The Greek city that’s better to visit in winter with cheap Ryanair flights and funicular railways
“IT WAS so hot tourists were collapsing!” my taxi driver proclaims, throwing his hands in the air as he recalls tales of Greece in the height of last summer.
In mid-June the temperature hit a sweltering 42.2C, making it one of the hottest summers on record.
This severe heat is most certainly a rarity. But there’s no denying that the peak season months are growing increasingly hot in some of our favourite holiday spots.
Right now, though, I can’t help but feel a bit smug after opting for a Greek getaway well out of season.
It’s not hot, there are no queues, flights and hotels are cheap and we can get the best seats in any bar, café or restaurant.
Why come a cropper up the Acropolis in August when you can beat the crowds and heat by visiting mid-winter?
Athens is the perfect Greek city for an all-year-round mini-break, with lots to see and do. We began with an evening stroll around Athens’ oldest neighbourhood, Plaka.
With narrow pedestrianised lanes, tourist shops and tavernas, it’s no surprise that the area is heaving in summer, but we had plenty of space to breathe and enjoy glimpses of The Acropolis in peace.
For an even less crowded view, head to 360 Cocktail Bar where you can soak up not just the city’s sacred rock but views of the pastel-coloured buildings below, too.
Our base the AthensWas hotel on the edge of Plaka and just a two-minute walk to the Acropolis.
We were impressed by our balcony view of The Parthenon, but it looked even more impressive all lit up at night from hotel’s rooftop restaurant.
Breakfast at the hotel was also a real treat, with eggs, fruit and Greek yoghurt all brought to our table.
Which set us up nicely for a trip to The Acropolis museum. It is home to 4,000 ancient artefacts and regularly features in the top ten best museums in the world.
Peel away the layers
A brilliant app acts as an audio guide as you wander around looking at sculptures, friezes and everyday items which explain ancient Greek life, art and religion.
Parts of each floor are glass and help peel away the layers of history, with ruins visible all the way down in the building’s foundations.
We then headed for Mount Lycabettus, the highest point in Athens at more than 900ft.
On our last morning the Parthenon was bathed in sunlight and with no queue we could climb the Acropolis in minutes to gaze in wonder up close at the 2,500 year old temple.
According to legend, the hill was created when Athena accidentally dropped a rock she was carrying up to the Acropolis.
Almost as legendary as Athena are the dodgy tactics of Greek taxi drivers. We almost got ripped off on the way, so make sure the driver uses the meter, or use an app like Uber.
Look for the little funicular railway (12 euros each) at the end of Plutarch Street which takes you through the hill to the summit.
There we found the whitewashed Chapel of St George and the Sky Bar where we took in even more amazing views.
On our last morning the Parthenon was bathed in sunlight and with no queue we could climb the Acropolis in minutes to gaze in wonder up close at the 2,500 year old temple.
Looking at its huge, ribbed columns, we, like so many before us, wondered just how the ancient Greeks managed to conceive and build something of such beauty and magnitude.
But one thing we weren’t questioning by the end of our trip was visiting in winter. This tip is certainly not a Greek myth.
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GO: ATHENS
GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies from Stansted to Athens from £34 return. See ryanair.com.
STAYING THERE: A double room at the AthensWas is from £180 including breakfast. See athenswas.gr.