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Post Olympic Athens - The Walking City

A September 2004 trip to Athens by Coronado Bob & Berie

SounionMore Photos

This journal describes three days in Athens following a two-week visit to Greek islands. Three days was perfect for two people who love to sightsee on foot.

  • 14 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
  • 19 photos

Post Olympic Athens - The Walking CityBest of IgoUgo

Overview

The Acropolis is, of course, a must! The Temple of Poseidon on the Sounion south coast is a great half-day excursion from Athens. Hike up Lycavittos Hill for an awesome view of the city and Acropolis. Walk all the ruins. The Sunday flea market is fabulous! The Central Market is fascinating! The view of the Acropolis at sunrise and sunset and at night from our hotel balcony in Lycabettus is good as well. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square (every hour on the hour, 24/7) is a must!!

Quick Tips:

Go early in the morning to see the changing of the guard before the tour buses arrive and disgorge the crowds. Same with the Acropolis.

Best Way To Get Around:

Take a taxi from the airport and then walk the city. It is hilly, but ever so walkable! Yes, there are SOME unscrupulous taxi drivers, so watch the meter. We hired George, the famous Taxi Driver of Greece (actually his son, Dennis, took us), to take us down to Sounion to see the temple of Poseidon. That way we avoided the bus and the crowds and could follow our own preferred schedule. You can find him on the internet or at greektaxi@aol.com.

St George Lycabettus HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "St. George Lycabettus Boutique Hotel"

This is a five-star hotel is located just above the fashionable Kolonaki District with its incredible shopping. We liked the hotel, not only because it was just very nice inside, but just about every room has a fabulous view. Our balcony looked out toward the Acropolis, and the night lighting of the Parthenon was an awesome sight. The amenities include wonderful fuzzy terrycloth robes and great shampoos and creams. For us, it was a short walk to Syntagma Square and then just a bit further to the old city of Plaka and the Acropolis.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on October 18, 2004

St George Lycabettus Hotel
KLEOMENOUS 2 Athens, Greece
302 10 7290711

Palmyra Beach HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

A very nice hotel in the beach area of Glyfada. It has a wonderful courtyard restaurant and a pool for relaxing. The rooms are spacious and very nice. It comes with a breakfast buffet, American style. We stayed here after the long trip to Athens from California but left the next day for the islands.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on October 18, 2004

Palmyra Beach Hotel
70, Possidonos Avenue Athens, Greece 16675
+30 (210) 8981-183

Plaka TavernaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

One among many along this wide boulevard in the heart of Plaka. We were warned by guidebooks to avoid the places that "hawk" their food, but we were starving so we stopped here. We ordered stuffed grape leaves and fried green peppers and instead of the small ones that we had had on the island, we got huge ones! We also ordered swordfish because it was fresh on display in a case and an order of moussaka. This was all more food than we could possible eat, but was very good. They gave us a complimentary fruit plate for dessert. The bill was under $20 for all of that.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on October 18, 2004

Plaka Taverna
16, Kidathineon Athens, Greece
210-32323334

O PlatanosBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

On a Sunday afternoon, this restaurant was filled with Greek families dining after church. We managed to secure a table beneath their vine roof on the side of the restaurant. We gorged ourselves on the yummiest tomato salad, lamb chops, bread, and eggplant. We tried retsina, which we did not like, but that was not the fault of the restaurant. Then we laughed when the bill for all of that came to only a little over $20! Another American couple also chuckled over the low bill for the great food!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on November 11, 2004

O Platanos
Kidathineon 41 Plaka Athens, Greece

Ouzeri KouklisBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Ouzeri Koulis
This restaurant describes itself as the MOST traditional family restaurant. We could not get near it on a Sunday, but just before noon on Monday, we were able to select a table outside, by the street. They bring trays of different Greek specialty foods and depending on the number of people in the party, you choose a number of dishes. We chose six different things. Everything was just outstanding, and there was no way we could eat all of it! We drank Mythos beer with our meal, and in the end, we were again shocked at the very low bill! We were learning to adore traditional Greek food.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on November 11, 2004

Ouzeri Kouklis
Tripodon 14 Athens, Greece
Athens

Temple of Poseidon at Cape SounionBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Half Day Trip to Temple of Poseidon"

Sounion
We had reserved George the famous taxi driver to take us for a half-day on our first day in Athens. His son, Dennis, picked us up in his vintage Mercedes limo. We chose to leave Athens for Cape Sounion to see the Temple of Poseidon. As we toured along the coast, he pointed out the various spots including the home of Aristotle Onassis' sister. Dennis was well-versed in Greek history, as are all Greeks, because they must learn it in school. We arrived at the Temple of Poseidon at about 10am, long before the afternoon tour buses. We combed the ruins and took many pictures and just about had the place to ourselves. He drove us back on a different route to Athens. It was great just to sit back, relax, and leave the driving to Dennis!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on October 18, 2004

Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion
Cape Sounion Athens, Greece

Sunday Flea MarketBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This is an antiquer's delight for sure! As our taxi driver from the airport said, "You can find everything here from a pencil to an automobile to buy." There were huge Sunday crowds of people browsing and shopping and then sitting down to a meal in one of the squares. We saw souvlaki on huge vertical rotisseries. If you are luck enough to spend a Sunday in Athens, this is a must see.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on October 18, 2004

Sunday Flea Market
City Central area Athens, Greece

Acropolis and Parthenon (General)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Acropolis and Parthenon"

Acropolis
Although you have seen this in pictures so many times, it is a breathtaking experience to enter through the gates and gaze at these amazing structures. It just seems impossible that these structures could have been built at a time when there were no modern engineering tools and equipment, and then to have stood the test of time and wars! Watching the archeologists and engineers who are today trying to restore this ancient landmark an inch at a time is also truly amazing. If you find yourself in Athens with only a little time, spend it on this wondrous site. Get there as early as possible in the morning to avoid avoid the densest crowds.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on November 11, 2004

Acropolis and Parthenon (General)
Athens, Greece

Ancient AgoraBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Ancient Agora
This was the political and religious heart of Ancient Athens. The ruins were largely uncovered in the 1950s by tearing down a part of the existing Athens. Although most of the structures are only foundations, you can walk through and see where there were government buildings, schools, prisons, and even a mint. There are plaques throughout the grounds, identifying the various structures. It is a pleasant historical walk.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on November 11, 2004

Ancient Agora
Adrianou St Athens, Greece 105 55
+30 210 321 0185

Syntagma SquareBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
This is a huge central square, with government buildings as the focal point. The best part is watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guards change every hour, 24/7! If you go early in the morning or late at night, you can avoid the busloads of tourists and have full view of this amazing ceremony. The costumes of these guards are very unique (skirts), and their ritual is truly unusual. If in Athens, don't miss this old tradition.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on November 11, 2004

Syntagma Square
Center of Athens Athens, Greece

Mount LycavittosBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Lykavitos Hill
If you have the stamina, this is a great exercise walk from the fashionable Kolonaki area to the church at the top. There is now a fashionable restaurant at the top, but there is also a casual restaurant/bar. The views of the Acropolis and the Lycavittos Theatre and beyond are wonderful. If you are there at the end of a clear day, the sunset is inspiring.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on November 11, 2004

Mount Lycavittos
Mount Lycavittos Athens, Greece

Panathenaic StadiumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Panhellenic Stadium of 1896
This fascinating stadium was built entirely of marble during the 4th century BC. It was then the site of the first Olympic games in 1896. Across the street is a large photo of the opening ceremonies in 1896.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on December 8, 2004

Panathenaic Stadium
Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue Athens, Greece 116 35
+30 210 325 1744

National GardensBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

City Bus Painting
This very large park is a green refuge in an otherwise teaming city. The palace in the center was the first Olympic Village, but is now used for special events.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Coronado Bob & Berie on December 8, 2004

National Gardens
off Amalias St. Athens, Greece

The Positive View of AthensBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Before we went to Greece, many people remarked to us that a day in Athens is enough because it is just, well, a mess! WE were pleasantly surprised to find a very friendly, bustling city!! It is not as "dirty" as people said that it was, and we felt very safe all the time we were there. Athens will never get over the era of rapid building of ugly, modern-era buildings, and yet they are really trying to make the best of it. The people are friendly, and we just had a great time. We highly recommend a stay that enables you to feel the sense of history, feel the bustle and business, and of course, eat the Greek food at local places.

About the Writer

Coronado Bob & Berie
Coronado Bob & Berie
Coronado, California

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