A day in Athens

I visited Athens on day trip from my recent cruise. My flight was departing late so I took a taxi into the city and dropped my bags in a baggage drop at Syntagma Square. It is probably one of my favourite cities I have visited so far. A day trip in the city offers a perfect opportunity to experience the city's rich history, ancient monuments, and vibrant culture in a short time.

I took the local tourist train to get my bearings in the city. It cost around €7 for roughly an hour. From here I was able to walk to the temple of Zeus and to Acroplis Hill to visit the Parthenon. The Acropolis is Athens' most famous landmark, home to iconic structures like the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion. It offers stunning views of the city and is a must-see for anyone visiting Athens. Located at the foot of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum showcases artifacts from the Acropolis archaeological site.

The area close by to Acroplis hill is call Plaka, the old neighbourhood of Athens, which is a maze of narrow streets to explore some local shops and Greek restaurants and cafes. It is a very safe area. Monastiraki is also nearby and known for its vibrant flea market where you can find everything from antiques to souvenirs. Transportation in the city is very good. I got a taxi from the cruise port to the main square for less than €30 but there was buses for a few euro also available. Similarly, there are regular airport buses from Syntagma Square for roughly €5 one way and it takes about 45mins. There is no shortage of historic sights to visit along with plenty of museums if I had more time.

Athens blends ancient history with modern-day vibrancy, making it a fantastic destination with something for every type of traveller. I will definitely be back to Athens in the future, and I would highly recommend it as a stopover on route to the Greek Isles or as a standalone city break.