Athens is one of my favorite cities! From nightlife to ancient history, there are many things I love about it. Not to mention that Greek cuisine is one of my favorites (if not the one).
I am extremely glad I have fond a local travel blogger, who agreed to contribute a guest post. Tia will tell about why she considers a holiday in Athens and Greek island her best experience in Europe.
From now on, Tia:
Holiday in Greece: From Athens to Islands
There is no place like Greece! And what better way to explore it than all the way from Athens to Greek Islands? My local’s guide will help you make your journey, the ultimate European holiday!
Sure, I’m biased because I am Greek but honestly… have you heard of anyone visiting and not falling in love? I haven’t, because Greece is irresistible.
Why holiday in Greece?
Greece is a historically rich country responsible for the birth of the Olympic games, philosophy, and democracy. It is also a country bursting at the seams with natural treasures, bustling cities, paradisiacal beaches, and jaw-dropping islands.
Yes, Greece is indeed a beautiful mystery, one that you will want to discover time and time again. So what is there to do in Greece that is worth your while you ask?
Combining homeland Athens with an island or two will definitely provide an incredible European holiday you are unlikely to forget. Greece is one of those countries that easily combines both city and island life and it each adds up to an unforgettable journey!
Ancient Athens
I would advise anyone to start their travels in Athens by admiring the incredible Acropolis- the cornerstone of Greek culture and history.
Right next to the Acropolis, you will find the Acropolis Museum . And while I am not a huge fan of museums, this is the most awe-inspiring museum I have ever set foot in! Set at the same height as the Parthenon, the first thing you witness upon entering is the gorgeous Greek sun generously shedding light through the huge windows making space look even bigger!
The floor at the reception is also made of glass and under your feet, you can see parts of the hill of Acropolis! The museum is a true 21st-century museum, that didn’t open its doors until the late 2007’s and holds so many treasures! I particularly enjoyed the wide glass-floored gallery of original finds from the slopes of the Acropolis, and the cinema room where you can listen to the history of the Parthenon and the Museum in your own language!
But the real showstopper inside the museum is a visit to the room of the Karyatides- the world-famous sculpted female figures that truly send chills down your spine! Once you have soaked up the history and beauty of the museum, head to the café/restaurant for the closest and most jaw-dropping view of the Parthenon!
The visit will take you’re a good couple of hours, but in my opinion, it is absolutely worth it!
Modern Athens
When you have had your fill of the historic monuments, its time to explore modern-day Athens!
Make sure you take in the street art and local markets that are scattered all around the city, like my favorite lamp lip Pittaki Street, a hip neighborhood with boutiques and decorated by a few hundred lamps- making it so unique! Another great street for people watching and street art as well as modern art galleries is Psyrri street. I particularly enjoyed a stroll through the AD Art Gallery!
If you are a foodie, make sure you check out the food markets too, like the Varvakeios Food Market which just so happens to be the oldest food market in the city, and in my opinion, the cleanest too!
The Monastiraki square is your one-stop flea market for everything vintage and unique with hundreds of vendors selling everything under the sun from war memorabilia to house furnishings. From Monastiraki Square keep walking to Anafiotika, a little neighborhood that transports you to a Cycladic Greek island and looks nothing like the modern-day city that is Athens. I really loved exploring the Byzantine churches, colorful doors, and white stoned houses, that photograph beautifully!
Athens: eat, drink and party
You can further immerse yourself in the culture by taking food tours and Greek cuisine classes, an experience I highly recommend!
Eating in Greece is of course, inevitable., Say goodbye to your diet, and prepare yourself for the culinary journey of your lives! The food in Greece is outstanding – it is no wonder it’s one of the top-rated cuisines in the world! Succulent meats, colorful vegetables, the almighty Greek feta, and a drizzling of our extra virgin olive oil – Bliss on a plate!
When the sun sets, the city still buzzes with life. Us Greeks are known for our passion for life, food, and music, and the city provides it all- and then some! Quaint little tavernas with live orchestras and incredible local food with some local wine or ouzo to wash it all down are a regular everywhere in Greece, including Athens. Party animals will also love the underground clubbing scene of the city – with parties every day of the week that last well into the early hours of the morning – many up to 6 am!
From Athens to Greek Islands
After you have taken a few days to explore Athens, I highly advise moving from Athens to the Greek Islands and the paradisiacal side of Greece. Pop over to the Piraeus port and grab one of the hundreds of Ferries to an island (or more) of your choice.
The choice is vast! After all, Greece boasts more than 200 islands and many of them are ideal to be combined as they are only a boat ride away from each other. This makes a Greek island-hopping itinerary the perfect way to enjoy all that the islands have to offer.
Island Recommendations
You could easily choose a combination of 2-6 islands and island-hop from Athens to Greek Islands to your heart’s content! How long you spend there, is entirely up to you!
I personally like to take my time a bit and not rush to just ”see things” but actually truly immerse myself in the destination. For example, last summer, I stayed in Athens for 3 days, then Mykonos for a week, Milos island for 6 days and finished off in Spetses for 4 days.
The islands in Greece will be a feast for your eyes, filled with quaint fishing villages, endlessly blue beaches, white stone settings, and incredible sunsets! Your taste buds will explode with the tastes of Greece and the fresh seafood!
Milos
Beach lovers rejoice! Milos is one of my favorite islands by far – and you will love it too if you want to swim in pristine, breathtaking beaches every day! The island belongs in the set of the Cycladic islands in Greece, like Mykonos and Santorini. I would definitely recommend spending at least 4 days on the island, and to explore every nook and crony of Milos by car!
How to get from Athens to Milos
To get from Athens to Milos, you have two choices. The first is to take a flight, which is faster but can sometimes get expensive! The flight time of Athens to Milos is a mere 40 minutes! Your second choice is to book a ferry from Pireaus port. A ferry can cost anywhere from 40 to 70 euros, depending on when you are booking your seat! The journey can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, depending on the other stops the ferry is taking!
To compare ticket prices and timetables visit here.
Mykonos
Mykonos is an island whose fame has reached worldwide status! If you have the right budget, Mykonos can be a true paradise, with world-class restaurants, and the best beach bars I have ever laid eyes on!
How to get from Athens to Mykonos
If you are in Milos, you can take a ferry to Mykonos or Santorini. Alternatively, take the Athens to Mykonos Ferry from Piraeus Port that will take you to the island in approximately 4- 5 hours, depending on the ferry you choose. The high-speed vessels can take you there in 3.30 hours! There are dozens of ferries from Athens to Mykonos daily, starting from as early as 7:30 am! The prices range from 40-80 euros.
Islands Near Athens
If you are looking for islands near Athens, that are suitable for a mini and speedy trip, then you are in luck! I have not one, but two recommendations!
Aegina
Number one is the quaint and colorful Aegina island, which is only a 45-minute ferry ride from the port of Piraeus and even better so, only a 15euro ticket price! In Aegina, I am sure you will love the fishing villages and Greek architecture, but most importantly, the temple of Aphaaia, the crown jewel of the island. Before you leave, make sure you buy a bag of Fistikia – the pistachio nuts the island is famous for!
Agistri
My second recommendation for islands near Athens, is Agistri, a smaller yet beautiful little island. The beaches here are fantastic, and many of them are organized with beach bars and sun loungers, like Skala Beach! From Pireaus you can be in Agistri in approximately an hour by the ‘’Flying Dolphin’’ ferry.
Spetses
Spetses is a Saronic island perfectly suited for families, couples, people with yachts and people looking for sophisticated elegance.
How to get from Athens to Spetses?
There is no airport in Spetses so the ferry is your only option! To get from Athens to Spetses, you can take the Hellenic Seaways ferry which will take you to the island in about 3 hours! The price of Athens to Spetses ferry is about 50 euros for a single trip.
I hope you take me up on my offer to experience this one of a kind and incredible European experience and go from Athens to Greek Islands! I am confident that visiting Greece will be the start of a long-standing love affair you will never want to end.
Authors Bio
Hi, I’m Tia, a Greek Cypriot native that combines a career in professional dance with a profound love for soul searching and traveling around the world.
I travel as much as I can- and as well as I can, and my holidays are all about Affordable Luxury and Exotic, Tropical Holidays.
I like to combine adventure with relaxation and nature with modern-day comforts!
I have danced in the pouring rain in China, chased sharks in Belize, and got lost in NYC! I have climbed mountains in Costa Rica, and bathed elephants in Thailand. I have eaten my way through Italy, Egypt, and Dubai, beach hopped the Greek islands, and stood in awe at the waterfalls in Bali.
I want to explore every inch and corner of the world, know the culture, speak to locals, and eat street food! I want to visit animal sanctuaries, swim with sharks, hike mountains, explore jungles, and discover beaches!.
I want to help you all travel better, smarter, and more authentically.
Most importantly though, I want you all to know that you are never too old or too busy to follow your dreams…!
”Life should never be anything short of extraordinary”
Love, Tia x
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