Athens Travel Guide
Greece may be undergoing a difficult period with billions of euros in debt, but Athens will forever remain a European centre of culture, with stunning classical sites and world-class museums.
While the suffering the economic crisis has brought shouldn’t be ignored, visitors may be surprised to find that the city’s restaurants and bars remain busy. Meanwhile, terrific deals can be found – with every cent helping locals.
The city is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who is celebrated by an ancient temple on the Acropolis, rising proudly above the concrete jungle of modern Athens. It reached its heyday in 5th century BCE as a city state, when many of the icons of Ancient Greece were erected. It was here that democracy was born, drama flourished and Socrates conceived the foundations of Western philosophy.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Acropolis is crowned with four ancient Greek temples, the best known of which is the majestic Parthenon. Nearby, the Acropolis Museum brings 21st-century design into the Greek urban landscape with its high-tech structure and minimalist exhibitions spaces. Then there’s the more staid 19th-century neo-classical National Archaeological Museum, displaying the world’s finest collection of Ancient Greek artefacts.
Below the Acropolis, touristy Plaka merges into the flea-market-strewn Monastiraki, which in turn is linked by the busy shopping avenue of Ermou Street to Syntagma Square, home of the Greek Parliament – the site of countless popular protests since the economic crisis.
West of Monastiraki lies Psiri, full of bars and taverns, and further west still, the trendy post-industrial neighbourhood of Gazi, known for its nightlife.
Greek food is loved across the world, and whether its gyros or moussaka you want, there are plenty of eateries to choose from. Venture out of the centre to find more varied fare, and more creative restaurants.
After dining, there’s the insatiable nightlife, with chic cocktail bars and waterside dance clubs. With so much fun to be had, and a blissful Mediterranean climate that extends into the night and through most of the year, you’ll wonder what there ever was to worry about it.
Inhabited for at least 5,000 years, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world. By the 5th century BCE, the developing Athenian state had launched democracy, which saw it become the cultural centre of Western civilisation.
Named after the goddess of wisdom, battle strategies and more, the city-state of Athens came to dominate Greece after defeating Persian invasions in 490 and 479 BCE. Under Pericles from 461 BCE, the construction of the icons of Ancient Greece began, including the Parthenon in Athens and Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. In this Golden Age, drama and the arts also flourished, and Socrates conceived the foundations of Western philosophy.
Despite echoing through the ages, Athens’ relatively brief dominance over Greece was challenged by Sparta and the Peloponnesian War followed for nearly three decades until 404 BCE. In 338 BCE, the Ancient Kingdom of Macedonia seized Athens, ruling it until the Roman conquest in 2nd century BCE. The city maintained its prestige as a centre of learning under the Romans.
More than five centuries of Roman rule were followed by that of the Byzantines, under whom it declined. Later, there was medieval prosperity in the 11th and 12th centuries – until Latin rulers conquered it during the Fourth Crusade in 1204.
Next came the Ottoman conquest in 1458. Although the empire wanted to preserve Athens’ ancient marvels, a litany of accidents and attacks led to the destruction of many.
Greece finally gained independence in 1832, and Athens was named capital. The King employed architects to redesign the city and erect impressive neo-classical buildings, such as the Royal Palace, today the Greek Parliament.
Athens grew rapidly through the 19th century, while Greek refugees from Anatolia flooded the city in 1920s after the Greek-Turkish war. Athens suffered greatly during the World Wars. Years of struggle between left and right in the post-war era led to a 7-year military dictatorship known as the Junta until 1974.
In the late 20th century, Athens developed into a truly modern city and in 2004 it hosted the Olympic Games. Since the eurozone crisis from 2009, it became the centre of widespread protests against the government, leading to civil unrest.
When Prince Otto of Bavaria became King of Greece in 1832, he adopted Greek clothing and used the local spelling of his name, becoming King Othon.
Although the Romans respected Athens’ legacy, General Sulla sacked the city in 87 BCE, causing much destruction. He did, however, order that the main monuments were not harmed.
During WWII and German occupation, the Nazis flew the swastika flag from the Acropolis. Its removal by Greek left wing politician, Manolis Glezos, sparked the Greek revolt.
Athens has a Mediterranean climate characterised by hot and dry
summers, relatively mild
winters and moderate rainfall.
While the summer nightlife is in full swing with open-air bars, concerts and beaches open for sunbathing, it can get very hot. The hottest month is August, where temperatures can reach an average high of 34°C (94°F).
Visit between May and June or September and October, warm weather and attractions that are not as crowded.
Average annual rainfall is 365mm (14.4 inches), and rain is frequent between October and March.
Visit in low season (November-April) to experience Athens like a local. It may not compare to the summer period, but the cultural scene will still be thriving.
Getting around Athens
Transport for Athens
Telephone:
+30 21 0820 0999 /
11185 in
Greece only.
Website:
www.oasa.gr operates the city’s buses, trolleybuses, trams and metro/electric train service.
Public transport is cheap and extensive but often overcrowded. Tickets are sold at bus terminals and some street kiosks (periptera) and must be validated in machines located on board buses or in the metro station. One-day, three-day, five-day and monthly passes for the entire urban network are available.
Blue-and-white buses run daily, with a limited night service on major routes. The most visited parts of the city are also served by several yellow trolleybus routes.
The electric train/metro Line 1 runs north-south between the suburb of Kifissia and the Piraeus Port (passing through Monastiraki).
Line 2 runs from Anthoupoli to Elliniko, (passing through Syntagma) while Line 3 runs from Aghia Marina (passing through Syntagma) in the direction of Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”.
However, as of 01 November 2018, trains on Line 3 don’t go directly to and from the Airport.
To get to and from the airport, alight at Doukissis Plakentias station, cross to the other side of the platform and continue on Line 3. There are plans for a fourth line to be added to the network.
Three tram lines link the city centre and the coast: Syntagma-Neo Faliro, Syntagma-Glyfada and Neo Faliro-Glyfada.
You can hail official yellow taxis with red-on-white number plates on the street. Companies operating radio cabs in Athens include;
Radio Taxi Ikaros
Telephone +30 210 515 2800
Website:
www.radiotaxiikaros.gr
When taxis are in heavy demand, it is not unusual to share the ride (but not the fare) with other passengers. Taxis are cheap by European standards. Tipping is not customary.
To improve traffic and pollution problem in downtown Athens, cars with registration plates ending in an odd number are allowed in the centre only on odd-numbered days, while those ending in even numbers are permitted only on evennumbered days.
This applies between 0700 – 2000 Mon-Thu and 0700 to 1500 on Fridays. The restricted area, known as daktylios in
Greek, includes the avenues and streets: Achilleos, Alexandras, Patission to the junction with Alexandras.
Avenue, Constantinoupoleos, Frantzi, Hamosternas, Iera Odos, Ilia Iliou, Karaiskaki Square, Karolou, Marni, Mesogeion, Michalakopoulou, Pheidipidou, Pireos, Spyrou Mercouri, Syngrou, Vryaxidos, Ymittou and Zacharof. Foreign cars are exempt from this scheme.
Parking in central Athens is severely restricted. Luxury hotels have their own parking spaces. Alternatively, try the central but very crowded car park at Klathmonos Square. In fact, a car is more of a problem than an asset in Athens, although you may wish to rent one for a trip out of the city.
Explore the cradle of Western civilization when you pick up a car rental in Athens. Home to more than thousands of years of history and the birthplace of democracy, its cultural and political achievements are still celebrated today.
A center for arts, sporting, learning and philosophy, visitors can see the city’s incredible roots on display at important cultural sites like the Acropolis and Panathenaic Stadium. For all its history, there’s still plenty of modern indulgences – the city is peppered with great shops, restaurants, bars and cultural attractions all waiting to be discovered.
Whether for traditional charms or modern amusements, when you pick up an Athens car rental you can explore it all on your own schedule.
In order to hire a car, drivers must be at least 21 years old, depending on company policy. All drivers without an EU licence must carry an International Driving Permit.
Our simple booking system makes it easy to reserve online before you go, offering flexible short- and long-term rental, all at great prices with no hidden charges, so when you arrive all that’s left is to discover the best of this exciting city.
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Book popular activities in Athens
Things to see in Athens
Attractions
The show-stopping Acropolis (upper city) dominates both the city’s skyline and any tourist’s itinerary. Athens’ original settlement was founded on this rocky outcrop and it has seen modifications through the millennia. The site includes four sacred buildings, all from the Golden Age of Pericles (461-429BCE). The steep ascent to the summit leads to the Propylaea, a monumental entrance to the site in Ionic and Doric styles. The Temple of Athena Nike is to the left of the Propylaea; the original was demolished in 480 BCE by the Persians and a new temple was built over the remains.
It was damaged again by Turkish forces in the 17th century but was beautifully restored after the independence of
Greece in 1834. The Parthenon is the largest building on the Acropolis and an icon of Western civilisation. Built entirely from marble, it was intended as a sanctuary for the goddess Athena and housed a massive statue of her, long since lost to history. Despite the tourists, the perfect harmony of the structure is still awe-inspiring. The Erechtheion temple is a dual shrine to Athena and Poseidon-Erechtheus and was built on the site of the mythical battle between the two deities. The south side features a series of six support columns designed as maidens or caryatids.
Address:
Makrygianni, Acropolis Hill, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0321 4172
Opening times: Daily 08:00-20:00.
Website:
www.odysseus.culture.gr
Admission Fees: Yes. Free admission on 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri), 18 April (International Monuments Day), 18 May (International Museums Day), The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days), 28 October and every first Sunday from 01 November to 31 March.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
Now a jumble of monuments and ruins, in Athens’ heyday, the Agora was the focus of city life, serving as a place of trade and as the city’s political, administrative and cultural heart. Law courts, temples and public offices were all based in this area, where ordinary Athenians, stallholders and merchants mingled with officials, politicians and philosophers. Today, the site is dominated by the 5th-century BCE Hephaisteion (Temple of Haephaistos), one of
Greece’s best-preserved ancient temples. The fascinating Museum of the Ancient Agora) contains an eccentric array of everyday artefacts found in the area. It is housed in the second-century BCE Stoa Attalou (Stoa of Attalos), which is thought to have been an early shopping arcade containing 42 separate shops.
Address:
Monastiraki, Adrianou 24, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0321 0185
Opening times: Daily 08:00-20:00 as of 01 November 2018.
Website:
www.odysseus.culture.gr
Admission Fees: Yes. Free admission on 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri), 18 April (International Monuments Day), 18 May (International Museums Day), The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days), 28 October and every first Sunday from 01 November to 31 March.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Ethnikó Archaiologikó Mouseío (National Archaeological Museum)
Housed in a late 19th-century building, the vast Archaeological Museum is undoubtedly the best museum in the country with one of the finest collections of ancient and classical Greek artefacts in the world. Fascinating pieces include the Mycenaean Art Collection, featuring hordes of finely crafted gold work dating from between the 16th and 11th centuries BCE, and the Bronze Collection, including an imposing statue of Poseidon or Zeus (no one is sure which) from 460BCE.
Address:
28is Oktovriou 44, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 3214 4800
Opening times: Daily 08:30-15:30 Except Tue 13:00-20:00.
Website:
www.namuseum.gr
Admission Fees: €10 until 15 November 2018
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Néo Mouseío Akrópolis (New Acropolis Museum)
This impressive ultra-modern glass-and-concrete structure showcases priceless ancient statues and artefacts from the Acropolis site. The star exhibit is the marble frieze that once ran around the top of the Parthenon – although almost half the pieces are in London. Greeks hope it will persuade the British Museum in London to return those pieces – the controversial Parthenon Marbles, seized by Lord Elgin in 1799.
Address:
Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0900 0900
Opening times: Daily 09:00-20:00.
Website:
www.theacropolismuseum.gr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Olympieion (Temple of Olympian Zeus)
Dedicated to Zeus, this was one of largest temples in the ancient world. Building work began in 6th century BCE, but was only completed around 640 years later in 2nd century CE under the Roman Emperor Hadrian. An earthquake damaged it during the medieval period, and much of the stone was subsequently carried away for use on other buildings. Today, 16 of the original 104 marble columns survive.
Address:
Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0922 6330
Opening times: Daily 08:00-20:00.
Website:
www.odysseus.culture.gr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Mouseío Benaki (Benaki Museum)
The museum houses the vast private collection of Antonis Benakis, the son of a wealthy Greek from Alexandria, Egypt. Displayed in a neo-classical mansion, the collection traces the development of Greek art, from the Stone Age up to the 20th century, with jewellery, ceramics, paintings, sculptures, furniture and costumes laid out diachronically. Highlights include the Thessaly Treasure (a stash of second century BCE gold jewellery) and two of El Greco’s early religious-themed oil paintings.
Address:
Koumpari 1, Athina.
Telephone:
+30 21 0367 1000
Opening times: Wed-Mon 10:00-18:00.
Website:
www.benaki.gr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Mouseío Kykladikís Téchnis (Museum of Cycladic Art)
The museum houses the spectacular private collection of Nicholas P Goulandris. Beautiful exhibits from the Cycladic civilisation (3,000-2,000BCE) form the focus of the collection. They include marble female figurines, thought to have been fertility symbols, which were inspirations for artists like Picasso and Modigliani, and decorated clay vases, placed in graves as votive offerings. Other artefacts span the pre-Minoan Bronze Age and the post-Mycenaen age up to 700BCE.
Address:
Neophytou Douka 4, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0722 8321
Opening times: Wed-Mon 10:00-17:00.
Website:
www.cycladic.gr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Panathinaiko Stádio (Panathenaic Stadium)
This elegant white marble stadium was rebuilt for the first of the modern-day Olympic Games in 1896. It is a reconstruction of the ruins of a 6th-century BCE stadium that originally stood on the same site, and which was also used by the Romans. It should not be confused with the modern Olympic Stadium in the north of the city at Maroussi that formed the centre stage of the 2004 Olympics, though it was used for archery and the finish line of the Marathon.
Address:
Leof, Vasileos Konstantinou, Athina.
Telephone:
+30 21 0752 2984
Opening times: Daily 08:00-19:00.
Website:
www.panathenaicstadium.gr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Théatro Dionysou (Theatre of Dionysus)
On the southern slopes of the Acropolis Hill, the Theatre of Dionysus was home to the original performances of the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripedes and the comedies of Aristophanes. This stone auditorium, from the 4th century BCE, held 17,000 spectators and the ruins remain one of the most atmospheric of Athens’ ancient sites.
Address:
Mitseon 25, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0322 4625
Opening times: Daily 08:00-17:00.
Website:
www.odysseus.culture.gr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
- Byzantine and Christian Museum
Byzantine and Christian Museum Housed in a delightful neoclassical villa, this modern museum exhibition space chronologically traces the development of Byzantium up until the empire’s fall in 1453. Besides boasting one of the richest collections of religious icons in the world, it exhibits mosaics, frescoes, sculptural works and jewellery from Greece and other regions of the former Byzantine Empire.
Address:
Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias 22, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 3213 9572
Opening times: Wed-Mon 09:00-16:00.
Website:
www.byzantinemuseum.gr
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
- Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)
Address:
Tsocha 7, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0870 7000
Opening times: Daily 07:00-17:00 Except Sat-Sun Closed.
Website:
www.visitgreece.gr
With a wealth of leaflets and plenty of local knowledge, the GNTO office can help you book everything from excursions to hotel rooms.
Tourist passes
A block ticket for the Archaeological Sites of Athens can be bought at any of the participating sites. The ticket is valid for four days and includes entry to the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysus, the Agora, Kerameikós, the Roman Forum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Things to do in Athens
- Go scuba diving in the Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea’s mild teal waters make it popular for scuba diving. Just outside Athens, the
Aegean Dive Centre
Telephone:
+30 22 9105 3461
Website:
www.aquadiversclub.gr
Arranges diving trips to nearby sites along the coast, including to sea caves and shipwrecks. If you have no previous experience, they also offer instructions for beginners and PADI courses.
- Look to the future with Technopolis
Located inside the capital’s old gasworks
Technopolis
Telephone:
+30 21 3010 9300
Website:
www.technopolis-athens.com
Is a cultural hub that plays host to concerts, exhibitions, theatre, performing arts and educational programmes for children.
- Visit the Acropolis Museum
The new
Acropolis Museum is one of the most important museums on a worldwide level as it houses hundreds of
ancient findings, including but not limited to statues, vessels, ornaments, and
marbles originating from the Parthenon and the Acropolis.
Telephone:
+30 21 0900 0900
Website:
www.theacropolismuseum.gr Athens tours and excursions
Athens tours
Athens is well suited to walking, as most sights are centrally located. The ‘Unification of Archaeological Sites’ links the city’s ancient sites by a 4km (2.5 miles) traffic-free promenade: Dionissiou Areopagitou leads from Acropoli metro station along the south side of the Acropolis to join Apostolou Pavlou which leads to Thissio metro station. From here Adrianou runs west to Monastiraki. Ermou also runs west to Keramikos. For private guided tours, contact the Association of;
Greek National Guides
Telephone:
+30 21 0322 0090
Website:
www.tourist-guides.gr
Τhe Athens Sightseeing Bus begins and ends its 90-minute tour of the city’s top sights from Syntagma Square (in front of the post office). En-route, attractions include the Acropolis Museum, the Acropolis hill, the Benaki Museum, the Cycladic Museum, the Panathenaic Stadium, the National Gardens and the National Archaeological Museum. You can hop on or off at any of the 15 stops, and the ticket is valid for 24 hours. Timetables vary slightly between the summer period (Apr-Oct) and the winter period (Nov-Mar).
Telephone:
+30 21 0922 0604
Website:
www.citysightseeing.gr
Athens excursions
According to Greek mythology, Delphi stands at the point where two eagles were released to the east and west by the god Zeus, thus marking the centre of the world. Soaring high near Mount Parnassos, it was home to the sanctuary of Apollo and the seat of his oracle. Today, the ancient UNESCO World Heritage site is an impressive array of ruins, and the excellent
Delphi Museum exhibits statues and offerings from the sanctuary of Delphi. Delphi lies 184 km (114 miles) from Athens and is served by a regular, three-hour bus journey from terminal B at Liossion 260 in Athens.
Telephone:
+30 22 6508 2313
Website:
www.odysseus.culture.gr
- Temple of Poseidon (Sounio)
Built in 444BCE, the white marble Temple of Poseidon stands on the tip of Cape Sounion overlooking the Aegean Sea, and is a spectacular sight, particularly when there is a good sunset. The coastal road from Athens offers a dramatic route to the ruins – by car or bus. From the city centre, the regular local bus departs from Mavromateon bus station, in front of
- Pedion Areos park (Viktoria metro station)
Telephone:
+30 22 9203 9363
Website:
www.odysseus.culture.grShopping in Athens
Since the onset of the current economic crisis, Athenians have curtailed the credit card shopping sprees they enjoyed during the first decade of the century. Retailers have suffered, and some shops in the city centre have had to close while others lowered their prices. Nonetheless, Athens remains a fine shopping venue for visitors on all budgets.
For everyday clothing and accessories, Athens’ busiest shopping street is the pedestrianised Ermou, off Syntagma Square; pick up the season’s latest clothing and accessories. The most upmarket shopping district – think designer boutiques and jewellers – is nearby Kolonáki. It includes Tsakalof street, one of the most expensive streets in the area. Touristy Pláka is where you’ll find the souvenir shops.
In Monastiraki, on the edge of Pláka, bazaar-style stores sell everything from combat army boots to second-hand books and fake designer sunglasses. Sunday mornings bring the Monastiraki Flea Market, with antiques and bric-a-brac.
Kentrikí Agorá (Central Market), in a huge 19th-century metal structure near Omonia Square, is the place for fish, meat and fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables are sold weekly in the Laiki (People’s Markets) all over Athens.
The Mall, in the northern suburb of Maroussi, is a large shopping mall with a large variety of international brands and specialist activity stores.
Shopping hours in Athens aren’t standard. Small, family-run shops generally open Monday and Wednesday 09:00-15:00; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 09:00-14:00 and 17:30-21:00 and Saturday 09:00-15:00.
Shopping malls are open Mon-Fri 10:00-21:00 and Sat 10:00-20:00. The districts of Plaka and Monasteraki operate rom 10:00- 22:00 in summer and 10:00-21:00 in winter.
Typical Greek gifts include hand-woven rugs, known as flokati, copper coffee pots, virgin olive oil soap and honey. Some museums have shops selling reproductions of Ancient Greek statues and archaeological sites.
Visitors from outside the European Union who have been in Greece for less than three months are eligible for the tax free shopping scheme run by
Global Blue
Website:
www.globalblue.com
VAT is currently charged at 24% in mainland Greece (17% – Lesvos, Lemnos, Chios, Kos, Patmos, Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kasos, Leros, Nisyros, Symi, Tilos, Kastellorizo, Samos, Icaria, Samothrace). A ‘tax-free cheque’ will be issued in the shop to be presented along with the receipt to customs when leaving the country.
Restaurants in Athens
Below the Acropolis, touristy Plaka has countless eateries marketing themselves as classic Greek tavernas. Some even have rustic decor and live music. The nightlife district of Gazi is the place to try modern creative cuisine, while restaurants in the Syntagma area do lunch for business people working in nearby offices.
In Monastiraki, on the edge of Psirri, you’ll find plenty of interesting tavernas and snack and fast food places, many staying open well after midnight. Some Athenian restaurants close for the summer break from mid-July to mid-September. The restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over €60)
Moderate (€30 to €60)
Cheap (up to €30)
These prices are for an average three-course meal for one person including a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include sales tax but do not include service charge or tip. Prices in Greek restaurants usually include the 6-24% sales tax.
However, all Greek restaurants are required by law to add a 13% service charge to the bill and it is still customary to leave the waiter an additional 10% tip on top.
Expensive
Cuisine: Creative Mediterranean
One of the capital’s premier eateries, Funky Gourmet earned its first Michelin star in 2012. There are just three degustation menus, each of varying lengths and with optional wine pairing. Expect a creative take on Greek classics and a fusion of Mediterranean flavours, all beautifully presented. Dinner only.
Address:
Salaminos, Paramithias 13, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0524 2727
Website:
www.funkygourmet.com
Cuisine: Modern French and Mediterranean
Frequently cited as Athens’ top restaurant, Spondi occupies a vaulted stone cellar in the Pangrati neighbourhood, with subtle lighting and neo-baroque furnishing. In summer, there are tables outside in a pretty courtyard. The menu features fusion French and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, with an abundant use of aromatic herbs and spices. Reservations recommended. Dinner only.
Address:
Pangrati, Pyrronos 5, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0756 4021
Website:
www.spondi.gr
Cuisine: Seafood
Seafood aficionados should head for Michelin-starred Varoulko. The six-course degustation menu is an adventure in itself, and changes daily depending on what’s fresh at the market. Expect exquisite treats such as ceviche of sea bass with tomato and basil sorbet with wines to match.
Address:
Mikrolimano, Akti Koumoundourou 52, Piraeus.
Telephone:
+30 21 0522 8400
Website:
www.varoulko.gr
Moderate
Cuisine: Greek
Surrounded by the antiques section of the Monastiraki Flea Market, the character of this lively restaurant combines the spirit of Greece with the feel of a pretty French bistro. Mirrors and bric-a-brac line the walls, dishes run the gamut of the Greek classics, and live music features on weekends.
Address: Monastiraki, Kinetou 7, Athens.
Telephone: +30 21 0321 7047
Website: www.cafeavissinia.net
Cuisine: Regional Greek
This refined eatery in the Makrygianni neighbourhood, near the Acropolis, fills with chatting locals digging into an array of small plates from the Peloponnese’s Mani region. Ingredients showcase the best that Greece has to offer, from rich, crumbling feta cheese to thyme honey and succulent lamb.
Address:
Makrygianni, Falirou 10, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0921 8180
Website:
www.manimani.com.gr
Cuisine: Modern Greek taverna
Tucked away behind Syntagma Square, Athenians like to retreat to this informal eatery for a long, slow lunch. Serving modern Greek cuisine, it is known throughout town for its delicious chicken with creamy mastiha sauce served on a kadaifi (shredded pastry) base, as well as colourful creative salads. The décor is shabby chic with wooden furniture and retro tinned foods.
Address:
Syntagma, Mitropoleos, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0324 7607
Website:
www.tzitzikasmermigas.gr
Cuisine: Creative Mediterranean
This brunch restaurant in Monasteraki offers a range of international breakfast dishes like pancakes with maple syrup and sunny side up eggs with crispy bacon and toasted bread. Brunch is from 0800 to 1800, after which the contemporary dinner menu takes centre stage. This small restaurant can get quite busy so make a reservation to guarantee a table.
Address:
Psirri, Karaiskaki 33, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0323 2244
Website:
www.ifeelathens.com
Cheap
Cuisine: Greek souvlaki
Thanasis is a popular place for generous portions of shish kebab (made from minced beef or lamb) that’s served with pitta bread, sliced onions, grilled tomatoes and chips, plus an optional side plate of garlicky tzatziki. The atmosphere is fast and chaotic with tables both indoors and out.
Address:
Monastiraki, Mitropoleos 69, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0324 4705
Website:
www.souvlaki-othanasis.gr
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Best restaurant offers a range of international breakfast Lunch Dinner dishes. Very good service, polite staff, affordable prices, very good quality and quantity of food. Strongly recommended for all. Orders through our site are made from 11.00 in the morning until 24.00 at midnight. For the rest of the hours you can order via Efood or via Wolt.
Address: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 44, Athens.
Telephone: +30 21 0922 1159
Website: www.24oro.com.gr
Cuisine: Classic Greek
Traditional home-style cooking served all day in a simple restaurant with an open-air terrace.
Address: Pl. Tsokri 1, Athens.
Telephone: +30 21 0921 8911
Website: www.smilegreekcuisine.wixsite.comAthens Nightlife
Athens has a lively nightlife scene that takes place in the hundreds of bars, tavernas and clubs, as well as in the streets. One of the most popular nightlife areas in Athens is Gazi which has a large amount of bars and clubs that are open until late. Closer to the centre, Psirri also caters for mainstream tastes. To rub shoulders with the Athenian elite, try the upmarket area of Kolonaki.
For a drink under the stars with an Acropolis view, head to the open-air cafés lining Apostolou Pavlou in Thissio and Adrianou near Monastiraki. Other vibrant areas include grungy Exarhia (the bohemian student quarter) and Syntagma.
During the summer, the Hellenic Festival offers open-air concerts, dance and theatrical events. Tickets for all performances included within the Athens Festival and the Epidaurus Festival are sold at the Hellenic Festival Box Office
Telephone:
+30 21 0327 2000
Website:
www.greekfestival.gr
Bars in Athens
Hotel bars are rarely frequented by locals, but this one is different. Located in Monastiraki, this sixth floor cocktail bar affords fantastic views of the Acropolis, floodlit at night. With a spacious terrace, minimalist design, DJ music and great mojitos, it’s one of Athens’ most popular venues, and gets so crowded after midnight at weekends that it feels more like a club. To enjoy the view without the rabble, come early for a sunset aperitif.
Address:
Maiouli 2-4, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0324 4244
Website:
www.aforathens.com
In pretty Plaka, this old-fashioned distillery dates from 1909. The cosy and much-photographed interior combines a wooden bar lined with stools, and walls stacked with shelves of coloured back-lit bottles. The liquors on offer are their own creations, numbering over 30 flavours, based on various Mediterranean fruits, herbs and spices. They also serve a fine selection of Greek wines by the glass.
Address:
Kidathineon 41, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0323 2110
Website:
www.brettosplaka.com
The most popular bar in Gazi by far is Omikron 2, a lounge-bar. The music is an eclectic mix of electronic, indie, jazz and rock. In summer, clients spill out onto the car-free piazza.Gazi has its own separate all day space. In our unique architectural aesthetic space, at Gazi Square, we have created a Restaurant-Cafe-Club where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner, coffee or a drink in a lively space adapted of the season.
Address: Voutadon 42, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 69 0766 3759
Website:
www.omikron2athens.gr
Clubs in Athens
Island in Varkiza is another club by the beach to look out for in summer. Glamour reigns here, with a whitewashed wooden deck affording stunning sea views, and a background of ambient and lounge music. Inspired by the romance of the Cycladic islands, there’s chill-out area with scatter cushions, potted plants and flickering candles, and a restaurant serving creative Mediterranean cuisine plus sushi. Romantic and effortlessly chic.
Address:
Varkiza, Sounio Avenue 27, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0965 3563
Website:
www.islandclubrestaurant.gr
The best club in Athens! Situated on Iera Odos street, our vibrant nightclub offers an unforgettable nightlife experience in the heart of Athens. As the premier destination for partygoers, Lohan Nightclub brings together the finest music, dancing, and entertainment in the city.
Address:
Lera Odos 32, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 69 8750 1825
Website:
www.lohanathens.com
Live music in Athens
Rock music enthusiasts might prefer the more informal Gagarin 205, staging live concerts in a former cinema space – the seats have been taken out, but the sloping floor means you can see the stage, even from the back. Attracting international names from the world of alternative music, Gagarin has hosted performances by avant-garde post-punk Manchester band, The Fall, Turkish alternative musical group, Baba Zula, and heavy metal band from Florida, Iced Earth.
Address:
Liosion205, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 1411 2500
Website:
www.gagarin205.gr
For the best jazz in town, visit Half Note Jazz Club in Mets. On the go since 1979, it’s a classic jazz dive – cramped but cosy, with a small stage and a smoky bar area. It attracts an impressive line-up of international names including legendary blues musician Otis Taylor from Chicago, and the Curtis Fuller Sextet, lead by jazz trombonist Curtis Fuller from Detroit. It also offers a platform for local talent.
Address:
Mets, Trivonianou 17, Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0921 3310
Website:
www.halfnote.gr
To hear authentic rembétika (blues sung by immigrants from Asia Minor who came to Greece in the 1920s), try the Stoa Athanaton, in the arcade inside the meat section of the Central Market. Founded in 1930, this atmospheric venue gets packed with locals, both old and young.
A flower lady sells carnations, which the audience throw to the musicians during their favourite songs. It warms up around midnight with singing and dancing till 04:00.
Address:
Athens.
Telephone:
+30 21 0321 4362Athens Food And Drink
Food In Athens
the gyros (yes, the singular has an “s” at the end) is one of the most famous foods in thens. Consisting of chicken or lamb in a fresh pita and served with sliced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and topped with tzatziki, the gyros is a great on-the-go sandwich or burrito-like dish.
Zucchini, feta and plenty of fresh herbs rolled into balls and fried until light and crispy and golden brown! These zucchini balls are a great appetizer and can be served with tzatziki or marina sauce for dipping.
Dolmades (Dolmathes) refers to Greek dishes made with either cabbage or vine/ grape leaves, stuffed with a delicious herb-y rice mix, shaped into little rolls and boiled until wonderfully tender. Some dolmades recipes, besides rice, herbs and seasonings, also include minced meat (beef and/or pork).
Souvlaki, marinated meat grilled on a skewer, is a Greek fast food. Pork is traditionally used to make the dish, but chicken, lamb, and beef are also common. You can enjoy souvlaki straight off the skewer as a kebab, in a warm pita with your favorite toppings, or over a bed of fresh veggies.
A very traditional Greek Moussaka recipe made with thick layers of eggplant, beef in tomato sauce, topped with béchamel sauce.
A classic family-friendly dish from the Mediterranean, moussaka is classic comfort food, which we happily eat all year round. It consists of layers of pan-fried eggplant, a thick, rich lamb-tomato sauce, and a topping of deliciously creamy bechamel sauce.
Spanakopita is a delicious savory Greek pie made of perfectly crispy layers of phyllo dough and a comforting filling of spinach and feta cheese. Additionally, it contains folate, iron, and magnesium, important daily nutrients.Its high fiber content aids digestion and promotes satiety, making it a valuable addition to any diet.
Hearty and filled with vitamins, spanakopita can be found throughout the city, from the terraces of restaurants overlooking the Adriatic to busy modern patisseries, where you will rub elbows with politicians, businessmen, and grandmas alike.
Baklava is a sweet dessert made of layers of flaky phyllo pastry filled with crushed nuts and sweetened with honey syrup. Though the exact origins are not certain, some historians consider the baklava a derivative of a similar dessert made as far back as the 8th century BCE by the Assyrians. Its modern form likely took shape during the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century.
Drink In Athens
Within a short distance from Athens, you can discover the wine regions of Attica and Peloponnese. Attica, the region surrounding Athens, is known for its ancient vineyards and indigenous grape varieties.
The wine of St. George and Greece’s most popular red wine variety, When aged in oak, it displays a deep colour, concentrated character of red fruits and aromatic complexity.
Santorini wines have attained the industry’s holy grail: establishing a taste that is not only unique but ascribable to the wine’s provenance―in this case, the volcanic soils of this strange Cycladic island. Thanks to their pronounced mineral taste, Santorini wines are the darlings of sommeliers and wine buffs the world over and have become the de facto wine ambassadors of Greece.
Winemaker Paris Sigalas is an expert at making the Assyrtiko grape shine (and sing). Sigalas wines are always well-made, dependable and gracious. His textbook Santorini Assyrtiko is steely-dry yet fruity, mouth-filling and racy, a display of power without aggression. A white wine that generates awe.
- Malagousia Ktima Gerovassiliou
Vangelis Gerovassiliou is probably Greece’s most respected winemaker, with several top wines in his range. His estate, on the outskirts of Thessaloniki in the rolling hills of Epanomi, is one of the most beautiful in Greece. It’s well worth a visit, not only for its lovely wines but also for its museum which houses one of the world’s largest collections of corkscrews (5000 and counting). Gerovassiliou is credited with saving the Malagousia grape from extinction—now the most up-and-coming varietal in Greece.
His 100% Malagousia has a powerful citrusy nose, elegant and unexpected in its intensity. Mouth-feel is fat and creamy due to the judicious use of oak. A beautiful white wine, beautifully packaged, this makes the perfect gift to take home.
- Tear of the Pine Retsina, Kechris Winery
Retsina is a delicate subject in the world of Greek wine because so many people outside Greece identify local wines with pine-flavoured plonk, to the detriment of all the other good wines now being made.
There aren’t that many retsinas around and certainly not many exciting ones. Stelios Kechris is the retsina specialist and his Tear of the Pine, made from the Assyrtiko grape in northern Greece, is an astonishing example of a modern retsina that will blow you away. The Assyrtiko comes through nicely, blending in a weird way with the pine resin to create something very original. This dry white wine ages exceptionally well.
- Samos Vin Doux, Samos Coop
The local wine cooperative on the island of Samos has an extensive range of wines, all from the Muscat grape. But none of them is as succulent as their Vin Doux. The term “liquid sunshine” may be hackneyed, but it most certainly is to be found in this bottle of nectar, which encapsulates to perfection the sun-drenched terraces of Samos. Given the intense pleasure this sweet white wine guarantees at only €6, it has got to be one of the best buys coming out of the Greek vineyard.