Travelling! We all want to travel, especially after two years of pandemic. And since summer means vacation, we all have that idol city or country we want to travel to. If you are only passing through Athens, or you live here and want to know it better, don’t worry. You can do and see a lot of things in Athens, even in one day!
I have been in Athens for almost four years. I still love to go exploring, so here we focus on what I consider to be the highlights of this city. This guide will help you get the most out of your day in Athens, from breakfast and sightseeing to many more exciting things.
Let’s start with the first and most important meal of the day, breakfast, which you definitely don’t want to miss! Our first stop is Overoll Croissanterie (Praxitelous 27), which is located in the heart of Athens, just a six-minute walk from Syntagma Square. It is famous for its perfect Almond Croissant and, my personal favourite, the Cheesecake Croissant, which will melt your heart!
Our second stop is in the area around Monastiraki. Monastiraki is not only famous for its monuments, such as the ruins of Hadrian’s Library, the Agora and the reconstructed Attalus Stoa, which also has a museum displaying Athenian artifacts, but also for its famous Flea Market. If you want to bring souvenirs back home, search no more. You can choose between handmade soaps, handmade leather sandals and T-shirts with Athens’ landmarks on them. There is nothing you cannot find there. Keep in mind that “Monastiraki” literally means Little Monastery!
Since you will be in the Monastiraki neighbourhood, you should not miss a café that is located there, which I believe is paradise and perfect for lunch and drinks. It is called Ellyz Café (Agiou Filippou 11, Monastiraki). Why is Ellyz like paradise to me? This cafe is very attractive! It is unique and beautifully decorated, full of flowers, with a bright and amazing atmosphere. I like their menu as well since they have Pink Cappuccino! I’m not a person who normally likes colours, but honestly, Ellyz Café changed my mind. Don’t forget to try their special pink Velvet Cake!
You are reading about Athens. Did you really think there wouldn’t be any museums or sightseeing? Of course, there are! The Acropolis Museum is located in the centre of Athens, a 10-15 minutes walk from Syntagma or Monastiraki Square. The architecture of the Acropolis Museum is so remarkable that you literally walk on glass and see the ruins beneath your feet, outside as well as inside the museum. And the queue for the tickets is not that long!
Exploring the museum will take long, however, and you may feel like having a snack. Well, there is a small fast food restaurant called Potato King (Agiou Filippou 7, Monastiraki), which is famous for its French fries and many sauce options that will make your mouth water. The diamond-shaped paper boxes are splendid for Instagram story pictures too! If you’re looking to drink something cold and fresh, there are many local coffee shops with homemade lemonade or iced tea.
It’s almost evening and you don’t want to miss the greatest experience in Athens, the sunset, the golden hour. But be careful! You may get distracted by all those great artists singing and playing instruments, or the local handcrafted jewellery every corner, and miss it! You can enjoy the sunset from Filopappou Hill, which is opposite the Acropolis.
Enjoy your day in Athens!
Tip! Be prepared for the heat! Choose light clothing, a hat and sunglasses and always have a bottle of water with you.
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