Arriving in Athens, we were full of anticipation.
This was our second country on our European summer adventure with the Autens. And we were super excited about our shared Airbnb, a beautiful townhome tucked into the city, topped with a rooftop terrace and a front row view of the Acropolis. One of those places that makes you pause and think, yes, this is really happening.
While we waited for the house to be ready, we settled into a nearby café for lunch. That’s when the girls joined me to checked something big off my bucket list. We slipped away to have a pair of Greek leather sandals custom made at the famous Poet Sandal Maker, who has brought in A-list celebrities from around the world. The shop was wonderfully quirky, filled with art and odd little treasures created by the poet himself. Sitting there getting fitted, waiting while my sandals were made on the spot, I couldn’t help but feel a little Carrie Bradshaw energy. A simple luxury, deeply rooted in place, and absolutely worth it.
Sandals in hand, we met the boys at the Acropolis entrance. We couldn’t wait, this had to be at the top of our to-do list. We went straight in at dusk, hoping for the best light. After an ice cream stop at the entrance, we made our way up the steps, stopping first at the Theatre of Dionysus. Coincidentally, it’s dedicated to Jason’s favorite mythological Greek character, the Greek God of Wine. Of course.
Even in the off season, the Acropolis was packed. I can only imagine what peak summer looks like. Still, the weather was perfect. The marble underfoot was slick and worn, adding to the sense of history. Walking beneath the first entrance pillars, we all went quiet. And then there it was. The Parthenon. Standing in front of something so iconic, so layered with history, felt surreal.
We took our time circling the structure, soaking in every angle. We looked out over the massive city built around it, studied the details up close, and lingered where the light hit the goddess columns just right. It was impossible not to be moved. We could have stayed for hours, but the sun was setting and we were eager to enjoy our townhome.
That night we found a small local restaurant for dinner, the kind of place you stumble into and immediately know it’s special. Afterward, pastries and ice cream were nonnegotiable. We ended the evening on the rooftop with a bottle of wine, listening to a full orchestra perform at the Theatre of Dionysus while the Parthenon lit up behind us. One of those moments you wish you could bottle.
The next morning, after a quick dance party on the roof, we woke up early for the Acropolis Museum. None of us realized how massive it was. The kids were thrilled to find scavenger hunts throughout the exhibits, which kept them happily engaged. The museum was filled with remnants of the ancient city, mythological scenes we all remembered from school, and layers of history stacked on top of each other. Beneath it all sat Roman ruins, old roads and buildings from an empire that once thrived.
Hunger eventually pulled us away, and we headed to Plaka for lunch. This is where Evey fell in love with gyros, a love affair that continues to this day. We wandered the winding streets, popped into shops, and slowly made our way toward the Ancient Agora. Finding the entrance turned into a journey of its own. After fully circling the entire site more, and walking far more than planned, we were loosing our sense of adventure. We stopped at a café to regroup. Some headed back to rest. The rest of us pushed on, not willing to miss it.
I’m so glad we did. The Ancient Agora brought the city to life in a different way. Not the world of gods and temples high on the hill, but the place where everyday life happened. Where business was done, ideas were exchanged, and community formed. We also spotted more turtles than expected, which turned into a fun scavenger hunt of its own.
Walking through the entire site exhausted us, but still took our time to stop and take in all the sights on our trek back to the hotel. Athens doesn’t let you rush. Everywhere you turn there are ruins, shops, stories, and food calling your attention.
We were about to head into a week of island hopping, but Athens deserved more time than we gave it. It’s a city that asks you to slow down, look closer, and come back again.
Until next time,
