A guide to Athens with Grecotel

What to do

The Acropolis and Parthenon are non-negotiable. Book ahead to avoid queues. You don’t need a guide unless you’re keen on deep historical detail. The Acropolis Museum below offers treasures from Archaic to Roman times and a top-floor restaurant looking straight at the monument.

For shopping, Ermou Street runs from the old town to Syntagma Square and is packed with high-street favourites plus Attica, Athens’ flagship department store. Museum lovers should hit the Benaki for Greek culture and the Ghika Gallery for 20th-century art. Beyond the landmarks, Athens is best explored on foot. Café-lined squares, rooftop bars and mural-covered backstreets show a city that’s lively, unexpected and endlessly interesting.

When the heat kicks in, head south. The Athens Riviera stretches for around 40 miles, from bustling boardwalks to rocky coves. Vouliagmeni draws sun-seekers and surfers, while Lake Vouliagmeni offers thermal waters for year-round swimming. The Ellinikon project, a former airport site, has a park and interactive centre that previews the future of the coastline.

Where to stay

If you want front-row seats to the Parthenon, The Dolli delivers. Set in a 1920s neoclassical building, it pairs grand proportions with contemporary design. Rooms feel airy thanks to high ceilings and oversized windows, while the rooftop infinity pool steals the show. Swimming here with the Acropolis in full view is a brag-worthy moment. Add a smart rooftop restaurant and a location that puts Plaka and Monastiraki within easy walking distance and you’ve got a strong city base.

A short drive from central Athens, The Roc Club brings seaside style to the Riviera. It sits close to Lake Vouliagmeni and Astir Marina, so morning swims and sunset strolls are easy to plan. The look is modernist and bright, with rooms designed to frame the sea. The outdoor pool feels calm compared to nearby beaches and the rooftop restaurant is a favourite for long lunches that turn into late afternoons.

Further along the coast, Cape Sounio sits opposite the Temple of Poseidon. The setting alone is enough to make you pause. Guests can swim in seawater pools, spend time on two private beaches or book treatments using local herbs and flowers at the spa. Dining ranges from beachfront seafood to relaxed poolside bites. There are villas with private pools for those who want extra space, plus activities like kayaking and mountain biking for days when sunbeds lose their appeal.

How to plan it

Split your stay between the centre and the coast. Two or three nights in the city should give you plenty of time to tick off major sights, museums and nightlife. Then move south to the Riviera and Aegean Sea, where you could easily spend a week swimming, relaxing and exploring. Transfers are easy and distances short, so you won’t waste time stuck in transit.

For the best conditions, aim for late spring (May to early June) or early autumn (September to October). You’ll get warm sea temperatures, sunny days and fewer crowds at major sights. July and August bring serious heat and busy beaches, while winter is quieter and cooler, better suited to museum-hopping and city exploring.