Furthermore by Equinox: 48 Hours in Athens

Day 1

Fuel up for an active day with breakfast at Novagea. Try one of their homemade juice blends like the savory Dakos—a liquified interpretation of the classic Cretan salad—made with ripe tomatoes, feta cheese, and briny capers. Energy bowls with Greek yogurt, honey, nuts, and fresh fruit are another healthy, filling option.

Ancient Greek temple

Option 1: Culture

If it’s your first time in Athens, visiting the Acropolis is a must. This historic citadel is where you can walk among the remains of the Parthenon, the most treasured monument of ancient Greece. First, check out the Acropolis Museum for educational context, then take a ten-minute stroll to the gate of the structure and climb up.

Option 2: Fitness

At 909 feet elevation, Lycabettus is the tallest and most central of the city’s seven hills and offers incredible 360 degree views at the peak. While a cable car can carry you to the summit, the less-than-thirty-minute hike up the stone steps provides a tranquil tortoise-inhabited forest escape in the heart of Athens. Perched at the very top is the whitewashed Chapel of St. George, which dates back to 1870.

For lunch, go to the neighborhood-of-the-moment, Koukaki. Settle in at the hip Bel Ray with the spanakopita salad, a deconstructed spinach filo pie served with soft goat cheese in place of feta.

Take in more of the city’s spectacular views with dinner at Galaxy, a rooftop restaurant. Sample dishes like parsnip and pear velouté and sea bream carpaccio in the dining room overlooking the Acropolis.

Day 2

Start with a Mediterranean breakfast at Meliartos, a culinary emporium on bustling Ermou Street. The restaurant includes a coffee house, pie shop, creamery, and kitchenette. Items like omelettes and savory cheese pies are made on-site using the best Greek ingredients, with a bevy of alternate options for those with food sensitivities.

 

Option 1: Culture

Designed by famed architect Renzo Piano, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is a reimagined version of ancient Greece’s public plazas. Home to the National Opera and library, this sprawling complex is an aesthetic marvel, with a central ascending promenade, landscaped olive groves, and tranquil canals.

 

 

Option 2: Fitness

Sign up for a two-hour Olympian-inspired outdoor workout with tour operator Alternative Athens. You’ll learn about the ancient Olympic games as you meander through the city’s famous athletic sites including a 19th-century gymnasium and Zappeion, the first official facility of the games. After a guided training session, it ends with a competitive race on the tracks of the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896.

Enjoy a laid back lunch at six d.o.g.s. This hidden courtyard spot is an all-day hangout popular with Athenians for its finger foods, frappés (the quintessential Greek iced coffee drink), and aperitivi. Try one of their salads, like the Caprese or Cobb, then stay after the sun goes down, when it turns into a buzzing live music venue.

Even though you’re on the mainland, island vibes aren’t hard to find. Head to the Mikrolimano district near the port of Piraeus, where you can dine to the sound of traditional rembetiko music and waves lapping onto the shore. There are about a dozen restaurants around this semi-circular marina, though Varoulko Seaside is a local favorite for its refined take on classic fare like grape leaves stuffed with crayfish and shrimp and kritharaki (orzo) with prawns.

Don’t pass up a nightcap at The Clumsies back in the city center, ranked among the World’s 50 Best Bars for its inventive concoctions and convivial atmosphere. Order the signature Aegean Negroni made from house-distilled gin, Cretan dictamo plant, and caper berries—a perfect end to your experience.

This story originally appeared on Furthermore by Equinox, the official wellness partner of The Related Life. Check out their site and follow them @furthermore.