My husband and I will be ending our 5 and 1/2 week trip in Athens-for 7 nights-starting our trip in mid-September and ending at the end of October. We will have spent 10 nights in Prague and taken the Rick Steves Best of Adriatic Tour. We have thought we would just stay in Athens for that time and not go to an island.
I have done some research and realize there is a lot to see! I am using Rick's Greece book and checking out the travel forum (one of my favorite places to learn about travel). I am having a hard time figuring out what sights to group together in a day; not wanting to be going for 8 hours but taking advantage of the sights in the same area. We had thought we wanted to see Olympia and now I realize it is over 3 hours away.
For previous trips we have taken, I was able to take advantage of several trip reports that had the best information. (In particular, we spent 30 days in Poland and I used those trip reports to plan the trip-it was the best!) For Athens, I am seeing most people spend just a couple of days there and then go to an island or several.
We have contacted a guide for availability for Athens and hoping she is available for a couple sights. What I am wondering is if anyone has ideas for us to group some sights together that they have done; any day trips -in particular Olympia- that they have taken, etc.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Cindy
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1674 posts
We have never used a tour guide when exploring the Athens highlights. The sites are easy to get to so we just bought tickets and did them ourselves.
I am going to suggest that you consider splitting your Athens adventure and adding a visit to Nafplio. It is a lovely city easily reached transfer service or KTEL bus from Athens in about a 2 hour commute. It is the place that Athenians head to for weekend get a ways.
It has a wonderful old town and harbour area along with a Venetian era fortress standing over the city. We always find a hotel in the old town to explore the area. Since you have a week on the mainland you might real;ly enjoy spending 2 or 3 days away from very busy Athens.
Bonus you do not have to hire a guide to enjoy Nafplio.
Some images
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720319228274/
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3673 posts
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon are about an hour from Athens.
You can get there by car, taxi, KTEL bus, or with organized day tours.
https://www.discovergreece.com/experiences/visit-magical-temple-poseidon-sounion
Olympia is too far, it will be more travel than sightseeing.
Athens itself has enough to keep you busy for several days.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
147 posts
stanbr: Appreciate your response! First, your pictures are gorgeous! We have got into the habit when we travel on our own, to have a guided tour the first day-whether it is an overview of the city or a sight(s) that would need some explaining. After taking 9 Rick Steves Tours, we appreciate all the information that we learn and want to some how duplicate that when we are on our own. Nafplio is sure an idea to go somewhere totally different from Athens and easy to get to. Thanks!
JoLui: Your website suggestions are great! I was not aware of Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon and it looks like they would be really easy to get to for the day. I will add those to my list! I am trying to tell myself that Olympia is too far if we aren't going to spend the night; I am a BIG sports fan/Olympics fan and would love to see that. Can't do everything!
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3673 posts
If you're a big sports/Olympics fan, go to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. It's in the city center, a 10-minute walk from Syntagma Square.
Bring your sneakers; you can run around the stadium like an athlete (preferably in the morning).
Even if you don't run, it's worth a visit and has a good free audio guide. There's also a small museum dedicated to the Olympic Games.