Tag: Athens

How to spend 48 hours in Athens

On By wherekatieisIn Europe, Greece, Travel

When you’re heading to the Greek Isles, you’re probably going to be flying through Athens first, so you might as well make the most of it! If you haven’t checked out my first post yet on how to start planning a trip to Greece, you can find that here. I recommend giving yourself at least 48 hours in Athens to recover from your jet lag, visit the Acropolis, and even take a day trip to a few of the smaller neighboring islands. Here’s what I suggest:

  • Arrival to Athens: 
    • It will likely be afternoon or early evening by the time you arrive in Athens, especially if you’re flying from the US or anywhere else outside of Europe. Check into your hotel, like the Philippos Hotel Athens , that is centrally located in easy walking distance from the Acropolis, and start exploring! Wander through the Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in Athens, and enjoy some chicken souvlaki for dinner and maybe even some frozen Greek yogurt for dessert.
    • After this, you’ll probably be exhausted and ready for bed after a long day of travel. Rest up so you can get an early start for your day tomorrow!

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      View of the Acropolis from the lovely Philippos Hotel Athens.
  • Day One: 
    • Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then get an early start to see the historic sights of Athens. It’s nice to do a guided tour that can show you around the Acropolis and point out details about the Parthenon that you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
    • After you hike up to the Acropolis and explore its stunning historical sights, visit the adjacent Acropolis Museum to see artifacts from the Greek Bronze Age through Byzantine Greece.
    • Since you’ll likely have only gotten a small taste of the Plaka on your first night here, wander through more of these cobblestone streets, discovering everything from handmade jewelry shops, to outdoor cafes, to archeological sites. You could spend days exploring here, and you’ll be sure to find a spot for dinner with great people-watching, one of my favorite things to do in a city.
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Exploring the Acropolis, which dates back to the 400s B.C.
  • Day 2: On your second day in Athens, you’ll head out on a day-long cruise to the nearby islands of Hydra, Aegina, and Poros. This is a great way to see several of the smaller islands while relaxing on the sea and enjoying lovely views.
    • Your first stop is Hydra, a historic island that to this day does not allow cars or motorcycles.
      • Do as the locals do and explore this small island by foot or even by donkey! Where else will you find donkeys and horses carrying bottled water and other supplies to cafes and restaurants?
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When in Hydra, do as the locals do and ride a donkey!
    • Next, you’ll visit Poros, an island in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf.
      • Make the most of the scenery here by climbing to the top of the clock tower hill to enjoy the lovely views.
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Enjoying the beautiful views from the hilltop of Poros. 
    • Last but not least, you’ll visit Aegina, my favorite of these three small islands.
      • Stroll along the port of Aegina, check out the adorable small shops and fruit stands here, and take in the seaside views. I loved sitting at an outdoor cafe and enjoying some cocktails while watching ships go in and out of the port. Pretty much perfection in my book!
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How cute is the island of Aegina? I loved it here. 

I hope this 48-hour guide to Athens is helpful for you! I had heard that we shouldn’t spend any time at all here, but I wholeheartedly disagree and found that this city has so much to offer. Have you been to Greece yet, and if not, is it on your bucket list?

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Planning a Trip to Greece: Where to Start

On By wherekatieisIn Europe, Travel1 Comment

I had been dreaming of visiting Greece for years, and the reality of traveling here was even better than I’d imagined. The beautiful blue water of the Aegean Sea, the adorable cobblestone streets, all the blue and white domed buildings, the beaches, and of course, the food. Greece is honestly perfection if you ask me, especially if you plan your trip right!

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Soaking in the magic of Santorini on our hotel’s terrace.
  • How to get here:
    • From just about anywhere, you’ll have to fly through Athens to get to other parts of Greece, and if it’s your first time visiting Greece, I recommend spending at least one full day in Athens. This way, you’ll have time to visit the Acropolis and explore the Plaka, the oldest district in Athens, before heading on to other parts of Greece.
    • You’ll fly into the Athens International Airport (AIA), which is about 20 miles outside of the city center of Athens and an easy taxi ride away.
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The Acropolis is a must-see while in Athens.
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At the Parthenon, which dates back to the 400s B.C.
  • When to visit:
    • Mainland Greece and particularly the Greek Isles are a very popular summer destination, so to avoid the crowds and higher prices of peak season, I recommend visiting in shoulder season.
    • By visiting in mid April to May, or mid-September into October, you’ll still typically have great weather, but will have significantly less crowds than you would during most of June through August.
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The sunsets in the Greeks Isles just can’t be beat.
  • Which islands to visit:
    • Many people want to visit Greece for the incredible Greek Isles, a group of over 6,000 islands, of which 227 are inhabited.
    • Some of the most popular Greek islands to visit are Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, and Rhodes, with each one having their own variations of scenery and culture.
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The views in Santorini are pretty incredible.
  • Visiting Santorini:
    • Santorini is the most visited Greek Island, and after spending almost a week here on my honeymoon, I can certainly see why! I have traveled all over Europe, and nowhere else I’ve visited is anything like Santorini. The charming whitewashed streets and houses, with blue roofs and blue domes overlooking the caldera are simply stunning. I think everyone should have Santorini on their bucket list!
    • Just wandering the streets of Fira or Oia is a great way to spend the afternoon, and hiking along the caldera cliffside from Fira to Oia is an absolute must! You’ll swear you’ve never seen more beautiful views.
    • Santorini is also known for its wine, and a trip here is not complete without visiting at least a winery or two, or better yet, booking a tour so a sommelier can take you around to a few different wineries for tastings!
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Hiking from Fira to Oia was a highlight of my entire time in Greece.
  • Visiting Mykonos:
    • Mykonos is widely regarding as the “party island” and known for its nightlife, but by visiting Mykonos in early May, just before peak season, I found it to be quiet and so charming.
    • Mykonos Town is full of winding cobblestone streets, with shops and restaurants that just get more adorable around every corner. Add in the beautiful beachfront views, watching sailboats and yachts come in on the Aegean Sea, and the hill of windmills, and you have a perfectly lovely place to visit.
    • We spent much of our time here just relaxing poolside, overlooking the ocean, wandering the streets of Mykonos Town, and eating incredible Greek food.
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Mykonos, where every street looks like a postcard.

This is just a starting point for planning a fantastic trip to Greece! I’ll be sharing many more details, including itineraries for Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, and day trips and outings to consider while visiting. Stay tuned for more, and let me know if there’s anything you’d like to know about visiting Greece!

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I wouldn’t mind waking up to this Santorini view every day.