Page 287 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

24 HOURS

in Athens

Morning authentic. From Monastiráki station, take
Say kaliméra (“good morning”) with a Metro Line 1 north to Omónia, then
coffee from Little Trees Books & Coffee change to a bus along Trítis Septemvríou,
(Kavalloti 2, Athina 117 42), a bookshop- alighting near Márni for the National
cum-café whose outdoor tables sit Archaeological Museum (p292). Budget a
charmingly under striped awnings. It’s couple of hours to absorb the collection
handily close to the Acropolis, where your which spans thousands of years, from the
best chance of beating the crowds is Neolithic to the Roman eras. Unmissable
getting there close to opening at 8am. crowd-pleasers include the Cycladic Harp
Spend the morning among the most Player from the third millennium BC and
remarkable ancient structures in the the Youth of Antikythera salvaged from
world, from the Pantheon to the Temple a shipwreck near that island, along with
of Athena Nike (p288). Descend to the so-called Antikythera mechanism of
pedestrianized Dionysíou Areopagítou, 100 BC, an advanced ancient computer
down the east hill past the late Classical used to calculate astronomical events.
Theatre of Dionysos, where many ancient
tragedies and comedies had their Evening
premieres, on your way to the Acropolis
Museum (p288), where you could easily Walk a few blocks southeast to buzzing
spend a few hours – but limit yourself to and alternative Exárhia district, where
one or two. The most notable displays tavernas and bars stay up all night. If it’s a
here include half of the surviving Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, bookstores
Parthenon Marbles, housed in a gallery and music shops purveying legacy vinyl
with a view of the Acropolis. will sell their wares long into the night.
Head for the characterful stone taverna
Efimeron (Methonis 58, Athina 106 81),
Afternoon known for its live rebétika music, a local
Throw yourself headlong into vibrant and Greek blues variation that emerged
bustling Monastiráki (p293), with its range from dive bars and tavernas. Feast on
of shops – if you’re there on a Saturday, traditional Greek dishes and local wine
it will be buzzing with the odd and the here. Head back to the Acropolis, and
amazing at the weekly flea market. Have the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (p288),
lunch at the basement Diporto taverna an ancient amphitheatre that has been
near Athens Central Market (p293). There’s partially restored. Catching an orchestra
no sign, and no English menu, which is or perfomance at this ancient site is truly
part of the reason it has remained magical, and not to be missed.
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