A weekend in Athens
Head to Greece’s ancient city of ruins for year-round sun, brilliant food, cool hotels and a big culture hit
WHAT TO DO?
Chances are you’ll want to visit the worldfamous Acropolis and its incredible ancient buildings, so to make your trip run smoothly and skip the queues, book tickets online in advance (etickets.tap.gr). Set aside a good few hours to explore the Acropolis and slopes, as there are so many beautiful structures to admire – don’t miss the Erechtheion temple with its columns of ornate female statues.
Nearby, the historical neighbourhood of Plaka is filled with cute cafes and colourful houses, but if you’re still hankering for ancient structures to admire, the Panathenaic Stadium, built in 330BC, is the only stadium in the world made entirely from marble. Athens is also home to some incredible museums; try the Benaki Museum or the Museum of Cycladic Art for Greek culture and ancient artefacts.
Food for every budget
The food scene in Athens is overwhelming (in a good way), with a whole load of brilliant restaurants catering to all budgets.
Absolutely unmissable is a souvlaki (pita bread wrap filled with grilled pork or beef and salad), from Kostas. Grab one for lunch on the go, for the bargain price of €2.50 (£2.20) – this place is a real Athens institution so expect to queue during summer months as it gets super busy at times. For something a little more refined, book a table at To Kafeneio in Plaka. Hidden away from the more touristy restaurants, this place serves up hearty dishes as well as a fabulous Greek salad and good local wines, and the prices are reasonable too.
Over on the other side of the city, head to 48 Urban Garden for street food in a relaxed setting, or Filippou – some say it’s the best taverna in Athens, so give it a go!
HIP HOTELS
If you want to be close to the Acropolis, NEW Hotel, just 10 minutes walk from the ancient ruins, is in the perfect location, with Syntagma Square just around the corner too. This quirky hotel has been designed impeccably with modern touches and interesting furniture throughout.
There’s also a steam bath and Jacuzzi in the basement and some bedrooms even have Parthenon views, as does the bar on the rooftop. Rooms start at £174 per night.
Looking to stay in a quieter part of town? Periscope is a cool, upmarket hotel set back on a narrow orangetree lined street in the very cosmopolitan area of Kolonaki. Around here you’ll find boutique shops, art galleries and some amazing restaurants.
The location is also perfect for climbing Mount Lycabettus, a small mountain that provides great panoramic views of the city. Rooms at Periscope start at £161 a night, including breakfast and complimentary snacks and drinks throughout your stay.