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Free Time in Athens
Athens:
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Free time in Athens? Take a look at the suggested activities below to add even more to your tour experience. Please note that these recommendations are separate from your included EF tour activities. Opening times, availability and fees for these free time activities may vary depending on the time of year and are subject to change. Please check listed websites for details.
Museums:
National Archaeological Museum
44 Patission St; Metro Omonia. Open Mon 1-8pm and Tues-Sun 9am-4pm, winter times may vary.
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This vast and hugely popular museum is home to many of the earliest known Greek sculptures dating from 2000 BC and includes the remarkable Cycladic figurines. The Mycenaean Collection includes gold masks, cups, dishes and jewelry excavated from the site of Mycenae in 1876; there are also wonderful burial masks and Vaphio cups. Entrance fee applies, 18 and under free.
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Koumpari 1; Metro Garden; Main building. Open Wed & Fri 9am-5pm, Thurs and Sat 9am-12am, closed Mon and Tues.
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Located on Vassilisis Sofias (between Kolonaki Square and the National Gardens) the Benaki lays out the history, art and culture of both ancient and modern Greece. A must for those of Greek origin, or anyone who wants a better understanding of the country which is modern Greece. Laid out chronologically, the museum tells the story from ancient times to the war of Independence in the 1820s. The Benaki Museum is made up of 6 buildings: Main Building, Pieros St. Annexe, Museum of Islamic Art, N. Hadjikyriakos-Ghika Gallery, Yannis Pappas Studio, and Mentis. Entrance fee applies, separate for each building.
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Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments
1 Diogenous Street; Metro Metropolis. Open Tues and Thurs-Sun 10am-2pm; Wed 12-6pm; closed Monday.
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In the heart of the old town, this fun museum is housed in the historical Lassanis Mansion, built in 1842 close to the Roman Agora. Exhibits include traditional instruments such as tamborines, Cretan lyres, lutes, pottery drums and clarinets which are all on show. Enjoy the music that defines Greece! Admission is Free.
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17 Kydathinaion Street; Metro Filellinon; Central Building. Open daily 8am-3pm, closed Monday.
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A surprisingly appealing museum with glittering embroideries and eclectic Greek costumes. Many of the embroidered, crocheted and woven exhibits were made by young Greek women as part of their dowries when the bride was obliged to arrive at the altar with a lifetime worth of linen, rugs and blankets. Occasionally, there are also children’s puppet shows. The Museum of Greek Folk Art is made up of four buildings: The Central Building, The Bath House of the Winds, The Museum at 22 Panos Street and the Mosque. Entrance fee applies, separate for each one, 18 and under free.
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Haridimos Shadow Puppet Museum Theatre
66 Iraklidon & Thessalonikis Street; Metro Thissio, Melina Cultural Centre. Open daily 9am-1pm and 5pm-9pm, closed Sunday evening and all day Monday.
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The museum hosts a vast collection of items that belonged to the Haridimos family, renowned shadow puppet masters. Over 1,000 exhibits are on display including figures made with leather, cardboard, gelatin and sets drawn on fabric, cloth-bound manuscripts, folk art paintings, and photographs dating from the early 20th century until today. If you are lucky enough to find Sotiris Haridimos on site when you arrive, you could be treated to your own private shadow puppet show! Entrance fee may apply.
Only in Athens:
Psiri
Metro Monastiraki, Anargyron Street
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Psiri has become the place for people, young and old, to go in the evening. Full of small cafes, restaurants and bars with music everywhere, this is the neighborhood to be in after dark. The easiest way to enter Psiri is from one of the small roads between the Attalos Hotel and Monistiraki square on Athinas street. Walk in and make a right on Miaouli and head to Iroon square. If you are coming down Ermou, pass Monastiraki Square, turn right on Themidos (turns into Miaoulis) or Kariaskaki, and you will be led to Iroon Square.
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Ancient Agora of Athens
Adrianou 24; Metro Monastiraki. Open daily 8:30am-7:30pm, at 11am Monday.
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Agora used to be the heart of ancient Athens, but after the Slavic invasion in 580, it was gradually abandoned. It was then excavated in the 20th century to reveal a large number of temples, stoas, altars and a concert hall. Make sure to see the Temple of Hephaistos, the best preserved temple in Greece, and the Stoa of Attalos, which is a two story tall building that has been restored to function as a shopping mall. Entrance fee applies, 17 and under free.
Foods to Try:
Gyro
A gyro is when the meat is roasted vertically turning on the spit. Slices of the meat are placed in pita with tzatziki (sauce), tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and french fries.
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Feta Me Meli
Feta wrapped in filo pastry, oven baked, and then drizzled with honey. It has a delicate balance between salty cheese and sweet honey.
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Loukoumades
Basically a Greek fried donut soaked in honey or syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Shopping:
151 22 Marousi; Metro Neratziotiss. Open Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm.
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Built to coincide with the 2004 Olympic Games, this vast modern shopping mall is located right next to the metro station, just 20 minutes ride from the city center, and within sight of the impressive Olympic stadium. Housed over three levels, there are 200 stores including an excellent variety of European high street fashion and some unique local boutiques. In addition to a bank, supermarket and 15 cinemas, there is a tempting food court offering fast food as well as both Greek and international cuisine.
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Monastiraki Flea Market
Ifestou; Metro Monastiraki, Pandrosou Street. Open daily.
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After wandering down the heaving Ermou Street with its international high street stores, the world’s oldest flea market at Monastiraki makes a welcome change. If you are looking for something Greek, then a wonderful gift could well be the traditional worry beads (komboloi). Best time to go is on Sunday.
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The Central Market
Athinas, Armodiou, Filopimenos and Aristogitonos Streets; Metro Omonia or Monastiraki. Open daily 8am-6pm, closed Sunday.
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As with all city markets, this is a wonderful eye-opener into the local produce, some of which may not look so appetizing (you can watch locals bargain for sheep’s heads!). However, this is a great place to buy traditionally produced Greek spices, herbs, sweets and a variety of cheeses and honeys. If you are a fan of the local halva then you are in for a treat. If nothing else, a great place for people-watching.
Great Walks:
National Gardens
Amalias Avenue; Metro Syntagma. Open 24 hours daily.
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Wonderful places to relax in the center of the city, the National Gardens were formerly known as the Royal Gardens. The parks are open all day and filled with beautiful and rare flowers and bushes. There are also little duck ponds, peacocks, a variety of European trees, lots of palm trees brought in by the first Queen of Greece, Amalia, and plenty of nearby cafes for an ice-cream. Open air cinema (films in English) also happens here in summertime.
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Mount Lycabettus
Lykavittos Hill Cable Car, end of Ploutarchou Street. Metro Evangelismos. Funicular runs daily from 8:45am-12am, Thursday 10:30am-12am, every 30 minutes.
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This exciting Swiss-built cable car operates every 20 minutes during the summer and offers a fantastic view of Athens from Mount Likavitos (277m), the highest point in the metropolis. Apart from the impressive urban panorama, there is a café and restaurant, the little whitewashed chapel of St. George, and plenty of walkways to explore. There is a charge for the cable car. You may also walk up the stairs to the top (stairs are open 24/7). Cable Car fee applies.
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