Athens in less than 24h with the kids
Athens is often just a stopover en route to the islands. It’s a pity because the city is slowly emerging from the crisis with a dynamic underground art scene. This is a good read, and this one too, Athens Rising We managed to squeeze in a few visits on our way back from Zakinthos in the heat of the summer. The investment in a tour guide for the afternoon was a wise choice as it allowed us to make the most of our short visit. This blog post is short and simply highlights the key spots that we enjoyed.
SLEEP in ATHENS
We booked one night at the St George Lycabettus Hotel. What it lacked in style and service, it made up with breathtaking views over the Acropolis. The hotel is perched on a hill, it is worthwhile paying the extra for a room with a view. Five of us were comfortable in one of the family suites. The restaurant is nothing to rave about but the terrace (with a breeze) also has views to die for.
VISIT in Athens
The children enjoyed our three-hour tour with Mrs Krikri (Vickykrikki@gmail.com and tel: +30 6945564978). She speaks fluent English and has a pleasant personality, with enough storytelling and patience to get the whole family through this itinerary:
The Acropolis Museum: opened in 2009, to great fanfare and after much delay. The collections of ancient Greek art are of course fascinating, as is the structure, at the foothill of the Acropolis. With more time, I would have liked to visit the Tower of Plaka and the atmospheric flea market of Monastiraka.
We toured around the city with a local taxi and stopped briefly at the thumb of the unknown soldier and its very tall guards.
We spent a while climbing the Acropolis and marvelling at the many views over the city, with the sun coming down, enveloping the whiteness of Athens with a delicate pink tint.
With more time, we would have walked to the temple of the Olympic Zeus, then to Kalimarmaro and also through Zapion, a beautiful building with classic Athenian architecture. And I was sorry to miss the national museum of archeology as well as spending time at the relatively new Niarchos Foundation, with a rich calendar of cultural events all year long.
EAT in Athens
Our only dinner in town made a big impression on all of us. We managed to get a table on the rooftop terrace of Kuzina restaurant, directly facing the Acropolis. We feasted on grilled calamari and one last real Greek salad for our last night in Greece. Totally worth it.
Other adresses well recommended by our Greek friends:
Cookoovaya
Ama Lachei in Exarhia, which has a wonderful garden
Barbounaki in the area of Kolonaki, for the freshest fish, unfussy atmpsphere, tables on the pavement and all.
2 Comments
Submit a Comment
RECENT POSTS
YOU MIGHT LIKE
Soulful gift ideas to satisfy a wanderlust
I've read that Christmas tree sales are to the roof this year, and people have never been buying them so early in the festive season. I have never published a curated list of gift ideas - so here you go: thoughtful, soulful gift ideas to satisfy a wanderlust. Because...
Crete without the crowds
The travel corridor announced mid-October between the UK and Crete allowed for a brief family escape to a Crete without the crowds. It was perfect timing for Sea Sand and Sun ahead of what is shaping up to be a very looong winter. It also gave me a chance to...
Open borders in Africa right now
The African wildlife is thriving and the hotels have plenty of capacity. For those who can, and have the appetite for risk in this tumultuous environment, it's one of those rare times in our lifetime to visit the vastness of the African plains without many 4x4 in...
DESTINATIONS
SEARCH FOR POSTS BY CONTINENT + PLACE
SEARCH FOR POSTS BY CONTINENT
Countries
Continents
AFRICA
# countries visited
ASIA
# countries visited
EUROPE
# countries visited
NORTH AMERICA
# countries visited
SOUTH AMERICA
# countries visited
CARIBBEAN
# countries visited
MIDDLE EAST
# countries visited
OCEANIA
# countries visited
NORWAY
2 ARTICLES
BHUTAN
3 ARTICLES
BURMA - MYANMAR
5 ARTICLES
TURKEY
4 ARTICLES
MONGOLIA
1 ARTICLES
INDONESIA
2 ARTICLES
PHILIPPINES
1 ARTICLES
AUSTRALIA
5 ARTICLES
FIJI ISLANDS
3 ARTICLES
NEW ZEALAND
3 ARTICLES
NORTH KOREA
1 ARTICLES
JAPAN
6 ARTICLES
THAILAND
1 ARTICLES
SINGAPORE
1 ARTICLES
CAMBODIA
2 ARTICLES
LAOS
1 ARTICLES
TIBET
1 ARTICLES
VIETNAM
2 ARTICLES
DENMARK
3 ARTICLES
GERMANY
1 ARTICLES
UNITED KINGDOM
12 ARTICLES
LITUANIA
1 ARTICLES
AUSTRIA
5 ARTICLES
ITALY
11 ARTICLES
GREECE
5 ARTICLES
FRANCE
17 ARTICLES
PORTUGAL
1 ARTICLES
SPAIN
5 ARTICLES
MOROCCO
4 ARTICLES
CANADA
4 ARTICLES
USA
16 ARTICLES
MEXICO
1 ARTICLES
JAMAICA
1 ARTICLES
TRINIDAD + TOBAGO
1 ARTICLES
PERU
1 ARTICLES
BOLIVIA
1 ARTICLES
BRAZIL
11 ARTICLES
URUGUAY
2 ARTICLES
ARGENTINA
2 ARTICLES
CHILE
6 ARTICLES
GHANA
1 ARTICLES
UGANDA
2 ARTICLES
KENYA
2 ARTICLES
ZIMBABWE
1 ARTICLES
SOUTH AFRICA
3 ARTICLES
SÂO TOMÉ + PRINCIPE
3 ARTICLES
OMAN
3 ARTICLES
UAE - DUBAI
1 ARTICLES
MAURITUS
1 ARTICLES
MALDIVES
1 ARTICLES
SRI LANKA
5 ARTICLES
INDIA
14 ARTICLES
NORTH AMERICA
16 ARTICLES
CARIBBEAN
3 ARTICLES
SOUTH AMERICA
# ARTICLES
EUROPE
# ARTICLES
AFRICA
# ARTICLES
MIDDLE EAST
# ARTICLES
ASIA
# ARTICLES
OCEANIA
# ARTICLES
As usual a delight! Xxxx
efcharistó !