Dan and I had 24 hours in Athens at the end of our Greece trip last summer. We had been to Athens twice previously, so just wanted to hit the highlights and enjoy our last day of vacation. It felt like a Bourdain The Layover episode. Our 24 hours began with a short 25 minute flight from Milos to Athens International Airport, arriving at 10:20 AM.
Approach into Athens.
We quickly grabbed a taxi and went directly to our hotel – the Fresh Hotel. We checked in and set out for, at least what we call, traditional Greek food – AKA a gyro and saganaki. We found generally what we were looking for at a casual restaurant called Oavaons (my English spelling of Greek letters…) just off Monastiriki Square. The food was pretty good and satisfied our “traditional Greek food” request. That being said, I would not necessarily recommend Oavaons over other similar places.
Saganaki cheese with lemon! A personal Greek favorite.
Finally, a proper gyro!
Another view.
After lunch, Dan requested shisha. We found a beautiful, rooftop shisha bar on Ermou Street called Misafir, just around the corner from Monastiriki Square. Dan ordered a swanky shisha and I got another caffe freddo (my last one of the trip – SAD!)
Rooftop garden at Misafir.
Caffe Freddo.
Danny gets his shisha!
While Dan smoked his shisha, I walked through the Sunday Monastiraki Flea Market. I had never done this before, and it was really cool! I left with two vintage plates from Germany and a platter highlighting tourist spots in my home state of Virginia! Prices vary widely depending on what you buy, and definitely do your research before spending any real money. I found cash to be preferred. I definitely could have spent more time at the flea market.
No pictures of the market, but here is a cute Italian moped I found.
After shopping and shisha, we went back to The Fresh hotel and used the rooftop pool, which had a great view of the Acropolis! Given our limited time and that we’ve been to the Acropolis multiple times, sighting from afar would be our only experience with the Acropolis this trip!
Rooftop Acropolis views!
Danny soaking up the rooftop sun.
Later in the evening we sat out for drinks, dinner, and eventually the EUFA Final between Italy and England. We had pre-dinner drinks at Brettos Bar, gorgeous old bar that makes its own liquors. We’ve been here a few times and its always nice to re-visit and confirm that its still around. Brettos is located in tourist-friendly Plaka, a very old area of Athens with lots of beautiful restaurants and bars for tourists. Don’t miss a stroll through the Plaka in Athens! Of course, we ran into some ancient ruins en route.
Can’t miss the ruins in Athens. Its literally impossible.
Brettos Bar!
Brettos Bar cocktails.
Binder of cocktails.
Views of the Plaka from outside Brettos.
For dinner, we ate at the most amazing restaurant called Mystilli, which was just adorable and had a view of the Acropolis. The food at Mystilli was traditional Greek with a modern touch, and it was fantastic! I would absolutely dine at Mystilli again. 10/10. A full review coming Friday.
Mystilli. A favorite dinner on this trip.
A modern take on a gyro platter. Just delicious!
We ended our whirlwind tour of Athens watching the final EUFA game at a roof top bar across the street from Brettos Bar called Thea by Latifis. While very crowded and difficult to get drinks, Italy won and we made a few friends at the bar! Forza Italia!
Beer selection.
Watching the game.
Views of the Acropolis from Thea by Latifis.
STEAL OUR TRIP
Fresh Hotel: Sofokleous 26, Athina 105 52, Greece. Decent location with rooftop pool.
Misafir: Ermou 93, Athina 105 55, Greece. Open late.
Oavaons: No website that I could find. Just off Monastiraki Square in a row of simliarily styled establishments.
Brettos Bar: Kidathineon 41, Athina 105 58, Greece. Open daily.
Mystilli: Adrianou 7, Athina 105 55, Greece.
Thea by Latifis: Kidathineon 30, Athina 105 58, Greece.