We Weren't Supposed to See This in Athens, Greece | Acropolis Travel Vlog

We went backpacking through Athens, Greece expecting ancient ruins, incredible Greek food, and a little history. What we didn't expect was stumbling upon a concert at a nearly 2,000-year-old theater beneath the Acropolis. Welcome to Athens, where the history is ancient, the food is dangerously good, and the stray cats have apparently taken over the entire city. In this episode of The Hartliebs, we're exploring historic Athens, visiting the world-famous Acropolis, wandering through the city's neighborhoods, meeting locals, eating our weight in Greek food, and discovering something pretty incredible at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. We're two former vanlifers who spent more than three years living on the road and have now decided that backpacking around the world sounds like a perfectly reasonable next chapter. We're also learning how to make YouTube videos along the way, so please excuse the occasional questionable camera angle. WHAT TO SEE & DO IN ATHENS, GREECE 1. Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon If you're visiting Athens for the first time, the Acropolis deserves a spot at the top of your itinerary. It's one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, with incredible views over the city. Our recommendation: Book tickets ahead of time, bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and visit early in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat and crowds. 2. Discover the Odeon of Herodes Atticus Built in the 2nd century AD, this ancient Roman theater sits on the southwestern slope of the Acropolis. It's one of the most remarkable historic performance venues in Greece. We unexpectedly stumbled upon a concert here, which turned into one of our favorite memories from Athens. If you're planning a trip, check whether performances or guided access are available during your visit. Access and event schedules can vary. 3. Explore Plaka and Anafiotika Want to experience the charming side of historic Athens? Wander through Plaka, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, and explore the narrow streets and whitewashed houses of nearby Anafiotika. Get lost, stop for coffee, explore the shops, and enjoy the atmosphere. Sometimes the best travel itinerary is not having one. 4. Eat as Much Greek Food as Humanly Possible Seriously. Come hungry. Some Greek foods worth trying: Souvlaki and gyros Moussaka Spanakopita (spinach pie) Greek salad with feta Tzatziki with fresh pita Loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) Our recommendation: Venture beyond the restaurants immediately surrounding the biggest tourist attractions, look for busy neighborhood tavernas, and ask locals where they actually eat. 5. Meet the Locals (Including the Four-Legged Ones) One of our favorite parts of Athens wasn't a famous landmark. It was the people we met, the unexpected conversations, and the absolutely ridiculous number of cats we stopped to pet. We came for ancient Greek history and apparently left with approximately 400 new feline friendships. ATHENS TRAVEL TIPS Planning your first trip to Athens, Greece? A few things we'd recommend: Spend at least 2–3 days exploring the city. Stay somewhere central if you want to explore historic Athens on foot. Reserve Acropolis tickets in advance. Bring comfortable walking shoes. Athens has plenty of hills, steps, and uneven stone pathways. Explore early in the morning or later in the evening during warmer months. Leave room in your itinerary for spontaneous discoveries. Support local restaurants and businesses whenever possible. Be respectful of Athens' community cats and let them approach you. Athens is so much more than a quick stop before heading to the Greek islands. Between its ancient history, neighborhoods, food, culture, and unexpected experiences, it's a city worth slowing down for. ABOUT THE HARTLIEBS We're Dan and Mackenzie, two former full-time vanlifers trading our home on wheels for backpacks, international adventures, and a slightly questionable amount of travel planning. After more than three years of vanlife, we're exploring what travel looks like in this next chapter. Our goal is to take one big backpacking adventure every year, explore new cultures, meet interesting people, and share the experience as honestly (and humorously) as possible. We're new to long-form YouTube, but we're figuring it out one questionable editing decision at a time. Subscribe and come explore with us! FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES TikTok:   / thehartliebs   Instagram:   / vanziehartlieb   Facebook:   / thehartliebs   YouTube: The Hartliebs Have you been to Athens? What's one thing we absolutely should have done while we were there? Tell us in the comments so we can add it to our list for next time. #AthensGreece #AthensTravelVlog #GreeceTravel #TheHartliebs #Acropolis