Greece Things to Do

There is so much to do in the Athens area, from island hopping in the Aegean and consulting with oracles at Delphi to exploring ancient Corinth or wine tasting in Nemea.

Greece is a deeply religious country and accordingly Christmas celebrations in Athens are solemn, centered around family and the Greek Orthodox church. Celebrations may be more muted than ever in 2012 following this year of austerity.

With all the recent economic difficulties around the world (understatement), you’d think cultural festivals and celebrations of artistic expression would be the first to go. Fortunately, this is not so. In fact, artistic endeavors like the Athens International Film Festival (AIFF) have dug in and flourished, creating jobs in local economies, opportunities for the reinforcement of international fraternity, and some much needed diversion for festival-goers and the residents of host cities.

Simultaneously one of the most intimidating and rewarding destinations in all of the Mediterranean, Athens is one place where it really pays for tourists to do a little advance research (particularly if your visit is going to be a brief one). Wander into the City of the Violet Crown (or City of Angry Greeks, as it is known by others) without plotting your course ahead of time, and you’re likely to end up overheated, worn out, ticked off, and light in the wallet. Happily, the number of opportunities for rewarding sightseeing and exposure to history, culture, and entertainment is staggeringly numerous.

Sure, Athens is home to the Acropolis and many other exciting and significant sites and attractions, but let’s be honest: It’s hot (particularly during the high season), it’s dirty, and it’s expensive. I typically advise first time visitors to Greece to hit the Acropolis (at least once), and then hurry to other more enjoyable destinations on the mainland, or, even better, for Piraeus, and the many magnificent islands and island chains beyond.

The smart money typically seeks the sandy shores of the storied Greek isles, but there are also numerous lovely beaches in and around Athens. The following are few of my favorite destinations along the Apollo Coast.

1. Astir. For travelers willing to drop a little coin, the beach at Astir has everything a sun-worshiper could hope for, including cabanas, umbrellas, beach-chairs, showers, restaurants and cafes, and even an ancient Temple to Apollo.