Athens, Greece
The still-under-restoration Parthenon on the famous Acropolis
When Glenn first visited Athens as a teenager, the city left a lasting mark. Returning years later, we were thrilled to find that while the city has evolved, it has stayed wonderfully unchanged in the ways that matter most. The ancient monuments still command the skyline. The Aegean light still bathes everything in gold. We were also happy to discover that the food is still incredible and, surprisingly, remarkably affordable. Most importantly, the warmth of the Greek people remains as genuine as ever.
However, we noticed one major difference this time around, most of the infrastructure has finally caught up to the history. Today’s Athens is a city where you can stand where Socrates once taught and dine overlooking 2,500-year-old temples, most with a level of comfort and accessibility that makes it welcoming for everyone. It is a modern capital that honors its past.
Here is our guide to experiencing it in style.
The Hotels
Staying in Athens used to be a compromise. You either stayed near the Acropolis in a dated room, or you stayed far away to find luxury. That has started to change. The city’s hotel scene has exploded, offering everything from food-centric boutiques to Riviera-style resorts that rival anything in Italy.
Ergon House Athens
The Vibe: This place is a sanctuary for the culinary obsessed. Located steps from Syntagma Square, this upscale hotel sits directly on top of a massive, modern market. You literally walk past hanging cured meats and shelves of artisanal olive oil just to get to the elevator. The energy is loud, aromatic, and undeniably cool.
The Experience: The location is unbeatable for walking to the major sights, but the real draw is downstairs. The ground floor market is the best place in the city to pick up gifts like small-batch honey or truffle oil. Plus, their sister property, Ergon Bakehouse, is just around the corner. Their spinach pies are dangerous in the best way.
Comfort Note: The design here is modern and open. We found the rooms on the lower floors particularly well-designed. They feature wide doorways and spacious layouts that feel effortlessly inclusive rather than clinically "adapted."
Four Seasons Astir Palace
The Vibe: If you want to feel like you have escaped to a private Greek island without leaving the mainland, this is it. Perched on the Athens Riviera in Vouliagmeni about 30 minutes from the center, this property is serious luxury. It is serene, exclusive, and quiet.
The Experience: This is where you go to decompress. The service is sharp, and the resort is broken into distinct "zones" that separate the families from the couples. We loved how the movement flows here. Ramps and wide, paved paths connect the restaurants, pools, and beaches, ensuring no part of the resort feels off-limits to wheels or strollers.
Advisor Tip: Think of this as a "vacation within a vacation." If your primary goal is daily sightseeing at the Acropolis, the 30-minute commute will get old fast. We recommend splitting your stay. Spend a few nights in the city center to hit the ruins, then move here for a few nights to do absolutely nothing.
Hotel Grande Bretagne
The Vibe: This is Athens royalty. Since 1874, this landmark has hosted everyone from heads of state to honeymooners. Entering the lobby is like walking into a different century. It has soaring columns, polished marble, and a staff that seems to know what you need before you ask.
The Experience: You are staying in a piece of living history, but they have modernized the important parts. The High Tea in the Winter Garden is a non-negotiable ritual, even if you aren't staying here.
Comfort Note: While it is a historic building, the updates are excellent. We found elevator access to all main areas to be seamless. The crowning jewel is the rooftop restaurant with that famous view of the Acropolis. It is fully accessible via elevator, ensuring everyone gets the "money shot" without any hassle.
The Athens vibe is real
The Dining Scene
The food in Athens surprised us. In a good way. It is incredibly fresh and surprisingly affordable compared to other European capitals. You can still sit down for a phenomenal dinner with wine for a fraction of what you would pay in other major Western European cities.
The Highlights
Liondi: Sometimes the best meals are the simplest. Located on the pedestrian-friendly Makrygianni Street right across from the Acropolis Museum, this spot captures the true spirit of Athens. The staff treated us like old friends immediately. Sitting at the outdoor tables as the sun sets, enjoying fresh Greek salads and grilled meats with a view of the Sacred Rock, is exactly what you picture when you book a trip to Greece.
Tudor Hall: Perched atop the King George Hotel (right next door to the Grande Bretagne), this is our top pick for a fine-dining evening. And not just because it shares our last name! The rooftop setting offers front-row views of the illuminated Acropolis. The service is white-glove but never stuffy, and the Michelin-starred Mediterranean cuisine makes for a perfect night out.
Estiatorio Milos: You may know Milos from its locations in New York or Las Vegas, but dining at their new flagship in Athens is special. Located near the Old Parliament in the stunning Xenodocheio Milos hotel, this space feels distinctively local rather than touristy. The ritual here is legendary. You select your own fresh catch from the ice display, and they prepare it simply and perfectly. The space is airy, modern, and comfortable.
Smile Restaurant: This is a family-run spot near the Acropolis Museum that has been serving home-cooked comfort food since 2002. It is accessible at ground level, and the outdoor seating is perfect for people-watching. Even if you just stop for coffee, you have to try the baklava. It uses the mother's secret recipe, and it might be the best version we had in the entire city.
Advisor Notes
The "Plaka" Rule: The Plaka neighborhood is charming, but it is also "Tourist Central." Our rule is simple. If a host is standing outside trying to drag you in with a menu in five languages, keep walking. The best spots don't need to beg you to enter.
Timing Matters: The Greeks eat late. If you show up to a tavern at 7:00 PM, you will likely be the only people there. The energy really starts picking up around 9:00 PM.
Another wonderful meal somewhere in Athens
The Culture & Sights
The Acropolis & Parthenon
The Experience: Standing in front of the Parthenon never fails to take your breath away. It is the undeniable anchor of the city. We strongly recommend going early (8:00 AM) to beat both the cruise ship crowds and the rising heat.
Insider Tip: While most visitors hike the slippery marble steps, there is a dedicated wheelchair-accessible elevator located on the North Slope (near the Erechtheion). It is a game-changer for anyone with mobility challenges or those simply looking to save their energy.
Important Note: You cannot just walk up to this elevator. You need to coordinate with the site in advance or have a specific disability ID. We recommend booking a private guide who handles this authorization for you, making the logistics invisible so you can just enjoy the view.
The Acropolis Museum
The Vibe: Consistently voted one of the best museums in the world, this sits right at the base of the Acropolis and provides the essential context for what you see on the hill.
Design Note: The museum is a masterclass in accessible design. It is spacious, airy, and fully ramped. We particularly loved the glass floors near the entrance that reveal ancient ruins beneath your feet (or wheels). They are positioned perfectly so you can view the excavation from any height. The top-floor Parthenon Gallery is rotated to exactly match the orientation of the actual temple visible through the windows, which is a brilliant detail.
The Ancient Agora
The Experience: This is where the daily life of ancient Athens actually happened, where Socrates taught and Plato debated. It feels more intimate and far less crowded than the Acropolis.
Heads Up: The on-site museum (The Stoa of Attalos) is a fully reconstructed ancient building with elevators to the upper floor and excellent air conditioning (a lifesaver in summer). However, the surrounding grounds are earthy gravel. Wear your most comfortable shoes. The path up to the Temple of Hephaestus is uneven and can be a challenge for manual wheelchairs.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
The Vibe: This place is a revelation. Designed by Renzo Piano, it houses the National Library and Opera and is a triumph of modern architecture. It is the perfect counterpoint to the ancient ruins.
The Experience: Come here in the late afternoon. Walk the park paths, watch the "Dancing Fountains" show in the canal, and head to the roof garden for panoramic views of the city and sea. The entire complex is completely barrier-free and effortless to navigate.
Cape Sounion
The Experience: The drive along the Athenian Riviera to Cape Sounion is as beautiful as the destination itself. You visit to see the Temple of Poseidon, perched dramatically on a cliff edge. It is arguably the best sunset spot in Greece.
Logistics: We recommend arranging a private van for this trip. While the temple terrain itself is rugged and has limited ramps, there is a paved path leading to a lower viewing area and a cafe terrace that offers those famous, dramatic views over the Aegean without the struggle of hiking the cliffside.
The Erechtheion with the famous Caryatids statues to the right of us
The Essentials
Travel Notes: Things to Keep in Mind
When to Go: Timing is everything in Athens. July and August can be punishingly hot (often 100°F+), making the exposed ruins miserable to explore. We visited in the fall and found the temperatures perfect. We are told Spring (April–May) is equally lovely, with the bonus of blooming wildflowers across the archaeological sites.
Transfers: Yellow taxis are plentiful, but for airport runs or day trips to the coast, we highly recommend pre-booking a private car. It completely removes the stress of luggage logistics and navigating foreign streets.
Money Matters: While credit cards and Apple Pay are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants, you will want Euros for taxi drivers, small "periptero" (kiosks), and tips.
The Water: Unlike many of the Greek islands where bottled water is mandatory, the tap water in Athens is safe and delicious. Most restaurants will serve bottled water by default, but you can ask for tap water without worry.
Tipping Etiquette: Greece is not the US. Tipping is appreciated but not aggressive. In restaurants, leaving a 5–10% cash tip is typical for good service. For taxis, simply rounding up the fare is the local custom.
Accessibility: The Good & The Reality
The Terrain: Athens is a city of contrasts. Modern areas like Syntagma Square and Ermou Street are excellent—smooth, wide, and paved. However, the historic Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods are defined by uneven cobblestones, narrow alleys, and steep inclines. They are essential to see, but they demand sturdy shoes and a slower pace.
Getting Around: We were pleasantly surprised by the public infrastructure. The Athens Metro (Lines 2 & 3) is modern, clean, and notably accessible, featuring elevators and level boarding at most major stations. It is often faster than sitting in surface traffic.
The "Philoxenia" Factor: Greece is famous for philoxenia (hospitality), and practically speaking, it is a major asset for accessibility. We consistently found that where the infrastructure fell short, the people stepped in. Waiters moved tables without being asked; locals offered directions before we even looked lost. The sidewalks might fail you occasionally, but the Greeks won't.
Our Favorite Discovery: Mastiha isn't just a drink; it’s a flavor profile you can't find anywhere else. Derived from the resin of trees on the island of Chios, it tastes slightly sweet with aromatic hints of pine and herbs. It became our favorite ritual to end a meal, but here is the pro-tip: Buy a bottle at the airport duty-free to take home. It is the perfect way to transport that "Greek Summer" feeling back to your living room.
View of Athens from the elevator going up the Acropolis
The TudorTravels Perspective
Designing Your Athens Athens is a city that rewards insider knowledge. It is chaotic, vibrant, and historically complex. Doing it wrong involves heat exhaustion, long lines, and tourist traps. Doing it right is effortless. That is where we come in.
The Logistics: We don't just book your room; we manage the "connective tissue" of your trip. From the private driver waiting for you at the airport (so you don't have to negotiate with a taxi) to the private guide who knows exactly how to access the Acropolis elevator without a wait, we smooth out the rough edges of the city.
The VIP Status: Because of our deep relationships with iconic properties like Hotel Grande Bretagne and Four Seasons Astir Palace, you aren't just a confirmation number. We prioritize your upgrades and ensure you receive daily breakfast and resort credits that you wouldn't get booking online.
The "Invisible" Details: We curate the cultural and culinary flow of your trip. We build your itinerary around the rhythm of the city, visiting the ruins when the light is best and the crowds are thin, and ensuring you have the perfect venue waiting for you when the sun goes down.
Ready to explore Athens? Contact us to start planning your adventure!