Athens: Day 4 ( What Grace Did and What Grace Ate)

Athens: Day 4 (What Grace Did and What Grace Ate)

The last two days of our trip we decided to actually sight see. Like go to historical monuments, visit the Parthenon, go to museums, and enjoy history throughout the city. Lucky for us they had the hop on hop off buses. My family has been to many cities where we have riden the hop on hop off buses, and every city we go to we ride the buses. Literally, you can see about all the major landmarks and museums in a day ( via. Getting on and getting off when you want to). Another thing that I like about the bus is the fact that when you are riding it you listen to a tour.  However, the deal with the company or bus is that you have two days to ride it. I recommend this to anyone who is going to a city that features this. In Athens, there was two bus loops. The green was more scenic and on the coast, while the red was more historical places and museums. We got on the bus which was right outside our hotel and rode it to the Parthenon. The Parthenon cost around 20 euros ( lucky I brought my student card so I could get a discount) and the tickets you get there can help you get into some other places and parks ( SO HOLD ON TO THEM). For us, the Parthenon was very busy and we only spent around an hour there. After visiting the Parthenon and Acropolis we rode the green route till we ended up where we started. The green route drove mainly around the beaches and water so you definately got a good glimpse of the port and ocean. This was more scenic to the red line. After the green line we got on the red line and again, rode the entire line. We decided to spend the day riding the bus and not getting off so that the next day ( Saturday), we would have already known where we wanted to go. After all of this, we walked around the center of Athens once more. By the end of the day we were hangry, and as we were walking around the strip of restaurants we were beckoned in to each one ( Maybe it's because we looked like tourist). One thing that got really annoying was that each restrauant had a guy outside trying to get you to eat there, and they would pester and pester you. The thing I found out, is to just walk past and blend in ( unless you are looking for food). We were able to find a little restaurant nestled in the little strip of pestering people. When we were on the Parthenon earlier we noticed houses with tables on top ( Like restaurants). Lucky for us the restaurant we picked out was one of these, and offered a spectacular view. Like wow. It was gorgeous as the sun went down upon the Parthenon. You can find this restaurant near the Agora. The food was good ( traditional greek). Really any restaurant you eat on that street will give you good food. After dinner we decided to walk around the somewhat flea market. It was more of a craft market with handmade items sold at each one. Eventuallly we would up drinking coffee again at 9 pm. Ah, the Greek culture strikes again. Lucky for me having coffee at night doesn't effect my sleep. By the end of the day, everyone was dead beyond dead. 

Overall

The bus is a great way to see any city and to have a brief introduction on the city and it's history. The bus is definately good for those on a time crunch and not able to visit long, as well as those with families. You have the chance to see the Agora, Parthenon, Archaelogical Museums, Art Museums, National Library, National Gardens, Parliament, Plaka, and more.

The view from our restaurant

The view from our restaurant

The Bus Company

*Note* The bus stops running at 7, the same time most attractions are closing at. So I would suggest waking up early the days you want to do the bus tour.