We are staying an extra 2 nights in Athens after our tour of Turkey and Greece. We will just be changing hotels on the first day - so we will basically have most of that day, and then another full day. We will have already seen all of the main ancient historical sites - and after a 10 day tour we will probably be “ruined” out! We are thinking about going to Hydra for the 2nd day. We need ideas for how to spend the first day. Possibly neighborhoods to explore, more local culture. Our second hotel is the King George in the Plaka neighborhood.
Posted by
NH (USA)
1307 posts
If you haven't already check out the Central Markets on Athinas Street.
Quite interesting, especially the meat section where you'll not see choice cuts of meat on styrofoam trays and plastic wrap but whole animals and parts of animals you never realized could be for sale!
Seafood section is amazing where you'll see seafood you may not have realized are in the oceans.
The Produce section across the street is filled with wonderful produce, along with a few small markets that sell most that you can grow or produce.
A wonderful area of Athens is the area known as Anafiotika which resembles a Cyclades village with white washed houses, colorful trim, narrow lanes and nice views of Athens. You would never known you are in a city of millions.
Check out Keramikos Cemetery which is one of Athens' nicest and most overlooked archeological sites.
Posted by
France Southwest
2964 posts
Two other suggestions for places without "ruins" that are easily accessible from the King George Hotel.
Mount Lycabettus : take the small bus 060 from the "Syntagma" bus stop located on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, a 5-minute walk from the hotel. There is a bus approximately every 30 minutes. An electronic sign displays the arrival and bus wait times.
Route from the hotel:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qPadvAvEeMVQYAYg6
Get off at the "4th Lycabettus" stop and go up the stairs to the cable car station:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3dDkBRJWoVVwoToy8
You can walk back down to the hotel via Dexamenis Square, where the Hadrian Reservoir is located.
https://athensbylocals.com/hadrians-reservoir-on-dexameni-square/
A view of the Acropolis from this square
https://photos.app.goo.gl/weiozUqPcfnr1hVp8
Or take the bus back to the same stop, as it circles back to Syntagma Square.
To spend a quiet hour or two, in the block next to the hotel, there is a pleasant café located in the garden of the Nusmimatia Museum. You can go there without entering the museum.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iGk2CQyxVAUCH3G37
You can walk there via the Stoa Spyromiliou, a large covered walkway of interwar Art Deco architecture, with cafés, restaurants, and luxury boutiques.