The Panathenaic Stadium, or Kallimarmaro (lit.”beautiful marble”), is the only stadium in the entire world built entirely of marble. One of the main historical attractions in Athens, it was built by Lykourgos (Lycurgus) in 330 BC, primarily for the Panathenaic Games. It was rebuilt in marble by Herodes Atticus, an Athenian Roman senator and, by 144 AD, it had a 50,000 seat capacity. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896 and was the venue for 4 of the 9 contested sports. It is the finishing point for the annual Athens Classic Marathon and where the Olympic flame handover ceremony to the host nation takes place.

If you are a sport lover, where better to run than in the upper ring around the Kallimarmaro Stadium? Jog around this ancient stadium, overlooked by the Acropolis, where the first modern Olympics were held.
Approximately 500 meters with excellent soil and natural stairs for strength training await you.  Only known to locals, it’s free of charge and in a beautiful area surrounded by tall, green trees. Not to be missed! 

One of the hippest places in the area, Chelsea Hotel is where the cool crowd goes to chill out and lounge with a coffee by day and a cocktail by night. It has an unpretentious vibe, despite being packed from morning ’til late, with tables spilling out onto the pavement. Prices are reasonable but that’s just one of the neighbourhood perks! The drink selection is wide and they also have some ‘meze’ selections for nibbles. Bonus: they offer fuzzy blankets to wrap up in if you’re sitting outside on a chilly day.
Walk around the neighbourhood to find more cool cafés! 

Though it may seem a little Halloween-y for us to send you to the First Cemetery of Athens, one of the most quirky things to do, we promise there’s a good reason. In addition to being an urban oasis all its own, this cemetery is the oldest in the city and the eternal resting place of some of Athens’ most illustrious residents. Accordingly, their tombs are a sight to be seen, with some of the most impressive Greek sculptures that can be found outside a museum – don’t miss the ‘Sleeping Girl’ statue, by the renowned sculptor Yannoulis Halepas. 

The newly renovated Varnava Square is not just a great place to chill and people watch, but it also houses a number of new cafés and restaurants. One of the best things to do is a visit to Baba Ghanoush, one of the many falafel places sprouting up all over Athens. This is actually one of the best – their falafel is consistently delicious and the vegan friendly menu is small but mighty. Its location, right next to the square, also makes it kid friendly, so it’s a great place for a family outing (for more ideas of things to do with kids in Athens, see here!)

A coffee at Superfly is a whole lot more than just a coffee. Once you step through the door, you’ll find yourself transported to a vintage wonderland, full of 80s nostalgia. From the vintage decor to the comics and working Atari hiding in the corner, this place is a total escape from reality (and from the present day). Stop here for a little reminiscing, one of the best things to do with friends.

You may not think of burgers as the first thing to eat in Greece – after all it’s not exactly a staple of traditional Greek cuisine -, but you’ll be surprised by the delicious choices the city offers. For one of the best, try Colibri. The restaurant is so busy that they have recently opened two other spots nearby, including one purely for delivery. Their burgers come in a variety of combinations, but the meat is always good quality. They also offer yummy salads and pizzas too. You definitely won’t go hungry! 

Alepou is a welcoming shop for collectors and lovers of objects from past decades. Their motto “Selected second hand” represents the quality you’ll find there. Old radios, 60s bars, art deco armchairs, Danish toilets, unique opals and many other rare items. The excellent condition of the pieces on sale compared to their low prices is truly amazing! The store is on 18 Ferekidou street, Pagrati or you can have a look at their well maintained e-shop.