These are some insider essential tips you need to know now – before you go.
Athens is a vibrant, busy, colourful, historical city packed with fantastic bars, restaurants, scenic sites, shopping and stories.
I have been visiting for over two decades, as I have Greek family. My children are Greek.
These are some essential insider Athens tips and hacks to ensure you have the time of your life and don’t miss any Athens essential tips and insider knowledge.
BOOK TOURS:
If you have not been before, it is absolutely worthwhile to book some tours so you understand what you are looking at and the fascinating, lengthy and interesting stories behind so much of what is here.
Athens is a very large city, and navigating it on your own is not easy.
MOST POPULAR TOURS;
The most popular tours are the food tours- most go for 3-4 hours and cover the huge menu of Greek cuisine and its history, recipes and produce.
Cycling tours ensure you see plenty of the city, and that you learn as you go.
And given the amount you will eat during a stay in Athens, burning off some calories will be a welcome relief!
PACK THESE;
Pack walking shoes (thin heels really don’t work as the streets are not only cobbled but they are shiny and people slip over often).
And pack a light bag that fits your essentials as most days you will leave your apartment or hotel early and not return until late.
If you are in Athens late June-August pack sunscreen, a hat and light clothes-it can be very very hot. And book accommodation with a pool.
FACTOR IN SHOPPING TIME;
Athens has some unique shopping, particularly jewellery, bags and shoes. But even touristic items like olive oil and olive oil based beauty creams are well priced, make good gifts and and are great quality.
EAT GREEK;
The Mediterranean diet is one of the world’s healthiest and has a lot more diversity within it than you may anticipate.
Greek salads alone are enough to sustain you for weeks, let alone the oven cooked dishes of chicken, veal, pork, as well as steaks, souvlaki and so much more.
Not to mention the delicious pastry, honey and cream style local Greek desserts, this is all covered on the food tours -see above.
I would recommend only eating Greek food when in R
Greece as it’s so healthy, fresh and tasty and accessible when you’re here.
ROOFTOP BARS;
Athens is full of rooftop bars, with spectacular sunset views over the acropolis.
This is an absolute must and once you’ve seen it once you will be addicted. It’s just stunning.
LUXURY GOES ITS OWN WAY HERE:
Athens has had a construction boom over the last two years, with many fabulous new hotels popping up.
At the time of writing, the five star hotels here including The Four Seasons and the new Dolli Hotel are completely packed with tourists.
The Mandarin Oriental has announced plans for a new hotel, and the former Hilton hotel is being transformed into a luxury Conrad Hilton property with private apartments on the top floors, each of which sold recently for super high prices.
There are many smaller family run hotels that provide an intimate, luxury stay and there are a lot of rental apartments available too.
BEACHES:
There are stunning beaches just outside Athens, you don’t need to go to the islands for crystal clear waters, beach clubs, designer restaurants and fresh air.
RE-SET YOUR CLOCK;
Greeks eat late. Dinner sittings start at 8pm and locals mostly eat from 9pm, and dinner at 10pm is not unusual in the heat of summer.
Lunch is also late-many local restaurants don’t start lunch until after 1pm.
FIND YOUR SWEET TOOTH;
Not many people know Athens has some of the best chocolate, coffee and nut shops. The chocolate is incredible and even rivals Italian styles.
My personal favourite brand is Carpo, which is also booming in London and now the Middle East. The original Carpo store is in Kolonaki and gives away chocolates with coffee orders.
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