Athenians Weekend Experience

Arrive at Athens Airport or Piraeus Port, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The afternoon is yours to explore this vibrant city at your own pace. You might begin with a visit to Syntagma Square to soak up the city’s lively atmosphere. Nearby, Attica at City Link offers a stylish shopping experience in a beautifully preserved neoclassical building, featuring a wide range of designer brands and personalised service. Continue to the fashionable Kolonaki district, known for its elegant boutiques and the renowned Da Capo coffee shop, a favourite spot among locals for a quick coffee break. Kolonaki Square buzzes with cafés, restaurants and bars from morning until late, providing a true taste of Athenian life. Alternatively, you can explore Ermou Street, Athens’ main shopping thoroughfare named after the ancient god of commerce, lined with both international and local stores. For a quieter stroll, wander through the charming alleys of Plaka, the city’s old district, where you’ll find numerous small shops selling souvenirs and local crafts. Overnight in Athens.

After breakfast, we set out on a city tour that reveals the striking contrasts of Athens. Our expert guide will take you first to the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the inaugural modern Olympic Games in 1896. We then pass the Prime Minister’s residence—the former Royal Palace—guarded by the colourful Euzones. Along the way, you will see key landmarks including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, University, National Library, and Constitution Square (Syntagma). The highlight is a visit to the Acropolis, where you will explore the architectural masterpieces of Athens’ Golden Age: the Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, and the Parthenon, a symbol of classical harmony and order. We conclude at the Acropolis Museum, home to many artefacts from the site. After the tour, we return to your hotel in Athens for overnight.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Athens. You may choose to explore the city’s sites at your own pace, relax at the hotel, or make use of its facilities. Alternatively, you can join our optional Athens food tour, which offers a unique way to experience the city through its culinary traditions. Beginning at 9.30 am in Monastiraki Square, the tour takes you through the charming Psyrri neighbourhood, where you’ll sample a traditional Greek breakfast of aromatic coffee and koulouri, a sesame-coated pastry. You will then visit a selection of Greek delis and pie shops to taste favourites such as spanakopita, before exploring the lively Varvakios market. The tour continues with tastings of classic home-cooked dishes including moussaka, gemista, and fresh sardines, alongside iconic Greek cheeses, cured meats, olives, olive oil and more. A visit to a mastiha shop offers a sensory treat, and the experience concludes at a local mezze bar, where you can enjoy traditional small plates accompanied by tsipouro, a potent Greek spirit. This food tour combines delicious flavours with a thorough introduction to Athens’ city centre and its historic landmarks, including some lesser-known spots. The rest of the day is free for you to wander and discover Athens at your leisure, returning to your hotel independently for overnight.

After breakfast, spend the day exploring Athens at your own pace, discovering its hidden corners like a local. You might visit the Sunday flea market, Joussouroum, at Platia Avissinias in Monastiraki – the vibrant heart of the old bazaar. Here, you’ll find everything from antique furniture and rustic household items to quality reproductions of classic artworks and a variety of handmade crafts. Take a break with a Greek coffee in one of the many nearby cafés, soaking up the lively atmosphere, or enjoy a traditional meal of kebab and souvlaki at a local tavern (meals not included). The area offers an impressive selection of restaurants serving authentic dishes sure to delight your palate. Alternatively, you may choose to join the optional half-day tour to Cape Sounion. This scenic drive along the coastal road passes beautiful beaches at Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza before reaching the southernmost point of Attica. Here, the striking white marble ruins of the Temple of Poseidon overlook the Saronic Gulf and nearby islands. After exploring the temple, you’ll have time to stroll the rocky promontory at leisure before returning to your hotel in Athens for the night.

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel. At the arranged time, we will transfer you to Athens Airport or Piraeus Port for your onward journey or return trip.