Athens Adventures: Ruins, Rooftops & Pistachios
Athens easily holds its spot in our Top Five Travel
Destinations—and this second visit only confirmed it. The history, the
energy, the unforgettable views… it never gets old. What made this trip even
more special? We were able to share it with family. Our daughter joined us for
the adventure, which made every moment even more meaningful. From ancient ruins
to rooftop dinners, Athens delivered again!
🏟️ Panathenaic Stadium –
All Marble Everything
We kicked things off at the Panathenaic Stadium, which is entirely made of marble and hosted the first modern Olympics. Walking through the tunnel where athletes would enter the stadium felt kind of epic - especially when you came out on the other side to see displays of Olympic torches and posters from years past was a very cool moment. Getting the opportunity to sit where famous rulers sat, from Nero to Alexander was pretty impressive as well. Definitely, take the time to walk around and climb to the top for an amazing view of the city.
🏛️ Temple of Zeus &
Wandering in Plaka
From there, we walked over to the Temple of Olympian Zeus (you can see it from a distance, but it’s worth going up close), and then wandered into Plaka, one of our favorite neighborhoods in Athens. It’s touristy, sure, but in a charming way. Lots of spots to eat, shop, and people-watch.
🎟️ The Acropolis –
Must-Do (Even With the Crowds)
You just can’t go to Athens and not experience
the Acropolis. We booked tickets online in advance (which we
thought would be faster), but ironically, the only real line was the one for
online ticket holders 😂. So maybe check the
regular ticket line when you arrive! We went early in the morning, and it was
totally worth it— much cooler temps and fewer crowds. Walking through the ancient
streets up to the top and seeing the Parthenon up close was something we’ll
never forget. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus Amphitheater is a pretty amazing
structure as well. They still host concerts there throughout the year, a new
addition to the bucket list.
🏞️ Million Stairs, Million-Dollar Views: Climbing Lycabettus Hill
On another day, we set out to conquer Lycabettus Hill, one of the highest points in Athens. We took the metro to the area and began what can only be described as a “lovely little walk”… up what felt like a million stairs. 😂 Seriously, it’s a hike—but a pretty one, that goes through a beautiful neighborhood with great views along the way. Once you conquer the stair marathon, you can catch the tram to the summit. The views from the top are absolutely stunning—you’ll see all of Athens, the sea, and the Acropolis glowing in the distance. Worth every sweaty step.
⛰️ Day Trip to Delphi – Mountain
Magic
We took a day trip to Delphi, and wow - what a
stunning spot. The ancient ruins are beautiful, but the real showstopper is
the setting. Mountains in every direction, fresh air, and a view
that makes you forget the hike up the hill. After exploring the ruins, we
stopped in Arachova, a nearby mountain town that’s straight out of
a travel magazine. Cozy, colorful, and a great place to grab lunch. We wanted
to order the local delicacy, Rooster soup, but they were sold out. We settled
for epic pasta, cheese and wine.
🌅 Cape Sounion – Poseidon
+ Sunset = Perfect
One evening, we drove out to Cape Sounion to
see the Temple of Poseidon at sunset, and let me tell you—do
not skip this. The drive itself is gorgeous (lots of coastal views), and
the temple, perched on a cliff above the sea, is just breathtaking. There’s a
restaurant up there too, so if you want to have a drink while watching the sun
go down… yeah, it’s as dreamy as it sounds.
🏝️ Island Hopping –
Agistri, Moni & Aegina
One of our favorite days was the boat trip to the islands
of Agistri, Moni, and Aegina. Here's how
the day broke down:
- Agistri:
About as peaceful as a community as you can get. We wandered around the
island beaches enjoying the most beautiful water you can ever imagine, hung
out in the water for a bit and still had enough time for a coffee and some
saganaki with Taylor’s new favorite drink Fanta blue. (the European healthy
version, not the shit the states pumps into our kids)
- Moni:
The boat pulled up about 100 yards off the cliffs of Moni and Taylor and
Eric were able to jump off the boat and swim in the Aegean Sea with
sunshine and tranquil clear waters. Yes, Taylor was doing backflips off
the ship.
- Aegina: Known for its pistachios, and for good reason. We walked the waterfront and tried pistachio gelato, baklava, liqueur - you name it. A stroll through the local village reminded us of a time long ago. A sweet way to end the day!
On our first trip, we took a day trip to Mycenae,
where we checked out the famous Lion Gate and wandered through
ancient tombs, including the (possibly mythical?) Tomb of King
Agamemnon. Then it was off to Epidaurus to see the ancient
theater with some of the best acoustics in the world. On the way there, we
stopped to see the Corinth Canal - it’s narrow and deep and kind of
mind-blowing.
💡Transportation:
- Use
the Metro – It’s easy, affordable, and a lifesaver when your feet
are done for the day. Major stops like Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Acropoli
get you close to everything. We even used the metro to get to the airport,
which is way cheaper than an Uber. Just a heads-up: you
may have to transfer to the specific airport train. We thought
we were on it, but at one stop, the lights were shut off and everyone got
off. 😳 Thankfully, a kind local noticed our
confusion and pointed us in the right direction!
We packed a lot into our time in Athens, but there’s still
more we want to explore. That’s the thing about Greece - every corner has a
story, and every meal somehow tastes better than the last. Can’t wait to come
back someday. 🇬🇷💙
Opa!
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