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Are you planning your next international vacation?
Then the beautiful historic cultural city of Athens should definitely be on your list!
More American travelers are visiting than ever before, and tourist satisfaction in the city has increased significantly over the past decade.
Here are 7 reasons why this historic cultural city is becoming extremely popular with American travelers:
A destination for the whole year
Athens is not just a summer holiday destination. It’s becoming a year-round destination, and American travelers are leading this shift.
Not until 2023 well over a million American travelers visited Athens, which is more than double the number that arrived in the previous record year 2019.
Many of Athens’ best and most famous sights, such as the Acropolis and the Panathenaic Stadium, can be visited all year round.
However, many American tourists have shown that they prefer to visit during the winter months, when temperatures are more manageable and visitor numbers are much lower.
The archaeological sites
One of the main reasons to visit Athens is its beautiful archaeological sites. The city is the birthplace of democracy and home to some of the greatest examples of classical art and architecture in the world.
The most popular of these archaeological sites is the Acropolis, an ancient citadel located on a rock above the city.
This site is so popular that the government has introduced a daily limit of 20,000 visitors to the site to limit crowds.
83% of tourists who visit Athens visit the Acropolis.
Other archaeological sites not to be missed during your stay in Athens are the Theater of Herodes Atticus, the ancient cemetery of Kerameikos and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
The delicious food
Greek food is among the best in the world.
Fresh salads, delicious souvlaki wraps and tables full of meze dishes ensure that every meal in Greece is an experience, and a chance to relax and reconnect with family and friends.
As Athens is the country’s capital, you are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options. Food prices in Athens are also reasonable, so even budget travelers can enjoy the local cuisine.
Since in most countries restaurants are significantly more expensive in the main tourist areas, we recommend that you look for restaurants that cater to locals.
Restaurants full of locals almost always offer the best price and the best dishes.
Shop in the markets
If you are looking for luxury goods, there are better places to visit in Europe. But if you’re looking for gemstones and quirky pieces, Athens’ markets are definitely worth exploring.
You can chat to stallholders, view unusual items and get a taste of Athenian culture. Many of these markets are popular with locals and tourists alike.
Athens’ markets are a great place to buy souvenirs while learning about the products and their origins and meanings, often from those who made or produced them.
Excellent nightlife
If you want to party all night long, Athens is a great place to be. The nightlife here is legendary, and for good reason.
Just don’t expect an early evening, because in most bars the party doesn’t start until around 10 p.m., when the daily temperatures have cooled, so you can party until the early hours.
Some of the best nightlife in the city includes the Kavouras bar for live Greek music and the 360 Cocktail Bar above Monastiraki Square, where the drinks are as good as the incredible views of the city.
Beautiful beaches
Because Athens has a reputation for being a grimy, urban city, people often don’t realize how close the city is to the coast. Less than 14 km south of the city center you will find a beautiful stretch of golden sandy beaches with clean water certified by the Blue Flag.
The bay of Skalakia Agias Marinas is one of the most beautiful and famous of these.
Athens’ beaches are a great place to enjoy water sports such as windsurfing and paddle boarding.
A gateway to the Greek Islands
Athens is incredible, but it’s also a noisy, busy city with very little green space.
For this reason, many travelers choose to use Athens as a stopover on their way to a more relaxing holiday on one of the many Greek islands.
If you land in Athens, you can fly straight back to the island of your choice. But most people choose to spend a few days exploring the city and then travel to the Greek islands by ferry. This is usually not only cheaper, but also a more picturesque way to travel.
Piraeus is the central port of Athens, but many ferries also depart from the ports of Rafina and Lavrion.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
