I'll admit it. Before visiting Athens, I thought I knew exactly what it would be like: a busy capital city with one world-famous landmark, a bit of traffic and somewhere I'd spend a night before boarding my cruise. I couldn't have been more wrong.

What I discovered instead was a city where ancient history sits comfortably alongside buzzing neighbourhoods, colourful markets and lively squares, all wrapped up in a destination that's surprisingly easy to explore on foot. Rather than simply being somewhere to pass through, Athens rewards those who take their time, and looking back, it ended up becoming much more than where my cruise began; it became part of the holiday itself.
Let's start with the obvious one. The Acropolis is one of the world's most recognisable landmarks and, despite the crowds, it's every bit as impressive as you'd hope.

Standing beside the Parthenon and looking out across Athens gives you a real appreciation of the city's extraordinary history. It's one of those places where you naturally stop for a moment, take in the view and realise you're standing somewhere that has helped shape civilisation for thousands of years.

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this: book the first entry slot when the Acropolis opens at 8am. Arriving early means you'll beat the biggest crowds and, just as importantly during the summer months, avoid the intense midday heat, while also leaving yourself with the rest of the day to explore everything else Athens has to offer.

Once you've explored the site itself, I'd also recommend making time for the Acropolis Museum, where seeing many of the original sculptures and artefacts up close helps bring everything you've just walked around to life and gives even more context to what you've experienced.

One of the biggest surprises for me was just how walkable Athens is. I found myself covering mile after mile without really thinking about it, wandering effortlessly from ancient ruins into the winding streets of Plaka before somehow ending up in Monastiraki Square, with every street seeming to lead somewhere interesting and very rarely feeling the need to check Google Maps.

In fact, I looked at my phone one evening and realised I'd clocked up well over 25,000 steps without ever setting out to do so. Some of my favourite moments weren't planned at all; they came from turning down a side street simply because it looked interesting and seeing where it would take me.

While the Acropolis understandably gets most of the attention, I found the Ancient Agora just as fascinating. Once the heart of ancient Athens, this was where philosophers debated ideas, merchants traded goods and everyday life unfolded thousands of years ago.

It's also noticeably calmer than the Acropolis, allowing you to wander at your own pace, take in remarkably well-preserved ruins and imagine what life might have been like when this was one of the world's most important meeting places. For me, it's one of those attractions that deserves far more attention than it often receives.
If there's one neighbourhood I'd tell everyone to spend time exploring, it's Monastiraki. The atmosphere is infectious, while its famous flea market is packed with independent traders selling everything from antiques and artwork to handmade jewellery, vintage treasures and quirky souvenirs.

Even if shopping isn't your thing, it's worth visiting simply to soak up the atmosphere. Street performers entertain the crowds, locals weave through the market and every corner seems to reveal something new, while it's only a short stroll from here to Hadrian's Arch, another reminder that history is never far away in Athens.
Another place that really surprised me was the Panathenaic Stadium. Even if you're not particularly interested in sport, it's well worth making the time to visit.

Built entirely from marble, it's the only stadium of its kind in the world and was the venue for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Standing on the running track gives you a genuine sense of the history that's unfolded here and explains why it's one of those attractions that's often overlooked but absolutely worth seeking out.
Outside the Hellenic Parliament in Syntagma Square you'll find one of Athens' best-known traditions, where every hour the Evzones perform the changing of the guard in their distinctive uniforms, complete with their famous pom-pom shoes.

It's free to watch, doesn't take long and is one of those experiences that's uniquely Greek. If you're there on a Sunday morning, the full ceremonial changing of the guard is particularly impressive and well worth planning your visit around.

If you've only got a day, or simply want to cover more ground without rushing, the open-top sightseeing buses are a great option. They stop at many of Athens' biggest attractions, giving you the freedom to hop on and off throughout the day while learning more about the city's fascinating history. It's a relaxed way to explore and an especially good option if you're visiting during the height of summer.

If you've still got some energy left, head up Lycabettus Hill. Whether you choose to walk or take the funicular, you'll be rewarded with one of the very best views in Athens, where looking out across the city with the Acropolis rising proudly above the rooftops and the sea stretching into the distance gives you a completely different perspective of the Greek capital. It's the perfect reminder of just how vast and varied Athens really is.

One thing I probably worried about more than I needed to was getting from Athens to the cruise terminal, but in reality it couldn't have been simpler. Whether you choose a taxi or hop on the Metro, Piraeus is only around 20 to 30 minutes away, making it incredibly easy to enjoy a couple of days in the city before it's time to board your ship.
For me, that made staying in the centre of Athens an easy decision because I got to experience everything the city had to offer without ever feeling stressed about embarkation day.

Before this trip, I thought Athens was simply the place where my cruise started. Now, I'd happily visit just for the city itself.

It's one of those destinations that constantly surprises you. Around one corner you'll stumble across an ancient monument, around the next you'll find a bustling square full of life and, before long, you'll realise you've spent an entire day exploring without ever feeling as though you've been rushing from one attraction to the next.

So, if your next cruise begins in Piraeus, don't just think about the ship. Think about everything that's waiting for you before you step onboard, give yourself a couple of days to explore Athens first and discover why it's a destination that's every bit as memorable as the cruise that follows. I have a feeling you'll be just as pleasantly surprised as I was.