Welcome to the city where democracy was born. When you think about Greece you visualise beaches and islands. Athens may not be the city you associate with vacation. However Athens offers a lot more then you might think in the first place. Athens over the weekend is really is one of the best city vacations you can do in Europe. However I recommend you to stay centrally so you are within walking distance of the city’s attractions.
Athens has a lot of nice museums you can explore. I visited the museum of Cycladic art the last time I was there. Some of the museums offers additional photo exhibitions as well. During the summer months, the city explodes by many cultural events. In other words festivals, theatre, shows, dance events and concerts. More information about current events can be found here.
What to see
Acropolis
The city’s main tourist attraction, queues in the entrances are the shortest in the morning and during the winter season. If you visit the Acropolis hill during the summer, you need a hat or cap and bottle of water, as it is always warmer on top than at the entrance. Opening hours and ticket information at the official website.
Secondly Herodion theatre was built by the Athenian philosopher Herodion Atticus as memory of his wife. The theatre is open during the summer with concerts and other performances.
In addition Acropolis Museum, modern and beautiful, where you can follow the history and originals of the statues up close. After that have a cup of coffee or eat in the restaurant with the best view of Acropolis.
Plaka
Plaka is the old town below the Acropolis hill, where there are plenty of restaurants, cafés and shops. The area was populated here in the 17th century and have today many neoclassical buildings in pastel colors. Certanily relaxing to take a walk in this neighbourhood and cozy to stroll around these streets. Its also known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods” due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites.
Anafiotika
Anafiotika is the residential area under the Acropolis hill that looks like a small village. Here, artisans moved from the island Anafi to renovate King Otto´s palace at the end of the 19th century. Anafi is one small island in the Agean Sea. You definitely want spent a little time of the weekend to snap some picturesque captures in this part of Athens.
Monastiraki
Monastiraki square is the meeting point for tourists and Athenians. Tzistarakis Mosque was built during the Ottoman Empire and is now a ceramic museum. You have the Metro station here and many shops in the streets around the area. Collectors love this place as you have basars and a flea market in this area as well.
Syntagma
Every Sunday att 11.00 you can watch the ceremony of Evzones or Tsoliades when they change the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The place is in front of the Greek Parlament at Syntagma Square. Likewise you can watch the ceremony every hour every day. However Sundays has a special ceremony and with the official costumes.
“I am not an Athenian or a Greek,
but a citizen of the world”
Diogenes
Where to eat
Eat like a greek or local when you are in Athens over the weekend. Here are the restaurants I have visited and I recommend. By the way Athens offers tourists a lot of food tours. Because food matters and it tells us something more about the history of each city.
- Quick Pitta- Mitropoleos 55. This place offers the best classical Pita with Giro in a fresh and modern interior.
- Skoubri -Drakou 14. Fish restaurant witch resides in the upcoming area Koukaki. Fresh dishes and light interior with a nice fish menu.
- Seychelles - Keramikou 49 Metaxourgeio. Trendy restaurant housed in a cute, early 19th century building. Don’t forget to make a reservation its a popular place.
- To Kati Allo - Chatzichristou 12. A family restaurant serves greek homemade dishes, magirefta, in an old style taverna. It could be greek bean soup, moussaka and other traditional dishes that my mother used to make.
Did you find this post useful? Let me know if you plan your destination wedding here in Athens, I will be more than happy to photograph your wedding day. Check out my elopements here.
Athens
Acropolis
destination-wedding
My family comes from the mainland in Greece. I have traveled to many islands through the years but never been to Crete until recently. Now I understand why it´s such a popular destination. Crete is the largest island in Greece and its geographical position have made the people love and grow their land. Olive groves, orange trees or vineyards can be seen after the roads.
Are you going to Crete this summer? If you choose Rethymnon then you will be able to make day trips to the east and to the west side of the island. Or just explore what is around this city. Here are my best culture tips and Rethymnon in 13 photos.
Fortezza castle
Fortezza is built on the hill Paleokastro (means old castle) under the Venetian regime. The Venetians built it to protect the city from the Ottoman occupation. Despite the big castle the Turks conquered the city in the 1600s. In addition the fortress was destroyed during the second World War but is renovated and a mosque and two churches from the 1800s have been preserved.
Preveli
Preveli Monastery is located 37 km from Rethymnon in a beautiful hill overlooking the water of Preveli beach. The monastery is consisted of two main building complexes, the Lower (Kato) Monastery and the Rear (Pisso) Monastery which is in operation today. Nevertheless the beach where the river Grand River opens into the sea, is located about 2 km from the lower Monastery. You will reach the beach within 15 minutes, just walk down the stairs down the hill to the beach.
Arkadi Monastery
Arkadi Monasterys church was built in 1587 by Italian architects and was heavily influenced by the renaissance art. However I’m more impressed over the interiors and beautiful colour of ochre on the walls. So nice to be a monk here and have time for reflection and inner thought in this beautiful environment. I captured a lot of photos here and in the Rethymnon are, more than 13 actually.
If you plan to elope or getting married here in Crete, let me know! I help couples plan and photograph their elopements and weddings in Greece.
Crete
wedding
In Epirus
in the north west of Greece, you will find the region Zagori. In short its 46 stone villages in a magnificent landscape and just one hour drive from the city Ioannina. I grew up in Stockholm, in the middle of the city. Landscapes views and nature were not around the corner. It was usually up to date on summer holidays when we went to Greece. However the exception is my earliest childhood year when I lived with my grandparents in a small mountain village. As the years goes by I’m drawn to the mountains like a magnet and love the views of the those hilly landscapes…
Zagori means beyond the mountains, from the Slavic word za “behind” and gore meaning “mountain”. During the Ottoman era Zagori flourished and that is evident in the architecture of the houses, the unique bridges and monasteries. Kalderimi is the name of the cobblestone paved roads around the stone villages in Zagori. Most importantly they are designed for foot and hoofed traffic and tie together many of the villages in the region. Zagoria or Zagori or Zagorochoria (villages of Zagori) is divided into three regions, western, eastern and central Zagori. In 2014 Greece submitted Zagorochoria - North Pindos National Park to UNESCO and is today in the tentative list.
West Zagori
The villages you must visit here are Megalo Papigo and Mikro Papigo, its the villages in the photos above. We actually stayed here at Mikro Papigo hotel and from here you can start your hiking up to the mountain top of mountain Tymfi and reach the top Gamilla with an altitude of 2436 meters. Beside the mountains you have the famous lake Drakolimni on the way up and about 4,5 hours from Papigo villages. In between the two villages you will find the natural swimming pools of Rogovo as the waters from the mountains pass by this spot. On your way to the village Aristi you might want to stop at Aristi bridge and perhaps join the rafting groups for a pleasant rafting tour in the river of Voidomatis to enjoy the national park from the river. This also a perfect place for intimate weddings or special celebrations, can’t imagine a more romantic place..for more inspiration check out my elopement packages.
Central Zagori
Above all the main attractions here is Vikos gorge, listed as the deepest gorge in the world by Guinness Book of Record. It begins between the villages of Monodendri and Koukouli and ends near the village Vikos. In addition village Monodendri has the most tourists as you have a spectacular view to Vikos gorge from this point. In the centre of the village you have Rizario Exhibition Culture Centre with nice handcraft and photography exhibitions. Central Zagori has the most famous stone bridges and monasteries in Zagori, don’t miss them if you are nearby. Villages like Dilofo, Kipoi are just some of the 20 villages in this section.
East Zagori
Consist of 16 villages which has the oldest villages in the area. Further this part of Zagori attracts nature lovers, hikers, scouts and hunters. On your way up to the very east you find the villages Greveniti, Elatochori, Vouvousa and Perivoli among others. I have been to Vouvousa twice as its at least a few hours drive from Ioannina city. In addition nature lovers can enjoy the national forrest of Pindos and the river Aoos flowing through the village of Vouvousa.
How to get here
You will reach Zagori with bus or car from Thessaloniki, its about three hours drive to the region. The nearest airport is located in Ioannina city, now with direct charter flights from Sweden. From Ioannina its thirty minutes drive to the villages Aristi or Dilofo, to reach the very east part of Zagori about three hours drive. The roads in Zagori are new but with a number of hairpin bends.
Zagoria
Greece
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