Founded in 1986, the museum has one of my favourite cafes in Athens. Put on a pair of comfortable shoes and head to the Varvakios Agora to experience the raucous splendour of Athens' major fresh food market. Erm. This mystical orb covered in strange symbols is thought to have been used in ancient Greek magical rituals. Explore Athens like a local. The Nicholas P. Goulandris Foundation Museum of Cycladic Art houses ancient art in a modern setting. In the vibrant capital of Greece, you can have the time of your life without costing you any extra money. Athens Institute for Contemporary Art, Athens, Georgia Since then, seeing the beauty of Greece is on my bucket list. We have reviews of the best places to see in Athens. Handmade arts and crafts with the artists still in situ. Granted, there are other aspects we may be glad the world has forgotten (like exercising naked in the gymnasium, I'd say) but still. Take your own towel and umbrella if you want one, as there are none available there. Thank you for sharing and for giving more ideas. Venture beyond the Parthenon and the Plaka district and discover an Athens that is feisty, uncompromising and full of hidden surprises. A beautiful inner courtyard with a tree in the middle, the bar on one side and abandoned little sheds all around. And students would often be in the nude. They're driven by a passion for their city and for meeting other people. Well, programme This Is My Athens connects you with local  volunteers who help you to discover, well, anything you want! From ancient history to delicious lamb gyros, your local host will be able to show you all the exciting things to do in Athens. If you only have a short weekend to take in the sights, make the most of it and these ideas will get you started. From thousands of years ago. When it comes to finding hidden gems in Athens, it's not a cliche. In your haste to see Athens' hidden gems, don't miss her unique classics: Yes, everyone goes there, but there's a good reason for that! The menu is creative, combining syringes of olive oil with leaf-wrapped minced langoustine. Every visit to Athens must, of course, include the Acropolis, and the Parthenon, and the Erechtheum. Northeast of the city centre, this cretaceous limestone peak rises to 300 metres and its lower slopes are decked in pine trees, which become sparser as you approach the rocky summit. Check out the oh-so-peppery fresh virgin olive oil at the NEW Hotel Restaurant. 10 Quirky Things to Do in Athens . When it comes to unusual things to do in Athens, it's hard to beat this unique and off the beaten path spot. The 11 best things to do in Athens right now Heads up! Pick up an audio guide to translate and immerse yourself in stories of power and pomp through different currencies. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. And then I have watched a drama set in Greece, I fell in love with it more. Head to Piraeus, and take your time strolling along the seafront, watching the waves kiss the shore and local children chase their shadows. Private Trip: Immersive Art and Otherworldly Landscapes of Santa Fe, Culinary Naples: Producers, Purveyors, and Pizzaioli, Living Between Cultures: Storytelling With Justine Abigail Yu, A Lockpicking Practicum With Schuyler Towne, The Secret of Seattle's Disappearing Hill, Why an Alaskan Hospital Added Reindeer Pot Pie and Seal Soup to Its Menu, Meet the Rats That Wear Protective Poison Armor. Athens may be the definition of a college town, but it's absolutely worth a visit for anyone -- student or not. Highly recommended. Walk past hawkers and hampers filled with plump prawns, jostle between the crowd to buy fresh fish and hanging entrails, and then find some slow-paced solace amid the spice mountains outside.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'insidethetravellab_com-banner-1','ezslot_13',128,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'insidethetravellab_com-banner-1','ezslot_14',128,'0','1'])); I'm no stranger to a hotel with a view but the sixth floor at the St George Lycabettus somehow defies the laws of physics.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'insidethetravellab_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',129,'0','0'])); Pine so close you could touch it on the one side and a glimmering, shimmering Acropolis on the other. The church from the 12th-century has been built with the marble of ancient temples, which makes it pretty unique. Head over here if you want to find out what it's all about and to touch the ruins of Plato's former academy. Stemming from the private fortune of the Benakis family, the museum also focuses on state-of-the-art restoration programmes and widespread education. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Off the beaten path things to do in Athens. But it does require a little effort to uncover the best it has to offer. Going to the beach is one of the lesser-known things to do in Athens as most people think you have to go to the islands to enjoy some beach time. Athens should be easy to love, but sometimes she isn't. It's the well-heeled part of the city, a kind of Sloane Square with sunshine. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Central Athens can feel chaotic. It's completely unique and utterly off the tourist path but without a guide, you'd easily miss it. One of the best things about Athens is that its hilly structure allows for lots of incredible views. And, boy, do they know the places to go. The ancient city of Acropolis in Athens, Greece. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'insidethetravellab_com-leader-3','ezslot_12',111,'0','0'])); If you bring your passport with you to the National Library, you can enter the reading room and, well, read! This still-functioning church from the byzantine era shimmers its gold through the gloom. It's a calm and beautiful spot, a world away from central Athens with only 20 minutes spent behind the wheel. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Although it’s not one of the best beaches in Greece, it’s still a great place to relax and enjoy the sea. This ancient hydrological marvel is now the base of a modern outdoor cinema. From thousands of years ago. But if you want to break away from the regular tourist route a bit, and explore some other aspects of Greek life and culture, here are some unusual activities you can do in Athens. Did you enjoy this article on hidden gems in Athens? Back in the day, Plato and Socrates would teach outdoors. An ancient octagonal weather station named for the eight Greek gods of wind. If you go to Athens though, I do hope you’ll get to see a UGA football game. The Greek capital will soon open an official place of worship for the city's 200,000 Muslims. If the clouds or cool rain have decided to move in, or if you're yearning for a break from traditional Greek tastes, check out the glittering lights and sushi selection at the Galaxy Bar, Hilton Athens. Now, I can’t vouch for that, but do watch your belongings. It is also eerily, spectacularly beautiful. I consider the center of Athens to be one of the coolest places in the world and today you’ll discover why; here are the top cool things to do in Athens to experience the Greek capital in an alternative, modern way that will make you feel cooler than a polar bear’s toenails! Quintessentially cool. Drafted in to help build in Athens, workers from the Greek islands like Santorini and beyond set up their homes in a similar style here in Athens. See. Bookmark these unique and unusual things to do in Athens for your trip to Greece. Disclosure - some of these activities were hosted by the places mentioned, but not all were. Here are 10 things to do in Athens. But I suppose it would carry a little more dignity to talk about the art first. Uncover hidden gems and unusual things to do in Athens, the home of democracy and modern heart of Greece. It's easy to access in Plaka and a beautiful hidden gem in Athens. But when the sun shines and the orange blossom flutters, then a stroll through the National Garden can revive the soul. Take a Tour of UGA’s Historic North Campus I almost don't want to tell you about it! ). Usually interested exhibitions run on a regular basis, music is jazz/soul, coffee's great, drinks are clean and cheap and you rarely meet tourists. If you have no time (nor inclination) to visit other religious buildings in Athens, then pay this one a visit. Find a little piece of the 11th century alive and well in the heart of Athens. You can really, literally, find some hidden gems. Offer subject to change without notice. You can even visit Plato's former academy.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'insidethetravellab_com-box-4','ezslot_20',155,'0','0'])); Tasty and unusual things to do in Athens (involves finding stuffed vine leaves among other things!). And how did they manage to … Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Glistening interiors of hidden churches with ghostly stories. You can walk to central Syntagma Square in 20-30 minutes depending on shoe speed and shoe comfort or, of course, ask the concierge for a taxi into town. Numismatic Museum - the museum of coins! An 18.6-hectare oasis just 8k from the center of Athens, the Julia and Alexander N. Diomedes Botanical Gardens features 500 plant species in its intentionally overgrown part and more than 2,500 plants from all over the world in its cultivated section. Tagged: free, things to do, Athens, Greece, Family, Romantic, Friends, Holiday, archeological sites, Benaki Museum, Top Picks. My pleasure! beautiful and unusual things to do in Greece, The Surprising Thing You Need to Know About Philosophy in Athens, The Athens Food Guide: What You Need to Know About Where to Eat in Greece, Luxury Villas in Mykonos Town: A Greek Hot Spot. The Zoumboulakis Galleries bring private collections of contemporary art to 21st century Greece in a cool and brilliantly white, airy gallery setting. Definitely visit during the day – at night, you’ll miss most of the street art. Skip the tourist traps & discover Athens’s hidden gems. How do you do that? Technically part of Plaka, Anafiotika feels like a different world and is easily one of the best hidden gems in Athens. Cheers! If you are of the athletic type, there are several things you can try during your stay in the Greek capital. Here are 7 Awesome Things to do in Athens, Greece 1. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. Blissful. Dinner suggestion: the Electra Rooftop Garden Hotel. Again, this is easily done with a This is My Athens guide! If you are more keen on the philosophy and less so on the wine, then check out the Athens philosophy tours offered by academics. A tour of the street art Street art is abundant in Athens and you don’t need to search hard to find interesting pieces. There are so many unique activities in Athens. It also offers a magnificent floodlit view of the Acropolis... Sip your drink beneath the brightly coloured glass of Brettos in Plaka. Right next to the massive cathedral of Athens is the Little Metropolis. Greek mezze never tasted so good. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Be The Change: Steps to Take for a Better World, Hidden Gems and Unusual Things to do in Athens: The Cradle of Democracy. Depending on your energy and enthusiasm, you may be able to fly around each of these museums by mid afternoon. What is cycladic art? Athens and Hydra - Greece Recommendations. Copied to clipboard. More Things to do in Southeastern Ohio. 1. This glorious hotel drips in cream and gold and, as the name suggests, there's a rooftop terrace that overlooks the Acropolis. Explore the ghost cities, abandoned industrial buildings, and mountain villages scattered throughout the rugged region of Peloponnese in search of a truer, more contradictory Greece. Fun things to do in Athens. To learn more about Athens, Ohio, or to plan a trip of your own, visit AthensOhio.com for more information. Dinner suggestion: Varoulko Seaside Restauranteval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'insidethetravellab_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',103,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'insidethetravellab_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',103,'0','1']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'insidethetravellab_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',103,'0','2'])); Ah, this lovely place. No purchase necessary. The Best Villas in Mykonos Town According to Experts Kinglike ConciergeScenic and Read more here... Hi, I'm Abi, a doctor turned writer who's worked with Lonely Planet, the BBC, UNESCO and more. It's a real city, a living city, a characterful city. Cine Paris is also a great place where one can catch fascinating views of the Acropolis. The railway carts travelers to central Athens's highest peak, which offers stunning vistas of the city. Cherry, lemon and mastiha ouzo. Filthy infrastructure has long been a site of artistry and civic pride. 2000-year-old computer demonstrates remarkable engineering and astronomical precision. In particular, look for the Peloponnese road trip itinerary and guide to things to do in Kalamata. As the oldest distillery in Athens, it comes stocked with all the homemade, mysterious flavours you should be afraid of. Plus, if you book through the links on this page, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you (this is known as an affiliate link.) Here's our inside guide to finding unusual things to do in Athens, based on advice from locals. Unlike Athens’ most famous summit, Mount Lycabettus is free to climb on foot, but you can also take a funicular to the summit. Athens, Greece First Cemetery of Athens The oldest cemetery of modern-day Athens blends the modern and ancient worlds. See the unusual side of Athens with a local guide in Athens. These crumbling columns are the tangible memory of a civilisation that gave us more than we can sometimes comprehend: the basis of democracy, the spirit of the Olympics and even the word alphabet itself. Check out the burgeoning wine bars in the area around Electra for a mix of hipster cool and cosy vibes. A Gyro shop in the middle of the Acropolis rush will cost you about $3 for a nice budget lunch. One of the most unusual things to do in Athens, is to head back to school. All rights reserved. Clustered into the steep hills beside the Acropolis, it is almost impossible to describe to you how this area can be hidden and yet so close to the country's main attraction. The place is like nothing else in Athens. 17 Quirky Things to do in Southeastern Ohio . Head up the hill early and seek plenty of shade. One of Athens' hidden gems is its seafront. Perfect for book lovers. A sharp sculpture made of thousands of pieces of jagged glass. Yes, Athens is an impressive historic city, but you know what else it is? Quite literally. Unique Lodging Options in Southeastern Ohio . Plus, some of the best places for coffee - and later on wine. The museum is located in the heart of Downtown Athens, Alabama and hosts a vast collection of artefacts spanning eras from the Revolutionary War until the present day. This being Greece, of course, it contains some ruins but it also offers great food and an open air cinema during the summer. If you look closely, you can even recognized parts that don’t really belong there. NEW excels at serving fresh, organic mediterranean cuisine and the sculptures made from recycled furniture make a nice twist for the eye. Can Nostalgia Save Oregon’s Beloved Psychedelic Theme Park? Plus, another side that shows the houses stacked like staggered shoeboxes on the hills and the hubbub of city life in Greece. This is the reason I decided to write down 5+1 cool things to do in Athens (hidden gems!) If you don't plan to stay at the hotel, you can still head there on Sunday for a brunch with a view. The jumble of tiny white houses, seemingly melting out from the mountain in mesmerising white and blue owes its appearance to its residents. But even the humble cherry tomato tastes better here than elsewhere. See our ultimate guide to food in Athens and check out the philosophy tour of Athens: why do we pursue happiness? The sandy white beaches and cerulean waters of the Athenian Riviera can be reached in just thirty minutes from the city centre. Oh and Athens beyond Acropolis has so much to offer! The Acropolis Museum also has a sun and shade soaked terrace that serves super strong Greek coffee, Throw yourself completely into the spirit of ancient Greece by following up the Acropolis with the dazzlingly modern Acropolis Museum. Fun & Games activities in Athens. The price is even a little lower as you get further out from the touristic city center. Find out more. The city’s coastal neighbourhoods boast exclusive beach clubs, charming tavernas, and numerous walking routes. Start with our collection of beautiful and unusual things to do in Greece and then delve deeper into the Greek archives. Athens is far from being just another concrete jungle. Marietta, Ohio: a River Town Steeped in History. Back in the day, Plato and Socrates would teach outdoors. Now this is where the hidden gems of Athens can be found! See the best of Athens like a true local. After all, Daniel Day Lewis and Juliette Binoche have both dined on the Grand Balcon (though not together, as far as I know.). Fast food. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Athens, Georgia on Tripadvisor: See 3,224 traveler reviews and photos of Athens tourist attractions. Having a drink of this famous Greek liquor with friends is one of the most fun things to do in Athens. If you're looking for a really unique way to discover the hidden gems of Athens, then meet up with a local. Chances are, though, that it's best to limit yourself to one or two. It's often described as a multi-purpose cultural space, with themed exhibitions and events aiming to bring together a community of art lovers in Athens. But: trust us, if you pick the right spots in Athens, watching the sun go down while sipping on a beer is one of the most unique things to do in Athens, which is why many locals also consider it one of the best things to do on a date while the weather still permits it (and locals know! It's completely unique and utterly off the tourist path but without a guide, you'd easily miss it. One of the most unusual things to do in Athens, is to head back to school. 7 quirky things to do in Athens, Greece. Please log in again. I'd dismissed it as far too touristy but my local guide found spots that showed how wrong I was. Greek architect Ioannis Vikelas designed the building and it's a quiet and contemplative place to recharge from the exterior bustle of Athens. It hails from the Greek Islands of Cyclades in the Aegean sea and the most striking feature involves the prehistoric figures and figurines, particularly of women. The login page will open in a new tab. 9+1 Unique Things to Do in Athens. Hardly anyone ever thinks to go there. A tour guide here is a must to bring the history alive and to let you hold the artefacts! Tucked up right beside the waterfront, this fresh and modern restaurant has the friendliest service of all the Michelin-starred places I've ever visited. Fun Things To Do in Athens. Standing high above Athens for more than 2500 years and considered one of the greatest architectural wonders in the world, you cannot come to Greece and not visit the historical centre of Athens. They were only included if I thought you'd enjoyed them! Marking its territory with the first ever human civilization it is called as a cradle of western civilization and Birthplace of democracy. Now, plenty of places in Athens overlook the Acropolis but this one lives right up close ... and it serves a delicious pomegranate sorbet! Take Plaka, for example, the area close to the Acropolis. You can go hiking in Hymettus mountain (also known as Trellóvouno – crazy mountain) or in Parnitha, the highest mountain in the Attica peninsula. Newer Post 5 Creepy and Quirky Things to Do in London. We’re working hard to be accurate – but these are unusual times, so please always check before heading out. Discover military uniforms, weaponry and medals, and listen to quotes and stories from people who lived through it all. Athens is home to one of the most famous sites in the world – the Acropolis. super convenient to be done from the city centre (that you will be probably based anyway) which are definitely missed by the “one day in Athens” rush visitors. Theme Park please always check before heading out spend an evening and my hidden gem this! 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