contains several ancient buildings located above the city. It requires a bit of hiking to reach the summit, but is totally worth the trek. Once you reach the top, you get to see a breath taking view of the entire city and a couple of the most beautiful temples Greece has to offer.

Man posing in front of ancient structure in Athens.| Athens, Greece

The sight is massive and teams are working day and night to restore it to its former beauty.

Mars Hill/Areopagus- (included in combo ticket)

Located on the northwestern side of the Acropolis, a few yards from the entrance, lies this relic in history. This is where Paul the Apostle shared the good news to the Jews and Gentiles, that Jesus Christ was resurrected. He saw a city that was “given over to false idols” and taught them about an unknown God that loved them and sent His Son to save and redeem them to Himself. This hill is important to Christians, because many people heard the gospel and were saved on this hill.

Acts 17:16-33

Acts 17:19

Acts 19:20

Acts 17:22-33

Crowds walking around Mars Hill in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Roman Agora (Market)- (included in combo ticket)

Ancient Roman market place where St. Paul spoke about the gospel.

Man standing in front of Roman Agora building in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Ancient Agora- (included in combo ticket)

This was the hub in Greek culture, the social, political and commercial “meeting place” of the day. There is temples to the various Greek gods surround Agora.

We loved seeing all the cute turtles hanging out around the ancient sites.

Man holding a turtle in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Temple of Hephaestus @ Ancient Agora (included in combo ticket)

This temple is in excellent condition. It is one of my favorites, because no imagination is needed. You can get a feel of what it was like to live during Roman times.

Man standing in front of Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.| Athens, Greece
Church @ Ancient Agora- (included in combo ticket)

The church is absolutely beautiful and worth a few minutes of your time.

Decor inside the Church in Ancient Agora in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Museum Ancient Agora @ Ancient Agora (included in combo ticket)

This museum is a classic Greek building that has been restored. It’s absolutely breathtaking. This museum is loaded with ancient artifacts.

View of the museum hallway in Ancient Agora in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Statue of a man in Ancient Agora in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Displays inside the museum in Ancient Agora in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Acropolis Museum- $12 Euros

This is a massive museum and 100% worth the money. I suggest you go to the museum before going to the ancient sites. Everything will make more sense if you go here first. We went on a rainy day because we wanted an indoor activity.

**The line was over 2 hour long. We decided to go online to order our tickets and we were able to skip the line.**

Crowds shopping at Acropolis Museum in Ancient Agora in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Statues inside shopping area at Acropolis Museum in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Lunch at the Acropolis Museum

We had lunch at the Museum to escape the rain. We were able to enjoy an amazing view of the Acropolis.

View of the Acropolis Museum in Athens. | Athens, Greece

We enjoyed a greek sandwich and bread.

Plates of food at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. | Athens, Greece

I was finally able to try a Greek Cappuccino. I always see the Greeks drinking this coffee, and I was so excited to get to try it. I 100% loved it.

Greek Cappuccino at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. | Athens, Greece

Do not forget your tickets give you access to under the museum, where you will see ancient houses. You have to exit the museum to get to this area.

View of the ancient houses at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Temple of Olympian Zeus- (included in combo ticket)

Make sure you take one of these popular Instagram pictures.

Man posing with large statue in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Arch of Hadrian- Free
Crowds walking around the Arch of Hadrian in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Panathenaic Stadium- $10 Euros
Man standing in front of Panathenaic in Athens. | Athens, Greece

Once inside you can become an Olympic Champion

Woman standing on olympic winner risers in  Panathenaic in Athens. | Athens, Greece

or you can become royalty.

Couple sitting in royal chairs in Panathenaic in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Metropoleos 3

Itching for Greek food with a twist. This is the place for you. We asked around and locals love their gyros.

National Gardens & Zappeio-Free

The National Gardens has an amazing playground for kids.

Playground at National Gardens & Zappeio in Athens. | Athens, Greece

A small zoo.

Small zoo at National Gardens & Zappeio in Athens. | Athens, Greece
Small zoo at National Gardens & Zappeio in Athens. | Athens, Greece

Eat lunch at this adorable cafe in the gardens.

Beautiful cafe at National Gardens & Zappeio in Athens. | Athens, Greece

And a payphone which is perfect for Instagram pictures.

Woman posing with a pay phone at National Gardens & Zappeio in Athens. | Athens, Greece

My top 2 things to try in Greece.

#1- Greek Coffee

Greek coffee at a cafe in Greece.| Skopelos Island, Greece- Mamma Mia Island

#2- Moussaka -Greek Casserole

Plate of Moussaka at a cafe in Greece.| Skopelos Island, Greece- Mamma Mia Island

I hope you enjoyed my blog and I hope I gave you at least a few ideas that will help you on your next vacation to Athens. Ya mas!

Check out this blog post for additional reading:

WELCOME TO THE ULTIMATE GREECE TRAVEL GUIDE!

Looking for more travel ideas then follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glam_journey_/

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I’m Misty! Welcome to Glam Journey, where you’ll find travel-related content, itineraries and booking services for the adventurous mom who is living her version of a glamorous life.

Recent Blog Posts

Exploring Puerto Rico’s Central Mountains – Fun Activities

Puerto Rico's Central Mountain Range is a hidden gem bursting with plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure. From hiking to natural swimming pools and exploring the vibrant rainforest, this region is a great place to discover an array of activities you won't find...