Travel
24 Hours In… Athens
Intro AthensKnown as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy and with a recorded history that spans almost 7 millennia, Athens is one of the most influential cities in the world. Theodoros Karasavvas takes us on a tour of its storied streets – gyros, ancient ruins and all.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Athens.
Greek Breakfast8:30am: An Indulgent Greek Breakfast On Aiolou Street – Start your day in Athens with a traditional Greek breakfast in one of the city’s most iconic restaurants, Krinos. Aside from its delicious loukoumades (deep-fried dough pastries soaked in syrup and topped with honey and cinnamon or chocolate sauce), Krinos has been serving Athenians and visitors coffee, hot chocolate, traditional cheese pies, spanakopita and ice cream for more than a century. facebook.com
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Travel
24 Hours In… Athens.
National Garden9:30am: A Walk In The National Garden – Burn off the calories from your rich breakfast by taking a walk in the National Garden (formerly the Royal Garden of Athens), which was commissioned in 1838 by the first queen of modern Greece, Amalia. This beautiful green oasis is located in the heart of the capital and features artificial lakes, palm trees and colourful blossoms. You can also see several ruins from the gardens as well. greece-athens.com [Photo: athenswalk/Wikimedia Commons]
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Guards10:30am: Attend The Changing Of The Guards – Next to the National Garden is the parliament building, where tourists gather to take pictures next to the famed Evzones, the Greek president’s guards, and watch the ceremonial changing of the guards in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square. athensinfoguide.com [Photo: Rrburke/Wikimedia Commons]
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Panathanaic Stadium11am: Relive Olympic Glory At Panathenaic Stadium – Only a few metres behind the parliament building, you can visit Panathenaic Stadium (also known as Kallimarmaro), where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. The stadium was originally built in 330 BCE and has been reconstructed and refurbished several times throughout its history. panathenaicstadium.gr
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Acropolis11:30am: Visit The Acropolis – What would a visit to Athens be without going to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, one of the most significant and oft-visited World Heritage sites on the planet? Just make sure to pick the right tour, because some take up to six or seven hours of your time; the ‘Just the Acropolis Tour’, from 11:30am to 1pm, is a solid option for a busy visitor. athenswalkingtours.gr
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Plaka1pm: Wander Along The Narrow Paths Of Plaka – Right under the Acropolis, you’ll find Plaka, one of the most architecturally unique and continually inhabited neighbourhoods on earth. Also known as the ‘Neighbourhood of the Gods’, Plaka is filled with many monuments and sites that span millennia, as well as small cafés, traditional Greek restaurants and numerous souvenir shops where you can buy gifts for your friends back home. todayifoundout.com [Photo courtesy of todayifoundout.com]
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Monastiraki2:30pm: How About A Little Lunch? – Next to Plaka is Monastiraki, undoubtedly the most urban spot of the city, where locals, immigrants and tourists from all over come together. Monastiraki is also home to the city’s oldest (since 1879) and most famous gyro house, Bairaktaris, where you can devour gyros, souvlaki and a Greek salad while listening to live Greek music. athensguide.org, bairaktaris.gr [Photo: Heidi Bauer/Wikimedia Commons]
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Shopping Ermou4pm: Shopping Therapy In Ermou Street – After buying souvenirs for your friends and satisfying your hunger, it’s time to explore nearby shopping avenues. Ermou and Athinas are two of the most distinctive shopping streets in Athens, particularly known for their traditional antique, spice and jewellery shops. Athena Jewelry on Pandrossou Street is the perfect choice if you’re looking for gold or silver pieces designed magnificently in ancient Greek and Byzantine fashion. athensguide.com, facebook.com[Photo: Athena’s Jewelry Shop]
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Coast of Athens6pm: Take a Break On The Coast Of Athens – In recent years, more and more tourists have discovered the southeast coast of Athens, thanks to the tram that connects the downtown area to the southern suburbs. Don’t miss the chance to take a walk along the longest coastline in Europe, and escape from the noise and stress of the city centre for a couple of hours. visitgreece.gr [Photo: G Da/Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Athens.
Orizontes8pm: Dine On Lycabettus Hill – You’re back in the centre of the action, but still under the influence of the sea’s serenity. Have a relaxing dinner at Orizontes on Lycabettus Hill, where, alongside some luscious dishes, you’ll enjoy an incredible panoramic view of Athens. orizonteslycabettus.gr
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Travel
24 Hours In… Athens.
Play10pm: Attend A Play – Ancient Athens was where theatre was born, but you probably knew that. What you might not know, however, is that modern Athens has over 150 theatres, more than any other city. If you visit Athens during the summer, make sure to book a ticket for a play at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a nearly 2,000-year-old stone theater under the Acropolis, which showcases ancient Greek dramas and comedies from May to October. greekfestival.gr [Photo: nikthestoned/Wikimedia Commons]
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Brettos12:30am: Say Goodnight To Athens With A Glass Of Wine – The play is over, and only a few metres from the theatre is Brettos, Europe’s second-oldest bar, in operation for over 100 years. Get a glass of good Greek wine, a traditional liqueur or a colourful cocktail from the vast menu of this gorgeous bar, and finish the night tipsy but in style. brettosplaka.com
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24 Hours In… Athens.
Read AthensRead Before You Go – Robin Waterfield’s sophisticated and artistic Athens: A History narrates the glory of the city from ancient to modern times, highlighting the unique culture of Athens which is, according to the writer, one of Western civilisation’s greatest legacies. amazon.com
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24 Hours In… Athens.
AthinaListen Before You Go – Written by legendary Greek composer Manos Hatzidakis (Academy Award winner for Best Original Song in 1960 for “Never on Sunday”) and performed by Nana Mouskouri, “Athina” is a song dedicated to Athens, a hymn that extols the city’s beauty and history. youtube.com
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24 Hours In… Athens.
WatchWatch Before You Go – Even though one could pick from a variety of classic Greek films set in Athens, What If? (original title An . . .) from 2012 captivates the city’s spirit better than any other modern Greek film, telling the love story of two young Greeks living in Athens during the economic crisis. imdb.com
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24 Hours In… Athens.
About TheoAuthor Theodoros Karasavvas is an Athens-based freelance writer and former lawyer. He has contributed to more than 30 print and online magazines including Gizmodo, Ozy, Ranker and Ancient Origins. Sleep-deprived and addicted to chocolate, he’s currently working on his first book. Check out more of his work on his website, theo-cracy.com
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Travel
24 Hours In… Athens.
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