8 days / 7 nights
Fly & Drive
Athens & Surroundings (a long walk through Ancient and Modern)
1st day: Arrival in Athens apt and rent a car – overnight in Athens.
2nd day: After a city tour in the center, by car or with the “Hop on-Hop off” fancy bus, you can visit the Acropolis and its Museum – go to Plaka for souvenir shopping or visit the Athens Cathedral Orthodox church (“Mitropolis”) and have lunch outdoors, in a local taverna. In the afternoon you can go for a walk to Ancient Agora or visit the temple of Olympic Zeus. In the evening you can go by car to the Port of Piraeus and have dinner (seafood) in one of the nice restaurants of Microlimano (picturesque little port).
3rd day: Dedicated to the surrounding of Athens. Excursion to Vravrona site (45km away from Athens /temple of Artemis) – Lavrion port where you can eat in a fish restaurant. Alternatively, you can go for swimming in the bay of Punta Zeza. In the afternoon you can go to Sounion, to admire the sunset from the temple of Poseidon and swim to the clear waters of the Sounion bay. On the way back to Athens, you can stop for a coffee or dinner in one of the fancy cafe-restaurants, in Varkiza, on the seaside.
4th day: Visit of the National Archeological Museum, in the city center – then go for a walk to “Athinas Central Food Market” and buy some greek herbs, nuts or candies in Evripidou Street – visit Monastiraki flea market and eat souvlaki in Bairaktari’s tavern – then go to “Krinos”, in Aeolou Str., and try the best “loukoumades” in town (greek typical fried rolls, with honey). In the evening you can go for a walk in Psirri area (little restaurants and fancy bars) or have a cocktail in a roof garden with Acropolis view or go to “Cine Paris”, in Plaka, to watch a movie under the moonlight and right across the Parthenon (one of the 10 most beautiful outdoors cinemas in Europe!)
5th day: Visit the Benaki or the Cycladic Art Museum – then go to “Kessariani” Byzantine Monastery in the foothills of Hymettus mountain – go to Glyfada district (near the old airport) with the fancy modern shops and restaurants – you can have lunch/ dinner in Biftekoupoli area (“George’s” restaurant), where they serve only meatballs, fried potatoes, “chorta” (green herbs) and “tzatziki”.
6th day: Visit the Nomismatic (ancient coins) Museum in city center – take the funicular and climb up to Lycabettus hill for a panoramic view of Athens and Piraeus Port – you can eat lunch to the Kastellorizo fancy restaurant, on the top of the hill or go to Kolonaki area (at the foot of the hill) and drink the best cappuccino in town at the “DaCapo” cafe bar. Alternatively, you can eat some “mezedakia” (finger food that Greeks eat together with Ouzo) in the ouzeri of Dexameni (always in Kolonaki). In the afternoon, you can go for a walk to the Syntagma square and watch the changing of the guards “Evzonoi” (in front of the Greek Parliament).
7th day: Go for a swim to Astir Beach, in Vouliagmeni residential district (20km from city center, on the beach) or to “Limni Vouliagmenis” (a small lake with salt, lukewarm water, with therapeutical properties) – eat lunch in “Lambros” fish restaurant or in “Zachos” grill (best souvlaki in the area) – alternatively, you can go to Astir Palace Hotel and try one of the best sushis in Europe in the “Matsushita Athens Nobu” luxury japanese restaurant or in the “Galazia Hytra”, “Michelin” star awarded restaurant famous for its sophisticated greek cuisine.
8th day: Departure – car delivery in apt Alternatively, you can go on a one-day cruise in the Saronic Gulf. It stops in three picturesque islands: Aegina – Poros – Hydra. Departure is provided in the morning h.08.30 and arrival in the evening (around 19.30). Lunch is included (onboard)
Extra Tips
- Take the “trenaki’ (little open train that goes across the city)
- Rent a bike (www.pamevolta.gr) or use the “noname” bikes (www.podilates-noname.gr) for a ride in the seaside area
- Visit one of the many wineries, in the suburbs of Athens and try a greek wine “wine tasting” (we recommend Ktima Kokotou: www.ktimakokotou.gr)
- Visit the Museum of Greek Gastronomy (www.gastronomymuseum.gr) or the Byzantine Museum
- Go to Plaka at night and watch a “Plaka by night” program (with Greek dancersand bouzouki players) in one of the local tavernas
- Try the best greek coffee in town (made in “chovoli”) in “Hatzis” cafe-bar in Syntagma square
- See a play or a concert in the roman “Herodeion oper air Theatre”, in the foot of Acropolis hill. Informations about the program: (www.greekfestival.gr)
- Visit the “Mall” or the “Golden Hall” shopping centers, at about 6 km away from the city centre
- Have an adventurous but gourmet dinner up in the sky, with “Dinner in the Sky”, while you have the most spectacular view of the city (www.dinnerinthesky.gr)
Where to eat
- “Zorbas” tavern, in Plaka (typical greek cuisine)
- “Raki meze” restaurant (3km from center, with fish mezedes)
- “Klimataria” tavern, in city center (excellent Greek cuisine; they also give cooking lessons)
- “Varoulko” (www.varoulko.gr) in Microlimano port (sophisticated fish restaurant)
- “Bairaktaris” for souvlaki, in Monastiraki
- “Petrino” fish restaurant, in Lavrion port
Where to sleep
- “The Athenian Callirhoe” (4*) hotel, near Acropolis and in the city center (www.tac.gr)
- The “ Electra Palace” (5*), in Plaka district (www.electrahotels.gr)