City Guide: My Perfect 24 Hours in Athens

This past June while on a 12-day adventure across Europe, I jetted into Athens for 24 hours along the journey home.

I arrived late into the city, dropping my bags at my hotel and headed up to Lycabettus Hill. Lycabettus is the highest point in Athens. The view from the top is stunning, day or night and it’s the perfect place for a drink (a Metaxa sour for me) on your first night in the city. On this particular trip I opted for one of my favorite hotels, Fresh Hotel. The hotel is centrally located, has relaxed modern rooms, top-notch service, great food and is the perfect place to stay for a day of exploring.

Before heading out the next morning I sat down for breakfast, a must if staying at Fresh Hotel. After enjoying the last drop of my freshly squeezed orange juice, I began the day with a long walk through the city on my way to the National Archaeological Museum. I love museums (the history, the grandeur, the smells, the strolling past ancient works and marveling at what the world must have been like when they were created) and museums are a must in my formula for a perfect day. I spent a few hours wondering the halls and filling my heart. Next, I headed to TAF (The Art Foundation Athens), for my first Greek coffee of the day (a double, medium sweet), one of the coolest restaurants, bars, gallery, and shops in Athens with a vibrant courtyard where I sat and enjoyed my coffee. 

Walking along through the city, I stopped to admire a few shop windows and picked up a few things from some of my favorite stores. I grabbed a quick lunch of noodles from StreetWok and a Greek frappe and sat in the shade to people watch outside of the Metropolitan Church of Athens, admiring the crowds of tourist and locals as they went about their day. It’s such a peaceful site to pause and watch the world unfold before you. I popped into the church to light a candle and say a little prayer before continuing on my way, a thank you for this beautiful journey.

No perfect day in Athens, for me, would be complete with out a new tattoo. Tattoos are like therapy for me. I hate needles but for me, tattoos are one of the most relaxing experiences on earth. And one of my favorite artists just so happens to be in Athens at Nico Tattoo Crew Athens. 

I sat for two new pieces and then I took a lap around Plaka. Next, my favorite place in Athens, Areopagus Hill, that sits at the base of the Acropolis. With the Acropolis just behind, Philopappos Hill to the left and a view of the city that stretches out for miles all the way to the sea, it’s one of the only places in the world where I am filled with absolute peace.  

After marveling at the view, it was time for a little dessert before dinner. My first stop was MOMA for a banana juice (a must when in Athens) and then a quick stop by Karavan for baklava. They make some of the best baklava I’ve ever had and I grabbed a few extra for my long journey home. My day ended with dinner on the rooftop, back at Fresh Hotel, marveling at the view of the Parthenon and grateful for a day well lived.

My Google Map list of the places i visited on my perfect day.