Mediterranean Vacay- Athens
I must say, I wasn’t expecting much of Athens. I had heard from several persons/sources that Athens is disappointing; that we should just pass through and allot more days to the islands or wherever else we wanted to go. So, I didn’t have many expectations. I’m happy to say that I was proved wrong. I honestly enjoyed my time in Athens. We were in a stellar location, the food was great, and the atmosphere is cool. I wouldn’t have minded another day there.
How We Got To Athens
We took a short flight from Split to Athens with Olympic Air. The aircraft was a propeller plane, so our altitude wasn’t as high as the average commercial jet. I was pretty much able to see what was going on for the whole flight. I really enjoyed flying over parts Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece while observing the landscapes and vistas.
Where We Stayed in Athens
Our apartment? What can I say? Location, location, location!!! We were right in the thick of things. We could see the Acropolis from our balcony.
The apartment, which we found on Booking.com, was spacious, modern and well appointed.
Just a few steps out the door and we were on our way to the entrance of the Acropolis, or pretty much anywhere else central for that matter. The street just across from us (which leads to the Acropolis) was lined with some of the most popular and highly rated restaurants in Athens. All this practically on our door step.
What We Did in Athens
We dropped off our bags and hit the streets in search of food. We headed up to the Syntagma Square area. There were so many small restaurants/street food establishments to choose from. We had awesomely tasty Souvlaki among other Greek grilled delights.
Souvlaki!
From Syntagma Square, we then ended up in the main shopping district in Athens; in and around Ermou Street.
Ermou Street 
On our walk back to the apartment we encountered Hadrian’s gate.
This sort of thing is what I appreciate about Athens. You will be out and about in what seems like a modern part of the city, and then BAM! History right in front of you.
Prior to going to Athens, I had made a list of restaurants that we could chose from for dinners. However with the proliferation of trendy restaurants in close proximity to us, I didn’t bother to use it. It turns out though that we actually ended up at one that had been on my list!
The Acropolis
The next day we ventured out toward the Acropolis. The Acropolis is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the few remaining monumental complexes from Greek antiquity. Acropolis means ‘high city’ in Greek. Most city-states in ancient Greece had at their centre a rocky mound or hill where they built their important temples and where the people could retreat to if under attack.
You can buy tickets at the gate and there several levels of tickets. The one we got was entrance to the Acropolis complex alone, but there are also ticket combinations that give access to other sites, monuments and museums in the area.
Even in September, the sun got pretty intense. So I would advise a hat and shades at least while climbing the slopes. Be warned, the whole journey is uphill (though mostly gentle), and there are quite a number of steps involved.
On the way up we got interesting views of Athens, and got a true sense of what a huge, sprawling city it is. There are other features you will pass on the slopes such as the Theatre of Dionysus and a huge amphitheatre. The amphitheatre is still in use and was actually being prepped for hosting a music festival.
Amphitheatre 
Finally at the top! 
Then there it was… the Parthenon. Crowning the citadel of of Athens; the most famous monument in Greece, and one of the most recognizable in the world. The Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron.
Behold, the Parthenon! 
Temple of Athena Nike 
The Parthenon is currently undergoing some restoration works. As such there is scaffolding and even some heavy machinery visible from some angles. I gather some people don’t appreciate this when they get here, but it is what it is. After all, the structure in its current incarnation is a couple hundred years old and has suffered quite a bit of damage through time.
Other structures at the Acropolis include a temple of Athena Nike. Once we had finished exploring the site, we headed back down the other side of the slope. We then did a quick tour through the Acropolis Museum which houses artifacts from the site dating back millennia.
After lunch we continued our exploration of foot. We ended up back in the shopping district near Ermou Street, and the took a stroll through the Plaka district. The Plaka district is known for its numerous quiant shops and restaurants.
That night, we wandered around a bit through the Plaka district in search of a restaurant that caught our fancy. There were so many choices it honestly became a little confusing. Eventually we happened upon a nice little place with good ambiance and a live Greek band.
I’ve been giving some thought as to why Athens is such a disappointment to some people. I mentioned that Dubrovnik is an ancient city that is superbly preserved, practically a showpiece. Visually, it often feels like stepping back in time. Athens on the other hand, is a massive, living, breathing city wrapped around ancient remains and ruins. Is it the historical wow factor that people expect to get and then miss when they come here? I’m not sure. However if you are open to appreciate Athens for what it is, you will likely enjoy your time there.
Next stop- Santorini!!!!
General Tips
- Don’t skip Athens
- There is so much good food to be had in Athens. Definitely a worthy destination for foodies!
- Don’t forget sunglasses and a hat while heading up to the Acropolis.
