A Perfect Day: Athens in One Day

Before I plunge into the hustle and bustle of the city, I enjoy the morning hours on Apollon Beach in the south of Athens. I can either take the streetcar from the city center out to the Mediterranean, or I take an Uber. My favorite place to have breakfast is Lasithi Bar, which is open all year round. On colder days, the radiant heater replaces the sun.  

With the sound of the sea in my ears and an ice-cold frappé in my hand, I take the hop-on hop-off bus and make my way, face to the sun, from the coast toward the city center. Love that convertible feeling!  

If you're in Athens, you can't miss the Acropolis. It is not only the city's landmark, it also represents one of the heydays of antiquity for the whole world. Of course, the Acropolis is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts millions of visitors every year. Before visiting, you have to book a fixed time. The tickets are linked to the time.  

We leave the footsteps of the ancient Greeks and walk to Monastiraki Square in the district of the same name. The lively, colorful square is surrounded by great cafés, tavernas, restaurants, and market stalls. There are plenty of cultural attractions, such as Hadrian's Library, the Tzistarakis Mosque and the Byzantine church of Panagia Pantanassa. Watch out vintage fans and second-hand lovers: a flea market is held every Sunday on Monastiraki Square.  

A few streets away, the delicatessen Karamanlidika serves typical Greek dishes such as stuffed vine leaves, marinated anchovies, meatballs in tomato sauce and, of course, gyros, my favorite dish at Karamanlidika. The meat is wrapped in a pita bread with fresh vegetables, chips and tzatziki and eaten like a wrap. The typical Greek yogurt with honey comes free with the bill.

Sweet, sweeter, loukoumades: the traditional dessert is simply part of a typical Greek meal. The small fried dough balls are drizzled with honey or sugar syrup – that's it! I particularly like going to the Lukumades dessert shop, which has almost the same name as the dessert and focuses exclusively on the little fried treats.  

After eating, I like to stroll through the streets of Monastiraki before the sun slowly sets. The small, winding alleyways are full of traditional tavernas, vintage and second-hand stores, and traditional Greek craft stores with handmade leather goods or ceramics.  

The Acropolis at sunset is a completely different experience to marveling at the iconic hill during the day. The 360 Cocktail Bar offers a wonderful view of the illuminated Acropolis from its spacious terrace in the evening, and you can toast the ancient gods with a delicious drink.

Anna Gozdzik has been working as a flight attendant for Lufthansa since 2010 and loves to spend her free time in Athens.