I traveled to Greece for 8 days, during the reopening (COVID-19) to tourists in May 2021. I’ll spare you the covid restriction details (passport, vaccination, PCR test etc.) but I’ve made a quick summary below for anyone looking for simple tips/advice/things to do…
Day 1 in Greece
Athens
Athens is a city full of cats, tortoises, graffiti and 80’s music coming out of every speaker but worth a visit nevertheless.
We landed in the afternoon and went straight to the hotel for a rooftop beer (we got a good deal at the Grand Hyatt but didn’t factor for the 9euro beers, so we didn’t sit around too long). In may sunset isn’t until around 8:30 so we had plenty of time to explore.
Plaka – Full of nice cafes and restaurants and there are so many rooftop bars with great views of the acropolis.
Anafiotika – Between the Acropolis and Plaka with a more classical village look that is worth a stroll around.
Acropolis – The icon of Athens. A must visit but the view from afar may be even better.
Lykabettos Hill – Overlooks the city of Athens, and has a great view for sunset
Alphi / Alvi– We got a recommendation from a local to go here for dinner. It was everything you’d hope. Local food, local people, no touristic traits, and good prices to go with it all (Beer 3-4euro).
https://goo.gl/maps/3VEHMGkG72uH5aP49
Day 2 in Greece
Botanical Gardens – Nice park for a walk around, some ponds with tortoises, ducks, swans etc. too
Panathenaic Stadium – Location of the first modern Olympic Games in 1986.
Ceil – Plaka rooftop bar that we were recommended to go to. Good vibe, nice view and reasonably priced beer (5-6 euro).
https://goo.gl/maps/fWN9LLUhs1wCTpFv7
Koubelos – We got a recommendation from a local to go here for dinner, away from the typical tourist places. A nice outdoor garden area, very busy at the weekend, local food and local wine (5.80 euro for 500ml jug)
Escape Car Rental – Booked an car (automatic) for three days to drive to Delphi and Meteora. Was hassle free but always take pictures of the car before you take off just in case.
Day 3 in Greece
Pick-up car – Unlimited milage (we drove about 900km total in three days). It’s great to have the freedom of a car it may be better to consider a bus tour from Athens depending on your situation.
Delphi – A great detour on the way to Meteora. Maybe not worth the trip alone from Athens if you are tight for time, but a good experience nonetheless.
Meteora – We arrived towards the end of the day, and planned our attack for the next morning.
Day 4 in Greece
Monasteries of Meteora – 6 monasteries:
1. Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron
2. Holy Monastery of Varlaam
3. Holy Monastery of Roussanou
4. Aghios Nicholaos of Anapafsas
5. Holy Trinity Monastery
6. St. Stephen’s Holy Monastery
5 of the 6 monasteries were open when we visited (Holy Trinity Monastery was closed). Each of the monasteries, are closed on different days so check ahead.
Day 5 in Greece
Return trip to Athens (approx. 350km).
Thea Rooftop Terrace bar – a great rooftop to capture the sunset and the acropolis in one.
Ergon House – We were recommended to go to here for dinner (for a second time) but it was booked out so we went back to Koubelos.
https://goo.gl/maps/FgtU6pWWdyNdnmbX6
Day 6 in Greece
Pireuas – The main port from Athens to the islands. We went down to get tickets (you can book online but I wanted to check Covid restrictions).
Pasalimani – The area of Pireuas itself is a bit run down but a walk along the marina where private boats are moored is quiet nice
Day 7 in Greece
Aegina – 1h 10min ferry from Pireuas. A quiet island, that although surely lives on tourism, appeared to have its own local charm too. The further away from the port/promenade front you get the quieter it became.
Inn on the Beach – Great sea side bar to watch the sun set over the neighbouring islands.
https://goo.gl/maps/1ib2yYodLgjH5PSD8
Day 8 in Greece
Tortuga Café – Nice Italian style café away from the promenade to grab a morning coffee
https://g.page/tortugaegina?share
Alphi – I visited for lunch and was disappointed to find only one item on the menu that contained fish, considering it’s a small island, but I passed again in the evening and there wasn’t a spare seat. It appeared to be the main watering hole of the island.
https://goo.gl/maps/x68A6NnXBXtuLwg97
Kappos Etsi – Recommend for its fresh fish. I had the grilled squid for dinner. Id be lying if I said I was impressed but then again, has anyone ever been impressed by a grilled squid. Maybe not the best choice.
https://goo.gl/maps/gDhWoskELShBiUkw8
Other dinner options – There are some restaurants very close to the fish market and are known to keep it simple but plentiful and fresh. If I had another day here, I would have checked them out.
Day 9 in Greece
Ferry to Pireaus. Taxi to airport. Plane back to reality.
Prices and Tips (all prices in euro)
Restaurants – As listed above. Avli in Athens is defineteyl the best bang for your buck, and a good escape from the tourist world to have a local experience
Hotel info – to be updated soon
Taxi info – to be updated soon
Car Rental – 100 euro for 3 days, petrol was 115 euro and tolls were about 30 euro in total
Average price of a beer about 4-5euro for 500ml bottle in athens
Acropolis entry fee is 20 euro, or you can pay 30 euro to group it together for entry to multiple sites around Athens.
Dephi entry fee is 12 euro
Entry is 3 euro per monastery in Meteora. The views from each of the monasteries are worth the fee alone.Ask the locals – great tips for restaurants
Athens – Aegina Ferry is 8.90 euro each way
Phonetics:
Hello = Yassas
Thank you = Ifarisstow
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