Athens was the starting and end point for my 3 month-long trip through the Middle East in the winter of 1989. I flew here and then picked up a cheap one-way ticket to Cairo. The rest of my trip involved gradually making my way back to Athens.
I had been here once before on the summer of 1984. Then I just breezed through on my way to Crete. In ’89 I decided to spend a little time here.
While it’s true that Athens lacks the star appeal of some other European capitals – Paris and Rome spring to mind – it does have its charms. A city as ancient as Athens is bound to have somethings worth exploring.
The National Archaeological Museum has a stunning collection of ancient Greek sculptures from the country’s Classical period. Of course there’s also the Acropolis, easily the city’s best known site.
At the base of the Acropolis is the pleasant Plaka a neighbourhood of cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. It’s a pleasant place to while away some time and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
A few days is probably plenty of time to see the best of what Athens offers.