If you want to enjoy a terrific Christmas vacation, why not travel to Athens Greece?
Athens has a hot Mediterranean climate that makes it the perfect Holiday getaway. It is rich in culture and you can spend hours visiting its museums and gazing at its architectural beauty. It is also a hot spot for entertaining and performing arts.
If you are interested in visiting this beautiful destination, Christmas is the time to do it. Here are some of the things you can check out on your vacation.
Visit Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is holiday central during the holiday season. This city hub is filled with trees that are decked out with blue and white lights (the colors of Green) as well as karavakia (small Christmas ships). A small skating rink is set up and concerts take place throughout the month of December.
The square lights up to kick off the Christmas season on December 6 and the city continues to celebrate until January 6 (the Day of Epiphany). The lighting is typically marked by a celebration that thousands of locals and tourists come out to attend.
Christmas Markets
Athens doesn’t go as all out with Christmas markets as compared to other European cities, but they do have a few that run through the holiday season, known as bazaars. These are great places to find bath soaps, jewelry and hand crafted good.
The biggest holiday bazaar is one held by the volunteer charity group, the American Women’s Organization of Greece. It takes place on the last weekend in November.
Other Shopping Destinations
If you don’t find a gift at one of Athens’ many bazaars, there are many of other places to shop. For instance, you may want to walk down Ermou, one of the city’s largest pedestrian shopping streets which is full of unique stores and boutiques.
The Monastiraki district is another is another option that is terrific for finding Greek souvenirs. Lively squares like Agia Irini are worth checking out.
f you are looking for high end boutiques, try the central upmarket Kolokani district and Voukourestiou Street. You can also go on the 4 hour Made in Athens Morning Shopping tour. This will get you into the best boutique stores via a private guide, so you are sure to find top notch, unique gifts.
Children’s Christmas Festivals
Athens has plenty of holiday events that will get little ones in a holiday mood. The Christmas Factory is one you won’t want to miss. It happens at the Technopolis in Gazi and includes visits with Santa in his house, a sweet and toy factory, a Ferris wheel, carousel rides, a Magic School and an ice-skating rink.
Explore the Santa Claus Kingdom
The Santa Claus Kingdom is an amusement park that provides children with terrific entertainment. It comes to life with games, toys, creative activities, music workshops, performances, magicians, face painting, carnival rides and a Christmas market.
Visit Athens’ Museums
There are many museums in Athens that provide insight to the city’s rich cultural history. Here are a few you will want to visit.
The Acropolis Museum: This museum opened in 2009 and it is one of the newest and best museums in the city. It is a great place to study archaeological finds and it has glass floors that allow you to see the excavation work below.
National Archaeological Museum: This is an older archaeological museum, and it is the largest in the city. You can walk through or book a private tour.
Benaki Museum of Greek Culture: This museum was built in the neoclassical mansion of Antonis Benaki, an art collector who donated over 35,000 pieces of his art collection. It features art from ancient and modern times and offers four levels.
Athens War Museum: This is a military run museum that honors soldiers who fought for Greece. It is full of memorabilia, photographs, uniforms, weapons and armor.
National Historical Museum: Visit to find out the story of Greek culture told through paintings, personal belongings, costumes and jewelry.
Attend Mass at a Greek Orthodox Church
If you want to celebrate the holidays in a religious way, mass at a Greek Orthodox church will provide a unique experience. Alternately, if you just want to sightsee as these churches are quite beautiful. Many are filled with religious paintings and they are decorating for the holiday season.
You can explore other faiths by visiting the Russian Orthodox church, Sotira Lykodimou or the Catholic church, Saint Dionysus.
Enjoy the Holiday Nightlife
If you want to take in all the action Athens has to offer, you will want to hit the strip to visit the hottest Greek clubs. Visit a taverna to enjoy a lingering dinner that includes Greek food and drink and typically ends in a singing and dancing celebration. Kilmataria is recommended for its lively atmosphere.
If you don’t mind pulling and all nighter, you may want to reserve at table at one of Athens’ Bouzoukia (live music stages). Here you will be able to see performances that include laika (traditional Greek music) as well as pop stars singing modern hits.
Athens also has a great wine bar scene. Drop by to sip a glass of wine while enjoying lounge music.
Visit the Benizelos Mansion
The Benizelos Mansion is the oldest house in Athens that is still standing. It was built between the 16th and 17th centuries and it was originally occupied by Angelos Benizelos. The two-story home currently serves as a museum and it’s a great place to learn more about how Athenian aristocrats lived in a time before the Greek revolutions.
The mansion is open for limited hours so be sure to check the website in advance. There is an entrance fee that is donated to charity.
If you are thinking of getting out of town this holiday season, a trip to Athens is highly recommended. It’s a great place to get some culture and take in the excitement of modern times. What will you be doing on your trip?
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