"ATHENS! WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS THAT!"
When I first visited Athens many years ago, I liked it immediately. I have been back many, many times since, and I like it more and more every time.
I just feel so comfortable there now. I suppose it has to do with the familiarity.
My Athens is the Athens that radiates out in about a 3 - 5 radius from Omonia. I find this part of the city vibrant and exciting. Acropolis, Plaka, Monastiraki, Psiri, Kolonaki, etc, etc, and those glorious museums and archaeological sites that trip you up whatever direction you move in!
Of course, the main event is the archaeological sites and the museums, of which the Benaki Museum and the Byzantine Museum are my favourites. But. . . .Athens is just great for pursuing numerous delightfully mindless activities where one can just mooch, mingle, and soak up the atmosphere! Here are my favourites:
- Strolling in the Plaka
- Long, lazy Sunday lunch in Iroon Square, Psiri
- Frappe in Exharchia Square
- Viewing the city from Lykkavittos Hill
- Likewise from Strefi ill
- Stroll down Apostolou Pavlou and indulge in some "Cafe Society" in Thission
- Open-air movies at Thission Cinema
- Strolling on Filopappos Hill
- Concert at Herodus Atticus Amphitheatre
And then, slighly out of town . . . sundowners and dinner at Mikrolimano in Piraeus. Magic!
I doubt I shall ever have enough of Athens!
[ Pics of some of my favourite places, below]