One week in Athens and surrounding areas

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 museum of the Acropolis. On three floors, beautifully assembled, this giant glass and steel giant leaves the natural luminosity indispensable for the development of exposed marble sculptures. At the foot of the musée museum, a whole village was discovered. From the Acropolis Museum you can easily access Hadrian's gate and Olympiéion, passing through Syngrou Avenue. Then follow the walk towards the marble stadium, which can quickly admire the architecture in the passage or that we honour a deeper visit. Then comes the time to immerse itself with the freshness of the National Garden and, why not, stop on a shady bench or the café of the park, which serves some mezzés. The nearby Zappéion deserves a look. Right next to the hotel, its chic coffee is also a pleasant break. Next to the Irodou Attikou street to join Parliament, you may have the chance to attend the Presidential guard, which is perfectly orchestrated. His armed soldiers, in satin and pompoms shoes, are always fun to look, especially that they keep, whatever happens, serious impeccable. Take a look at the Presidential Palace on your left, often surrounded by journalists and photographers. At the end of the street, the Benaki Museum displays its rich collections to discover another part of the history of Athens and Greece. You are in the heart of Kolonaki, the city's chic district. Upscale shops and restaurants will occupy the rest of your afternoon. In the evening, a walk in the old Plaka is an enchantment. In the upper part of the old town you will find a little 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.

Direction Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, the Greek Riviera! Equipped with swimsuits and light beach gear, take a tram to Syntagma, or drive down Syngrou Avenue. Choose between the comfort of a private beach like Asteras in Glyfada, its deckchairs and its Balux bar or the freedom of a public beach, on which you can lay your towel wherever you want. Lunch in the shopping centre of Glyfada before visiting the turtle protection centre, to play a round of golf, near the old airport. In the evening, the coast gathers its beach bars for a cocktail by the water, and its trendy clubs.

Take, again, the direction of the south coast, towards Cape Sounio. After Lagonissi, the turns are tighter and the coast more wild. Beautiful sea views. Below you will see a thousand small coves in which you can still take a quick dive before reaching the temple of Sounio. The place is splendid and deserted, magnetic and a source of fullness. Then, rather than retrace your steps, we suggest that you continue along the coast towards the port of Lavrio. In the fish market square, you will taste excellent mezzés from the sea. Freshness of the products guaranteed. Then walk along the waterfront, where sailboats of all sizes and fishing boats are moored. It is then towards Markopoulo and Porto Rafti that you will head for a beach afternoon. Unless you prefer to visit the Vravonas site, a little higher on the east coast.

Start your day of good morning to reach the Site site, west of Athens. From afar, we see its imposing rock in the shape so characteristic. The visit is a country walk, in the middle of a preserved site where each stone tells the story. Provide good walking shoes, even if you drive by car until the entrance to the fortifications (which is preferable). The old town of Corinth at the foot of the site is a nice stop to spend an hour and lunch, for example, in one of the taverns of the central square. Once the forces are taken, take up the road towards (. Do not forget to cross the isthmus of Corinth and stop there for a few minutes. In (, the promenade on the seafront allows to take the temperature of the spa, very lively in summer and on weekends. Casinos for one, thalasso for others, or simply relax at the beach... you have something to occupy. At the end of the afternoon, at a time when the rayons sun rayons, take the corniche to the archaeological site of Héraion and Vouliagmeni Lake, where hot springs have been hot for millennia.