Like The Athenians: Long Weekend City Break

Join our five-day tour and get closer to Greece's beautiful history and mythology, while exploring the beautiful city of Athens. Visit the imposing Acropolis, admire stunning landscapes, and indulge in the mouthwatering Greek food. Enjoy this short, but memorable cultural tour and see the best of Athens. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Parthenon: The Parthenon, dedicated by the Athenians to goddess Athena Parthenos, the patron of the city, is the most magnificent creation of Athenian democracy at the height of its power.

Acropolis Museum: The Acropolis museum is the perfect sanctuary for the ancient artefacts that were found in the Parthenon and its surrounding temples. It covers a total area of 25,000 square meters, with exhibition space of over 14,000 square meters and nearly 4,000 objects exhibiting.

Day 1: ARRIVAL ATHENS

Arrive at Athens Airport or Piraeus Port. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check in. The afternoon is free at leisure for exploring this never sleeping city. You may start visiting Syntagma Square and get into the city’s vibe. Attica at City link is the largest and most fashionable department store in Greece, housed in a historically preserved, neo classical building. Situated in the center of Athens, it showcases a wide array of high-end designer brands and excellent, personalized services. Continue enjoying shopping in one of the most popular streets of the city in the Kolonaki area, with the famous Da Capo coffee shop, where a lot of politicians, businessmen, intellectuals and upper class Athenians patronize for a short coffee amid work breaks and chit-chat. The famous “Kolonaki Square” is surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants, bistros and bars, boutiques giving an intense pulse to this vibrant part of the city, from the early hours till late at night. You can also go shopping at Ermou street, the named by the ancient Greek god of Commerce, the most commercial street of Athens with lots of branded and local stores. At the beautiful alleys of Plaka (the old district) you will have a nice, quiet walk where you can also find a big number of small shops selling souvenirs and other local artefacts.

Overnight in Athens.

Day 2: ATHENS CITY TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel, get prepared to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city, during a memorable city tour. Our expert guide will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Stop for a few moments and then continue your tour passing by the Prime Minister's residence- the former Royal Palace, guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniform. Then, see the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament, the memorial of the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, University, National Library, and the lovely Constitution Square (Syntagma). Go to Acropolis to visit the Architectural Masterpieces of Athens' Golden Age: The Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and finally "the harmony between material and spirit" and the monument that "puts an order in mind"- Greece's imposing Parthenon. Last, but not least, admire the wonders of the classical era at The Acropolis Museum. Return to your hotel in Athens for overnight.

Overnight in Athens.

Day 3: ATHENS

After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to enjoy a full day at leisure in the city of Gods. You can either set out to visit the sites most interesting to you or simply relax at the hotel or enjoy the available services. Alternatively, you can book our optional Athens food tour with which you will discover a different side of the city by joining the Greeks on their weekly shopping of their food supplies! With so much on offer in a city that never stops cooking up great things, you’ll quickly come to feel the same way yourself, taking the experience one delicious bite at a time.

The Ultimate Food Tour of Athens (4 hours) 

Starting at 9.30 am at Monastiraki square. Start your day in one of the most quaint neighborhoods of Athens, ‘Psyrri’, where you can enjoy a fitting Greek breakfast of aromatic Greek coffee and the well-known ‘koulouri’ sesame pastry. From there, experience the depth of traditional Mediterranean cuisine, by visiting a selection of unique Greek delis and specialized Greek pie shops where you can enjoy the Greek’s favorite snack, spanakopita, amongst many other freshly baked goodies. After exploring the vivid ‘Varvakios” market, we will take a shortstop in the center of the hustle and bustle and taste typical Greek home cooking such as; mousaka, gemista, and fresh sardines. Throughout the entirety of your tour, you will be tasting iconic Greek delicacies such as cheeses, cured meats, rusks, olives, olive oil, and everything else you could imagine in a Greek food tour of Athens. On an alternative note, a quick visit to a beautiful little mastiha shop will captivate all your senses. Complete your tour in true Athenian style by visiting a secluded, authentic Greek mezze shop, a hotspot with the locals. Accompanying your Greek ‘mezze’ will be the prestigious alcoholic beverage ‘tsipouro’ that packs a punch!

Overall, this Athens food tour combines a unique food-tasting experience with a thorough acquaintance of  Athens’ city center and its majestic monuments and historical sites. It is a surefire option to fully explore all the elements that Athens has to offer plus some hidden alternative stops also!

The rest of the day free at your own to wander around and stay in Athens city centre returning to your hotel on your own.

Overnight in Athens.

Day 4: ATHENS

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today is for you to explore and discover Athens hidden corners, on your own, like a real Athenians. You can visit the Sunday flea market "Joussouroum" on the Platia Avissinias is in the central square in the Monastiraki district, the heart and soul of the old bazaar, there is nothing that is not there. And really, this is offered for sale alongside rare old furniture, rustic device Grandmothers times, very good copies of old masters and all kinds of handmade products. Go for a Greek coffee in one of the many cafes (not included) and enjoy the lively atmosphere or go to a traditional Greek tavern in Monastiraki area to taste the Greek kebab and souvlaki (not included) before returning back at your hotel. The number of great restaurants is impressive, and the traditional dishes promise to amaze your taste buds. Alternatively, you can book our optional Cape Sounion half-day tour. 

Cape Sounion half day tour

Tour starts with the drive along the coastal road, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni & Varkiza to the most Southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand. On the way, you have a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and the little islands offshore. After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you have time to walk at leisure on the rocky promontory of Sounion, before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Athens.

Day 5: DEPARTURE ATHENS

After breakfast at the hotel, prepare to check out from the hotel and at the scheduled time you will be transferred to the airport/port for your onward or return flight/boat.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Greece. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.