A first impression of Athens, Greece – Travel Photo Mondays
Athens, is such an amazing place to visit and filled with so much history, architecture, amazing food and exciting, youthful areas that are popular in spite of the economic downturn in the country. I really enjoyed that the city is relatively compact within the historic districts and most of the main attractions, squares and places of interest are centered within the historic district.
A panoramic view of the historic district and hills of Athens
Here are highlights of my first impression of Athens, Greece below
I love walking down the many squares, narrow streets and busy avenues of Athens – it’s so alive and filled with energy. One minute you are walking down an ancient ruin, thousands of years old and adjacent is a trendy area filled with restaurants and live performances that are free to enjoy. There’s so much variety of places to explore old or new, Athens street art mixed in with trendy neighborhoods next to ancient sites….or perhaps just a nice walk along an area that has antique markets mixed in with many cafes and pastry shops makes for a nice break during one of those walks around the city. To get my bearings around Athens and what to do, I loved referring to this infographic shortcut travel guide to Athens.
Athens street art in the Plaka district
There are so many interesting neighborhoods to visit and experience in the city, many of them in the historic district and very close to many of the national monuments of the city including the Plaka and Monastiraki districts that are shown on this post.
Monastiraki area neighborhoods and street art
A beautiful and quiet area in the busy Plaka district in Athens
Anafiotika neighborhood off the Plaka in Athens
Just above this quiet area of Anafiotika in the Plaka sits the majestic Acropolis – the main landmark of Athens. This whole area has also been in constant flux and improvement with a stunning Acropolis museum along with retrofitting and upgrading the Unesco site above. Later in the day is a great way to avoid the crows and enjoy the late after light and into the sunset time frame which is quite spectacular from above and looking down into the city. The Plaka has lots of cool bars, restaurants, galleries and fun shops to buy souvenirs if you are looking for things to buy in Greece.
Façade view of the Acropolis in retrofit
The famous balcony of the Erechteion with the graceful Caryatids (maiden statues) which are actually copies, the originals placed in the new Acropolis Museum just located below the Acropolis and have been painstakingly cleaned and placed in a prominent spot in the museum so you can see them very close. Visiting the Acropolis is definitely what Greece is famous for its iconic temple located on a prominent bluff overlooking all of Athens along with other significant landmarks in this impressive site.
The Erechteion with the graceful Caryatids at the Acropolis
There are exceptional views of the entire city and many of the ancient landmarks around the Acropolis, it seems like everywhere that you turn, there is something even more magnificent to discover and enjoy including the Roman Odeion theater of Herodes Atticus next to the Acropolis.
Roman Odeion of Herodes Atticus at the Acropolis
The artifacts and interior of the Acropolis museum are a must visit attraction
Interior views from the Acropolis Museum in Athens
There’s so much to see and explore in this dynamic city. Even climbing up the hills of the city affords amazing views and panoramas especially at Lycbettus hill which has such a stunning view overlooking the Acropolis and the entire city from the surrounding hills down to the ocean at Piraeus port. While your up there, stay for the sunsets, it’s worth the climb and the views.
Lycabettus hill and panoramic views of Athens
Sunset approaches on Athens from Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus hill at sunset in Athens
Evening view of the Acropolis from Lycabettus hill
Acropolis at night from Lycabettus Hill
There’s still so much of Athens to explore and this is just a first impression of my first visit to the city. Even easy access from the airport to the main city center via bus, taxi or metro system and is so well laid out. Stay tuned for more stories about the neighborhoods, food, culture and history of this amazing city in the Aegean capital. If you’re exploring outside of Athens, a perfect day trip from Athens is a visit to the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion.
Check out these other posts on Athens & region
A stay at the Royal Olympic Hotel
Thanks for visiting this first impression of Athens, Greece, hope that you enjoyed the highlight tour of the city.
Wonderful photos of a beautiful city. You really captured Athens perfectly. Good to see you also got into the street art scene.
Ancient architecture is really breath-taking. I’m happy you’ve included them in your photos.
Your photos are stunning.
Thanks for sharing them.
The panoramic view looks amazing. There’s so much history in Athens. I would love to visit the place.
I spent most of my few hours in Athens whizzing around getting a new passport, Noel. I left my handbag on the wall up by the Acropolis and we were flying home that day! I did get a good look at the Acropolis but the rest is a blur, so thanks for the tour. I love the night shot! Have a good Christmas 🙂
What a great cross section of the city you have given us Noel. It looks like an extraordinary trip.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Athens. Thanks for taking me there again. I really liked your image of The Erechteion.
I really wasn’t a fan of Athens. I wanted to see the Acropolis and that was great, but otherwise I much prefer the Greek Islands.
Your photos never disappoint.
I have been to Athens twice, your photos are like a walk down memory lane, with a few new spots calling me back to explore more. I
Spectacular photos! I am traveling to Greece this summer. How many days would you stay in Athens?
Suzanne, I would stay a minimum of 5 days for museums, neighborhoods, places to visit near Athens and of course the food!
Some beautiful photos – almost make me want to re-visit noisy Athens. What kind of camera are you using? I guess you carry a tripod too.
I love these pictures of Athens, especially the sunset on Lycabettus Hill.
You’ve taken some beautiful photos of Athens–one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I loved exploring the Plaka district and sitting in a cafe dining surrounded by history. Your photos make me want to go back!
That sky! Athens sounds like it has all the best that travel has to offer and the mix of old and new must infuse it with energy and fun. Looking forward to your posts about this amazing city and can’t wait to walk on some of these streets and see it for ourselves!
Stunning photos! I especially loved seeing the street art, as those are images I’m not as familiar with as the Acropolis.
As always, great photos. Makes me want to head for Athens. I really loved the street art. It’s such a juxtaposition to all that history.
One day I’ll get back to Athens but thanks for the vicarious thrill of those colorful neighborhoods, vistas and gorgeous ruins. So sorry to have missed TBEX there.
Noel, I am such a fan of your photography, but the shot of the Erechteion and the Caryatids is a new best. Simply breathtaking. This whole post was a visual feast.
I love these shots! Really atmospheric and completely encapsulate Athens in a nutshell. Beautiful, ancient and modern too, with the street art.
Thanks for sharing.
Killer shots, Noel! Love the atmosphere at Plaka, but the Acropolis was being remodeled while we were there. and back then it was forbidden to take pics in the museum – I’ll have to back now:))
Charming photos! I love countries like Egypt, Greece, Jordan, etc – these places have so much of mystery behind their architecture and landscapes.
Beautiful photos…
Athens looks just as amazing as I remember it from ages ago. I can see us revisiting both Athens and the islands sometime soon. I love the views of Athens that Lycabettus Hill provides. I never knew about that before, but then I was younger then and probably not worried about views 🙂
Amazing photos and loved reading about Athens.Sunset is speechless!
First time here and joined with the link up.Thanks for hosting and I could find some photos with beautiful travel photos…..
As always, your photos are breathtaking. Just incredible!
Athens was gorgeous, wasn’t it?! Great photos.