Looking forward to our Regent Seven Seas cruise to Croatia, Montenegro, Turkey and the Greek Islands this coming summer. The cruise ends in Athens. I'm extending our trip to spend 2 extra days in Athens. Other than visiting the Acropolis what nearby sites and interesting towns are recommended visiting? Thanks in advance!
Athens, Greece
- Thread starter vrac
- Start date
I've only been to Athens once, about 40 years ago. It was July and insufferably hot, so after a quick visit to the Acropolis, I escaped the city and took a delapidated bus to Piraeus and spent an enjoyable day visiting the various harbours. Sorry, not much help as I'm more interested in boats than antiquities! Stavros Niarchos's 1927 3-masted yacht Creole was in one harbour, looking rather in need of a makeover, but also dozens of other megayachts and inter-island ferries that anchor in the bay and reverse to a tiny jetty - like a bus depot!
I will be traveling with my family. Personally, I'm interested in picturesque sea side towns, historical ruins (other than the Acropolis) and local wineries. My wife, daughter and Mom definitely would love to visit galleries and of course shopping!
The Acropolis is, of course, unmissable, as are the Acropolis Museum, the ancient Agora and the National Archaeological Museum. Other ancient sites one might visit are the ancient cemetery of Kerameikos (the potters’ district, where all those ancient painted Athenian vases you see in museums were made) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The newly refurbished National Gallery, the Benaki Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum (with its great cafe terrace), Museum of Cycladic Art (with great temporary exhibitions), the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation gallery and the National Museum of Contemporary Art are also very highly recommended. Stroll around in the Plaka, Monastiraki, Thiseion, Psyrri neighbourhoods and along the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian street, also visit the Renzo Piano-designed Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (housing the Athens Opera, the National Library, a park, cafes and a terrace with commanding views). In the summer, there’s a multitude of restaurants and cafes along several seaside promenades from Piraeus to Vouliagmeni, mostly reachable by tram.
Also worth a visit is the vast marble Panathenaic Stadium. I found it by chance when I visied Athens and was astonished by its size and grandure. At the time (40 years ago) is was open for anyone to freely wander in and clamber about.
en.wikipedia.org
Panathenaic Stadium - Wikipedia
If you cannot get to a theatrical performance at the magnificent (and acoustically stupendous) Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, you must see one at the more local Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Similar threads
