A great weekend in Athens: our tips and recommendations

Let us start by saying that we absolutely love Athens! What a lucky thing it is to find ourselves in the Greek capital after a few hours in the air! It’s absolutely amazing to wander the streets of Plaka with a Gyros in hand or to stroll through the Psiri Flea Market, but nothing beats a sunrise at the Acropolis. 

For those who don’t yet know this magnificent city, it should be noted that beyond its millennia-old history, it is a city that lives, moves, and breathes with plenty of things to do, plenty of restaurants to try, and being a first stop for a journey in both the Peloponnese and the celebrated Cyclades Islands! 

Where to sleep in Athens?

Travelers are full of confidence: we found a rare gem to spend a great weekend in Athens. In the capital, the big drawback in terms of budget is the hotels, which are indeed of very, very mediocre quality…and yet, all the way south of Plaka (the tourist district), we found a great spot for you: the Athens Was hotel. 

Already, the hotel is located at the exit of the metro from the Acropolis (AKROPOLI), which is very convenient when you arrive from the airport. Good to know: Athens is super well served by the metro (thanks to the 2004 Olympics) and it runs from the airport!

Then, Athens Was is a small, family-run hotel with about thirty rooms. The service is top-notch, and the boutique hotel-style decor is also impressive. Despite its central location, the rooms are super quiet and really beautifully decorated. There were many little touches during our stay, from the welcome upon arrival to the bottle of Greek wine and fruit waiting in our room.

The breakfast is also amazing! As for the à la carte options (COVID-19 restrictions apply), we were served some delicious dishes and our little monsters were delighted to be able to try some super pancakes and other waffles that had just been made! As for the savory options, we really enjoyed the local cheeses paired with benedict eggs…

The little extra of the hotel lies in its rooftop with breathtaking views of the Acropolis, an ideal place to have an aperitif or have a magnificent dinner (we had dinner there and it was a delight). A little info: breakfast is not served on the rooftop but in a very pleasant courtyard on the ground floor.

As you have probably noticed, having tested many hotels in Athens, honestly there is no other option but Athens Was to be our number one choice!

Our favorites in Athens! 

We’re not going to give you the «classic» places to visit in Athens, but in a nutshell, our top picks in the Greek capital: 

We loved it The Baba O Rum, a bar that is one of the 50 best bars in the world (Yes, Yes!). Crazy decor, cocktails to die for (for only 8-10 euros), nice shaded terrace. We approve!

Then we loved it the district of Psiri, less touristy than Plaka but still very lively, both day and night, with many nice spots to eat or have a drink in a cool atmosphere. Very nice streets, nice shops too, really our favorite neighborhood!

Kleitiou 6 105 60 Athens

With our two boys, we also wanted to keep them occupied a little bit and we took them to the Museum of Illusion And honestly, we had as much fun as them! Super friendly welcome, affordable prices, super fun and interesting, with plenty of Instagram-worthy photos, a great deal with children in Athens. 

Ermou 119, Entrance from Astiggos 12 10555 Athens

Last tip of the day: Greek cuisine! It’s true that we’re in a capital city; it’s true that there are many tourists, yet we find many, really many, top restaurants! Of course, the famous Mousaka, the good little ouzo for aperitif, the Feta in all its forms (raw, fried, in a bun, in a fritule, in mashed potatoes!) and grilled meats like Gyros (kebap) and superb fish. Greek cuisine is a treat, generous, strong, sincere, in keeping with this magnificent country and its people.