Athens in 2 Days
We arrived in Athens in the morning and decided to keep this day pretty low-key as we recovered from jet-lag. We stayed in the most wonderful Airbnb right at the base of the Acropolis where we could see a clear view of the Parthenon. The apartment was seriously affordable, and we got to enjoy live music in the late morning through the early evening right outside our window - violin, guitar duets, accordion, and more. It was so romantic!
We took a loooong nap when we got to the room and woke up at night realizing we nearly slept the whole day away. Lucky for us, the city comes alive at night. We enjoyed a chilled glass of Mastika under the lights of the Acropolis in our room and then walked to Sfika for dinner. We definitely recommend eating here!
We spent the rest of the night walking around Monastiraki Square and Plaka which were breathing with music, dancing, families and friends enjoying a late dinner, and other wanderers soaking in the warm summer air.
Our second day in Athens was packed with sightseeing. Avoid the long lines at the Acropolis by getting your tickets online - in advance or same day, doesn’t matter. Make sure to bring some water bottles with you before you start, because the rest of this day will entail lots of walking!
We started off by entering the Acropolis park and hiked up to the top to see Dionysus’ Theater, the Parthenon, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. After we had our fill, we walked over to the Ancient Agora of Athens and the Temple of Zeus. We absolutely loved exploring around the agora but probably could have done without the Temple of Zeus as that was fairly out of the way and unfortunately not as impressive as the rest of the sites.
Clothing Tips: SHOES. I purchased these Birkenstocks at the last minute before my trip, because I was looking for sandals that are comfy, have support, are slim, and don’t look like grandma shoes. I literally wore these everyday in Greece. I didn’t have a chance to wear them out at all before the trip which surprisingly turned out just fine. I did feel a little sore at the tops of my feet after the first day because I wasn’t used to straps being in that position, but my feet adjusted quickly. They are still my go-to pair of sporty sandals now.
HANDBAG. Get something you can wear over the shoulder that has a zip. When travelling, my rule of thumb is to take the bag that would be the hardest for a pickpocketer to get into.
OUTFIT. you really want something comfy and lightweight if you’re exploring Athens in the summer. My top and skirt are Brandy Mellvile and my hat is from American Eagle. I love this outfit because it was lightweight, relatively sporty, and cute for pictures, but because Athens is SO WINDY I was constantly making sure my skirt didn’t fly up. For Athens (and much else of Greece), I might recommend shorts if you’re going out on a particularly windy day.
Acropolis:
Ancient Agora of Athens:
Temple of Zeus and Streets:
We loved Athens, and 2 days here was perfect for us. If you’re looking to soak in more history, definitely consider spending longer on the mainland and heading over to Delphi for a day trip.
SHOP
