Athens port ideas

[BevS97]

I am a little worried about the steps up to the Acropolis. Is this an absolute must do?

Am I going to regret it if we don't go, or is it possible to go somewhere else and get a great view of the Parthenon without climbing the stairs?

[Princess Alison]

It is a climb - if you do decide to do it, go very first thing in the morning to avoid the heat.

Also if seeing more than one sight, you can buy tickets to a cluster of them - buy them at one of the other sites, not the acropolis, as the queue is big even first thing. If you have entry tickets already then you can bypass and go straight it. Early on in the day the soldiers raise the flag on site which is worth getting there for.

I'll have a think about alternative options although the views of the acropolis are great from the city itself, including the Parthenon - with binoculars too would help.

Oh and don't miss the Acropolis Museum - it's absolutely brilliant and actually a good alternative to going up to the site itself if need be

[Princess Alison]

Some ideas here for good view points

earthtrekkers/best-v...the-acropolis/

[Melanie R]

If you decide to do the walk, the steps can be very slippery so make sure you have the right footwear!
Amazing views of the city when you get there if you can manage it ☺️

[Ladyshopper]

Originally Posted by Melanie R

If you decide to do the walk, the steps can be very slippery so make sure you have the right footwear!
Amazing views of the city when you get there if you can manage it ☺️

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Yep, I slipped going to buy tickets.

I seem to remember there was a lift at one point, although I can't remember the details unfortunately. I found it on the way down.

I have some mobility issues, and I made it up. I did then rest at the top, and let my husband go off and do all the photo taking. It was definitely worth it though if you can make it up.

[BevS97]

Apparently you need an obvious disability to use the lift. I’m just overweight and very unfit.

[munmun]

We stayed overnight at the Intercontiental in Athens, it has the most fantastic outside restaurant with views to the Acropolis, floodlit at night. We had a wedding anniversary meal and they were so lovely gave us a glass of bubbly and puddings free. Lovely service and a magical evening.

The hop on hop off bus goes a long way up to the Acropolis, still a walk up but it takes you as far as a taxi can. We did this all before a silverseas cruise and then took a taxi to Athens port.

The Intercontinental organised us a pick up from Athens airport, think it was about £50 and the taxi to the port was £20.

Hope this helps

[DisneyDaffodil]

We are worried too as we booked the trip in 2019 for 2020 and just moved it back to this summer. Since then DH has developed arthritis in his knee and it causes a fair bit of problems and I’m certainly not very fit.

We’re planning on going when it opens so before it’s too hot, and taking it at a very slow pace. I’m really hoping we can manage it but the combined ticket covers other attractions too so we’d still get some value out of the tickets if we feel we can’t manage the climb

Another option for seeing the Acropolis is to climb the opposite hill I believe, Lycabettus Hill. This has a cable car to the top and seems to have fantastic views over the city to the Acropolis. I think there’s also a cafe/restaurant/bar at the top and a pretty church to look around so that’s on our to-do list as well.

The hotel we are staying at, the Melia Athens, also has a rooftop pool and bar with views of the Acropolis too and I believe the bar and rooftop restaurant is open to non residents too.

I’m really hoping we can manage the Acropolis though, so I’m following this thread to hear what others who have been say about it

[Princess Alison]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

We are worried too as we booked the trip in 2019 for 2020 and just moved it back to this summer. Since then DH has developed arthritis in his knee and it causes a fair bit of problems and I’m certainly not very fit.

We’re planning on going when it opens so before it’s too hot, and taking it at a very slow pace. I’m really hoping we can manage it but the combined ticket covers other attractions too so we’d still get some value out of the tickets if we feel we can’t manage the climb

Another option for seeing the Acropolis is to climb the opposite hill I believe, Lycabettus Hill. This has a cable car to the top and seems to have fantastic views over the city to the Acropolis. I think there’s also a cafe/restaurant/bar at the top and a pretty church to look around so that’s on our to-do list as well.

The hotel we are staying at, the Melia Athens, also has a rooftop pool and bar with views of the Acropolis too and I believe the bar and rooftop restaurant is open to non residents too.

I’m really hoping we can manage the Acropolis though, so I’m following this thread to hear what others who have been say about it

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What other sites do you have in mind?

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by Princess Alison

What other sites do you have in mind?

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No definite plans yet but I made a very long shortlist this week which I will go through with the family and make plans from. These include
Acropolis, Agoda and Parthenon
Acropolis museum
Archeological museum
Parliament Building and National Gardens
Cathedral
Hadrians Library and Roman Agora
Church of Kaprikarea
Olympic Stadium
Trip to Cape Sounion and sunset at Temple of Poseidon
Tram out of the city to a beach
Banaki museum
Lycabettus Hill - cable car and St George’s church
Plaka area and Ermou Street
Changing of the guards at the unknown soldiers tomb
Temple of Zeus
Tower of the Winds
Monastiraki flea market

I don’t imagine we’ll fit all of that in, even in a week but it’s our starting point 😀