Tom On day 3 of our travels in Greece, we woke up slightly earlier (7am) to capture some shots of Acropolis from our balcony…
Our itinerary for day 3 of Athens was a more relaxing one. We started out the day with a picnic at the National Garden in Athens…
National Garden – Things to do in Athens
The National Garden began in 1839 with the planting of ornamental plants from Milan, Europe and local species as well. Today, it is a great place for families to hangout and runners to do their daily circuit runs. During our visit, we saw several running groups passing by us at blistering pace.
At the National Garden, there are other attractions that are friendly for the kids, including the Children’s Library, the playground as well as the Zoological Collection; where we saw animals such as peacocks, goats and even an aviary as well. For history buffs, you’ll be able to see the sun dial as well as many other ruins and statues scattered around the gardens.
National Garden Athens Address: Leoforos Vasilisis Amalias 1, Athina 105 57, Greece
National Garden Athens Opening Hours: 6am to 8pm
Lyceum – Things to do in Athens
Remember the combined pass (30 euros) that we bought on day 1 of our travels in Greece? That pass includes admission to Lyceum as well. Lyceum was originally a temple but became better known as a school founded by Aristotle in 334BC. Besides being a school for philosophy, there was apparently a gym where ancient Greeks worked out as well – naked…
Lyceum Athens Address: Rigillis 11, Athina 106 75, Greece
Lyceum Athens Opening Hours: 8am to 8pm
Athens Attractions – Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium was originally built in 330BC for the Panathenaic Games. It was an ancient Greek games that was held once every four years – continuing till the 3rd century AD. Today, it is known as a significant sporting venue where the Olympic (2004) was held as well as the handing over of the Olympic Games was witnessed. It is also known as the biggest stadium in the world that is entirely made of marble.
Panathenaic Stadium Address: Leof. Vasileos Konstantinou, Athina 116 35, Greece
Panathenaic Stadium Opening Hours: 8am to 7pm (or 5pm during Winter Months)
Next, we headed to the Temple of Olympian Zeus – known for its huge standing columns in Athens.
Athens Attractions – Olympieion aka Temple of Olympian Zeus
During our visit to Acropolis, we noticed a row of huge Roman columns in the distance. Turns out that they were actually from the ancient site of Olympieion – known also as the Temple of Olympian Zeus…
The columns itself were massive! We can only imagine how grand the original structure must have been. However, after attacks on the city and pillage that took place, only 16 of these columns remain. Today, it is still one of the most important archaeological site of Greece.
As we exited Olympieion, we saw Hadrian’s Gate…
Hadrian’s Gate was built around 131AD as an triumphal arch – in honour of Emperor Hadrina’s many public works in Athens. Interestingly, there were these inscriptions
On the West Side: THIS IS ATHENS THE ANCIENT CITY OF THESEUS
On the East Side: THIS IS THE CITY OF HADRIAN AND NOT OF THESEUS
Olympieion Athens Address: Athens 105 57, Greece
Olympieion Athens Opening Hours: 8am to 8pm
Nearby, we walked around Plaka district with a coffee (an expensive one at 2.5 euros) and a dark forest gelato (3 euros). Plaka district is a precinct known for its narrow cobbled streets and many food establishments and shops that line these streets. Then we headed to chill at Makrigianni Street Pub – an establishment that faces the Acropolis.
Here, we had Mythos draft beer (4.5 euros each) and water (0.5 euros each) before taking train to our next destination – the Mall Athens…
Athens Attractions – The Mall Athens
Using the Athens Metro, we took the train from Acropolis to Omnia (red line) before transferring to Neratziotissa Station (green line) where the Mall Athens was located. The journey took about 30 minutes. At the Mall Athens, there are many shops including a hypermart, a VR entertainment venue called ViRtuality as well as a cinema. As our readers would know by now, we usually try to immerse in the local culture by watching local movies or movies in the local language – see how we watched Badhaai Ho, a Hinddi movie in India. This time, we caught Toy Story 4 in Greek!
It was quite amazing that we were able to understand the entire movie simply from the animation as well as some jokes, from the reaction of the local audience. Then, we headed to the top floor of the Mall Athens where there was a huge food court with ample food options. This time, opted for the local BBQ meats! Yum!
The Mall Athens Address: Andrea Papandreou 35, Marousi 151 22, Greece
The Mall Athens Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm (Closed on Sundays)
Athens Attractions – Change of Guards at Athens Parliament Building
As the train was fairly crowded, we took the train “backwards” so that we could get seats on the way back to the city. Thankfully, we were just in time for the change of guards at the Parliament building next to Syntagma Square…
From the video, you’d notice that there’s an unique way of marching that resembles that of a horse kicking. The hands are also lifted high as a balance of sorts. The change of guard takes place every hour (yes, even at midnight) with a rotation between guards at the half hour mark. During the various seasons, you’ll also notice the guards wearing different uniform as well.
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We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the things to do and attractions in Athens on the third day of our travels in Greece. Stay tuned as check out the other famous attraction in Greece – the island of Santorini!
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