Greetings from Greece!

Athens is one of the oldest city in the world. It is a mixture of ancient and modern; traditional and progressive. Let's take a tour of 7000 years old city named after the greek goddess of wisdom.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Greece is known as summer destination. Peak season to travel Greece are the months of June - August and you will rub shoulders with many other visitors during this time. Temperature ranges from 26 degree to 33 degree. Avoid travelling during winter months (November to February) because the start of winter can be quite stormy with very heavy rainfall.

VISA

You require Schengen tourist visa. You can check the visa process and required documents in details in the Schengen Visa Information.

Visa fee : 60 Euros

ARRIVAL

We flew to Athens International Airport, which is located 20km away from the city centre. There are number of different ways you can get to the centre of Athens. We took a metro from the airport to the centre. It takes around 45 minutes. You can also take a direct taxi.

Cost : 10 euros via metro and 38 euros via taxi

The top of the hill offers 360 degree view of the city of Athens up to the sea. It is stunningly beautiful especially during the sunset (or sunrise)! Please do arrange for yourself the best timing! The sun usually sets at 9:30PM - 10 PM. You need to take the Funicular Railway to the top of the hill or you can walk to the top.

Cost of funicular ride : Single journey 7. 50 Euros

This stadium is a reminder that the Greek invented the olympic games. The stadium is huge and cladded with pure marble. You can get close to take pictures without paying entrance but I highly recommend buy the ticket to enter and go upstairs to get a fantastic view of the Acropolis. An audio device is included in the ticket and is well worth listening to.

Entry fee: 5 Euros

For cultural enthusiast, One of the top things to do is visit the new acropolis museum. It has become the national treasure and source of pride for Athens.

Cost : 5 euros

This is the home of the parliament building, visitor gather everyday to witness the changing of the guards spectacle. Sunday morning draw the biggest crowds and the ceremony is more elaborate.

Make time to wander the plaka and see its traditional architecture. Although very touristic but a great place for food lovers.

Monastiraki is the neighbourhood that never sleeps, your are likely to find people over here at all hours of the day and night. Around the square are pedestrian side streets and neoclassical buildings. It is perhaps best known for its delicious Souvlaki restaurants and several souvenir, clothes, Ancient Greek gladiator sandals and all sorts of things that you can buy. You get to see views of acropolis and some ancient remains of Hadrian's Library.

Greek cuisine are so simple and fresh that even the pickiest of eaters will love. Souvlaki and Gyros are the most renowned greek street food. The following list is a combination of my food tour experience - Frozen Greek Yogurt, Mastiha Submarine, Koulouri, Bougatsa, Τiropita, Roasted chestnuts and Saganak.

Best way to go around is using the public transport (metro, tram or bus). It has covered all the central areas of Athens. We took a bus once but you need to know the routes and the bus number. You can also take any yellow taxi, you can use the app taxi beat to book the taxi because its the safest way to know the correct rate without getting ripped off.

In my experience the best place to stay would be anywhere surrounding the Acropolis because most of the visited sites revolves around the Acropolis. We rented an apartment in Airbnb which I think is a great idea because you get to stay in a local neighbourhood and it was just 10 min away from the Acropolis.

Cost : 20 Euros/day