Hi all,
We are traveling to Athens in early March with our two kids aged 18 and 20. Will be there for about 5-6 days, the itinerary is not quite set yet. Looking for recommendations on things to do outside the normal sites- other ideas in Athens and/or perhaps day trips (not Delphi- sounds from most accounts like it's long and winding and we have motion sickness issues). Unfortunately, we are there so early in March that the islands don't seem like a wise choice. Thanks very much!
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1388 posts
I’m not sure what you think of as the normal sites, so you may already have these in mind, but some less commonly visited
a) the Keramicos is only a few minutes walk from Thisseio metro and has a nice little museum, some interesting statues and a great view of the Acropolis. It’s the ancient cemetery and where our word ceramics comes from. People were buried in pots.
b) philopapos hill, on the other side of the Acropolis, also has great views and is a pleasant place for a walk. You can see down to the ocean on a clear day.
c) another high point for good views is Lycabetus. Walk up through Kolonaki, one of the smartest areas in Athens, and catch the funicular railway to the top. The coffee there is slightly more expensive than usual but not impossibly so.
d) a day trip to Aegina is worth doing but might be ruled out by your motion sickness. An alternative is to get the tram from Syntagma down to the coast below Flisvos and walk by the sea.
I’m sure people will have other thoughts. Athens is great for just wandering.
Alan
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1388 posts
Oh, and it just occurs to me, you’ll be there during apokreas, the pre Lent carnival period
https://rove.me/to/athens/apokries-or-carnival
Alan
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1375 posts
Lots to see and do in Athens.
Here is what it is like.
Athens https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632121475515
Posted by
France Southwest
1818 posts
Lots of things to see in Athens outside the "normal" sites:
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center close to the Aegean Sea:
In the Gazi district, the Industrial Gas Museum (located just after Kerameikos mentioned by Alan):
Cross the National Garden and go to the small Mets district (next to the Panathinaikon Stadium) which is called "the little Montmartre" (in reference to the Parisian district). where you will also see the first cemetery of Athens and also the Early Christian Basilica of Ilissos built near the "Ilisos", the hidden river of Athens (you can see part of the river)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FKSbHD7p7E6qZCrKA
At Athens National Observatory.
where there is the Museum of Geoastrophysics
https://www.noa.gr/en/public-outreach/visitor-centers/thisseio/
Without going that far, in Plaka at 96 Adrianou street, see the oldest house in Athens, the Benizelos Mansion
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TNQp4US7fWYRqC59A
If it's too old for you try the EMST, Museum of Contemporary Art installed in the former FIX breweries. (near the Acropolis Museum):
Lots of other neighborhoods to explore, Exarchia with its street art works, the south of the Koukaki district with pedestrian streets full of restaurants bars