A philosophical weekend getaway in Athens

Once you’ve made it to Athens, it’ll be time to check into your hotel. Once you’ve settled in a little, head out and explore the town in the evening. Take a stroll through the town centre and then along the Acropolis hill before heading towards your chosen dinner spot for the evening. 

We recommend The Zillers for a perfect meal overlooking the Acropolis, the city’s most recognisable landmark. This vibrant restaurant offers a creative culinary experience that brings a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine. With its impeccable rooftop, central location and diverse menu, there’s something uniquely exciting about dining at The Zillers. Be sure to make your reservations early to ensure you get a table. 

Where are you checking into?

For this weekend getaway, we thought it would be perfect to base yourself right in the heart of the historic city. That means you’ll be staying 2 or 3 nights, depending on what sort of schedule works best for you, at the same hotel. 

We really love the Niche Hotel Athens for an atmospheric and comfortable experience with epic views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill. This contemporary yet cosy hotel provides every comfort visitors will be looking for, complete with a warm welcome and a vast selection of amenities.

An essential part of ancient Athenian life, and first on the itinerary of the day, is the Ancient Athenian Agora. This is where philosophers and citizens alike would meet up and discuss anything and everything, from human nature to the ongoings of the city. Socrates is one such man who would have regularly been found roaming the streets of the Agora, striking up conversations with just about anyone, asking them all kinds of questions as part of his method. In his Tusculan Disputations (45 BC), Cicero said of Socrates that he was "the first who brought philosophy down from the heavens, placed it in cities, introduced it into families, and obliged it to examine into life and morals, and good and evil." which fully contextualises Socrates’ philosophical practice out in the public sphere, especially in the Agora. Wander about the Ancient Agora and take the time to imagine what it would have been like at the Classical Period.

On your way out of the Agora, stop by the Pnyx which looks down upon the Ancient Agora and used to be a place where Athenians gathered to hold their popular assemblies. From there, head to Aristotle’s Lyceum. Uncovered in 1996, the remains of the site of the Lyceum can be found at P.Mela Square, not far from Lycabettus Hill. The Lyceum was established before Aristotle as a place for philosophical debate to take place. In 334 BC, Aristotle re-baptized the place as the Peripatetic School of philosophy. The school thrived as a space for learning and research until it was destroyed by Sulla during a Roman assault on Athens in 86 BC. 

The archeological site is open to visitors and provides a fascinating insight into the daily life of teachers and students of philosophy in Classical Athens. 

In the late afternoon, why not take time for a little shopping to pick up some copies of your favourite Greek philosophical texts. Some of our favourite bookstores in the city include Booktique, Aiora Books and To Lexipoleio , all of which include a tremendous English-language section. 

For dinner, head to Pelagos for an unforgettable meal overlooking the Mediterranean sea. The food is fresh and fun, while the view is incomparable. Be sure to book in advance to ensure yourself a table. Allow plenty of time to indulge in the calming and reassuring Mediterranean atmosphere, and who knows, all that staring at the sea might even inspire some philosophical contemplations of your own!