Make Your Weekend, a Greekend
July 2023 | Travel Village
Make your next weekend a Greekend. With so many things to do and such a short distance from home, why not visit Athens for a weekend in Greece.
Here’s how we would spend our Greekend!
First things first, coffee...
A typical greekend (and many days across the globe) starts with a coffee. Wake yourself up with a hit of caffeine to prepare yourself for a busy weekend ahead.
There is no shortage of incredible rooftop cafes in Athens. You can enjoy an espresso whilst admiring the rooftops of Athens, not to mention a stellar view of the Acropolis.
A bite to eat
Greek food is that of gods. For a breakfast snack, indulge in a koulouri, a knotted bread, or a bougatsa, a custard pastry. For a quick lunch, grab a selection of hot or cold mezedes or maybe some pita with hummus and tzatziki. For something more filling, devour souvlaki or gyros.
Things to do
With an unlimited amount of things to do, Athens is the perfect place for those who want to explore. An obvious suggestion is to visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum which houses more than 3,000 famous artefacts. Another great attraction is the Panathenaic Stadium, the stadium of the first modern Olympic Games and the only stadium in the world made entirely of marble. To escape the noisy city centre, the National Garden of Athens is the perfect place to relax or have a peaceful stroll.
Sun & Sea
After a morning of exploring, you can relax with a drink in hand on one of the many beautiful beaches around Athens.
Edem Beach is the closest to the centre, around 18 minutes away on public transport. With well organised amenities like a playground, lots of umbrellas and restaurants nearby, it is the perfect beach for families.
Kalamaki is one of the most popular beaches in Athens and is within easy reach of the city centre. There are several beach bars along the sand making it incredibly convenient to spend the day there. Plus, there is a small waterpark of sorts to entertain the younger members of the group.
Glyfada is a long stretch of beach with yacht-filled marinas and a traditional fishing port nestled among the golden sand. Not to mention, a host of cafes and restaurants for an afternoon bite.
Shopping
From treasured trinkets to famous designers, the Greek capital has some amazing shops to discover. Ermou Street is the most central, and therefore the most popular, shopping spot in Athens.
The Monastiraki flea market is perfect for tourist memorabilia and leather accessories that have the signature Greek look. Similarly, for thrifting and vintage shopping, head to the cultural neighbourhood of Exarcheia. You can find designer shops in the district of Kolonaki and take a stroll up Voukourestiou Street for a haute couture paradise.
Wine
To mark the end of a successful day in Athens, treat yourself to a refreshing glass of Greek wine. Oinoscent is a sleek, friendly wine bar located in Athens with a vast selection of Greek wines. Manuoka is situated on the rooftop of Monastiraki’s Utopia Ermou hotel. Sample more than 100 wines by the glass whilst taking in breathtaking vistas of the Acropolis. For a smaller bar, try Materia Prima. Tucked away in Koukaki, this wine bar has a selection of around a dozen off-beat but well chosen Greek wines.
End your week like a Greek. Check out Visit Greece's video here:
