We took this trip to Athens at the perfect time for our daughter, who was 10 at the time and loved the Percy Jackson books. Because she had read those books over and over, she was an expert on Greek mythology and loved everything about it. She was so excited to explore Athens and treasured the Greek dress that we found as her souvenir.
We arrived in Athens after 4 days in Italy, primed for more lessons in ancient history!
We rented a little apartment near the Monastiraki metro station. It was the perfect place to stay in Greece within easy walking distance of shopping, the Agora, the Acropolis, and more.
Day One: Ancient Agora and Areopagus (Mars Hill)
On our first day we visited the Ancient Agora, which includes many ruins, a museum, and the Temple of Hephaestus. This temple is well-preserved and beautiful, and my kids were really excited to spot a turtle on the ground nearby!
From the Agora we walked up to Areopagus, or Mars Hill, which is a rocky hill overlooking the Agora with great views of the Acropolis and the city below. This is the hill from which the Apostle Paul preached to the Greeks, as recorded in the Bible in Acts 17.
We spent the evening walking around the quaint neighborhoods in the hills and browsing in the shops around the Plaka and Monastiraki. We also enjoyed authentic Greek food: I loved the Greek salad and my husband especially liked the gyros. My kids loved the pita bread and hummus!
Day Two: Acropolis
On our second day we toured the Acropolis with the help of a Rick Steve’s audio tour. Walking to the Acropolis through the grand entrance of the Propylaia is awe-inspiring. And it’s humbling to see the iconic structures that are part of the Acropolis. The most recognizable are the Erechtheion and, of course, the Parthenon.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the south slope of the Acropolis is also amazing to see. It is still used for concerts and performances today.
The view of the city from the Acropolis viewing point is also beautiful. We could see the remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Mount Lycabettus within the city sprawling below.
After our Acropolis tour we enjoyed walking around the city some more. We did some souvenir shopping and enjoyed street performers and a giant bubble-blower.
That evening we prepared for our early morning flight to Helsinki, which was a short stop on the way to our next destination: Tallinn, Estonia!
We loved our short time in Greece. The people were friendly, the city was lively, and the history was impressive. This trip was a great way to make ancient history REAL for our kids. If you have kids who are interested in Greek mythology, this is a trip they will never forget!
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