For many companies, business trips are a staple part of the occupation, giving business people a chance to both venture out to the international branches of the company, as well seeing more of the world if time permits. A flexible schedule may not always be at one’s fingertips, but that does not mean you cannot enjoy the wonders a new and exciting city possesses.
You are indeed lucky if your trip brings you to the beautiful city of Athens, for this very place exudes beauty and history excellently. Greece’s political, cultural, and economic hub has undergone various transformations throughout the years, even during the height of the pandemic, resulting in a flurry of enterprising and innovative pursuits. The city skillfully blends architecture and art from the Classical Period with modern landscapes, allowing you to spend hours upon hours at different districts without feeling lethargic.
When in Athens, it is essential to see at least a few of the world’s oldest and most famous monuments of all time. Of course, we know that some business trips run on a tight schedule. This is why we have collated a thorough list of itineraries for different trip lengths. GoWithGuide has asked its professional guides for the best travel plans if you only have a few hours, if you have a full weekend, if you’ve got about a week, and if you’ve been to the city before and want to experience something different.
Just a few hours
Picture this - you are preoccupied with various engagements and activities on your business trip, and you only have a few free hours after lunch before your dinner commitment. We believe you can definitely get your Athens fix in those few free hours. In order to do so, booking a private guided tour is the best, safest, and most convenient way for you to enjoy as much as you can in a short amount of time.
For first-timers in Athens, a trip to the Acropolis is non-negotiable. Back in school, we learned about the Acropolis of Athens in world history classes, but seeing these formidable and historical monuments in the flesh will leave you speechless. As you walk through the famous plateau chosen by the gods as a center for civilization and democracy, you will see one of the four remaining structures still standing, the Parthenon. With its 50 towering pillars and various intricate sculptures and artifacts, it is easy to understand why this temple was made to worship the goddess Athena.
A full weekend
Fortunately for you, you were able to haggle two days of free time on your business trip for leisure and adventure. Undeniably, the more time you have, the more you will be able to appreciate and explore the city. We suggest you still book a private guided tour to ensure you see all the mandatory attractions on your first day. After which, why not kick back, relax, and feast at one of the hundreds of restaurants, cafes, and bars around the city. The gastronomical scene in Athens is limitless.
For your second day, you can have an amusing time weaving through the side streets of Plaka or Anafiotika. Celebrated for being one of the oldest streets in Athens, the Plaka neighborhood is traversed both by locals and tourists thanks to its distinct atmosphere and abundance of activities. It is in this area, too, where you can find the Ancient and Roman Agora, ancient marketplaces also used as public speaking areas by the philosophers of old. Anafiotika on the other hand emanates a different kind of vibe, one more private and low-key. With architecture similar to those on the island of Anafi, weaving through this village feels like you’re being transported to a whole new city.
A week or more
The stars have aligned in your favor (or maybe you just really planned this through), and you’re looking at a week or more of free time on your hands. Now you have the choice of venturing further out of the city and into Athens’ historical wonderland.
After spending your first few days gazing at the wonders of the Acropolis and devouring the best of Greek cuisine, make your way to the sacred precinct of Delphi. Once the seat of the oracle Pythia, Delphi was actively visited by pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean for divine advice from the god Apollo. Now it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site abundant with nature, history, and culture.
If that isn’t to your liking, then maybe a trip to the recently reopened National Gallery is. After its 60 million euro renovation, the National Gallery stands two times larger than before, holding a prolific amount of art and artifacts from the past 7 centuries. There are also sections for Western European art and Greek Modernist pieces, an expansion of the already rich art scene in Greece.
For the seasoned business traveler
This is not your first time visiting the historic capital of Europe, and so it’s probably best to skip past the highlights and do something out of the ordinary. Resting on the southern suburbs of Athens is the beautiful Athens Riviera, a vast coastline lined with pristine beaches and hidden coves giving the impression that you are worlds away from the busy capital. It’s Athens’ own Cote d’Azur, and with 60 kilometers of coastline, it’s impossible not to enjoy.
Not well-known to most, the greater Athens area is actually a growing region of wine culture. Stop by one of the city’s vineyards to learn more about the art of winemaking in Greece. Don’t miss out on tasting the malagousia variety of wine special to Athens. With notes of pear, green apple, and stone fruits, malagousia is the perfect pairing for vegetables, salads, and risotto. By the end of your trip, you can call yourself a Greek wine aficionado!
Conclusion
A Grecian odyssey to Athens is a dream experience, and no matter how many hours or days you have to explore, your adventure is bound to hold pleasant surprises. Don’t know just how long you should plan for your days off on your trip? Check out what our experts have to say and browse through our customizable private tours with professional local tour guides to guarantee an enchanting escapade.
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