Shella73 Posted March 2 #1 Share Posted March 2 Hello, looking for suggestions for a full, but laid-back day in Athens for me and my husband, on August 30th and a half day on the 31st. We have to be on a cruise ship in Piraeus by 2 pm on the 31st. I am cross-eyed from trying to plan it on my own. we like food, history, and architecture. We want to see enough to hit the highlights, but we want to be able we saw the city together..not spend the day being so worried about running from place to place on a tight schedule. SO, I guess I am looking for the "Quality over quantity" recommendations.I know everyone's opinion will differ, but it will give me a place to start. I have a room at Hotel Hera and have arranged my airport pickup and port transfer from them. Other than this I have zero plans, My husband really wants to go inside the Parthenon. Looking to control costs and do it on our own if possible. Thanks for your help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted March 2 #2 Share Posted March 2 1 hour ago, Shella73 said: Hello, looking for suggestions for a full, but laid-back day in Athens for me and my husband, on August 30th and a half day on the 31st. We have to be on a cruise ship in Piraeus by 2 pm on the 31st. I am cross-eyed from trying to plan it on my own. we like food, history, and architecture. We want to see enough to hit the highlights, but we want to be able we saw the city together..not spend the day being so worried about running from place to place on a tight schedule. SO, I guess I am looking for the "Quality over quantity" recommendations.I know everyone's opinion will differ, but it will give me a place to start. I have a room at Hotel Hera and have arranged my airport pickup and port transfer from them. Other than this I have zero plans, My husband really wants to go inside the Parthenon. Looking to control costs and do it on our own if possible. Thanks for your help. The Hera is within easy walking distance of the Acropolis, Acropolis museum and the Plaka. You can visit all on your own. Get your own tickets to the Acropolis. You cannot walk inside the Parthenon, but you can walk all around it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinetodd Posted March 6 #3 Share Posted March 6 Another vote for the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum - they were highlights of a recent highlight-packed trip. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmomof4 Posted March 6 #4 Share Posted March 6 We have a similar time frame and are planning to go to the Acropolis and museum, Temple of Zeus, walk around the Plaka and Monastiraki Flea Market, and then also do an e-bike tour of the city at night, which was recommended by someone I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted March 7 #5 Share Posted March 7 Rick Steves has several self-guided tours laid out in his Athens guidebook (possibly also in his Mediterranean cruise guide book). He does a good job of putting together a route that makes sense and gives you all the info you need to do it on your own. I would recommend that you borrow or buy a copy and use it for planning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemo2005 Posted March 15 #6 Share Posted March 15 Following. We're in the same situation. Has been recommended to us to use arrival day (long flight) to go to the Acropolis Museum and stroll and read at our leisure. Save the exploring for the next day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted March 15 #7 Share Posted March 15 5 hours ago, Nemo2005 said: Following. We're in the same situation. Has been recommended to us to use arrival day (long flight) to go to the Acropolis Museum and stroll and read at our leisure. Save the exploring for the next day. That works. Use the rest of your day to walk around Plaka and have dinner there. Get your tickets to the Acropolis for first admission the next morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbelle59 Posted March 21 #8 Share Posted March 21 E-bike tour sounds like fun. @redmomof4 Can you please share the info on the tour company? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinLife3 Posted March 31 #9 Share Posted March 31 I am doing same.. arriving sometime Friday w cruise on Sunday. I plan to purchased 2 day hop on hop off.. and Friday sit on the bus and do the 'loops', to get an overview.... Saturday I have an early morning tour of Acropolis.... after that, I'll figure out what I want to get off the bus and see 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveOurBalcony Posted March 31 #10 Share Posted March 31 We are in same situation. We will be operating on 8 hour time difference when we arrive at 8am so trying to be realistic as to what we can handle. I booked a "Combo Acropolis +6 archaeological sites multipass ticket" we can use over both our arrival day and the next full day before our cruise. You need to reserve the time at the Acropolis with an audio tour so I chose 5pm on our arrival day as I've read either go early or go late. I will second guess this for sure but feel better if we have something booked. Would love to hear what you choose to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zdcatc12 Posted April 2 #11 Share Posted April 2 We are arriving in Athens on Thursday around noon for the cruise that leaves Saturday. For Thursday, we are just going to walk around for a bit and get some food, etc. Staying at the Moxy Athens Central. For Friday, I booked a three hour Athens tuktuk tour that ends at the Acropolis. I purchased Acropolis tickets that coincide with the ending of the tuktuk tour, as that is where it leaves you at. Then going to the Acropolis Museum after that, and then a walk back to the hotel. Nothing on Saturday, except packing for the cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MochaChip23 Posted April 7 #12 Share Posted April 7 On 4/1/2024 at 10:10 PM, zdcatc12 said: We are arriving in Athens on Thursday around noon for the cruise that leaves Saturday. For Thursday, we are just going to walk around for a bit and get some food, etc. Staying at the Moxy Athens Central. For Friday, I booked a three hour Athens tuktuk tour that ends at the Acropolis. I purchased Acropolis tickets that coincide with the ending of the tuktuk tour, as that is where it leaves you at. Then going to the Acropolis Museum after that, and then a walk back to the hotel. Nothing on Saturday, except packing for the cruise. @zdcatc12 Would you please share who you booked the tuktuck tour with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zdcatc12 Posted April 7 #13 Share Posted April 7 12 hours ago, MochaChip23 said: @zdcatc12 Would you please share who you booked the tuktuck tour with? https://tuktukathens.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheezedr Posted April 27 #14 Share Posted April 27 One thing I might suggest is to book a dinner reservation at one of the many rooftop restaurants which look into the Acropolis. Set it up to arrive pre sunset, but so you will still be there as the sun sets and the Acropolis is then lit up. Quite an impressive site. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matamanoa Posted May 2 #15 Share Posted May 2 When we were in Athens in 2018, we did a free walking tour of Athens and enjoyed that greatly. Our guide Adrian was very knowledgeable and we had a few wonderful hours with him. We stayed at the Angel's Gate and that was a good location. On cruise day, we used Private Tours Greece for a half day tour to Cape Sounian and then dropped us off at the cruise port in the early afternoon. Our guide's name was Ellis and he was excellent and very punctual. Hope this helps 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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