Ideas for a 3 or 4 day stop in Athens, Greece

[kermatu]

Hi all - would appreciate any views or tips for a possible 3 / 4 day stop in Athens, in European winter. I have possibility of Rome or Athens -- been to Rome a couple of times but never Athens. May end up not having a choice, but ifI do I'm keen to know a bit more about Athens.

My basic parameters are - a 3-star or better hotel; a safe area with a range of eating options nearby; easy access to main attractions (or hidden gems -- museums, historical, nice vistas, etc) - be it taxi, metro or walking; enough activity or interesting things to do nearby should I not have much free time.

Any advice on suburb to stay in, specific hotels, ease of getting around, major sites to see, tips on the weather etc would be fantastic.

Thank you.

 

[dmitri]

Hi Kermatu, I stayed here for my honeymoon in 2009- King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens

Great location and great hotel, go and check out the plaka- it's a central city suburb, a lot of restaurants and general night life. There's also a fair bit of shopping and good restaurants close to the hotel also.

Cheers, Dmitri

 

[amaroo]

Check out a TR I did last year - we enjoyed three nights in Athens ... loved it!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....greeks-turks-last-post-67312.html#post1231614

 

[JohnK]

If you fancy a day trip then Delphi and Olympia would be worth visiting. Also take the ferry to one of the islands nearby and have lunch.

And then the usual suspects such as Acropolis and Parthenon. Some of the museums have some wonderful ancient artifacts.

 

[kermatu]

Hi Kermatu, I stayed here for my honeymoon in 2009- King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens

Great location and great hotel, go and check out the plaka- it's a central city suburb, a lot of restaurants and general night life. There's also a fair bit of shopping and good restaurants close to the hotel also.

Cheers, Dmitri

Thanks. Looks like a good area. Can't get decent rates for my likely dates though - will have a look at other options nearby.

 

[kermatu]

Check out a TR I did last year - we enjoyed three nights in Athens ... loved it!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....greeks-turks-last-post-67312.html#post1231614

I do now recall this TR actually - thanks for the reminder. I think this sways me toward Athens for sure.

 

[kermatu]

If you fancy a day trip then Delphi and Olympia would be worth visiting. Also take the ferry to one of the islands nearby and have lunch.

And then the usual suspects such as Acropolis and Parthenon. Some of the museums have some wonderful ancient artifacts.

A friend has loaned me a travel guide covering the islands - will check this out. I suspect I won't be free enough for full day trips, but will keep in mind.

This has all been helpful so far - thanks all. Any advice on getting around - is it fairly safe and orderly, are cabs expensive (and are you at risk of being ripped off) etc?

 

[boomy]

Been there few years ago, Athens is nice place for stopover. I can recommend Hotel Grand Bretagne.
You can check out this TR I did, start from page 5:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/flying-a-from-australia-europe-60582.html

 

[Skyring]

I was there last week. My ongoing Iran TR will have details in due course.

We booked an AirBnB near Thissio. Walking distance to most of the major attractions. Having a kitchen and laundry and tonnes of space for the same price as a hotel is what I love about AirBnB.

The Acropolis, of course, is a must. As is the Acropolis Museum, 5 Euro entry and out of the weather. Just wandering around the Plaka area is a treat. Very touristy, but a lot of fun.

Much of the area around the Acropolis contains ruins, open for free. Just walk across a vacant block, you'll likely be stumbling over old columns and walls. Amazing place.

Apart from Ancient Greece, there's not much in Athens to recommend it as a destination. It is a sprawling city of 20th century apartment buildings.

Some great food, but. A rooftop restaurant, a view of the floodlit Acropolis, a half litre of Mythos to wash down some seafood. Heaven.

 

[astonishedXpression]

I think any spot within the band that encircles the Acropolis to the north - from Plaka in the east through Syntagma and Monastiraki to Thisio in the west - would be ideal. This is where many of the attractions are, including the National Gardens, Frissiras Museum, Museum of Greek Folk Art, Monument of Lysikratos, Ayia Ekaterini, Hadrian's Arch, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Bath-house of the Winds, Hadrian's Library, Monastiraki Flea Market, Stoa of Attalos, Ancient Agora, Church of the Holy Apostles, Temple of Hephaestus etc.
You also have easy access to metro stations Thisio, Monastiraki, and Syntagma, which should get you to all the different lines.
Good places to eat may be The Greco's Project, Meliartos, Oineas and Lithos. Your Michelin star option is Spondi.
Reputedly satisfactory hotels include Attalos, Metropolis, Electra Palace and Phaedra. However, there are AirBnB accommodation with lovely views towards the Acropolis.
Head up to Mt Lycabettus for great sunset views over Athens.
Hope this helps. Have a great time!

 

[OATEK]

We stayed in the Athens Gate Hotel last year (see TR link below). Upper floors have great views of the Acropolis, and you can dine in the rooftop restaurant with panoramic views. We found it very central to get to the changing of the guard, wandering through the Plaka area or climbing up to the Acropolis.

 

[kermatu]

We stayed in the Athens Gate Hotel last year (see TR link below). Upper floors have great views of the Acropolis, and you can dine in the rooftop restaurant with panoramic views. We found it very central to get to the changing of the guard, wandering through the Plaka area or climbing up to the Acropolis.

Thanks for the link.