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Visiting the city of Athens was a dream come true for my younger self, who had an overbearing fixation on all things related to Greek mythology. I loved reading about all the myths in Athens — especially the epic battle between Athena and Poseidon.
The city is ancient, and I can feel the history with every step I take on the rock-paved streets. The ruins of an ancient civilization are scattered all over the city, giving you a new perspective when you see evidence of those that came before you.
While being the birthplace of democracy and olives all those millennia ago, it’s also an excellent destination for tourists! From trying cultural foods to sightseeing, here’s how to spend a great day in Athens.
A perfect way to start your day would be to try authentic Greek pastries! I especially love any Greek pastries that use phyllo dough. This includes spanakopita, a flaky, buttery pie filled with a savory spinach and feta cheese filling. However, other famous Greek pastries include the koulouri, a crunchy bread coated with sesame seeds — delicious, by the way. Or, you could have a traditional breakfast of yogurt with honey, which was a refreshing way to start my day! The yogurt is coated with quality sweet honey and walnuts, a dish you don’t want to miss while in Greece. Pair this with a Greek coffee, which is creamier than your typical caffeine fix, and you’re ready to start your day!
When you think of ancient Greece, you probably think of Acropolis! It’s a historical site sitting above the whole city containing the ruins of various ancient structures. The most notable structure is the Parthenon, which is a temple dedicated to Athena. Even if you’re not an architectural fanatic, I bet you’d still find the vast monuments impressive, and you can genuinely hear the history lurking between the cracks of the statue. While you’re there, be sure to stop by the Acropolis museum to see the artifacts recovered from the ancient city. I felt like I took a journey through Ancient Greece with the remarkable exhibit! I’d recommend going in the morning because the sun isn’t as hot yet.
Don’t leave Athens without trying loukoumades, traditional Greek street food that makes a perfect snack for satisfying your sweet tooth! They’re golden fried dough balls with a soft middle. Authentic loukoumades are coated with honey syrup, nuts, cinnamon or sesame. However, the newer shops carry this treat with different flavors and fillings, including chocolate filled or pistachio. You can even find them served with ice cream! Fun fact: Loukoumades were offered to the winners during the first Olympic games!
Take a break at the National Garden
As beautiful as the city is, it sure is both hot and humid! The perfect place to cool down is the National Garden in Athens which offers a view of beautiful flowers under shaded pathways. Instead of being a concrete jungle, Athens is more like a beige jungle. The oasis of greenery in the middle of the city is a great place to get back in touch with nature! After walking through the garden, you’ll also see the Panathenaic stadium, a vast stadium made entirely of marble! This historical stadium also hosted the first Olympic games.
Watch the sunset from the top of Lycabettus
Although the city is already beautiful, a spot where you can find a fantastic view is atop Mount Lycabettus. It’s the highest peak in Athens, and you can see the city from what feels like the top of the world! I’d recommend going at sunset because the orange skies will highlight this jaw dropping view. However, any time of the day will still offer quite a sight, so stop by! There are also restaurants up there, as well as an excellent open-air theater to accompany the views!
Exploring the old town Plaka
The old town of Plaka is bustling at night! The neighborhood is a medley of restaurants, street vendors and souvenir shops. The street vendors also sell unique jewelry, art and other cool items to browse or buy! The cafes, taverns and bars are open late, so there’s always a place to eat! Stop by a tavern to try an authentic Greek food spread for a delicious dinner! Or grab a gyro, a delicious Greek street food dish that consists of meat, veggies and fries stuffed in pita bread!
Athens is a city I’ve been dying to visit, and it crushed my expectations. All of the food is delicious, the views are great and cats are roaming around the streets — what else could I ask for?
Contact Annabel Chia at [email protected] .
The travel blog allows you to live vicariously through your friends and colleagues outside of the “Berkeley Bubble.” Virtually travel around the world with stories and photos from student, faculty and alumni contributors.
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