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/
