Downtown Athens is a cultural and historic hub. The city's bustling center has lots to offer for guests looking to experience a variety of monuments, museums and more. Below are a few ideas.

No visit to Athens is complete without a trip to see the Acropolis of Athens, one of the most important Greek historical legacies that reflects Classical Greece. For approximately 20 Euros, you can climb the 350m summit, a steady ascent that takes 20-30 minutes and offers stunning views of the city at every turn. At the bottom of the monument sits the Acropolis Museum, full of related archeological artifacts, and is one of the most impressive museums we've been to anywhere in the world! Revive yourself after by visiting one of the many surrounding local rooftop bars that offer views of the Acropolis. The CocoMat Hotel, Hotel Grand Bretagne, and St. George Lycabettus Hotel all have rooftop gardens. Or, check out A for Athens, Bar 360, or Ceremony.

The Ancient Agora of Athens showcases the ancient ruins of the center of Athens in antiquity, where political and judicial activity occurred. On site, there is both a museum, and a variety of different monuments such as temples and statues that reflect important Greek history and cultural significance.

Other highly recommended activities in the downtown area include: taking a walk through Syntagma Square and seeing the changing of the guards, touring the National Archaeological Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art, and/or National Gallery, strolling the National Garden of Athens, and visiting the Panathenaic Stadium, which is the location of the first modern Olympics. You can also travel up to Lykavittos or Philopappos Hill to see views of downtown from above.

Depending on your interests and general bandwidth for museums, there is also the War Museum, National Historical Museum, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Benaki Museum, Jewish Museum of Greece, Numismatic Museum of Athens, Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art, Byzantine and Christian Museum.

If you are looking to escape the city center in favor of the coastline, known as the Athenian Riviera, there are a variety of water-adjacent activities to be explored in the south.

Fun fact: Lake Vouliagmeni was our runner-up wedding venue! This geothermal lake is backdropped by exquisite rock formations, creating a uniquely aesthetic haven in the middle of the Athenian Riviera. During the day, you can purchase a set of daybeds with an umbrella, and relax along the shores or take a swim in the warm, healing waters. By night, the stone backdrop is lit up creating an unreal atmosphere for a cocktail or special dinner. Details can be found here.

Road trip your way down to the southermost tip of the Attika region, a gorgeous coastal drive through the Athenian Riviera. Your destination is the Temple of Poseidon, where Greek mythology asserts that King Aegeus threw himself into the sea when he thought that his son Theseus had died. This is how the Aegean Sea was named. For a modest fee of approximately 10 Euro and a short 10 minute walk, you are rewarded with exquisite views (particularly at sunset).

For a classic beach day in Athens, a convenient choice is the Grand Beach at Lagonissi. There is a modest fee for a set of day beds with umbrellas, but you can take advantage of food & beverage service in between dips, and the parking is no problem. Alternating between a freddo cappuccino and an Aperol Spritz is the way to go.

In most cases, you can walk into a Greek taverna and order a delightfully affordable and authentic meal. But, for a few of our favorite recommendations, below are some ideas. Be sure to ask for an English menu, as most places will be able to provide.

With several locations throughout the city, including one just north of the Acropolis, Solo Gelato is our favorite destination for ice cream, discovered when one summer Chris decided to embark on a multi-stop "ice cream tour" of a list of the best dessert shops in the city. This was the decisive victory, and ever since, we re-arrange our errands and activities around making a stop at Solo.

Bakoyiannis is a small yogurt shop selling handmade Greek yogurt with 100% sheep's milk. Chris enjoys the plain flavor with its distinctive tang, whereas his father is partial to rizogalo, the rice pudding yogurt sprinkled with cinnamon. Be sure to call before you go, as this very small family-run operation sometimes closes shop.

Seafood is fresh and abundant in Greece. Some options include To Korali for a low key environment but great value, Papaioannou which is more high end and has great food, Nisiotissa for good value for price and a nice environment, Lampros for a nice location and view, and Estiatorio Milos for the ultimate high-end experience.

Yes, it's a little strange that we brought you all the way to Greece only to recommend you visit an Italian food restaurant. But this is not just any Italian food spot. Chris is so obsessed with the carbonara here that he has figured out how to replicate it exactly at home, including importing the specific pasta they use.

Chris indulges his love of steak at a few different restaurants in Athens, including Dracoulis, Tilemachos, and Base Grill. Do not let Chris talk you into sampling the Base Grill beef liver, but do not skip the fries + egg side dish. To sample the Greek delicacy of mutton chops (paidakia), visit To Tzaki.