We will be in Athens for two full days. We would like to see The Acropolis (Partheon), The National Archaeological Museum, and I am sure what we can also see in walking distance or hop on/off bus type transportation. My question is with only two days is it possible to do the above in one day and the other take a train or bus tour (if available I haven't researched yet) to Olympia? If so, for the ones who have done this.. is this too much? What advice can you give. We have two children ages 10 and 12 and the next day (after Athens) we leave for home. If this makes you shout.. OH NO don't do it.. please advise what your ideal would be for the two days.
Thank you for any help.
Viv
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1421 posts
Viv
I'm with Kim on this one. Olympia is too far away to make a sensible day trip at the cost of rushing everything else.
I also second her suggestions of visiting the Keramicos (the ancient cemetery which gives us our modern word ceramics), Phillopapus (the hill to the south east of the Acropolis with great views back) and Lycabettus. The last of these can be reached on a funicular railway, which might excite children of all ages!
Depending on your kids it might also be worth considering the virtual reality tour at Hellenic Cosmos. We actually did the Olympus tour there and the feeling of flying 'through' a temple roof is surprisingly disconcerting.
http://www.fhw.gr/cosmos/index.php?id=15&m=2&s=15&lg=_en
I also like the history of mathematics section there, which has a lot of exhibits you can interact with, but I doubt I would have when I was ten!
What time of year will you be there? Exactly what you do might be effected by how hot it is.
Cheers
Alan
Posted by
OP
Boston
215 posts
Hi Alan and Kim thank you for the input. I forgot to say we will be there in July --third week (we will be in Santorini the week before)
thanks again.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
Be prepared for extreme heat and heavy smog in Athens in July. Made me sick one year.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
We spent a week in Athens and took guided bus tours every day out to points of interest.
You can walk to those points inside Athens. Don't try to drive; you will see more from the bus and not have to negotiate road signs and traffic.
Doing all that you plan will depend on how fast you move and how long you stay at each sight. Only you can determine that.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8123 posts
For a long day, you can do the Acropolis and the Agora in the morning, and the Arch. Museum in the afternoon. I would not try to do Olympia either...long time on a bus. I would just spend the two days in Athens, break up the sights above with just wandering the Plaka, the Flea market, and try to get to the city market in the morning, even the kids will remember seeing all of the seafood and meat hanging around, great stuff.
Posted by
OP
Boston
215 posts
Thank you Carl and Paul for your posts!
I appreciate the help
Viv