Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Athens
100% customisable for you
Make sure bags are packed and alarms are set: you’ll be up early to catch your three-and-a-half-hour flight to Athens. Keep the little ones entertained with our family packs (suitable for ages three to ten) and download some films for the journey – Mamma Mia is a must of course.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your private driver who will take you into the city to your centrally located hotel, chosen for comfort and easy access to Athens’ main sights. Settle and unpack before heading out to explore. Mooch around the lively flea market in Monastiraki Square, watch the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square, and wander the picturesque Plaka neighbourhood nestled at the foot of Acropolis Hill.
When it comes to dinner, consult our curated Dossier for tried-and-tested spots in the area or ask your local Concierge to point you in the right direction. Sample some freshly grilled souvlaki or hearty moussaka, before heading to bed.
Start the morning with a continental breakfast at your hotel before meeting your private guide for a family-focused introduction to ancient Athens. Today is all about stories – gods, heroes and family feuds are more memorable than dates carved into worn stone – as you explore the Acropolis and the surrounding ancient sites through myths and legends. Learn Aphrodite from Apollo as the battles, bickering, and conquests of Mount Olympus are brought to life over the course of three hours. After the Ancient Agora, once the heartbeat of daily life in classical Athens, pause for a light lunch nearby – nothing beats a flaky slice of tyropita (cheese pie).
This afternoon, explore Athens in your own time. If you’re keen on more ancient history, dive straight back in with a tour of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium; for younger legs, the National Gardens or nearby beaches are the perfect playground. Come evening, admire panoramic views from Filopappou Hill as you watch the city soften at sunset. Dine al fresco on a meze meal in one of our recommended tavernas – expect delicious dolmadakia (vine leaves) and mountains of authentic horiatiki (Greek salad).
Spend the morning strolling the city: visiting a kafeneion (Greek cafe) for a mid-morning bite and a coffee or dipping into one of the city’s many museums, from the Acropolis Museum to the National Archaeological Museum.
The afternoon is reserved for a private cookery lesson led by a local chef. Select fresh ingredients for your dishes, including spanakopita (spinach pie), soutzoukakia (meatballs), or papoutsakia (stuffed aubergines) before finishing on a sweet note: maybe syrup-soaked baklava (nutty layered pastry) or silky galaktoboureko (custard pie). Along the way, learn about Greek ingredients and everyday food culture, collecting home-style recipes that travel well, ready to be recreated back in your own kitchen.
Come evening, the city is yours once more – wander without agenda, eat when you’re hungry, and let the city reveal itself in small, unplanned moments.
Your final full day in Athens turns to its more contemporary pulse – a reminder that it isn’t only frozen in time. Join a private street-art walking tour to explore neighbourhoods where colourful murals and bold installations reflect modern Greece, its creativity and its evolving identity. With a knowledgeable local as your guide, discover how Athens’s creative scene has flourished since the 1990s: more than 2,000 artists and graffiti artists call the ancient city home, so it’s no wonder the city was christened as Europe’s Street Art Capital by The New York Times.
Enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. Spend it wandering the picturesque city streets, from pretty Plaka to the cosy café terraces of Thissio in the cooling shadow of the Acropolis. Pick up any last Greek souvenirs – think komboloi (worry beads), locally-grown olives, and thyme honey – and make your last dinner one to remember and linger over by consulting our Dossier for a glorious Greek feast. Don’t leave without trying some heavenly loukoumades (Greek doughnuts). Best enjoyed warm and one each, at least.
Rise and shine one last time in the Greek capital. Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before your private transfer to the airport. On the journey home, swap favourite tales of Greek mythology – stories learned through adventure, not textbooks. Touch down after a three-and-a-half-hour afternoon flight, with just enough time to unpack, reminisce, and make a start on those carefully chosen Greek treats... opa!
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
