When visiting anywhere, it’s essential to get the real experience. Not that the more tourist-attracting locations don’t often have merit or value, but part of the reason people travel is to catch a glimpse of another lifestyle. And that’s hard to do when you’re surrounded by other tourists. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Athens, Greece’s capital, here are a few ways to visit like a local—after you’ve visited the Acropolis, of course! Instead of Plaka, consider: Monastiraki Although Plaka is rich with historical details that make you feel like you’re in another world, explore some of the other neighborhoods around it! Monastiraki is exceptionally friendly to pedestrians, and it features a beautiful central market for anyone to walk through. It’s a great place to get a drink and admire all of the street art, or maybe peruse the flea market on Ifestou Street. Mets This residential neighborhood doesn’t get as much of the foot traffic as Plaka, but that makes it all the more convenient for you to get around without the crowds. Between the First Cemetery of Athens and the Panathenaic Stadium, you’ll work up quite an appetite, and it’ll be easy to swing by one of the bars or cafes along Varnava Square. The First Cemetery of Athens serves as the resting places for many of Athens’s affluent residents, which is evident in all of its mausoleums, chapels, and highly-decorated tombs. The stadium, a Roman-era creation, seats 50,000 visitors and has been standing since 143 CE. Instead of the Acropolis, check out: The National Garden Most visitors tend to skip over the National Garden, but with its many ponds, beautiful palms, and tall palm trees, it provides a perfect peaceful walking path. It’ll be hard to believe that you’re still in the middle of a bustling city like Athens, but all the better. Mount Lycabettus or Hymettus Mount Lycabettus is a favorite local spot for joggers and dog walkers alike, and only a fifteen-minute walk from the National Garden. It’s the highest point in the city and offers a stunning view. More dedicated hikers can check out Mount Hymettus, which is a 3,366 feet incline but gives an incredible perspective on the east side of Athens. Instead of the chain restaurants, try: Tailor Made Their specialty coffees will get you pumped up in the morning, ready to take on the city. Ariston Locals line up out the door for the pies in this place, and you can’t visit Greece without trying their house specialty of Kourou phyllo with feta. Psarras As this is one of the few restaurants in Plaka regularly attended by locals, you know it’s a great romantic dinner spot. Originally posted at DrNirmitSheth.net! http://drnirmitsheth.net/athens-like-a-local/