Sightseeing
Syntagma Square is the center of Athens with the Parliament building being the main focus. Check out the national guard right there. Behind the Parliament is the National Garden, the local version of Central Park.
As you face the Parliament, on your left, you’ll see the Grande Bretagne hotel. Go to the rooftop, anytime day or night, have a coffee, drink or food, enjoy some of the best views of the Acropolis and the city.
From there, head south along Ermou Street and as you’re walking along the shops, you’ll end up at Monastiraki square. That’s a fun flea market, walk around and get lost exploring the little streets and shops.
Continue to Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in Athens, perfect for a stroll around the little streets in the early evening. You’ll find various craftsmen and artisanal shops. The little streets are full of busy coffee shops, restaurants and bars.
Walk all around the streets of Plaka surrounding the Acropolis and get to Thisseio square. Front here, you can make your way up to the Acropolis and visit the Parthenon. The reward is 100% worth it if you decide to brave the heat and sun and climb up to the top.The Acropolis Museum is one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. Go to the rooftop and take in the views of the sacred rock of the Acropolis from there.
Shopping
Start at Syntagma Square and walk along Voukourestiou street towards Kolonaki. There you’ll find all the high end shops and jewelry stores. Once you get to Kolonaki, sit for a coffee or a drink on Skoufa street, great for people watching.
Ermou street has some more mainstream shops (Zara vs Hermès & Chanel at Kolonaki).Shop for souvenirs and artisanal Greek products anywhere in Plaka or Monastiraki.
Glyfada is a very busy and popular shopping area, just a few mins by Uber from the Margi hotel and Kifissia is another popular shopping area on the north side of Athens.
Note that if you pay by credit card, always select the option of paying in Euros, don’t go for the USD rate.Also, don’t forget to ask for the tax forms at all the shops, they all offer it on all purchases and you’ll get around 10-12% back when you’re at the airport on your way back (best thing to do is get the money back on your credit card instead of getting cash - you’ll get a better rate this way).
Food & Drinks
Make sure to go to one of the bakeries for spanakopita and an iced cappuccino. That’s as Greek as your breakfast can get. Gregory’s is a chain all over the city and one of Carly’s favorites.
Go to Agia Eirini square day or night or Psiri Street at night, you’ll find countless spots to eat and drink.
The most famous traditional souvlaki spot is Kosta’s souvlaki in Agia Eirini square. It’s a hole in the wall, there’s always a line, it goes quick and totally worth the wait. They close around 4 PM, or when they run out of meat, so don’t get there too late.
If you’re in the mood for Greek style fish & chips, visit Bakaliarakia in Plaka. It’s the oldest restaurant in the country, small basement, easy to walk by and miss it, but great food. Use that as your waypoint and on the same street, you’ll find a ton of other excellent restaurants, definitely the perfect destination for traditional traverna food.
Beach
On the southern edge of the Greek capital lies the Athenian Riviera. Still defined as greater Athens, its lined with palm trees and beaches which dominate a slice of Mediterranean coastline. It is a mix of an urban shore with a laid-back elegance, a history of jet-set glamour and offers the feeling of spending quality time on a Greek island.
On the northern section you will find Glyfada, Varkiza, Voula, with Lagonissi and Cape Sounion around the southernmost point.
Glyfada is a major shopping area with hundreds of stores within easy walking distance. In Varkiza you will find a fishing port with a splendid fish market. In between, there are many beaches, including the beaches at Voula and Vouliagmeni, which is known for its spring waters. The area beneath Cape Sounion - also called Cape Sounio - is a place of myths and legends, full of history with the Doric Temple of Poseidon built around 440 BC.
A little bit of nature and fitness
If you feel like you need to burn off some spanakopita and souvlaki calories, you can go for a bike ride, a run or a stroll along the coast. Vouliagmeni Lake, a real hidden treasure is just the spot to end your walk/run/bike-ride. It’s a small lake, where the water has healing properties, surrounded by beach chairs and umbrellas and there’s is a cafe-bar-restaurant that serves excellent food.