Athens Archives - Planet Whitley

Personal recommendations for a short break in Athens, Greece

Democracy, drama, philosophy… Athens has given us an awful lot. And the traces of the ancient greats crop up surprisingly regularly in an otherwise gritty-but-buzzy modern city. Walking down a road past bars, street art and souvlaki joints, only to suddenly bump into the remnants…

Athens, city guides, Greece

The Eridanos River running through Monastiraki Station on the Athens Metro.

The mini-museums of the Athens Metro

You don't have to walk to the Acropolis to get a taste of ancient Greece. The stations of the Athens Metro network act as mini-museums. Archaeological finds inside Akropoli Station As clashes between ancient and modern go, it’s hard to top the Akropoli Metro Station…

Athens, Greece, museums, public transport

Athens’ Acropolis Museum: A review of Greece’s modern treasure

The Acropolis Museum in Athens is where ancient Greek history meets contemporary design - and the Parthenon marbles take centre stage. The controversial modern building If ever something was on a hiding to nothing, it’s the Acropolis Museum in Athens. It cost €130 million to…

Athens, Greece, museums, reviews

How to spend 24 hours in Athens before your cruise

Highlights of a day in Athens before a cruise from Piraeus include the Parthenon, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Agora and the Acropolis Museum. What is Athens like? The place Greece’s capital occupies in the minds of classical scholars and cherishers of democracy doesn’t quite match…

Athens, city guides, Greece

The Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, Greece.

Athens accommodation recommendations (updated for 2025)

From the classic Grande Bretagne to the purpose-built beds of the Nubian Hostel, Athens has interesting accommodation options for all budgets. Best Athens accommodation for backpackers: Nubian Hostel Hostel beds are often hideous, noisy, rattling metal things that groan in the night as someone attempts…

Athens, Greece, hotels

Can you visit the Parthenon at night?

A practical guide to visiting at the Parthenon, including hours, ticketing, access, and alternatives for after-dark experiences. History and overview The Parthenon is one of the most recognisable ancient buildings on earth. Completed in 438 BC, it was built as a temple dedicated to the…

Athens, Greece

Theatre of Dionysus: what first-time visitors need to know

How to plan a visit to the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens: access, times, ticketing, and what to expect in the birthplace of drama. Theatre of Dionysus: History and overview The Theatre of Dionysus (or Dionysos Eleuthereus) is built into the southern slope of the…

Athens, Greece, history

National Garden of Athens: A practical guide for first-time visitors

Practical advice for visiting the National Garden of Athens: opening hours, access, facilities, and nearby attractions History and overview The National Garden of Athens, originally known as the Royal Garden, was established in 1838 by Queen Amalia, the wife of King Otto of Greece. Spanning…

Athens, gardens, Greece

The Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece.

Panathenaic Stadium, Athens: what first-time visitors need to know

Practical advice for visiting the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens: how to get there, opening times, ticket prices, accessibility and nearby sights History and overview The Panathenaic Stadium, sometimes called Kallimarmaro, occupies a central spot in Athens and is the marble stadium that hosted the first…

Athens, Greece, stadiums