After breakfast, wander the landmarks of Historic Athens including the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum focused on the findings from the Acropolis.
Ancient yet modern, classic yet creative, traditional yet constantly changing… Athens is a city of memorable contrasts. The past and the present of Athens unfolds before your eyes while we drive around the city's highlight spots and monuments like the Temple of Zeus, the Old Stadium, Syntagma Square, the Parliament and the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the Library, and the National Gardens.
On the natural fortress of the Acropolis, reinforced by the hand of man, stand the Propylaea, the temple of the Winged Victory, Erechtheion with the Porch of the Caryatids and, towering overall, and the majestic Parthenon. A winding path leads to the treasure of antiquity. Visible are the relics of the civilization of which we are the proud inheritors. A few meters away from the Acropolis entrance and the Ancient Theatre of Dionysos, the New Acropolis Museum, built on pedestrian walkway of Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, looks like hanging between the past and the present of Athens.
Designed by Bernard Tschumi and Mihalis Fotiades, the new Acropolis Museum has a total area of 25,000 square meters, with exhibition space of over 14,000 square meters. Made of stainless steel, glass, marble and concrete, materials typical of the Athenian environment, the new museum has a direct view of the Acropolis. With bioclimatic planning, which gives ideal lighting and heating conditions, the new Museum offers all the amenities expected in an international museum of the 21st century.
Proceed on foot to visit different spots taste local products like olive oil, honey, cheese, wine, vinegar, liquor, and sweets, all made by small producers from all over Greece. Next, it’s a treat from the street, as you sample a koulouri, one of the all-time classic snacks on the go and then a cup of authentic Greek coffee in a wonderful old café. After this, get ready to duck into a boisterous visit to the central fish and meat market, where butchers and fishmongers compete for the attention of Athens’ serious food shoppers. The old Central Market of Athens (Varvakios Agora) is located exactly in the heart of the city, and learn from your guide about the city's culinary history. You'll next visit specialty food stores to try local produce cold cuts, and discover some of the hidden stores to purchase tantalizingly fresh fruit, Greek olives, cheese, ham and other alluring deli produce, local wine, aged aromatized vinegar, organic olive oil and honey. Around the corner is the famous spice street of Athens, lined with traditional herb shops that also carry amazing specialty meats and other traditional delicacies. After that you will end up having lunch, tasting the famous Greek souvlaki!! & traditional spinach pie. Finally, a last stop to taste of the Greek specialty loukoumades (Greek doughnuts with honey syrup and almonds) and return to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Athens at the Acropolian Spirit Boutique Hotel.
Acropolis, Athens