Athens Activities

Worth getting out of bed for

Highlights the best Athens has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Viewpoint

For the best views of the city and the Parthenon, take the funicular from Ploutarchou Street in Kolonaki up to St George's at the summit of Mount Lycabettus – it's Athens' equivalent of Sacré Coeur. The tiny church may not be as grand as its Parisian counterpart, but the views are unparalleled. Book a table for lunch or dinner at Le Grand Balcon, the super-smart restaurant in the St George Lycabettus Hotel (+30 210 729 0711) – you'll have amazing city-skyline views to go with your Modern Mediterannean meal.

Arts and culture

You’d be hard pushed to find more history per square inch than on the Acropolis. Head there later in the day when most people are leaving. As well as the mighty temple to Athena (aka the Parthenon), the Erectheion is renowned for its curvy caryatids, and the temple of Athena Nike also deserves a look-in. Don’t miss the inspiring architecture of the New Acropolis Museum (www.newacropolismuseum.gr), which exhibits newly uncovered artefacts as well as Parthenon marbles. Fast-forward a few thousand years from Acropolis to Technopolis, a converted gasworks in Gazi hosting exhibitions and events.

Something for nothing

Friezes ‘acquired’ by Elgin aside, there’s much marble to be amazed by in the National Archeaological Museum (+30 210 821 7724; www.culture.gr), which houses the world’s greatest collection of antique art. There are various free-entry days, including every Sunday from November–March; the first Sunday of the month in April, May, June and October; and the second Sunday of July, August and September. Otherwise it'll cost you €7 (a bargain anyway, really). Nearest metro: Omonia.

Shopping

A credit card’s throw north of Syntagma Square, the trendy district of Kolonaki is enough to satisfy the most upmarket retail hankerings – particularly if you share the sartorial sensibilities of Donatella Versace. Look out for Laurel, Eva Gounaro, Stroggylos and Kalogirou. Stroll down Pindarou Street and you’ll find Yiorgos Eleftheriades (unique, unisexy tailoring) and Bettina (stocking Greek style stars such as Sophia Kokolasalaki). Less than half an hour from the city by metro, the swanky suburb of Kifissia is also a shopping, barhopping and eating hotspot. For souvenirs and jewellery, head to Plaka, the oldest part of Athens – touristy but fun. Between browsing, light a candle in one of the ancient churches or stop for a coffee. People-watch while you hunt for treasure at the fanastic Monastiraki Square flea market – Sundays see the best selection of antiques, bric-a-brac and books.

Daytripper

Hire a car and follow the Athenians south to Nafplion for the day, less than two hours away. Once the capital of Greece, this unspoilt seaside town is teeming with bijou boutiques, and its winding streets are lined with street cafés. Stop off at the amphitheatre of Epidaurus en route – this impressive ancient venue still hosts summer events annually (www.greekfestival.gr). Alternatively, take a ferry over to the pretty island of Hydra – Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Onassis were big fans of its gorgeous shores and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Best beach

The Vouliagmeni peninsula – just 20km south of Athens – not only has plentiful stretches of Blue-Flag beach, but also a mineral-rich natural lake, warm enough to swim in all year round (and soothe aches and pains while you're at it). Voula Beach A is where bright young things hang out, with plenty of beach-shack snack bars and volleyball; Voula B is a little quieter. A taxi there will take around 30 minutes and shouldn't set you back more than €20. A little closer but more developed, Glyfada is a 15-minute tram ride away.

Perfect Picnic

Pack a hamper and hunker down in the verdant National Gardens of Athens, at the top of Syntagma Square. If you've no hamper, there's a little snack bar (O Kypos) where you can buy ouzo and mezze. Watch out for hungry roving gangs of ducks (and wolves. Only joking – they're in cages).

Walks

There are many enjoyable strolls to be had on the ruin-strewn southern slopes of the Acropolis, but Athenians love to promenade along the pedestrianised Dionissiou Areopagitou for a view of the Parthenon (and each other). Hang a left towards Filopappou Hill and you'll leave some of the crowds behind as you amble – there are stirring sea views from here, too. Continue north and you'll pass the Byzantine-frescoed basilica of St Dimitrious, before ending up in the gardens atop the Hill of Nymphs. Kissing optional.

Children

Feeding the (plentiful) ducks in the National Gardens (where there's also a decent playground) is fun, but every kid will enjoy a trip to one of Athens' traditional shadow-puppet shows; try the Haridimos Shadow Puppet Theatre and Workshop (+30 210 345 2150).

Activities

Visit the Agora-Athens central market on Athinas Street and work up an appetite watching the butchers and fishmongers ply their trade. See a film at one of Athens' open-air cinemas in summer: we like the Cine Paris on Plaka's Kydatheneon Street, but we love Aegli in the Zappeion Gardens (+30 210 336 9363), where there's also a trendy bistro. Head to the beach or lake at Vouliagmeni for waterskiiing, windsurfing, kayaking and other seaside fun.

And...

The Benaki Museum (www.benaki.gr) provides yet another cultural high, in a city that dishes up more than most. Byzantine relics and impressive pieces from worldwide ancient civilisations – not just Greek – will keep you fascinated, and children (of all ages) will love the department of childhood, toys and games.