We were certainly exploring the city—our average step count was nearly 20,000 steps a day. With temperatures in the mid-30s, it wasn’t always easy, but we were all really enjoying ourselves. We’ve always found the Greeks to be warm and welcoming, and Athens was no exception.
We spent time wandering through the historic sites around the Acropolis, taking in sweeping views of the sprawling city and the sea beyond. One afternoon, we decided to take the city tram to visit Lake Vouliagmeni. City trams are always a great way to see the real side of a place—far from the usual tourist hubs. This one took us from the city center, through busy neighborhoods, down to the port, and eventually, after switching lines, along the coast as far as the tram would go. From there, we hopped in an Uber.
There’s an entrance fee to access this natural thermal spa, where loungers and cabanas sit neatly in the shade around the lake’s edge. The setting had a distinctly high-end feel—unsurprising with a Four Seasons just around the corner—but more importantly for us, it still felt relaxed and welcoming. The lake, fed by both the sea and an underground spring filtered through a complex cave system, felt strangely therapeutic. It was the perfect, peaceful way to spend an afternoon.
Later, we ate at one of the bustling seafood restaurants farther down the coast before heading back to the apartment, where even Christien had run out of energy. Rachel and I had been running on fumes, so we were grateful for a quiet evening chatting at home.
Christien had a lunchtime flight the next day, but not before a final stroll through the weekly market followed by another exceptional breakfast—yet another spot he had picked. He’s 4–0 on restaurants this trip; every one of his choices has been excellent!
The rest of the week after Christien’s departure was fairly low-key. There’s always a bit of a hollow feeling when friends and family leave. We didn’t make it to the Ancient Agora right away—after another long day of “temple running,” a shaded spot for drinks and people-watching won out.
But the following weekend, after more trekking through the city’s open-air museum, we finally made our way to what was once the heart of the ancient city, with its parliament, bank, and civic center. From a distance, we had spotted the Stoa of Attalus—a long, rectangular building—and up close, it was even more impressive. Once a marketplace and social hub, its side rooms would have housed artisan shops, essentially an early version of a shopping mall. Today, it serves as an important museum.
As we walked around the site, we got a strong sense of what life might have been like back then. Towering above it all is the Temple of Hephaestus, perched on a high point overlooking the city—a beautiful structure, solemn and enduring.
There’s so much to like about this city. We loved being able to walk freely, discovering new layers each day. Athens felt genuinely welcoming—but then again, we’ve always found Greece to be like that.
Dream Chasers 