Athens by myself
It was the first time I was travelling by myself. Scary. Basically I had a few days left of left before the year ended, so I decided to go abroad. After checking lot of destinations, prices, etc. I decided to go to Athens! I was really excited to arrive there and visit all the monuments there are.
To prepare my trip I checked few blogs to know all the attractions I had to see, how much it costed, how worked the underground... I decided to book an Airbnb and, tbh it was a bit "far" from the centre so I guess it was a bad idea because I was by myself. The flat was perfect, don't take me wrong. Vanessa helped me with some information, the language, etc.
I spent the first night in a hostel because my flight arrived around 12am none would be waiting for me for checking in, so I searched something in the centre and really cheap just to sleep a few hours before go to the Airbnb.
Sleep in a hostel is horrible. I was sharing with 5 more ppl, and it's annoying you disturb them when you arrive/leave and they do when they arrive/leave. Also you don't have that much space for your stuff so... NEVER AGAIN. I remember I slept with my bag-pack under my head just to protect the money and the documents.
Next morning I went to the apartment, Vanessa was waiting for me, she showed me my room for the next few days and everything was fine. Now time to enjoy!
I grab a map and I tried to don't use my phone that much, cuz a that time my battery was broken so as I was alone I needed to saved for the whole day. So, yes, a map with all the streets in greek (obviously) and believe me, it was difficult.
First day
1. Filopappou Hill
After walking up for like 20 min. I reach the top and you could see absolutely E V E R Y T H I N G. It was impressive, this city was... no words. The white houses, the Acropolis, all the temples...
At the top you can visit few places:
- Pnyx
- The prision of Socrates
- Filopapo's monument
2. Panathinaiko Stadium
You have to pay to visit it, so I just took a few pics from outside. Is the were the first Olympic Games were celebrated and it's all made with white marble.
Lunch stop in a greek restaurant. I don't remember the name, but was in the are was cheap, small and the owners didn't speak English. Anyway amazing stuff.
3. Tomb of the unknown soldier
You can find it on the Parliament building. Here there are Ezvones (greek guards) and you can see them doing the change of guard.
4. Exarcheia
My destination was the anarchist neighbourhood. On my way there I could see the National Library and the Archeological Museum, both of them with a beautiful outside area. After that, I started to walk inside the neighbourhood and you can join the graffitis, smalls streets, stairs... The main thing is the square where you always can find people manifesting and lot of politics signs. Tbh I didn't feel comfortable in the area, I feel like lot of men looking at me so I left the square quickly.
5. Licabeto mountain
You also can view the whole city from here. When the sunset, member of the militaries came up to take down the greek flag. It was peaceful moment to be sit down on top of the city seeing how the sun was saying good bye.
After that I just walked back home because the rule number one for me when you are by yourself is be safe when night.
Second day
1. Acropolis
There is a bonus which cost around 40e and you can visit the most important monuments in Athens, and got it was my idea but when I arrived to buy the tickets they gave me a free entry ticket with the student card.
I've spent here around 2 or 3 hours. You have looooot of places to see and lof of history in every corner. It's just marvellous.
- Temple of Athena Nike
- Parthenon
- Erechtheion (my fave)
- Odeon of Herodes Atticus
- Theater of Dionysus
- Propylaea
- Acropolis Museum
2. Roman Agora
3. Hadrian's Library
4. Ancient Agora of Athens
All of them are a sample of what the ancient Greek was. You can walk between the ruins and imagine the life right there. These places are full of history and if you are interested in culture, philosophy or theology you would love to visit them.
5. Plaka
Is one the main street of the city. You can find hundreds of shops where you can buy typical food, souvenirs, ceramics, clothes... and there are also nice places for lunch, from local restaurants to fast food.
6. National Garden
It's a huge public park where you can see families spending the day. Green areas, a small lake, monuments... It's a good place to have a minute of relax and if you like the nature, plants and flowers you would really enjoy it.
Third day
1. Temple of Olympian Zeus
It's my fave place. I spent here around 2-3 hours sat in the grass just watching the columns.
2. Tzisdarakis Mosque
3. Monastirakis flea market
Another place where you can find lots of souvenirs. Even if you don't wanna buy anything it's a nice place to walk through and meet the essence of the city nowadays.
4. Church of Holy Apostles
Fourth day
1. Pireas port - Aegina
I took a train to go to the port and from there I took a cruise. It was amazing feel the sea in my face and be in the middle of nowhere during the trip. Tbh, I was expecting a different place in Aergina and also a better weather. The island was bigger than I though so you will need a car if you wanna explore it north to south east to west.
- Temple of Apollo
- Tower of Markellos
- Archaeological Museum
- Paralia Marathona
- Paralia Eginitissa
Those are the places I visited, but you can find two more tourist attractions like the Sacred Triangle (Temple of Apolo, Parthenon and Apahia), a few monasteries and more beaches.
Have a walk in the streets is also a good plan, and you can do it while you taste their famous pistachio.
Photos here
Photos here
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