Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a recorded history spanning over 3,400 years; it was at the heart of the empire of Ancient Greece and is referred to as the birthplace of Western civilization and democracy. Although it’s the capital of modern-day Greece, the city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks. Autumn is a great time of year to explore as the oppressive summer heat gives way to warm days and the crowds start to dissipate.
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Flight time: 3hrs 16mins
Average day temp: Sep 24⁰C /Oct 20⁰C /Nov 15⁰C
Average rainy days: Sep 3 /Oct 5 /Nov 8
Average rainfall: Sep 14mm /Oct 53mm /Nov 58mm
Highlights
- There are plenty of archaeological sites, museums and ancient monuments across the city, you really are spoilt for choice. The most notable site is the Acropolis of Athens, where the Parthenon sits overlooking the city below. Visit The Acropolis Museum to learn more about the incredible history of this city and view some of the stunning collections.
- You can still taste summer in the local food; sample fresh ingredients, vibrant flavours, local olive oil, cheeses, nuts and fruits, all whilst sitting outside. And you can’t visit Athens without sampling some sweet, traditional Greek Baklava…
- You’ll need something to pair your food with, of course. Greece is one of the oldest wine producing regions and one of the largest wine producing countries in the world (18th in 2019, New Zealand was 16th), but much of it is not exported. Spend some time touring the wineries of Attica to learn about the unique grape varieties and sample some exquisite wines.