Athens Summer Guide: 10 Things To Do In The City

Athens is undoubtedly a beautiful city. Summer is the appropriate time to visit Athens and look at its museums, parks, archeological sites, festivals, modern cafes, and restaurants. The city has changed a lot during the last few years, and it is in the process of going through further improvements to be more viable both for permanent residents and visitors. 

1. National Garden
   Very close to the Syntagma metro station at the center of the city and right next to the Hellenic Parliament is the National Garden. Together with the garden of the Zappeion Megaron, it covers 284 acres full of greenery, rare species of plants, saplings, and birds. The National Garden is accessible from seven entrances; from the main entrance on Amalias Avenue, from Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, three entrances on Irodou Attikou Street, and from two more in the Zappeion Park area.
   The National Garden is undergoing a reconstruction phase with projects amounting to 4.2 million euros. Already, some projects have been completed. The visitors will see new, modern paths for safe routes, innovative irrigation, electric lighting systems, and renewed benches. More than 11,155 new trees and plants will enhance the National Garden, which already has 7.000 trees, 40.000 shrubs, and other plants. As you walk, you will find some ducks and turtles.
   Many families go there on weekends for a picnic on the grass. Especially on hot summer days, it offers shade and great coolness. The garden owes its existence to Queen Amalia, the wife of King Otto. Before it was renamed «National,» the garden was called «Royal» or «The Garden of Amalia.» Queen Amalia loved flowers and the garden. 
2. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
   It includes Stavros Niarchos Park, one of the largest in Athens, with many places for walking and a variety of flora such as olive trees, carob trees, and Greek aromatic plants- the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece. The whole project was an inspiration by the famous architect Renzo Piano.
   At Stavros Niarchos Park are available tours, while at the rest premises, the visitors can attend many different events according to their interests. There are also organized outdoor cinema nights on the lawn of the park, where people usually lie down on the grass and attend their favorite movie on a huge screen. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is located at Syggrou Avenue 364, Kallithea. 
3. Acropolis Museum
   The new Acropolis Museum is on the south side of the Acropolis at a 300 meters distance from its monuments. The main entrance is at Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. The Museum’s foundations were completed on the 30th of January 2004, and its opening took place on the 20th of June 2009.
   The project was conducted by the architect Bernard Tschumi and his Greek collaborator Michael Photiades. It consists of three main levels with thematic exhibition units that range from the Archaic Acropolis, the Athena Nike temple, and the Erechtheion to the Propylaia and the Parthenon.
   The full site area is 23.000 square meters. The top floor of the Museum, the Parthenon Gallery, offers a panoramic view of the Acropolis and modern Athens. While walking to the main entrance, you will see archeological units under the ground’s surface covered with a glass ceiling. 
4. Acropolis
   The Acropolis of Athens is a must-see. This breathtaking ancient monument that used to be the core fortified area of the city of Athens attracts tourists from all over the world. Acropolis is located on a hill above Athens and has the remains of the Parthenon and other ancient structures. 
5. Cine Thision
   If you like summer cinemas, you should not miss a movie night at Cine. It is the oldest summer cinema in Athens. It opened in 1935 and is located in Apostolou Pavlou 7 in the Thiseio area, close enough to the new Acropolis Museum of Athens. On its rooftop, you will attend your favorite movie with a view of the Acropolis. 
6. Plaka
   You will walk across narrow streets that cars can hardly pass, and you will see old small houses and many restaurants, tourist shops, and cafes. Don’t miss visiting Melina Mercouri Café (Lysiou str.22, Plaka), a unique café dedicated to the unforgettable Melina Mercouri.
   What about tasting the famous Greek souvlaki? Two are the most known spots for delicious souvlaki. You will find them at Monastiraki Square. The first one is Bairaktaris (Mitropoleos str. 71-88), and the second one is Thanasis Kebab (Mitropoleos 69). You can go there on foot from Plaka. The route that leads from Plaka to Monastiraki is worth walking. 
7. Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Athens
   If you are strolling to Plaka, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Athens. It is located at Mitropoleos Square. Its construction began in 1842 and was completed in 1862. Many important religious ceremonies took place here, such as weddings and funerals of kings, prime ministers, and dignitaries.
   Inside the church, in a marble urn that is the work of Giannoulis Halepas, the body of the ethnic martyr Patriarch Gregory V is kept, as well as that of Saint Philothea of Athens. 
8. Athens Riviera
   The southern suburbs of Athens are covered by a unique coastline where visitors can swim and enjoy a cup of coffee or their favorite drink at seaside cafes and bars. You can take the tram from Voula and enjoy the route to Voula.
   If you want to go further, for example, to Varkiza, Lagonisi, Saronida, Anavyssos, or Sounio, you have to take a bus that goes there. Also, Flisvos, Alimos, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza are good choices for an unforgettable night. 
9. Sounion
   At Cape Sounion, you can admire the Temple of Poseidon, one of the most significant monuments of Ancient Greece. The view from there is extraordinary as you see only the sea that comes together with the sky. The Temple of Poseidon is on a small hill. It is an archeological monument, so you have to pay for a ticket in order to get in.
   The rest area is wonderful for a walk in nature. You will also find a cafe there. According to mythology, Aegeus, king of Athens, jumped from there and was killed, mistakenly thinking that he’d lost Theseus, his only son, to the Minotaur in the labyrinth. Sounion is a good spot to enjoy the full moon. 
10. Lake Vouliagmeni
    In the Vouliagmeni region, you will find Lake Vouliagmeni. It is worth visiting Lake Vouliagmeni as it is surrounded by a scenic landscape. The temperature of the waters is between 20 and 29 degrees Celsius, while red rocks emerge around the lake.
    At the bottom, there are underwater caves that were formed in prehistoric times. Lake Vouliagmeni has been declared a natural monument and belongs to the pan-European network of protected Natura 2000 areas. 

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