One and a half days in Athens. Looking for suggestions on a laid back, but interesting itinerary.

Since your husband wants to see the Parthenon and your hotel will be right next door, do him a favor and take him to the Parthenon (actually the Acropolis).

To visit the Acropolis you will need to book a date and time slot in advance here:

https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/english/tap.exe?PM=P1P&place=000000002

And you, what kind of thing would you like to do/see?

Hi, thank you for your answer.

As for me? I love horticulture, eating, and beaches. We are stopping at Mykonos, so I will have time there possibly. I would like to see the the National Museum, Temple of Zeus, Temple of Athena.

Athens in August will be extremely hot so plan the Acropolis visit first thing in the morning. Hats, water and sunscreen are essential as there is no shade. I really enjoyed visiting the archaeological area around the Stoa of Attalos…the reconstructed Stoa contains a very nice, small museum and the park contains the remains of the forum, and many of the administrative areas of ancient Athens. Also the Temple of Hephasteion. That area and the Acropolis will easily fill your morning. Then I would head to the Acropolis Museum and enjoy wandering through the air conditioned comfort. I enjoy a lunch break at the museum, especially if I can find a seat on the terrace with its view of the Acropolis…it’s a popular stop. The Plaka area is full of restaurants, just a matter of what appeals to you. They are all busy. A lot of people on the Forum recommend ManiMani for a special evening meal..check out their website for menu and prices.

For the morning in Athens, I’d take a stroll over to the Temple of Zeus, then up to the Greek Parliament Building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Include the Acropolis Museum.
For beautiful views of Athens all the way out to the ocean, go to Lycabettus Hill. Walk or take taxi up to funicular/ tram that goes to the top. We walked back down.
A wonderful small museum is the Cycladic Museum, near Lycabettus Hill.
Have dinner at nearby ManiMani.
You will return!

I would like to see the National Museum, the Temple of Zeus, the
Temple of Athena

The temple of Athena is on the Acropolis, you husband and you will see it next to the Parthenon, as well as the sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, (the temple of Zeus is in Olympia in the Peloponnese)

To go to the National Archaeological Museum you will need to take a bus or a taxi. but you risk not having enough time. It's a big museum, allow at least 2 hours to see everything.

I love horticulture

The National Garden of Athens is a stone's throw from your hotel.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zZvB37Y2pRe8MQzU8

Regarding restaurants I would rather recommend the Sea Wolf, it is located not far after Mani Mani in the same street, one of the differences with Mani Mani is that it is not a meeting point for North American tourists :-))

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MpMJLrhKUx8baGrC7

In a simpler and cheaper version, "Sifka" (the bee) located on Kontouli street is very pleasant and friendly

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BJiQTMqxi7GwGqKq6

There are dozens of other options for eating around your hotel, but above all, please avoid all the tourist trap restaurants located on the pedestrian Makrigianni street (in front of the Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis metro)

There are dozens of other options for eating around your hotel, but above all, please avoid all the tourist trap restaurants located on the pedestrian Makrigianni street (in front of the Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis metro)

On our rick steves best of greece tour, our first group dinner was at the arcadia restaurant which is on the street you mentioned. It was fine. The food was good. It has high TripAdvisor reviews.

Guess it depends on which restaurant on that street you go to.

Thank you, that is a lot of great information. We definitely don't want to eat in typical tourist fashion. Your recommended places sound awesome. Thank you.