When many people plan a trip to Greece, they view Athens simply as a layover or a place to quickly see the Parthenon before catching a ferry to the islands. But during our 17-day anniversary trip to Italy and Greece, we discovered that Athens is so much more than a transit hub. It is a vibrant, bustling city with an incredibly underrated culinary scene.
To really understand the city’s ancient history and taste its authentic flavors, we decided to book two specific guided experiences: an Acropolis walking tour and a dedicated food tour.
If you have a couple of days to spend in Greece’s capital, here is our honest review of how we spent our time, what we ate, and why you shouldn’t skip Athens!
The History: Acropolis Monuments & Parthenon Walking Tour
You absolutely cannot go to Athens without visiting the Acropolis, the ancient citadel perched high above the city. However, wandering through ancient ruins without context can sometimes just feel like looking at a pile of old rocks.
To bring the history to life, we booked the Acropolis Monuments & Parthenon Walking Tour.
Going with a local guide was the best decision we could have made. Not only did they navigate us through the massive crowds and skip the long ticket lines, but they also explained the mind-blowing mythology and engineering behind the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the ancient theaters below. Hearing the stories of ancient Greece while standing on the exact spot where they happened is a bucket-list experience.
- Good Journey Tip: Book the earliest morning tour you can! There is very little shade at the top of the Acropolis, and the midday Mediterranean sun gets very hot.
The Acropolis Museum Upgrade
When booking our tour, we actually chose to upgrade our tickets to include an optional guided visit to the Acropolis Museum afterward, and we highly recommend you do the same. Not only is the museum a beautiful, air-conditioned reprieve after a hot climb, but it is also where the original, delicate artifacts from the site are safely housed. Seeing these pristine statues and friezes up close really ties the entire ancient history experience together!
The Food: Get a Taste of Athens Food Tour
After working up an appetite exploring ancient history, we turned our attention to the city’s food scene. We booked the Get a Taste of Athens Food Tour.
This 3.5-hour tour took us through the vibrant neighborhoods of Athens, away from the tourist traps, to taste what locals actually eat. We tried everything from fresh olives and feta to incredible local meats and cheeses.
But the absolute highlight of the tour and perhaps of our entire time in Greece was trying Loukoumades. These are bite-sized, fluffy Greek donuts that are fried perfectly and then soaked in sweet local honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. They are heavenly, and this tour was worth it for the Loukoumades alone!
What to Pack for Exploring Athens
Exploring Athens requires a lot of walking, and the ancient environment has a few quirks you need to prepare for. Here is what we highly recommend packing in your day bag:
- Shoes with Serious Grip: The marble steps leading up to the Acropolis have been walked on by millions of people for thousands of years. They are polished smooth and are incredibly slippery, even when dry! Leave the cute flats at the hotel and wear a stylish, comfortable walking shoe with a rubber grip sole. We love comfortable, grippy sneakers like these for exploring ruins.
- A Collapsible Water Bottle: You will get thirsty climbing up to the Parthenon, and they don’t sell water at the top! We always travel with a collapsible, leak-proof water bottle that we can easily tuck into our crossbody bag when empty. Grab our favorite space-saving travel water bottle .
- Travel-Sized Sunscreen: As mentioned, the Acropolis offers zero shade. Protect your skin from the intense Mediterranean sun with a good, non-greasy face sunscreen. This is our go-to travel-sized sunscreen.
Where to Stay: Acropolis Views
For our 3 nights in Athens, we wanted to be right in the action. We rented a fantastic, romantic Airbnb apartment right next to the Acropolis that even had its own hot tub! Staying in the Plaka or Monastiraki neighborhoods means you can easily walk to all the major historical sites and the best restaurants.
- Find Your Athens Stay
Have you ever tried Loukoumades, or is seeing the Parthenon on your bucket list?
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