Athens

April represents the time that my relationship with đẹp trai goes full circle year-round and, by a happy twist of fate, it’s also my parents' wedding anniversary. That calls for a celebration! So we wanted to weave together good family time and romance in the best way possible: cruising through the enchanting Greek islands, and visiting Athens at the same time! With their striking white and blue colours, ancient ruins and beautiful sunsets, it was a perfect spot for us lovebirds.

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📍 Astor Hotel

Named after the goddess Athena, Athens was the hub of ancient Greece and stands today as its vibrant capital. It's fascinating to see how modern life has seamlessly woven itself around the remnants of the Classical era. Perched atop a hill is the Acropolis, the iconic ancient citadel, home to a plethora of temples, most notably the Parthenon, dedicated to guess who? Athena of course.

The Acropolis of Athens
While primarily a religious and ceremonial site, the Acropolis also held a strategic importance in the ancient times. Its location on a high, rocky outcrop above the city made it an ideal lookout point and a place of refuge during times of invasion or siege. Today, it's still possible to admire the remnants of its meticulous design, classical architectural styles, and the stunning marble work, which make it one of the most revered landmarks in the world.

Athens, Greece

Today, the Acropolis is such a coveted view that rooftop terraces have sprung up all around. This iconic sight has become a major selling point for many local restaurants too.

Dionysos Zonars
We love fine dining with a scenery. But we couldn’t imagine anything like this, with the Acropolis in sight just outside of the tall windows, lit up for the night. The food was as great as the view. And for the service? Well, we finished our evening with a complimentary digestive on the house!

Geros Tou Moria Restaurant
A rustic restaurant with outdoor tables under vine canopies, set in a charming spot along the stairways leading to the Acropolis site. Great for their excellent fish and seafood. We also appreciated the welcoming staff, the live music and the company of the owner’s cat who joined me next to my seat while I had lunch!

Then, north to the Acropolis is the Monastiraki neigborhood, known for its flea market, historical sites, and harmonious blend of ancient heritage and contemporary Greek life.

The Agoras
Agoras were open public spaces or marketplaces in ancient Greek city-states where various activities took place, including trade, commerce, social gatherings, and civic events. In Athens, you have two of them, right inside the city center and just a short walk away from each other! The Ancient Agora, dating back to the 6th century BC and the Roman Forum, built during the 1st century BC. Hard to find a better opportunity to admire the best of both Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman architectures, from diverse eras, side by side!

Hadrian's Library
Then, just few steps away from both the Ancient and the Roman Agora, stands the Hadrian’s Library. Constructed in the 2nd century AD under Roman Emperor Hadrian, this was the largest library in Athens. Apparently, there was a pool in the middle of the library. Now that’s fancy!

And after so much activity, what else apart from a good food and refreshment?

O Thanasis
A great tavern for experiencing local food from this busy area.

Ellyz Cafe
There’s a place for everything. This adorable cafe is for the bravest. You can’t miss it, especially with its door-size pink flower heart-crown. Every item on their menu has pink in it or rose in the ingredients. Once you get persuaded by the cute and instagramable looks of this cafe, you’ll then be surprised by the size of their slice of cake. Mine was probably a 4-inch piece.

Kalimeres
Technically not in Monastiraki, but in Psiri. It’s just a few steps away from the Monastiraki Square though. We came here for a boozy brunch (that ended up not too boozy). Deciding what to order was a bit of a dilemma, as I was trying to cut on the glutonny. After some deliberation, flipping through the menu back and forth, I ended up ordering a burrata on a bed of cherry tomatoes with pesto. Di-vine!

For our final days in Athens, we mostly spent the time shopping around Plaka and Syntagma, where our hotel was located. I mean, when we were not eating!

Plaka
This is the oldest neighbourhood of Athens, also known as the "Neighbourhood of the Gods" due to its close proximity to the Acropolis and many other ancient sites. Its beauty lies in the ambiance of the Greek Islands you can feel here, in the heart of Athens. It’s also a great spot for shopping, especially for souvenirs and linen.

Ermou
Ermou Street is a thriving pedestrian destination with a rich history, starting from the west side of Syntagma Square and stretching to Monastiraki. Lined with international brands, designer boutiques, and cozy coffee shops, this is the busiest commercial street in Athens. Do you want to miss that?

Ella Greek Cooking
An excellent local urban cuisine in a minimalist setting. We were lucky to have found a table without a reservation. Although I'm usually not keen on eggplants, that day I was inspired to try moussaka, my first ever, and it was flawless!

To Neoklassiko
Last, but this was actually our very first restaurant of the trip! Post check-in at our hotel, we were on the lookout for a good gyro spot nearby. Luckily, this restaurant was top rated and just next door. As our first meal, it was even more comforting. We were also introduced to mastiha, a Greek liquor. From that day on, I was obsessed in making sure I bring some back home as a souvenir!