Athens – City Circus Hostel details

On September 24, 2026September 26, 2026 By MerrileeIn Accommodations Land Package, Athens - Circus City Hostel, Athens, Greece

Address: 16 Sarri St., Athens

Metro station: Monastraki

District: Psyri (near Monastraki Square)

Phone: +30-213-02-37-24-4

Email: info@citycircus.gr

Web address: www.CityCircus.gr

DIRECTIONS

City Circus is conveniently located just 250m from two central metro stations (Monastiraki & Thission), with direct and frequent service to both the airport and the port of Piraeus.

From the airport:
TAXI: For a fixed price you can grab a cab which will get you downtown in about an hour depending on traffic.

BUS: Alternatively, you can use the X95 AIRPORT EXPRESS bus line, which will take you to central Syntagma station perhaps faster than a taxi. This is the only service from and to the airport that runs on a 24-hour basis (EUR6), so if you arrive too early (or too late) it might be your only option. From Syntagma, you can either get on a cab for a short ride of approx. EUR8 or walk down Ermou str. and arrive at Monastiraki square.

METRO: This is the fastest way to get to the City Center. A direct service runs from 6:33 until 23:33 and takes 42min to get to Monastiraki, which is the nearest Metro station to City Circus. Follow the exit to Athinas str. and once at ground level make a right turn for a few meters until you get at Ermou Street (the main Monastiraki square should be in front of you). Turn right to Ermou and then right again at Miaouli str., a few meters down the road. Keep walking on Miaouli str until you see a small square full of restaurants in front of you. Follow the left bend of the street and head on to Agion Anargyron Street, which is a pedestrian way. At the end of it, after about 200m, you will arrive at Sarri Street. Turn right and you will see City Circus on your left hand side, number 16.

From Piraeus port:
TAXI, it will cost you around EUR30 and you’ll arrive in about 30′ depending on traffic.

METRO : You can also use line 1 (GREEN) of the Metro and stop at Monastraki station. Follow directions above.

FACILITIES

24 hour reception, Free Wi-Fi,| Air-conditioning, Luggage storage service, Wash & dry service, Roof garden with Acropolis view, Bed linens, Towels for rent

Favorite Links

On September 10, 2026September 12, 2026 By MerrileeIn Athens, Greece, Favorite LInks

Each posting in this blog has many links that are not copied here. Below are a few links that may or may not be posted in other areas of this blog, but are of particular interest, especially in Greece, in general, and in the Athens area. See separate postings in this blog for many other links specific to each posting, such as “Athens – Monastraki & The Plaka”, “Athens – Museums & Ruins”, and “Accommodations Land Package”

Greece in general

Greece history as per Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Greece

Finding organized tours – www.GetYourGuide.com

Free walking tours – www.Guruwalk.com

Hellenic Heritage – https://www.hh.gr/en/

Athens Area

Athens Visitors Guide – http://www.thisisathens.org

Public Transportation – http://www.thisisathens.org/getting-around/public-transportation-metro-bus-tram

Metro system – lines, maps, price www.greeka.com/attica/athens/transportations/athens-metro-system/ To get between the Airport and Monastraki (the Metro stop where our accommodations are located) by Metro, see the Metro map in this link. Find the end of one of the lines that says “Airport”. Follow this line to the city and find the stop “Monastraki” This direct line will take about 40 minutes with no Metro change of lines.

Athens City Pass – http://www.turbopass.com/en/athens/athens-city-pass

Pireaus (port of Athens)

http://www.thisisathens.org/neighbourhoods/piraeus-guide

http://www.getyourguide.com/en-gb/piraeus-l759/

Cruise

Cruise link – www.royalcaribbean.com/itinerary/7-night-greek-isles-cyprus-cruise-from-athens-piraeus-on-brilliance-BR07M817?country=USA&currencyCode=USD&sailDate=2026-10-05

Other

Currency converter – http://www.xe.com/en-us/currencyconverter/

ASCSA website – www.ASCSA.us

Athens Activities – Land Package

On September 10, 2026September 12, 2026 By MerrileeIn Athens Activities - Land Package, Athens, Greece, Land package

Athens

Central Municipal Market – between Monastraki & Omonia Square http://www.greeka.com/attica/athens/sightseeing/central-municipal-market/

http://www.thisisathens.org/shopping/athens-central-food-market (15 minute walk from our accommodations)

Lykavittos Hill – (same metro stop as Byzantine & Christian Museum) https://www.lycabettushill.com Highest point in Athens with 360 views. Take cablecar. At top is whitewashed Church of St. George from 1870. Cafe on top

Hammam – Al Hammam Traditional Baths in the Plaka – www.alhammam.gr The meaning of Hammam in Arabic is bathhouse. Enjoy everything this Turkish bathhouse has to offer. Views of the Acropolis can be enjoyed while relaxing on the deck.

Changing of the guard (the “Evzone’s”) – hourly in front of the Parliament building at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Syndagma Square. A ceremonial change of guards takes place every Sunday at 11am along with a marching band – https://changing-guard.com/changing-guard-worldwide/athens-greece.html

Flea Market in The Plaka and off Monastraki Square (see separate posting for Monastraki & Plaka)

Walking street off Syndagma Square (Ermu St.) – where fun, inner city life of the locals abounds – shops, cafes, Greek ruins underground, buskers

Mars Hill near Acropolis entrance (short, easy climb) http://www.areopagushillathens.com/en https://landlifetravel.com/landmark/areopagus-hill-of-athens/ The Areopagus (hill) continued to function in Roman times. It was then that the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of “the Unknown God.” , according to the biblical account (Acts 17)

Piraeus (port of Athens)

Piraeus is the main port city of Athens, and the largest port in Greece. (see “Favorite Links” posting on this blog for activities in Pireaus area) The Central Port (Kantharos) is where our cruise liner will be moored, and it is where ferries come and go to the Greek Islands. We will take the ferry from here to the island of Aegina. The metro stop next to the ferry landing is “Piraeus”

Beaches – Following are a couple of suggestions on how to get to the nearby beaches around Voula, the Athens Riviera Coastal Market:

1) Athens coastal tram (blue line #3) from Syndagma Square to Piraeus and along a scenic coastal route to Voula (here are two marinas there and lots of restaurants lined along the coastline) Tram website – www.tramsa.gr

2) Metro from Athens to Elinikon stop in Piraeus, then bus #122 along the coast

Athens area

Hop On Hop Off bus – Open top, sightseeing tours on double-decker bus, with commentated route – www.CitySightseeing.gr Note: There are several other trolley/tour companies that do similar things

Laiki Agora (weekly farmer’s market) -Find locations and days of the week on these sites. In the area of Piraeus, they are on Wednesdays in Piraeus, Thursdays in Glifada & Voula www.thisisathens.org/shopping/farmers-markets-athenshttps://athenscentre.gr/laiki-agora-local-greek-farmers-market/

Day-by-Day & Hourly Land Package Schedule

On September 9, 2026September 26, 2026 By MerrileeIn Accommodations Land Package, Aegina, Greece, Athens - Monastraki & The Plaka, Athens - Museums & Ruins, Athens, Greece, Delphi, Greece, Land package, Land Package Schedule day-by-day, Land Package Schedule Summarized

This posting is of our daily/hourly schedule of activities while we are on the road during our Greece Land Package tour, September 29-October 5. It will be updated regularly, so check back often!

Sept. 28 (Monday) – Pre-arrival day in Athens – overnight Athens (updated 9/12/26)

Morning – Six persons will arrive at the airport throughout the moring and leave their luggage before check in at their accommodations in Monastraki. Merrilee and Lee will be available to assist with this process. Any people present in the morning hours will be encouraged to explore Monastraki square and surrounding streets until our afternoon plans begin. .

Lunchtime – Souvlaki place in Monastraki Square

Early Afternoon – Board a Get On Get Off Bus in Monastraki Square with a 24 hour ticket until close to dinnertime. Those arriving after our departure will connect with us later in the day.

Dinnertime – Dinner together in a charming, lively traditional Greek restaurant in Monastraki area.

Sept. 29 (Tuesday) – Arrival day in Athens for anyone who didn’t arrive the previous day (one day early) – all will spend the day in Athens – overnight Athens (updated 9/12/26)

Enjoy the Get On Get Off bus visiting some of the stops we missed the day before. Get dropped off by this bus at the Acropolis in the early afternoon and visit the Acropolis.

Lunch – We will dine at a restaurant in the vicinity of the Acropolis (The Plaka).

Late afternoon – Visit the Acropolis Museum

Dinnertime – Dinner together in a charming, lively traditional Greek restaurant in The Plaka

Sept. 30 (Wednesday) – Athens (all day) – overnight Athens (updated 9/12/26)

Morning – Visit Athens Municipal market.

11am – Syndagma Square – Changing of the Guard at the Paliament building & Ermu Walking street

Afternoon – Visit a couple of museums of your choice, or enjoy a Turkish bath at a Hammum, or climb a few blocks to a cable car and visit Lykavittos, the highest hill in Athens with viewing terrace.

Dinnertime – Dinner together in a charming, lively traditional Greek restaurant in Psirri (the vicinity of our accommodations)

Oct. 1 (Thursday) – Delphi (all day)- overnight Athens

WORK IN PROGRESS

Oct. 2 (Friday) – Athens/Aegina Island (half day each) – overnight Aegina Island

WORK IN PROGRESS

Oct. 3 (Saturday) – Aegina Island (all day)– overnight Aegina Island

WORK IN PROGRESS

Oct. 4 (Sunday) – Aegina Island/Athens (half day each) – overnight Athens

WORK IN PROGRESS

Oct. 5 (Monday) – Athens/board ship (half day each) – overnight on board cruise ship

WORK IN PROGRESS

For quick reference, following is a brief outline of our Greece land package schedule from September 29- October 4 (5 days, 6 nights)

Athens – 3 nights – 2 full days, 2 half days

Delphi – day trip

Aegina Island – 2 nights, one day

For more details about some of the above places mentioned, including helpful links, visit separate postings in this blog in the column to the right.

Updated by Merrilee 9/26/26

Athens – Museums & Ruins

On September 9, 2026September 10, 2026 By MerrileeIn Athens - Museums & Ruins, Athens, Greece, Land package

Monastraki

*Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds -www.hh.gr/en/destinations/roman-agora-athens/

*Hadrian’s Library – http://www.thisisathens.org/antiquities/hadrians-library

*Ancient Agora & museum – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh355.jsp?obj_id=2485#_=_

Museum of Modern Greek Culture (NMEP) – http://www.melt.gr/en

– – Mosque in Monastraki square – exhibition of the history of the Museum – annex of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture

– – Folk Art Museum: Man & Tools – annex of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture

Acropolis Area

*Acropolis – Acropolis ticket can get you into a few other museums free – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/gh351.jsp?obj_id=2384

* Acropolis Museum – http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en

*Temple of Olympian Zeus – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=12863

*Hadrian’s Arch -http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1794

*Theatre of Dionysos – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=10341

*Mars Hill – path close to Acropolis entrance

Plaka Area

Greek Folk Art & Tradition – http://www.melt.gr

North of Omonia Square

*National Archeological Museum – exhibit: Mycenaen Kingdom Revealed – www.namuseum.gr/

Kolonaki Area (near Syndagma Square – north)

*Museum of Cycladic Art (Next to Benaki Museum)– http://www.cycladic.gr

*Benaki Museum of Greek Culture – http://www.benaki.org/index.php?option=com_buildings&view=building&id=1&Itemid=134&lang=el

*Byzantine & Christian Museum – http://www.ByzaintineMuseum.gr

*National War Museum – https://warmuseum.gr/

National Museum of Contemporary Art www.emst.gr/

National Gallery – www.nationalgallery.gr/

Near Syndagma Square (south)

National Historical Museum – Specializes in War of Independence – housed in old Parliament building – http://www.nhmuseum.gr

Pantrati, Athens

*Olympic Stadium (Panathenaic) The stadium of the first modern Olympic games – http://www.panathenaicstadium.gr/

Kifisia (northern Athens)

National Museum of Natural History Goulandris – http://www.gnhm.gr/

Pireaus (port)

Hellenic Maritime Museum – http://www.hmmuseum.gr

* Highly recommended

Hop On Hop Off bus

Open top sightseeing bus (red bus) – www.CitySightseeing.gr

Suggestions

– Get on bus in Monastraki Square

– Decide in advance what stops you want to make in one day (24 hour ticket) or two days (48 hour ticket)

Highly Recommended Stops Follow

Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Archeological Museum, 3 museums (Benaki Museum, War Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art), National Gallery, Syndagma Square (Paliament), Central Market, Temple of Zeus, Ancient Olympic Stadium

Land Package Schedule Summarized

On August 21, 2026September 9, 2026 By MerrileeIn Accommodations Land Package, Aegina, Greece, Athens - Monastraki & The Plaka, Athens, Greece, Delphi, Greece, Land package, Land Package Schedule day-by-day, Land Package Schedule Summarized

Explore Athens

Sept. 29, 30 (full days) & Oct. 4/5 (half days)

Visit Greek ruins (including the Acropolis), cafes, traditional Greek restaurants with live Greek music, a hammam (Turkish spa), museums (the Acropolis Museum among many outstanding others), changing of the guards, Athens Public Market. Go shopping (flea market and walking streets), take a jump in the Mediterrean Sea in Pireaus (the harbor of Athens). We may take a “Hop On Hop Off” tour bus one day to cover the territory!

– The Acropolis, Mars Hill and Acropolis Museum

– Syndagma Square and changing of the Guards at the Parliament building – hourly or 11am daily for full program https://athenslover.com/syntagma-square.html

– Walking street off Syndagma Square – shops, cafes, Greek ruins underground, buskers

– Monastraki where we will be staying

– Museum of Ancient Agora (Greek ruins)

– Hadrians Library (Greek ruins)

– Traditional Hammam (Turkish spa) over-looking the Acropolis

– Museums (choose one or two)

– Beaches of Pireaus (port of Athens) – for those who simply want a beach!!!-

Visit Delphi (day trip)

Unesco World Heritage Site https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/393/

Thursday, Oct. 1

Take a day tour with our group via www.Getyourguilde.com – $50 includes bus & guide; not including lunch and entrance fees – two hour bus ride each way

Explore Aegina Island

Oct. 2 & 3 (two nights/one day)

Aegina Island is one hour boat ride from Pireaus ($44 round trip)

– Take a boat to Aegina Island in afternoon, enjoy Aegina Town in the evening

– Join us on an organized full day tour of Aegina Island (approx. $75/person)

– Explore Aegina the last morning; take a boat to Athens in the afternoon

Accommodations (for quick reference)

Athens

L’Avventura Hotel Athens (Sept. 29, 30 & Oct. 1)

City Circus Hostel Athens (Oct. 4)

Aegina Island

Aphrodite Art Hotel, Aegina Town (Oct. 2 & 3)

Visit special separate postings in this blog, which are listed in the column to the right, for more information and links on the above

Monastraki & The Plaka

On August 18, 2026September 12, 2026 By MerrileeIn Athens - Monastraki & The Plaka, Athens, Greece, Land package

The oldest part of Athens at the foot of the Acropolis

We will be staying in accommodations at the foot of the Acropolis in an old neighborhood called Psirri a few blocks from the old Monastraki neighborhood.

Monastiraki and The Plaka are two of the oldest neighborhoods of Athens, located at the heart of the city. Adjacent to Monastiraki in one direction is The Plaka and in the other direction is the old section of Psirri where we will be staying at L’aaventura Hotel and City Circus Hostel. Psirri, an area enjoyed by tourists and locals, is filled with restaurants, cafes, clubs, bars, bakeries, and shops.

Monastraki is known for its lively square, convenient Metro station, picturesque streets, narrow alleys, bustling flea market, Greek ruins, and traditional tavernas and restaurants. The square is a famous meeting place for Athenians. Standing in the middle of the square, you can see a blend of historical eras, architecture and cultures, and many roads leading to different, enticing directions The views of the Acropolis from the square are breathtaking by day and night.

A bit of waundering the streets of Monastraki brings you to the oldest, equally-colorful neighborhood called The Plaka. It is an area of pedestrian streets full of restaurants, jewelry stores, tourist shops, and cafes.

All these old neighborhoods are at the foot of the Acropolis. It is nearly impossible to tell when you are passing from one to the other….just let yourself get lost a bit, always keeping the Acropolis in view, then when you want to get back to where you started, just ask a local for directions to “Monastraki Square”

Note: Lovely beaches are located in Pireaus (harbor) which is easily reachable by subway from the square and then with a short trolley ride.

Things to do in Monastraki and The Plaka

Tzistarakis Mosque – built in 1759 as a mosque. Today it is the Museum of Modern Greek Culture.

Hadrian’s Library – built in 132 AD as an offer to the city of Athens by Hadrian, the Roman emperor. The entrance to the Library was overlooking the Roman Forum, founded by Julius Caesar in 10 AD and as an extension to the Ancient Agora.

The small Byzantine church of Pantanassa – what is left today by the nunnery of the Byzantine times

The flea market – The most important modern street in Monastiraki is the bazaar on Hephaestus Street and the adjacent straits or Jusurum, named after a Jewish old shop owner in the area which is actually the flea market of Athens center.

Walking on Adrianou Street you will find yourself right next to the Ancient Agora where the most powerful men in the political and social life of antiquity used to walk. You will also see the sight of, the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the most perfectly preserved ancient temples in Greece.

Take a tour of the Ancient Agora and the Roman Agora. The corner of the site of the Roman Agora, known as the Tower of the Winds, is considered to be the first meteorological station in the world.

Dining

The Plaka, Monastraki, and Psirri provide dining and shopping at its Greek best! Everywhere in the old section, especially in and around Monastraki Square, the hillsides and open squares around The Plaka, and along the narrow walking streets in nearby Psrii where we are staying, you will find popular gyro and souvlaki spots and traditional Greek Tavernas with live music and dance (by the guests!) We will always be on the lookout for the right place for us to eat each day!!