How To Spend 48 Hours In Athens

Athens, the capital of the of Greece has most of the iconic monuments in the world. Serving as the capital of Ancient Greece, it is still dominated breath-taking ancient Greece monuments. The city also serves some of the best food in the whole of Europe. Greece is also a widely popular tourist place and attracts people from all over the world. Athens has a lot to offer even if one doesn’t have enough time to explore it. From gourmet food to the street food to all the ancient marvels. This city has a lot which one can explore in 48 hours. A lot can be done in just two days in Athens. While visiting Athens for 2 days, oneshould make it their mission to see as many sights they possibly can.

Here is a guide which can easily be followed for a 48 hour trip to Athens:

1)Pantheon: It can be the first stop and is also the most recognized site in Athens. It was a temple dedicated to goddess Athena who was seen as the patron of Greece. The ruins of the temple are a sight to behold and really give the city its unique aesthetic.

2)Erechtheion: From pantheon, one can visit Erechtheion which is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of Acropolis which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.

3)Philopappos Hill: It’s a nice quiet alternative after or before visiting the Acropolis. One can wander around the park and there are many interesting ruins there and there is no crowd. It's quiet and beautiful. Apart from peace and ruins. The best thing about Philopappos is the view of Acropolis in the distance.

4)Eating Greek food: One can order homemade break and black olives. Greek salad can be a great addition too! Moussaka and Saganaki, which is fried Greek cheese. Saganaki gets its name from the pan it is fried in. It consists of fried chunks of cheese which turns golden from frying. Moussaka consists of cheese with eggplant and potatoes.

5)Mount Lycabettus: If you want to catch the best sunset in Greece, you can climb the mountain. The stair leads to the top of the mountain and there is a small café on the peak where one can enjoy some snacks. The golden hour sets, casting a beautiful light over Athens. One can also wait for the dark hours to catch some night views of the city. Acropolis of Greece also looks very beautiful when all lit up.

6)Temple of Olympian Zeus: On the next day, one can visit the temple of Zeus which once hosted the statue of Zeus, and was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

7)Arch of Hadrian: From the temple, one can continue to the Arch of Hadrian which was built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in Greece, Rome. The arch is very finely crafted and is a sight to behold.

8)The flea and vintage markets of Athens: When it comes to shopping, there are a few different options available in Athens. One can make their way to Monastiraki which is one of the principal shopping districts in Athens. Here, one can visit the flea market and the antique shops in the area.

9)Greek Street food: After walking around the streets in Athens Flea market, one builds up an appetite. One may find a small joint round a street. Pita souvlaki and Pita Gyro is recommended.

10)Psyri Street Art: Psyri is known for its lively nightlife, but would catch one’s attention while visiting is the street art! Some of the pieces are elaborate, while others are border vandalism, but regardless it is a really interesting neighbourhood to wander around in Athens.

11)Kerameikos Cemetary: Next, one can check out the Kerameikos Cemetary in Athens. The place got its name because it used to be the potter’s quarter and that is where the word ceramics comes from and is the most ancient cemetery in Athens. One can take a walk around the cemetery and enjoy the sights.

12)Changing of the Guard (Parliament Building of Athens): One can also find some time to end the 48 hours in Athens by watching the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament building on Syntagma Square. The guards dress in white kilts, red caps and clogs with pompons. It is really fascinating as ceremonial steps are carried out in slow motion.

13)National Gardens in Athens: It is located in the heart of Athens and directly behind the Greek Parliament. It is open to the public from sunrise to sunset and it’s a nice spot to isolate one from the crowds in Athens.

14)Agora: Its Athen’s central market which has a large meat and fish section. One can road around and shop for other stuff too.

15)Ancient Agora of Athens: The Agora was the central spot in ancient Greek city-states and it is where people gathered. It served as the centre for political, commercial, administrative, religious and cultural activity. As the name suggests, the Acropolis Museum is located at the foot of the Acropolis and its mainly focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis. It’s a treat for people interested in Ancient Greek history.

16)Plaka Neighbourhood: Plaka is an old historic neighbourhood located on the eastern slopes of the Acropolis. The place is a bit of a maze with zig-zag streets and a network of staircases that lead up, down and around. The neighbourhood has plenty of charms and there are a lot of restaurants and cafes.

17)Hadrian’s Library: The library was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian and it used to be is his library. The romans used to store Papyrus scrolls here and they also had reading rooms and lecture halls.

18)Greek Cooking Classes: Lastly, if you’re willing to take home back a few Greek recipes to your kitchen. Consider taking a cooking class.

With all this, the 48 hour trip to Athens comes to an end. As mentioned above, one can make most of the time in Athens if planned properly. The city of Athens is rich in history and provides a memorable experience. The city, due to its historical background, is really rich in history and falls no shorts of the monuments. People interested in Greek mythology will have a great time in Athens. Experiencing all the ruins and parks.

What makes the city special is the preservation of Greek culture and monuments.