Guide To 72 Hours In Athens

Athens has so many faces. It’s a place where you either immediately feel like home or you stroll around it like a tourist for ages. After two years living here, I think I found the secret to conquering it: you need to find your own place inside its beautiful mess. For me, Athens feels like I live here for many years. My goal is to make you feel this way as well. So, I will try not to suggest the classic touristic spots that you have probably already heard of. Join me on our 3-day trip to Athens!

DAY 1

Let’s start our trip day with brunch at Joshua Tree (Anapafseos 13, 116 36). It’s our favorite brand new spot, located in Mets. The staff working there is really friendly and happy to please you. The menu is great plus all the plates are vegan. Either you're a smoothie fan or a pancake enthusiast, I'm sure you'll find something to indulge into. 

Now that we are full of energy, I guess we’re ready to walk to Kallimarmaro or Panathenaic Stadium which is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble. It’s unique and also inspiring. Many people spend their everyday life there, training or just doing their daily jogging in the center of Athens. 

Still in the mood for some more culture? Now I have to suggest something contemporary to you, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) (Leoforos Kallirois & Amvr. Frantzi 117 43) which is currently reopened. There are many exhibitions that will intrigue your interest. 

After all the walking and learning, I believe that you'll find a drink very refreshing. It’s time to relax and have a drink at BIOS (Pireos 84, 104 35)  and its amazing terrace viewing Acropolis.

DAY 2

Day 2 is on and our coffee is waiting for us at KICK (Sporadon 26, 113 61).  It’s located in Kypseli, my neighborhood, which is probably the most multicultural region in Athens. This café offers delicious pastry too so grab your banana bread on the go and get ready: we are off for our roadtrip to Sounio. Athenian summer can be very frustrating if you are not used to Greek temperatures, and that’s why today we are going to the beach. Enjoy the blue and the sun and DO NOT forget your sunscreen.

DAY 3

Day 3 in the city of Athens. It’s the last one, I know, but don’t be sad -  we will make it amazing! Grab your comfy shoes because today we are walking downtown. I, myself, go (almost) everywhere by foot and I really believe that this is the best way to really know a place. Starting our day with a walk on Areopagitou Street, we will pass by Acropolis and end up walking to the National Garden (Leof. Vasilissis Amalias 1, 105 57). This is almost a 3-hour walk and I guess you feel exhausted and hungry by the end of it. It's perfect timing for some authentic Greek food and that's why I chose a lovely traditional spot, Taverna Virinis (Archimidous 116 35). You can't leave Athens without eating at a tavern and either it's your first try or you are a greek food lover, you will thank me later for this experience! Also, there is a really cute yard, perfectly suitable for the sunny days. What about a goodbye drink in the heart of Athens? Heteroclito (Fokionos 2, 105 63) is a lovely place to enjoy your last moments in the city with a great wine from the Greek vineyard. Of course, Athens has a lot more things to offer, but I think those 3 days have been a pretty good first taste.

Enjoy!

CITY GUIDESIliana MichaliCity Guide