Athens and Side-Trips
2.5M views · 25 min · 2013
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In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.
Acropolis
Historic site · Acropolis
Called the historic, cultural and literal high point of any trip to Athens.
Parthenon
Temple · Acropolis
When completed nearly 2,500 years ago, it was brilliantly painted as well as carved.
Panathenaic Way
Historic site · Acropolis · brief mention
Erechtheion
Temple · Acropolis
This temple, not the Parthenon, was the culmination of the Panathenaic procession.
Ancient Agora
Historic site · Monastiraki
Walking in the footsteps of Socrates here is billed as the best chance to commune with the Greek past.
Stoa of Attalos
Museum · Monastiraki
Socrates spent much of his life preaching in shady porticos like this one.
Temple of Hephaestus
Temple · Thiseio
Used to explain the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders: they gain syllables as they evolve.
Plaka
Neighborhood · Plaka
For a cheap bite, grab a gyros wrapped in pita with tzatziki from a corner gyros-and-souvlaki stand.
Anafiotika
Neighborhood · Plaka
Reached by hiking to the top of the Plaka; locals may invite you in for strong Greek coffee.
Syntagma Square
Landmark · Syntagma
Mansions built here to be near the king survive as grand hotels, embassies and museums.
Hellenic Parliament
Palace · Syntagma · brief mention
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Landmark · Syntagma
The guard changes at the top of each hour; the kilts reputedly have 400 pleats, one per year of Ottoman rule.
Ermou Street
Shopping · Syntagma
Once a car-clogged mess, now a hit with everyone, merchants included.
National Archaeological Museum
Museum · Exarchia
Highlights: the Vaphio gold cups, the Warrior Vase, the Artemision Poseidon and the Horse and Jockey of Artemision.
Delphi
Day trip · Delphi
A 2-hour drive from Athens; best at the end of the day once the tourists are gone.
Hydra
Day trip · Hydra
90 minutes by hydrofoil from Piraeus. Eat at Taverna Leonas and walk the coastal path to Kamini at sunset.
