A weekend in Athens

The discovery of the city begins, inevitably, with a visit to the Acropolis Rock in the early morning. Disembark directly at the foot of this sacred site when leaving the metro station Acropolis. You have to climb a little to get to the Parthenon, so it is better to be well equipped. The visit lasts about 2 hours, during which you will discover the Propylae, the Erechtheion and its Caryatids, the blue gate, the sanctuary of Zeus Polias, the temple of Athena Nikè... Adjoining to the rock, the Ancient Agora can be visited immediately, especially as it is included in the ticket. Leave this site by the door of Adrianou Street, where, along the railway that leads to Piraeus, the terraces of cafés and some taverns welcome you for a quick lunch. In the afternoon, then walk to the Keramikos cemetery, an open-air museum and the opportunity for a pleasant stroll. In the late afternoon, since you are in the area, take the opportunity to take a trip to Gazi, the trendy and nightlife district, around the Keramikos metro station. Enjoy a cocktail on the terrace, before sitting at one of the many restaurants that have opened in these alleys. Night falls quickly in Greece, and bars are quickly taken over by night birds. It's up to you to decide if you want to continue the evening or go home to bed!

Continue your discovery of ancient Greece by starting your day with the ultra-modern Acropolis Museum. On three beautifully arranged floors, this giant of glass and steel lets in the natural light that is essential to highlight the exposed marble sculptures. At the foot of the museum on stilts, an entire village was discovered. From the Acropolis Museum, you can easily reach the porte d'HadrienOlympiéion and the Olympiéion by crossing Avenue Syngrou. Then continue the walk to the marble stadium, whose architecture can be quickly admired along the way or honoured with a more in-depth visit. Then comes the time to soak up the freshness of the National Garden and, why not, stop off on a shaded bench or at the park café, which serves a few mezzés. The nearby Zappéion deserves a look. Just next door, its very chic coffee is also a pleasant break. Then, as you walk along Irodou Attikou Street to reach Parliament, you may have the chance to witness the changing of the Presidential Guard, perfectly orchestrated. His armed soldiers, in petticoats and pompom shoes, are always fun to look at, especially since they keep, whatever happens, an impeccable seriousness. Take a look, as you pass, at the Presidential Palace on your left, often surrounded by journalists and photographers. At the end of the street, the Benaki Museum exhibits its rich collections to discover another part of the history of Athens and Greece. On your way out, you are in the heart of Kolonaki, the chic district of the city. High-end shops and restaurants will occupy the rest of your afternoon. In the evening, a walk in the old Plaka is a delight. In the upper part of the old town, you will find somewhat isolated and charming taverns.

Visit the large esplanade of the city's Archaeological Museum. The visit lasts about 2-3 hours, or even more, depending on the fervour you want to put into it. The collections of this museum are extremely rich. The ideal would even be to go through it in several stages, with a guide. At the end of the visit, head towards the Exarcheia district by bypassing the Polytechnio. In the district square, several terraces of cafés await you, unless you wish to have lunch and, in this case, we recommend the organic restaurant Giantes, hidden on rue Valtetsiou. From there, it is easy to reach Kolonaki on foot, in a maze of very pleasant streets, sometimes commercial, sometimes framed by lively bars and restaurants. From Dexameni Square, continue the ascent. The streets turn into stairs and are covered with wood and foliage. Mount Lycabette is nearby! From Aristippou Street, it is possible to use the cable car to climb to the top, but the ascent on foot, in the shade of the trees, is also very pleasant. Before reaching the viewpoint, you will pass in front of the theatre where many outdoor concerts take place in summer. The summit is crowned by a very pretty white chapel and a panoramic restaurant. The view is magnificent over the whole city, as far as Piraeus and some islands. Dinner in the calm of Kolonaki.